Scotland: It’s not all kilts, whisky, golf, and Mel Gibson in blue face paint – though I did have a surreal moment at the Flattie Bar one night in Stromness watching Braveheart with the locals.

But it’s forgivable if that’s the breadth of your Scotland knowledge; we have popular culture to thank for these generalizations, but all too often they overshadow the complexity and wonder of the real country.

After announcing Traveling Savage’s new focus on Scotland, many readers were excited because Scotland is a place they either know little about or haven’t considered for their own travels. It can be difficult for me to express why I love Scotland as much as I do, so I decided to challenge myself and describe why I’m going to Scotland and you should too.

I hope this post will serve as a reference for new and old readers about the mission and forthcoming content of Traveling Savage.

Pittenweem, Fife

Scotland Is Mastering Green Tourism

Scotland is rife with green spaces. Almost 70% of the population live in a lowland belt that includes Edinburgh and Glasgow, and much of the highlands and islands are lightly populated. Thankfully, Scotland and the greater United Kingdom have been prodigious in their efforts to retain its wilderness and natural beauty. The nation has implemented a green tourism business scheme (GTBS) that rewards businesses for adhering to a set of green principles that help protect and bolster the local environment, like conserving natural resources, reducing waste, and supporting the local economy. The GTBS is also linked to VisitScotland, Scotland’s main tourism Web site, which makes it easy to book accommodation and activities with green businesses.

Protecting indigenous species and habitats goes hand-in-hand with reducing the human impact on the environment. In conjunction with VisitScotland and the GTBS, a variety of protective organizations like the Forestry Commission and the Scottish Wildlife Trust are keeping a watchful eye on how tourism interacts with wildlife and natural spaces. I’ve seen the power and effectiveness of this system during my trips to Scotland, and I can’t help but cast a wishful eye toward the United States’ lagging green efforts. I feel comfortable visiting Scotland’s ancient forests, secluded lochs, and cliffs and crags knowing that such a thoughtful system is in place to mitigate the damaging effects of tourism.

History Is Everywhere and It Is Being Rewritten

With standing stones, roman walls, and medieval castles, Scotland’s past is on display wherever you roam. People have inhabited the land for 10,000 years, leaving monuments like Orkney Islands’ Skara Brae, that are older than the Great Pyramids at Giza. For thousands of years the land has changed hands from prehistoric iron age peoples to Picts to the Caledonians who warred with the Romans to the Britons, Scotti, Dalriatans, Norwegians, and English. Each culture left its mark on modern day Scotland and together they form a deep historical record.

I can’t help but feel excited when, cresting a hill, a ruined castle appears in the valley below. A few years ago I visited Maeshowe, a neolithic chambered cairn in the Orkney Islands. The walls inside the cairn were carved with the runic graffiti of Norsemen who had plundered the cairn more than a millennium ago. The confluence of cultures is fascinating to follow, and today archaeologists are still discovering new insights into Scotland’s historical record. Recently, a study concluded that ancient Pictish stone carvings are in fact the written language of the Picts!

Kildrummy Castle

The Whisky Industry Is Evolving

There’s a popular misconception that single malt Scotch whisky is the domain of old fuddy-duddies, and while I’d be happy to let this linger (more whisky for me!) I can’t help but explore the developments in the industry and share them with you.

Whisky is near to my heart and crucial to Scotland’s health. It’s in the UK’s top five exports, it earns billions of pounds in duty each year (bummer), it’s an integral element of many communities’ economies, and it’s closely linked to tourism. And the product is experiencing a boom. While distilleries like Annandale and Falkirk that have long stood moth-balled and bereft of equipment are in the process of reopening, long-established distilleries are experimenting with new styles of whisky: wood finishes, cask strength, single cask, unchillfiltered, vintage editions, and multiple malts represent some of these new styles. The range of flavors and styles is only becoming more vast as worldwide demand increases among Americans, French, Spanish, and Japanese. These are optimistic developments in an industry that has a significant wait for return on investment; by law, the product of distilleries is not considered Scotch whisky until it has aged for at least three years in barrels in Scotland.

Whisky at Talisker

The Rising Cuisine Scene

It’s true that Irn-Bru and fish and chips are staples of Scottish food, but foodies need not despair. Scotland is shedding its (perhaps unjustly earned) image as skippable in the cuisine category. More chefs are trending toward local, seasonal, fresh foods and showcasing local ingredients like salmon, shellfish, whisky, and venison. Nick Nairn, perhaps Scotland’s most famous chef (move over Gordon Ramsay) describes Scotland’s cuisine as a “a poverty-driven cuisine, using what’s left over,” in reference to universally detested dishes like haggis and black pudding. “Only now are we discovering what we have on our doorstep,” he said. “Modern Scottish cooking is being forged as we speak.”

I’ve had haggis both under a bridge and at high-class restaurants. Personally, I’ve enjoyed Scotland’s generally reviled cuisine, but I’m also eager to see what a new generation of creative chefs will do with the bounty of local produce available to them. And if I want some damn good fish and chips with malt vinegar, shepherd’s pie, or neeps and tatties, I know I can just truck down to the local pub and get that, too.

Fancy Haggis

The Sound of Scottish Culture

Celtic music has a haunting air derived from unique instruments: tin whistles, bagpipes, fiddles, bodhrรกns, and a host of other hard to pronounce instruments. Each country in the British Isles has its own style of Celtic music, and the pubs throughout Scotland are home to many ad hoc sessions with their style on display. For me, listening to run-of-the-mill patrons come in with their instruments and start playing songs together is the closest you can get to living history.

The music is not the domain of grizzled whitebeards; on the contrary, many of the sessioners I’ve seen in pubs on my visits to Scotland have been people in their teens and twenties, a fact that highlights the importance of the music to the people. Folk music festivals dot the countryside throughout the year, like the popular Shetland Folk Festival, Orkney Folk Festival, and Celtic Connections in Glasgow. Pubs, whisky, and traditional Scottish music represent a beautiful confluence of interests.

Bagpiper in Buenos Aires

Researching the Roots of Scotland’s Diaspora

Scotland has a little over five million residents – about as many people as Wisconsin – yet its worldwide footprint is immense. There are some 21 million people of Scottish descent in the United States, five million in Australia, four and a half million in Canada, and two million in New Zealand. South Africa, Ireland, Brazil, Netherlands, and Poland also have sizable populations with Scottish ancestry. One thing Scottish emigrants did really well was assimilate into their new culture, often loosening ties with their mother country, but interest in genealogy is rising among people of Scottish descent today.

My father’s family is 100% of Scottish descent and I’ve recently begun digging into our origins with the help of Ancestry.com. It’s a bit murky, but I’ve already found tons of information that could lead me on a chase across the country to towns where my ancestors lived. When I run into dead ends, I plan to use the Scottish government’s online resources and stop in at the National Archives while I’m Edinburgh.

Keith at Keith's Place

But It’s Cold and Wet and Costs a Lot!

Is that right? Or is that just the other side of Scotland’s pop culture image? Let’s at least get some facts on the table.

Scotland’s temperature exists in a narrow band of about 30 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, between 32F and 62F on average. The weather is highly changeable but rarely extreme. This winter’s snowstorms are wholly out of the ordinary. While there are frequent rains, they often blow through quickly. I find this predictability to be a good thing. Pack layers and some rainproof gear and stop in for a pint at pubs to warm up. To be honest, this is my type of weather. I love it. But you might get lucky, too. On my last trip to Scotland in the summer of 2009 we had two straight weeks of pure sunshine.

Windy and Cold in Orkney

Scotland uses the Pound Sterling (GBP) as its currency and the US Dollar has not matched up well against it in the last decade. That said, there are ways to reduce the damage on your bank account while traveling in Scotland.

  • Consider renting a car for transportation. Petrol (gas) is more expensive in Scotland than it is in the USA, but the country is highly drivable and the cars seem to be way more fuel-efficient than their counterparts in the States.
  • Stay in B&Bs and enjoy the enormous Scottish breakfasts usually included. These meals can power you through the whole day and a night in a B&B can cost as little as 25 pounds.
  • If you’re in to seeing castles and monuments, consider becoming a member of the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland. These memberships last for a year and can get you into over 100 sites free of charge or at a heavily discounted rate.

Now you know why I’ve chosen to focus on Scotland, and I hope it’s given you some food for thought when you plan your next vacation. It may lack the exoticism of some other destinations, but I’ll test that idea in a later post.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear about your experiences in Scotland and whether you just might consider visiting it in the future!

Article Comments

  1. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Suzanne , Todd Wassel. Todd Wassel said: RT @travelingsavage: *New* Why I'm Going to #Scotland and You Should Too | Traveling Savage http://su.pr/2pxqjh or http://bit.ly/hHBJKF … […]

  2. Karen Bryan January 10, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    Yes everyone, come to Scotland, it’s really beautiful & I’m not just saying that because I’m Scottish. Anyway here are some tips for unusual and fun things for you do to in Scotland:
    http://www.europealacarte.co.uk/blog/2010/12/30/things-to-do-in-scotland/

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 10:51 am

      Hi Karen, nice link you’ve shared. Those look like some great trips (and I’ve done a couple).

    2. Emma July 25, 2011 at 1:19 pm

      That’s an awesome post Karen!

      1. Karen Bryan July 25, 2011 at 1:27 pm

        Emma – I hope that you make it to Scotland soon to follow some of my tips.

  3. Ken January 10, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    For me, Scotland is a magical place and on a recent first visit I had to make a conscious effort to prevent my mouth from hanging open in awe at the beautiful scenery everywhere we went. The whisky is near a sacrament as anything may be and, as you say, the scottish breakfast is a thing of beauty (don’t miss the Loch Fyne kippers if you’re in Inveraray). Great post, Keith, but you were a bit rough on haggis. It was one of my favorite things about breakfast. Wish I could be in bonny Scotland right now!

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 10:51 am

      Oh, I don’t know, I said I liked haggis!

  4. Gray January 10, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    I really should go to Scotland, that’s where my family came from.

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 10:52 am

      Do you know what part of Scotland they’re from? It’s been quite fun tracing my lineage back. It’s hard to believe I can follow certain branches back more than 600 years!

      1. Gray January 11, 2011 at 12:47 pm

        I’m sure I have it at home somewhere. I don’t recall offhand. I do remember that “Cargill” means “white fort.”

  5. Christy January 10, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Scotland is in my “Top 5” list of places I’d love to visit, and it actually looks like I’ll be traveling there this year! I know the food gets a bad rap, but I’m really excited to try all of the local fare. Thanks for the blog post on this topic – I enjoyed reading about the area and I’ll definitely make use of the info on music festivals and the weather… I had no idea Scotland had such a narrow range of temperatures!

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 10:58 am

      Hi Christy, this blog will be immensely informative to you then. Yep, the temp is pretty consistent though the wind and sun help it dip and spike. It can definitely get hot in the lowlands during the summer.

  6. Andrea January 10, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    Interesting – I didn’t know that about the green tourism. John lived and worked in Scotland for awhile and we have some friends there, so we’ll be going there during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival later this year. Can’t wait! Have you chosen one city to explore or will you be moving around?

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 11:00 am

      Hi Andrea, for my first trip this March I’ll mainly be in Edinburgh for three weeks. On subsequent trips I plan to visit as much of the country as possible. On my previous trips to Scotland I’ve had the opportunity to explore large swaths of countryside during weeks of leisurely driving.

      And yet, I haven’t been to the Fringe Festival yet. It’s on my radar as a possibility this year.

  7. Nikki January 11, 2011 at 3:19 am

    Scotland is my favorite place to visit. I’m going back for my 3rd vacation there this march. I have a few close friends that live there so this year we are taking a road trip through the country with no real agenda just where ever the roads take us. I highly recommend visiting this country the people here are amazing and the scenery is breathtaking. Thanks for bringing attention to this place that has become a home away from home for me.

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 11:03 am

      That will be an amazing vacation. In March it should be pretty quiet from a tourist perspective and some attractions and accommodations don’t open until April/May so keep that in mind. I’ll be in Edinburgh in March.

  8. villa lloret de mar January 11, 2011 at 5:26 am

    Hello Keith,

    I have also desire to travel to Scotland. I want to visit it in future for sure but don’t know when.Now i have to search about all travel deals and aspects of Scotland and visit it soon probably at last of this year. Thanks for Good podt about Scotland.
    Cheers
    Johny

  9. Texas City Hotels January 11, 2011 at 8:35 am

    If it weren’t for Mel Gibson, I wouldn’t have planned to go there in the first place. No, just kidding, actually I want to go because of James Mcavoy, perhaps I can catch him home:)) No, kidding again actually. I think I’m going to go thanks to your post:) Scotland looks like a really great healthy place to visit, just perfect for relaxation.

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 11:05 am

      James McAvoy was excellent in The Last King of Scotland, wasn’t he? I can see how he’d make you want to visit that fine country ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Texas City Hotels January 12, 2011 at 1:17 am

        Yes, indeed, excellent performance! James never lets me down:P. Glad you’ve also seen that movie:)

  10. Andi January 11, 2011 at 8:53 am

    That part of the world doesn’t really pull at my heartstrings, but I can’t wait to read about your experiences there!!!

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 11:07 am

      I completely understand that feeling, Andi. Maybe you’ll warm up to it after reading here for awhile.

  11. Phil January 11, 2011 at 10:16 am

    Really compelling reasons and a thoughtful post Keith! I’ve got to say I like the approach of really getting to know a particular place rather than trying to cover ground. I look forward to reading more about this trip!

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 11:07 am

      Thanks Phil! Have you been to Scotland?

  12. Christy @ Ordinary Traveler January 11, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Scotland hasn’t been on my immediate radar, but I’m guessing this will change after I read your stories!

  13. Katie January 11, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    I’m so happy to hear that you’re covering Scotland this year. I studied there for six months last year and had the time of my life traveling the country and meeting so many wonderful people. The highlight for me was meeting my Scottish family members for the first time. I got to see the remains of my great-great grandparents’ home, which remains on my family’s property in the Outer Hebrides. Enjoy your travels, and I hope you come to love and appreciate beautiful Scotland as much as I do!

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 10:42 pm

      The highlands do their best to defy words, and I would love to get to the Outer Hebrides. I have a feeling I will soon ๐Ÿ˜‰ That must have been a truly incredible meeting with your long-lost family. Had your family kept records of your lineage, or did someone do some recent research that led you there?

  14. Ana January 11, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    Hola Keith. What’s your clan? My hubby’s Ancient Ferguson ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 10:37 pm

      Looks like I’ve got branches of Stewart (not sure if it’s royal or not) and MacKenzie in my past. I’ve managed to peer into my primordial past and found Grants, Rosses, and McDonalds as far back as the 14th century.

  15. Kaylin January 11, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    I went to Scotland in September and LOVED it! I’d really like to go back sometime, as I only spent 5 days there (out of a 2 week trip to the UK). But I saw some amazing scenery in the highlands, everything is amazingly green and OMG Highland Coos! SOOOO cute! It’s a bit cold for me to ever want to live there (even in September it was around 50F and rainy most days) but I absolutely want to visit it often. ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 10:44 pm

      My entire family and I were in Scotland last summer and my older sister just about burned out her digital camera taking pictures of highland “coos.”

      1. Amanda January 13, 2011 at 10:46 am

        Hehe, it made me giggle that you guys actually remembered to call the cows ‘coos’ also made me smile that you guys enjoy Scotland so much, you should come visit Stirling where the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle is ๐Ÿ™‚

        1. Kaylin January 13, 2011 at 3:59 pm

          I’ve been to the Wallace monument! I went on a 3-day tour of the highlands and LOVED it. It was so much fun! We went to Inverness and the Isle of Skye, and drove all around the highlands in between, saw Loch Ness, Loch Gerry, etc. I really want to go back!

          1. Amanda January 14, 2011 at 3:16 am

            Highlands are a beautiful place! Loch Katrin and Loch Vengar are also gorgeous

  16. Candy January 11, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    It is my dream to go to Scotland, not because of either Mel Gibson or James McAvoy but because of the Outlander series of books by Diana Gabaldon and her fictional highlander, James Fraser, and his time-travelling wife Claire (they are romance books, I know, but don’t judge me on that basis alone :)). The books got me so interested I would love to finally see all the castles, lochs and craghs she described so vividly. A visit to Scotland is in my bucket list.

    1. Christy January 11, 2011 at 9:57 pm

      I love that series! Romance, yes, but also historical fiction (which is my favorite). I learned a ton about Scotland through the Outlander books. ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 10:33 pm

        Okay, my wife has been reading this series for a long time and she tried to get me to read it too. She also emphasizes that it’s historical fiction and not so much romance, but I read the first book and I know what’s going on ๐Ÿ˜‰

        That said, the series does appear to be highly thorough and accurate in regard to Scottish history.

  17. joshywashington January 11, 2011 at 9:18 pm

    I had never really given Scotland a second thought…hmmm, I definitely look forward to your impending blogfest!

    1. Keith Savage January 11, 2011 at 10:34 pm

      I will definitely give you something to consider next time you’re trip planning.

  18. Zablon Mukuba January 12, 2011 at 1:05 am

    honestly i have never thought much about Scotland, but after your post it sounds very attractive

  19. Alexis January 12, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    Looking forward to the Scottish posts….Scotland is magical

  20. Erica at ExOfficio January 12, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    Okay, now I really want to go. Thanks for the inspirational post.

  21. Jill Phillip January 13, 2011 at 10:52 am

    Scotland is a great place to walk and cycle – ideal ways to save on fuel and preserve the environment. Check out walking/cycling tours of Skye/Knoydart, Loch Katrine and the Trossachs, an Arran/Islay/Jura island odyssey and combine Glasgow’s cafes and culture with visits to the hills, lochs and coasts on its doorstep: http://www.bootandbike.co.uk/introduction-to-tours/

    1. Keith Savage January 14, 2011 at 8:50 am

      I really need to get in some good hikes on these upcoming trips – it’s something I haven’t done much in my previous jaunts to Scotland.

      1. Jill Phillip January 16, 2011 at 12:23 pm

        Well, even if you’re a bit out of practice, you don’t need to go out into the wilderness to enjoy the hills and glens. Base yourself in Glasgow (or any of the major cities) and you’ll find hills, lochs, forests, the coast all well within an easy day’s travelling of the city centre.
        For some great trips out of Glasgow:
        http://www.bootandbike.co.uk/2010/10/glasgow

  22. Sabrina January 13, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    Going to Scotland next week. Can’t wait to see what it has in store for me!!

    1. Keith Savage January 13, 2011 at 2:39 pm

      Do you have an itinerary? What’s it look like?

      1. Sabrina January 13, 2011 at 3:48 pm

        No, I plan on renting a car and traveling to a few places that interested me to take this trip.

  23. Odysseus January 14, 2011 at 3:16 am

    I’m drawing up my (sortof) final RTW plan right now and I keep shuffling Scotland between “definite” and “maybe.” I’m excited to see what your posts will reveal and which column in my itinerary Scotland ends up on.

    1. Keith Savage January 14, 2011 at 8:50 am

      I’m certainly biased, but I think you’d missing a special experience if you skip Scotland.

  24. Akila January 14, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    Keith, I love the new focus on Scotland and that your banner shows where you are headed. I’m going to follow along closely because we will be going to Scotland and spending at least a month there in a couple of years when we spend 3 months in the UK.

    1. Keith Savage January 14, 2011 at 2:53 pm

      Hey Akila, I think you and Patrick will love it in Scotland. I’m looking forward to sharing the experience as well as tips from the road. Let me know if there’s anything in particular you’re wondering about.

  25. Michael Tyson January 16, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    Heya Keith, we’re heading to Scotland this Spring! We cannot wait — it’s been on the priority travel list for a long time. We must catch up if chance conspires we’re in roughly the same place at the same time.

    1. Keith Savage January 17, 2011 at 8:57 pm

      We should definitely connect up. Do you have specifics of where and when you are going?

      1. Michael Tyson January 18, 2011 at 3:54 am

        Awesome! Not yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as we do – that’d be great =) Roughly, we’ll be leaving Wales early March, so at our usual pace it’ll probably be sometime in April when we arrive, then we’ll stay probably through May.

        1. Keith Savage January 18, 2011 at 9:02 am

          Fantastic, I’ll keep an ear out!

  26. Nikki January 18, 2011 at 11:23 pm

    Hey, as I’ve mentioned before I’ll be all over Scotland in march with a few of my friends who live there. Would anyone know where I would be able to catch some good traditional folk music over there? We tried to find some the last time I visited them but unfortunately my friends are more of the club going sort and didn’t have any clue where I could catch a pub jam (one actually scoffed and told me they didnae live in Ireland lol). Any help with this would be wonderful and appreciated. Thanks much and happy travels to all.

    1. Keith Savage January 19, 2011 at 9:20 am

      I can remember a few places that pretty regularly have folk. For one, will you be in Edinburgh? If so, check out Sandy Bell’s. It’s a tidy pub just south of old town as you head toward the Meadows. They have a reputation as one of Edinburgh’s prime trad destinations.

      Outside of Edinburgh, the Taybank Hotel in Dunkeld, a tiny town in Perthshire, has a special place in my heart for it’s traditional music. In fact, the Niel Gow Festival will be held at the Taybank Hotel this year from March 18-21. I’m planning on being there for that!

  27. Michelle January 19, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Your post on Scotland is great! I’m planning on going to the UK this year on a youth mobility visa, and am planning on going to Edinburgh. I can’t wait! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Keith Savage January 20, 2011 at 3:34 pm

      Enjoy your trip! Let me know if you need any tips (or just follow along :))

  28. Don January 20, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Love this post and all the info! I’ve never been to Scotland, but I have a bit of Scottish heritage so I’m looking to go soon!

  29. Internet Dating January 23, 2011 at 10:26 am

    very interesting blog. i’d like to go to scotland somday. thank you for all the nice information.

  30. London Caller January 26, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    I miss my bonnie Scotland so much! ๐Ÿ™‚

  31. Emma June 24, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    Scotland is a magical place, oft overlooked by travellers. The people are the friendliest people you’ll meet. I should know of course because I am one. And I’m not biased AT ALL! ๐Ÿ™‚

  32. Jeremy Branham July 25, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    I love the culture and history of Scotland it’s one of the top destinations on my list. I do think the weather and cost are drawbacks but it wouldn’t keep my from visiting. This is a great list and overview of Scotland. I have enjoyed learning more about a place I am excited to visit!

    1. Keith Savage July 25, 2011 at 1:16 pm

      They are drawbacks, but it would be a travesty if they prevented a visit. You won’t regret any trip to Scotland. Trust me.

  33. Jessica August 24, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    I just applied to study abroad in Stirling for four months! I can’t wait to visit, and I can’t get enough of reading your blog, and the pictures. I am sure this will be a great resource for me in the next few months! (:

    Safe travels,
    Jessica

    1. Keith Savage August 24, 2011 at 1:52 pm

      You will love Scotland, and being situated in Stirling you’re right in the center of things. The whole country is within your reach!

  34. Holiday scotland November 8, 2011 at 10:40 am

    nice article keith you really got people thinking about going on holiday to scotland, you should work for the scottish tourist board.

    1. Keith Savage November 8, 2011 at 10:42 am

      Believe me, I’d love to. ๐Ÿ™‚

  35. 30Traveler November 17, 2012 at 1:04 am

    It’s so dorky but the fact Will and Kate live in Scotland makes me want to go there! lol

    1. Kaylin November 17, 2012 at 8:17 am

      Um… not to bust your bubble, but Will and Kate live in Wales…

      They used to live in Scotland (when they both went to St Andrew’s University) but they don’t anymore

      1. 30Traveler November 17, 2012 at 3:59 pm

        oops! lol.

  36. Craig January 18, 2013 at 9:24 am

    I loved the impromptu music sessions in the pubs. A lot of times it felt like the pub was one big family coming together, playing music, tapping along and enjoying themselves. It’s something I really miss here in the States.

    1. Keith Savage January 18, 2013 at 10:02 am

      Absolutely know the feeling you mention. I’ve never found it in the USA.

  37. Lindsay July 8, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    thank you so much for this! i’m considering a trip to scotland next year and this is very helpful

  38. Lissette November 23, 2014 at 11:41 am

    Hi,
    I am considering going to Ireland or Scotland next year…It’s a tough decision. I have a question, is driving through Scotland scary or dangerous?

    1. Keith Savage November 24, 2014 at 8:58 am

      No, driving is one of the great pleasures of traveling around Scotland. In general, drivers are extremely conscientious and roadways are well signed. Go to Scotland and rent a car! You won’t regret it.

  39. Carol December 19, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    This post is amazing. I am traveling to England next month and I do not have a lot of money, but I wanted to get the best of this trip since I have no idea when I will have the opportunity to do it again, and it probably won’t be soon. I decided I wanted to visit as many places as I could and then the idea of visiting Scotland popped up… After reading this post, I don’t know how I could stop myself from going there! I don’t know where is the money going to come from, but I gotta get to know Scotland.

    1. Keith Savage December 29, 2014 at 5:16 am

      A wise decision, Carol. Have a look at my itinerary ideas and best of posts to start your research.

  40. David lay January 28, 2015 at 8:49 am

    i wish i could go to Scotland someday,but i am only 10,it will be fun when I go!

    1. Keith Savage January 28, 2015 at 9:04 am

      Ha! That’s great David. Keep learning about Scotland. The knowledge will make the trip all the better when it eventually happens.

      1. david lay January 30, 2015 at 2:16 pm

        thanks!Hope you have a great time in Scotland!

  41. Margaret Blackburn December 26, 2016 at 8:16 am

    I got a Christmas surprise! A trip to Scotland. It’s a dream come true! Will be there on Thursday. We are renting a car and just going to enjoy wherever it takes us!

    1. Keith Savage December 27, 2016 at 8:40 am

      Enjoy the trip!

  42. Tex Hooper November 1, 2022 at 5:43 pm

    I’m glad you mentioned seeing the bagpipers. My cousin just died and he always wanted a bagpiper at his funeral. I’ll have to hire someone to play “Amazing Grace”.

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