I’ve always loved the countryside. Not because I hate cities or convienience or people, but because I love the smell of new growth and the bright colors of spring flowers, the lush green of summer, the burnt oranges, yellows and reds of autumn, and the frosted crisp white of winter. I grew up in Northern Minnesota, where wet lands, rivers and lakes abound and it has etched in me a need for four seasons and, maybe especially, water.

There are always too many potential destinations on my mind, but there are a number of reasons I want my next trip out of my home country to be to Scotland. I know Scotland is not only countryside. I’ll be visiting Edinburgh as well as the moors; however, here is my list of reasons:

• I love lakes and water. There is plenty of that in Scotland.
• I have a little Scottish in me…
• I love castles and I’ve seen them in many parts of Europe and the world, but none yet in Scotland.
• Nessy…need I say more…
• I also have some favorite authors who write about or from Scotland. I would like to do a pilgrimage to some of the places they have written about and from.

I would love it if you would do two things for me…(other than comment, like, etc.).

Number one, if you have been to Scotland tell me the one “can’t miss” experience you had there…you can include 100 others as well, but let me know what #1 was for you.

Number two, suggest your favorite destination and why you love it. If I get enough–or any–I’ll blog about them as well!