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!
Bob, you already have Skye in there. Yes, that is an absolute. Inverness is also a great town.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is also a must see. Stunning.
Don’t ignore the Scottish lowlands. There are lots of great abbey and castle ruins and Hadrian’s Wall. Hadrian’s Wall is amazing. We spent the entire day stopping at points and hiking. That was when we were based in a little farmhouse outside of Dumfries. The Wall’s landscape and history is fabulous. Granted that’s more like Northern Britian but still, the Romans built the wall to stop the Picts. It is so cool.
http://www.hadrians-wall.org/
The most frustrating aspect of Scotland is the driving. It takes twice as long as you think to go anywhere. That and the gas prices… OUCH! But, having said that, the land sucks you in and forces you to slow down, which is pretty magical.
I love a country where you can pull off a narrow farm road and hear nothing but the wind. That’s also handy when there are no bathrooms around!
Sandra, thanks so much for the great comments! It seems like Hadrian’s Wall is a must…I’ll post as I plan this trip as well and maybe get additional feedback. Catch you on Twitter!
So my trip dates are now set! May 3 through May 12, 2013 are open…I just have to set an itinerary, find places to stay, ticket up, etc. I have a year to prepare, so it should be easy!