10 reasons why Scotland stole my heart

Everyone has that one travel experience that stands out to them more than others. The one that they recall when someone brings up going anywhere for that matter, and the one they wish they could tell the world about. Travel is a beautiful thing, it’s fun, it’s messy, it’s scary and so many of us fall in love with it. If you had to boil it down to the one thing, experience, or place that made your heart beat faster at the thought of exploring, then what would it be? 

For me it happened during the summer of 2015. I studied abroad for two months in Scotland. Many people asked me why Scotland? And at the time I thought I had answers, but it wasn’t until I came home that I realized my new love for the moody country that stole my heart. It was my first time out of the U.S. on my own. For two months I was the farthest I had ever been from anything familiar. I was broke, I ate when I could afford it and I made friendships that will last me a lifetime. I drank in the oldest pub in Stirling, I climbed a hill at 2:30 A.M. to see the sun rise, and I jumped into Loch Ness. But none of these memories are what keep me traveling. It’s the feelings that I had during those moments, joy, awe, and exhilaration, and the lessons I learned about myself that fueled my passion for adventure. 

Here are my top 10 reasons why I fell in love with Scotland. I could list about a hundred, but I’ll spare you. 

View of Edinburgh Castle from the Prince's street gardens

1. I love Scotland because of the castles

It felt like there were castles everywhere I looked. It was little like being projected back in time smack dab in the middle of a fairytale. No matter how many castles I visited I never grew tired of climbing their spiral staircases and photographing their many towers and turrets. Top three favorite castles, Edinburgh, Eilean Donan, and Stirling Castles. 

2. I love Scotland because of the accents 

There are some parts of Scotland where accents are so thick you question whether they are speaking English or not. Funnily, enough a Scottish accent came to feel like home to me. I looked forward to being called things such as, “love” or “lass”. And after just two months it was plain to see that Scotland canna be beaten for beauty, history or spirit. Ye ken? 

3. I love Scotland because of bagpipes

Nothing sets the mood in Scotland quite like a Scotsman dressed in full regalia serenading a crowd with a bagpipe. To this day when I hear “Scotland the Brave” or “Loch Lomond” my heart aches to be back in the Scottish Highlands exploring the rocky moors, green hills, and misty glens. 

Downtown Stirling

4. I love Scotland because of Scottish people

They are extremely nice and fiercely loyal to their country. They tell captivating stories of love, war, and rebirth. They know how to enjoy a night out at the pub and they will make you laugh at every chance they get. Piece of advise, don't go to Sitrling, Scotland and assume the movie Braveheart is accurate, you'll get an earful. 

5. I love Scotland because of the Highlands 

Truly like being in another world. The highlands are untamed, raw, beautiful, and frightening. The foggy atmosphere and steely gray lochs make magic feel possible. I saw faerie glen, the infamous fairy pools, Glen Finnan, Loch Ness, and the Quaraing. But, who am I to tell you about the Highland’s eerie lure. Go, and I promise you will become captivated even if it downpours your entire visit. 

Loch Carron, Scottish Highlands

6. I love Scotland because of food and drink. 

You haven’t truly had the Scottish experience until you’ve tried Haggis. It’s actually not too bad and believe it or not the vegetarian option is just as tasty. Besides the country’s delicacy be sure to try Irn Bru, neeps and tatties, shortbread, Scottish tea, whiskey, and lemon curd. I went to a place called Islay where there are 10 Whiskey distilleries and probably more sheep than people.  If you go and stay near Stirling check out Deanston Distillery in Doune and have a full Scottish whiskey experience from beginning to end. 

7. I love Scotland because of the community spirit

Enter a pub as the night begins and leave knowing you made new friends. The pub life is fun and laid back. In Stirling there is a place called The Settle Inn, considered the oldest pub in town that hosts a folk night each Wednesday. People come armed with their instruments for a fun night of singing and dancing. Some people even bring their dogs. 

Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye

8. I love Scotland because of the weather

It’s best described as moody. Somedays Scotland is happy and the sun shines, the breeze is light and you can smell the flowers blooming around you. Other days she’s completely pissed. The rain is heavy, the wind whips across the choppy lochs, and the fog becomes too thick to see in places. Whether good or bad the weather grows on you. I became accustomed to the endless muddy paths, slight chill in the air, quick showers, and not seeing the sun for a couple of days. 

9. I love Scotland because of all it brought to me

Whether is was hiking dumyat at 9:30 P.M. to catch sunset, or running from the pub to the center of town to order chips and vinegar at 1:30 A.M. Or getting on the wrong bus and having the bus driver be nice enough to bring you back to where you started, or wandering the cobble stoned streets just to see where you'd end up. I had the best time. I made the best friends and it’s the memories I had traveling in this country that made me want to keep traveling so that maybe someday I will be able to find the same love somewhere else. 

Sunset atop Dumyat

10. I love Scotland because of everything it’s not

Scotland is not over popular. It’s a place that isn’t necessarily as mainstream as studying abroad in Ireland, Spain or Australia. It isn’t all about whiskey, or tartan, or Braveheart. It’s not always crowded, or noisy, or fast paced. Instead, it is a happy country, filled with a beautiful history, generous people, dramatic landscapes, and an intense love of home. It’s a place that you will visit and probably never want to leave. 

Being away from home for so long, especially overseas really changes the way you perceive things. It’s so much more than seeing new landscapes and venturing to places you have read about in books or seen in pictures. You get to experience a new way of a life, a different kind of living that you never would have been able to find within the bounds of your comfort zone. You get to immerse yourself in the culture wherever you are. You learn about the people, their history, their values and in the end you come home a completely different person.

Loch Ness

X.O.

Tava