Scotland Archives - Page 2 of 3

An Isle of Skye Itinerary – One Perfect Day in Skye

October 30, 2017 37 Comments

This post was most recently updated on September 1st, 2019

The Isle of Skye has some of the most dramatic and scenic landscapes in Scotland. Rugged sea cliffs, roaring waterfalls, enchanting castles, and epic mountains and glens provide for an amazing road trip. With so much to chose, putting together an Isle of Skye itinerary requires careful planning.

With only one day at your disposal in the Isle of Skye the Trotternish Loop should be the focal point of your explorations. This area of Skye contains some of the most extraordinary scenery. So if your time is limited you will still be able to experience some of the best of Skye. And because it is all within close proximity to each other it can be accomplished in one day.

Scotland, Travel

City Guide – Edinburgh a guide for first timers

June 18, 2017 54 Comments

This post was most recently updated on July 28th, 2019

As the Capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is a very popular tourist destination. But I can vouch that it is much more than that. Edinburgh is actually one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is a quaint mediaeval town with charming streets, good food and friendly people.

Did you know that Edinburgh was the first city to be called the UNESCO city of literature? As such it has a connection with the likes of J.K. Rowling, Robert Burns, Walter Scott and many others. Edinburgh is a must on any tour of Scotland and I sincerely hope I get to visit it again soon. Here is my guide to help you plan your visit.

Scotland, Travel

10 Scotland Instagram accounts you should follow

June 2, 2017 30 Comments

This post was most recently updated on November 16th, 2019

My love affair with Scotland began way before I set foot on its beautiful lands. But a year ago I was finally able to see in person the country that enchanted me in stories and pictures. And let me tell you it is more beautiful and magical than I could ever describe in words. I will leave you to discover its many castles, lakes, mountains, cities, and ever changing weather, through the eyes of some of the best Scotland Instagram accounts.

Hotels, Scotland

Checking in – Isle of Skye. Three nights at Garalapin House

January 7, 2017 24 Comments

This post was most recently updated on October 13th, 2017

Skye was one of the places on my Scotland adventure that I was looking forward to the most. I spent significant time researching the ideal location to stay in and had a pretty long list of requirements for what would be my ideal home base for 3 nights. It was important to us to find a place that was centrally located but still outside of a main town. We wanted to enjoy the countryside views with accessibility to town for gas and food. I wanted to stay at a B&B, but it needed to be family friendly. Do you know how hard it is to find a place in Skye that has a family room for 4 people? After much research and deliberation I decided to book my stay at Garalapin House and here is what you can expect:

Scotland, Travel

Magical Scottish Castles You Should Visit on Your Scotland Holiday

October 16, 2016 53 Comments

This post was most recently updated on September 22nd, 2019

When you think about Scotland you undoubtedly think about the beautiful highland scenery, loch monsters, men in kilts and the romantic and magical Scottish castles. Well if you don’t then you should be thinking of all of the above. Kidding aside, Scotland truly is a great country with a fascinating history. This history has left it filled with magical castles all across its landscape. For me seeing them is like traveling through time and reliving part of the history through them. So if like me you are a castle lover you are in luck as you will have over 2000 to chose from when you visit Scotland. Here is a list of the lucky 13 Magical Scottish Castles I chose to explore in my recent 2 week road trip.

Scotland, Travel

Top 10 reasons to visit Scotland

August 21, 2016 49 Comments

This post was most recently updated on September 15th, 2019

I must confess I fell in love with Scotland before I ever set foot on its lands. My love affair began while reading the Outlander about 8 years ago and I have wanted to visit Scotland ever since. I thought about and romanticized it so much that quite frankly I did not know if my high expectations would be met. I was afraid that all the buildup in my head would just lead to disappointment. But regardless I embarked on my journey and arrived in Scotland via train (and not the standing stones) in June 2016. To my relief, this small country with its untamed dramatic beauty, majestic castles, turbulent history, fresh food and fantastic drink, not only met my expectations but surpassed them. So here is my list (in no particular order) of top 10 reasons to visit Scotland:

Scotland, Travel

Five of the Best Hikes in Skye

August 2, 2016 32 Comments

This post was most recently updated on December 22nd, 2019

The Isle of Skye which is located on the North West coast of Scotland is a mysterious and fascinating place. For many years it has topped my list of must see destinations. Not only because of its beauty and dramatic landscapes but because of its fabulous hikes and walks. So after spending some amazing time hiking in the Isle of Skye I put together a list of five must do Hikes in Skye.

I love spending time outdoors and Skye is the perfect outdoor playground for anyone with adventure in their soul. So if like me, you have limited time on the Island and want to experience in that short time some of the best hikes and walks, then read on so you do not miss out on what I would consider five of the best hikes in Skye.

Scotland, Travel

The Magical World of Edinburgh – The Best Harry Potter Sites in Edinburgh

July 22, 2016 14 Comments

This post was most recently updated on December 22nd, 2019

Where are all my Harry Potter fans? Based on the amount of fan-fiction and fan websites out there I know I am not the only one. I also know that my 2 girls join me in my love of Harry Potter. Therefore, when I started planning my Scotland adventure I decided some Harry Potter sites needed to be included – you know for the kids, wink, wink. So read along as we discover the hidden secrets of Harry Potter in the magical world of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Scotland, Travel

For the Love of Puffins – Best Place to See Puffins in Scotland

July 17, 2016 26 Comments

This post was most recently updated on September 14th, 2019

If you are a nature lover and want to see the puffins in Scotland there is no better place to see them than Lunga. The Isle of Lunga, which is the largest Island in the Treshnish Archipelago, combines a dramatic setting of green cliffs and ocean, with abundant wild life.

The large population of puffins are what draw the tourists (including myself) to Lunga, and they do so for good reason. Unlike other places in the British Isles, the puffin colonies in Lunga are thriving and extremely approachable. They have learned that having humans around keep their predators at bay. This means you get the opportunity to see them up close and personal. You can watch them fly in from the ocean with fish in their beaks to feed their young. You can see them interact with each other, clean their feathers, and simply be their adorable selves. Seeing Puffins in Scotland is an experience like no other I have had so far.

Scotland, Travel

An Epic Scotland Road Trip – part 2

July 12, 2016 32 Comments

This post was most recently updated on October 13th, 2017

We (my husband, 2 girls and I) recently spent 14 days traveling around Scotland. In the 14 days we covered a lot of miles and many of them were on single track roads. The scenery is spectacular, you see mountains, valleys, lakes, forests, waterfalls, and wildlife everywhere. Scotland really is a country that is perfect for an epic road trip.

If you have never driven in this part of the world then just keep in mind that the roads are narrow (many times even single track roads) and winding. You will also be driving on the left side of the road. Let me tell you that getting used to this type of driving is not easy, especially when you come from the US where we have big open roads and highways. But I will leave the topic of driving in Scotland for another day and get back to our Epic Scotland Road Trip (Part 2).