Scotland Archives - Roving Jo

6 Reasons to Visit Skye in Winter

March 8, 2018 25 Comments

This post was most recently updated on September 2nd, 2019

Will you dare to visit Skye in winter? Skye seems to have it all. Spectacular landscapes that are every photographers dream. Amazing hikes with breathtaking views at every turn. Fresh food and award winning restaurants. Picturesque towns with friendly people. Miles of beautiful beaches. A lighthouse, a distillery, castles, waterfalls….the list goes on. It is no wonder it is one of the most popular travel destinations in Scotland for tourists and locals alike.

As a mater of fact Skye is actually the 2^nd most popular tourist destination after Edinburgh. But if you visit Skye in winter you will notice that the number of visitors drops off dramatically. It seems as if only the brave will venture out for a visit. Admittedly, Skye is a different beast in winter. Many of its historic buildings close for the season. The sun rises late and sets early. The temperatures drop and the roads can be a bit dangerous. So why would you want to visit Sky in the winter?

Scotland, Travel

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

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

An Epic Scotland Road Trip – Part 1

July 7, 2016 29 Comments

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

Scotland has so much to offer, out of this world landscapes, cool cities (large and small), culture and history, good food and drink in both pubs and upscale restaurants. And while trains and buses are available, Scotland has some remote and out of the way places that really should be explored. This makes Scotland a perfect place for an Epic Road Trip.

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook then you have seen some of the amazing pictures from my recent 14 day Scotland adventure. Since I have been back I have been receiving quite a few inquiries regarding my itinerary. Therefore I have decided to share a condensed version of it here for all to see. Hopefully it will inspire you to plan your own epic Scotland road trip.

Scotland, Travel

Top 5 Scottish Castles for Kids

July 5, 2016 8 Comments

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

Scotland is the land of castles. More than 3,000 of them form a part of its dramatic landscape. So no matter where you find yourself there is always a castle nearby. On our recent Scotland trip we visited 11 castles and picking the best is no easy task so I have asked my 2 girls for their opinion on which where their favorites and why. Here are the top 5 Scottish castles for kids picked by my kids (11 and 8 years of age).