I returned from Scotland over a month ago and I’m still writing about it? I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right. I’m obsessed. I mean, I don’t just love Scotland, I want to be Scotland. Or, you know, Scottish.
Because:
1. Everyone in Scotland is the friendliest person you’ve ever met.
That’s almost not even an exaggeration.
2. It’s a country full of people just like Catriona!
Long before she invited me along on this island hopping trip through Scotland’s Hebrides, Catriona and I first met while both teaching English in Japan. And I thought she was the coolest. She was hilarious, energetic, always finding the fun, and a bunch of adjectives that don’t even exist because there’s no one in the world quite like her.
At least that’s what I thought before visiting the Highlands.
But it turns out it’s not just Catriona who’s super special and awesome, it’s all her countryfolk!
3. Haggis is delicious
It might sound gross, but oh my goodness yum.
4. They also do a mean side salad
Okay, maybe I’m just being crazy, or maybe I just had really bizarre luck with restaurants in Scotland, but every side salad I ate there was a masterpiece. Is that like a thing in Scotland? Am I just salad deprived in Norway?
5. That accent
Let’s be real for a second: the main reason I’m with Dan is to get to hear that lovely English accent of his. But the Scots take it to a whole new level. Swoon.
6. Uh, how about how Scotland has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe?
Not only that, but they’ve cleverly hidden these beaches from the rest of the world by distracting us all with images of Highland cows and stone castles. Those tricksters!
7. You’ll never want for a cup of tea and biscuits
When Catriona and I found ourselves very lost in some cow pastures on Tiree and ended up having to climb over several barbed wire fences, the last two leading onto and then off of someone’s private party, the American in me was sort of expecting the owner to poke his head out the front door and chase us away with a shotgun in hand.
But instead when he poked his head out the front door he was holding a tray of tea and biscuits.
8. Scots live in the most spectacular homes
9. Pubs + live music
I’m really sad that there is close to zero pub culture here in Norway, so I love that pubs are big in Scotland. Because what’s better than a cozy pub meal and a pint with a bunch of friends?
Um, a cozy pub meal while listening to live Scottish music, that’s what. Sometimes I just think Scotland is better at life.
10. Ceilidh dancing
So you’ve had your meal and tapped your feet to that live music, now it’s time to dance! I love that pretty much everyone in Scotland seems to know the traditional ceilidh dances – it’s like stepping into a Jane Austen novel, except with much more energetic swings and twirls.
11. They seem to make some sound political decisions.
Okay, I get that I can’t magically be Scottish, but can we at least adopt Scotland into Scandinavia already?
via Scandinavia and the World (and Rachel)
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Maria says
I am sitting here with this big smile on my face, as you’re so spot on! Would absolutely love to go and see some of the beaches, especially in the Hebrides, sometime..
Silvia says
The beaches are pretty magical! I’m daydreaming about all the other places in Scotland I want to visit now.
Van @ Snow in Tromso says
Ahhh I’m missing a decent pub culture too! And anyway, I would move to Scotland in an instant if anyone offered me a job there! That country is just the best!
Silvia says
Ughh right? I was up in Trondheim this weekend and while mostly being there made me just really happy I had moved (ha!) I did spend the evening at a pub with a bunch of friends and nearly sobbed into my beer over not having any good hang out place in Rauland.
Dominique says
I lived in Edinburgh for three years, because when I first visited the country I fell in love with it for the same reasons as you (apart from the beaches, I didn’t know about them). I miss it everyday; after all my travelling Scotland is still one of my favourite places!
Merima Kopic says
After this post I wish that I were Scottish too.
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Vivian says
I studied abroad in Scotland and loved it so much that I ended up dating a Scottish guy and now I’ve been living in Glasgow with him for about a year! We have so many amazing adventures here (hence, our blog), I can see why you miss it! It’s an amazing place :]
Our Wanders says
Haha, we feel this almost at every new place we visit! People are the friendliest, the country is the most exciting and beautiful and oh we don’t ever want to leave… then we travel to another country and it starts again. One of the reasons why we love travelling so much! 😀
Iain says
As a proud Scot forced to live in England by work, you make me both humble and homesick. Going back – only for a long weekend – in September. Can’t wait.
Silvia says
Aaah lucky you to be Scottish!
Camila says
haha I love this! Not gonna lie in about four years in Scotland I’ve never had a side salad that I can remember, but I love all the other points, especially the last one 😀
Silvia says
Haha yeah I thought that the side salad thing was likely a fluke – but oh my goodness they were all so good!
Neil says
As a very Scottish lad, this makes me feel really lucky 😀. Great that you loved it as much as you did and come back soon!
Silvia says
Very Scottish indeed, by the name of your website!
M Kennedy says
From Scotland. If you do not mind harsh weather I am sure its ideal. I would prefer to live in a hotter climate, but I suppose you cannot have everything. Beaches are of no use without the hot weather, sadly.
June says
I know how you feel. I tried everything to live there. I guess it wasn’t mend to be.
Mark Somerville says
Lime curd. I would step over women and children to get at it first.
Yep, I’m glad I signed up for your work. One grandfather from Scotland led me to visit… only twice so far.
On the Isle of Skye we parked at our B&B: where the owner was out feeding some of the animals running about. “You can leaver your keys in the ignition lad, the chickens don’t drive” The hell you say, I cannot do that. When we asked for a room key (there were 3 guest rooms and the other two were occupied) she was taken aback: “I’ll see if I can find one.”
I took our rental for a tour, on a dead-end road I made a K-turn in the last driveway. An older gentleman was in the window and immediately got up and came to the door. He tried to wave us in for a visit. I was still on ‘New York’ mode and drove away. I’ve regretted that for 26 years and counting.
Over The Rainbow sweater/knitting shop, enough said. Oh, and Tallisker too.
Marcia Bennett says
I LOVE Scotland. I have been twice for 3 weeks each and would be there shortly if not for Corona. Such a bummer. I love their take it or leave it attitude. “if you don’t like us here, go home” I love how friendly they are too. The food is the best. Even the weather isn’t that much of a bummer. I would move there but my family would be sad. Can’t wait for my next visit. WooHoo.
Joanne says
Mmmmmmm. Scotland and Scots are the most magical.