A Wee Bit of Scotland

Eilean Donan Castle, Highlands

Wild, colorful, and spirited, Scotland is truly an unrivaled vacation destination. Its stony architecture, unmanicured landscape, and laid-back culture — plus their peculiar fondness for haggis — means that Scotland is distinctly not England. Whether you’re looking for an action-packed break, a cultural adventure, or a relaxing retreat, it's easy to fall in love with the irrepressible spirit. With only a week to spare, and a return ticket from Edinburgh I will be focusing on the capital and the Highlands, so carry on with me as we explore this faraway corner of Britain.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh:

This is the historical, cultural, and political capital of Scotland. For nearly a thousand years, Scotland's kings, parliaments, writers, thinkers, and bankers have called Edinburgh home. Today, it remains Scotland's most sophisticated and entertaining city. It's a place of stunning vistas — nestled among craggy bluffs and studded with a prickly skyline of spires, towers, domes, and steeples. The city hums with life. Historic, monumental, fun, and well organized, Edinburgh is a tourist's delight. With only a couple days here are your must sees.

Victoria Street, Edinburgh

Day 1:

• Royal Mile Historic Road: manageable on foot and stretching from the castle down to the palace, its lined with museums, pubs, and shops. Very touristy.

• Edinburgh Castle: iconic hilltop fort and royal residence complete with crown jewels, Romanesque chapel, memorial, and fine military museum

• National Museum of Scotland: Intriguing, well-displayed artifacts from prehistoric times to the 20th century.

• Victoria St: A jamboree of colorful and quirky shops, old world charm, and a must visit for any Harry Potter fan

Day 2:

• Gladstone's Land Seventeenth Century Royal Mile merchant's residence

• St. Giles' Cathedral Preaching grounds of Calvinist John Knox, with spectacular organ, Neo-Gothic chapel, and distinctive crown spire.

• Dean village: I would be remiss if I left out my favorite part, a scenic getaway from the hustle and bustle of the royal mile. The best views are a short walk down Hawthornbank Lane. A narrow cobblestone road that heads downhill along the Water of Leith. Enjoy the views of the small houses that line the street.

Dean Village, Ediburgh

Day 3: after finally getting over jetlag, grab your rental car and head into the Highlands. First up is the seaside town of Oban. Ideally situated for a busy and memorable full-day side-trip to three of the most worthwhile Inner Hebrides: big, rugged Mull; pristine little Iona, where buoyant clouds float over its historic abbey; and Staffa, a remote, grassy islet that oozes old world charm. I’m saving all that for tomorrow. Today, I’m soaking up all this adorable seaside town has to offer. There are 2 top-of-the line fish and chip shops in town that are worth mentioning, Nories and Oban Fish and Chips, my vote just barely goes to Oban Fish and Chips.

Oban Fish and Chips, Oban

Day 4: for a memorable day trip take the first ferry over to the Isle of Mull. Rugged and untamed head straight to the Isle Of Iona. This tiny island sits off the west coast of the Isle of Mull in the historic Highlands of Scotland. This small isle, just three miles long by one mile wide, had a huge influence on the establishment of Christianity in Scotland, In 563AD the Irish monk St Columbia arrived on the white sandy beaches of Iona with a handful of followers. He built his first Celtic church and established a monastic community on the island. This seat of learning and centre for Christian worship soon became a place of pilgrimage.

Isle of Iona

After a quick tour head to the colorful hamlet of Tobermory. This harbor front town is picture-postcard of a place with the brightly painted buildings along the main street to the pier and the high woodland-fringed hills surrounding the bay. The town has a good variety of shops, hotels, and other accommodation if you plan on staying on Mull.

Tobermory

Day 5 and 6: Any fan of Harry Potter is familiar with the Hogwarts Express. All aboard as I take you to the perfect vantage point to catch the real life inspiration behind the magical steam train. This iconic railway line is easily accessed from The Glenfinnan Viaduct, based on the 2022 Jacobite Steam Train timetable, the train will cross the viaduct at 10:58 AM. I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early to get the best spot for your jaw-dropping view. The train actually slows down and gives you a chance to snap away.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct

Next up is perhaps the countries most famous Isle. Isle of Skye, baby! This rugged and remote place offers some of Scotland's best scenery. Narrow, twisty roads wind around the isle in the shadows of craggy, black, bald mountains. Drive around the appealing Trotternish Peninsula, visit a pair of castles, go for a hike along the dramatic Ferry Pools, and sample a peaty dram of whisky from the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye, Talisker, this place has it all! Don’t miss the colorful harbor town of Portree, an ideal destination for fish and chips and relaxing scenery.

Isle of Skye

Day 7: Working my way back to Edinburgh for my flight on my last night, I couldn’t miss the famous Loch Ness. Although there isn’t much here, the appeal is it’s natural beauty and serenity. My favorite castle in the region is Urquhart Castle, which offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. Discover a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands. Climb the Grant Tower that watches over the iconic loch, and imagine the splendid banquets staged in the great hall.

Urquhart Castle, Dores Inn, Loch Ness

A great stop on your way way back to Edinburgh is the lovely village of Dunkeld, which sits on the banks of the River Tay.The majestic Dunkeld Cathedral dominates this picturesque Perthshire village. Walk along Atholl Street's variety of specialist shops or take a walk down by the river, which provides excellent views of Thomas Telford's Dunkeld Bridge.

Atholl Arms Hotel, Dunkeld

For your early flight home I recommend staying near the airport and what better way to spend your last night in Scotland than in a 16th century market town? Meet Culross. I chose to come here in the evening not only because it’s close to the airport (20 minutes) but because during the day it’s mobbed with day-trippers in search of Outlander filming locations. Wandering around this charming town is about as close to stepping back in time as you can get. The whitewashed, red-tiled buildings are well preserved and walking the causeways you can’t help but be in awe of the architecture. My last meal in Scotland was in The Red Lion inn, a beautifully preserved pub with stellar food and ambience backtracked by the crackling of the roaring fire. If you listen closely you can hear the table next to you discuss the latest in the Jacobite revolution.

Day 8: Fly home and commence missing a wee bit of Scotland.