Scotland
I love Scotland! As a stones and bones kind of girl it doesn't get much better than this. Scotland has plenty of old haunted cemeteries, castles, and a stone circle older than Stonehenge. It's a country that I can just keep going back to.
My first few visits to Scotland were to the capital city of Edinburgh. I still remember the sense of awe I experienced pulling into Waverly Train Station, for the first time, and seeing the gothic soot covered Scott Monument. Wow! This is my kind of place!
The second time I visited, I arrived by air, and I remember the guy that stamped my passport saying, "You came back for more punishment, did ya?" Lol. I enjoy their sense of humor. By the way, I really miss passport stamps!!
I remember first wanting to visit Scotland, as a kid, after learning about the Loch Ness Monster. It took a while, but I finally made it to Loch Ness!
Some other reasons to love Scotland:
- Bagpipes!
- The hospitality.
- The numerous fairy legends.
- Scotland's national animal is a unicorn! Hello?! Awesome!!
- Harry Potter's adventures were inspired and written here.
- The 10 pound note from the Bank of Scotland has two otters on it!
- There are several places I visited that I still think about often. Like the Fairy Pools and the Fairy Glen on the Isle of Skye or the Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis.
I hope that I can get this page to keep growing with more visits!
Scottish Sites:
I love Edinburgh's medieval Old Town with it's castle looming over the city. It's such a cool city to explore.
Temple Old Kirk is located in Temple Village outside of Edinburgh. This site was the headquarters of the Order of Knights Templar in Scotland.
Medieval Rosslyn Chapel was made famous for being featured in the The Da Vinci Code. It's intricate carvings are associated with many legends and secrets.
Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo is an event worthy of your bucket list. It's a unique performance from military bands across the globe and of course bagpipers!
Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a haunted graveyard best known for providing inspiration for Harry Potter characters.
St. Cuthbert's cemetery is another one of Edinburgh's cool old cemeteries. The oldest headstone is dated 1606. It has great views of the castle.
Dean Village is a gem worth exploring. Dean Cemetery is a Victorian era graveyard with grand monuments and old trees making it one of my favorite cemeteries.
The gardens of Drummond Castle are spectacular. They were filmed in Outlander as a stand in for the Palace of Versailles.
An unexpected detour on our road trip around Scotland led us to the picturesque village of Killin.
The Clachaig Inn, located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, was where we spent the first night of our road trip around Scotland. The grounds are stunning. Hagrid's Hut was built across the highway.
Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most photographed castle. It's been in several films. It's a must stop on the way to Skye.
Visiting the Isle of Skye was on my bucket list. It was everything I wanted it to be. Mossy and magical. So green and lush. Water cascading everywhere. It feels like a fairy place. I'm a fan.
The Isle of Lewis & Harris is home to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones and stunning Caribbean looking beaches.
Dunrobin Castle is picture perfect with it's turrets and elaborate gardens. If you can only visit one castle in your life, make it this one.
Urquhart Castle overlooks Scotland's famed Loch Ness. Explore the castle ruins while keeping an eye out for Nessie.
Elgin Cathedral, known as the Lantern of the North, is an impressive 800 year old, Medieval ruin. It was once Scotland's second largest cathedral.
Castle Fraser is one of Scotland's largest tower houses. There are numerous furnished rooms accessed by climbing the narrow turret stairs.
I loved Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, so much, it felt like I was staying in a castle. It was so fun! It's almost its own attraction, complete with it's own highland coos.
Dunnottar Castle, is a medieval fortress, perched atop a cliff overlooking the North Sea. Although it's now a ruin, it's location makes it highly photogenic.