The Local Perspective: Scotland

Matador's Ultimate Guide to Scotland                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 [Scotland]( Slow Travel Scotland: How to See the Best of Alba Hi , Scotland is not a big country. It’s nine times smaller than Texas. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in diversity. Each of its eight regions has a different culture, dialogue, and topography. In some areas, if you drive 10 miles from one town to another, locals will use different expressions for the most simple English phrases. Small villages each have their own way of doing things and traditions that have been followed for thousands of years. What you will find throughout the nation, however, is pride and a feeling of welcomeness. Walk into a bar in Glasgow or a historic pub in a rural community on the islands, and you’ll leave with stories you can dine out on for years (and likely a few new friends). That’s one of the many things I appreciate about my country. You can drive from the southern Scottish Borders, where I spent my childhood, to the top of Scotland in about six hours. The route takes you from the Lowlands with its big skies and miles upon miles of colorful fields of crops and rolling hills, through the medieval streets of narrow wynds and closes in Edinburgh, and up to the Highlands, where the mountains will humble you and the roads are full of sheep. If I had one tip for anyone planning a trip here, it would be to explore Scotland at a slow pace. Yes, you might not be able to cram [monster hunting on Loch Ness,]( seeing live music in Glasgow, [visiting Edinburgh Castle](, hiking the West Highland Way, going on a whisky tour, and seeing orcas breaching off the Hebrides in one week, but thinking small will give you a more rewarding and authentic experience than a rushed highlight reel of a visit. [Slow travel]( and staying in one or two regions will allow you to truly appreciate the wee things that make this country so special. You can take time to meet locals and listen to stories, old and new. Stroll through the woodlands and forests to learn about how unique and vital the country’s ecosystem is, not only for our native wildlife but also for the Earth’s biosphere. Tour the area by bike, or visit farm shops to enjoy the bounty of Scottish fresh produce. This is how Scots want you to enjoy your time here, and then return to explore some more. [Katie Scott Aiton, Editor]( [Katie Scott Aiton]( [EXPLORE SCOTLAND]( [GuideGeek Personal AI Travel Assistant]( Get Inspired [Edinburgh castle]( The World's First UNESCO Trail Through Scotland Scotland launched the world’s first UNESCO Trail in 2022, celebrating its many UNESCO designations. A slow-travel trip along this trail of World Heritage Sites, geoparks, cities, and biospheres offers a cultural journey through key points in the region’s history, as well as a glimpse into the vibrant culture of modern-day Scotland. [READ MORE]( [St. Kilda]( How to See Scotland’s Most Inaccessible Islands on a Small-Ship Cruise St. Kilda is arguably Scotland’s most storied island destination, and unsurprisingly, a difficult place to reach. The archipelago, which was inhabited for 4,000 years before its last 36 residents were evacuated in 1930, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly one million seabirds, including the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffins. Here’s how to get there. [READ MORE]( [highland cows]( Africa Isn’t the Only Place to Go on a Safari. Scotland’s Wildlife Is Just as Magical Scotland has a rich diversity of wildlife because of its geology and climate. Each area of the country has variable conditions and communities of wildlife and plants. These little pockets of nature are absolutely fascinating, and as Attenborough says, you just need to know where to look. [READ MORE]( [Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, Isle of Lewis]( 7 Rural Scottish Villages That Are Straight Out of a Storybook Scotland’s biggest cities are undeniably beautiful, but the true allure of the country lies in its rural heartland. The wild, craggy, and verdant landscapes of this Celtic nation are dotted with spectacular villages, far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Here are seven places that will transport you straight to the Scotland of yore. [READ MORE]( [Isle of Skye]( The 10 Most Otherworldly Hikes on the Isle of Skye The stunning and otherworldly scenery of this Scottish island has served as the backdrop for many films and series. But the jagged mountains, craggy coastline, and eerie rock formations are not just visually striking—they’re also a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering ample opportunities for scrambling and climbing. Here are the 10 best day hikes on Skye. [READ MORE]( [Tolbooth Tavern]( Edinburgh's Spookiest and Seediest Places for Travelers With a Macabre Streak With its looming 18th-century buildings, narrow, twisting streets, and bloody past, the Old Town of Edinburgh has long been considered a place where history, with all its ghosts and hauntings, stalks today’s streets. From old brothels to prisons, witch-burnings, body snatchers, and a book made from skin, the streets of Edinburgh are filled with the macabre and sordid. [READ MORE]( How to Take a Castle and Whisky Tasting Train Through the Scotland Spend a week crisscrossing the Scottish Highlands, exploring landscapes hidden from the highways. After two castles, countless whisky tastings, and 20,000 Highland cows, here’s the perfect itinerary for reaching all the best spots by train. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Loch Ness Dolphins]( How to Go Wildlife Spotting for the Real Creatures of Loch Ness Loch Ness, a ribbon of inky water snaking through the rugged Scottish Highlands, beckons not just with whispers of mythical beasts, but with a vibrant tapestry of wildlife. There may or may not be a monster down there, but one thing is for certain: There’s a whole lot of wildlife in, on, and around Loch Ness. Here’s how to spot it. [READ MORE]( [Wild swimming in Scotland]( How to Embrace Scottish Wild Swimming With summer winding down, it's the perfect time to venture into open waters for your next swim lesson. Chris Sifleet, a seasoned wild swimmer with over 50 years of experience and two successful crossings of the English Channel, shares her insights on everything first-time wild swimmers need to know before diving into Scottish waters. [READ MORE]( [Munro Mountain Peaks]( Why Scots Are Obsessed With Bagging Scotland's 282 Munro Mountain Peaks Scotland is home to thousands of mountains and hills, but only 282 have been granted the status of a Munro. They are named after Sir Hugh Munro, a founding member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club, who surveyed and cataloged the peaks in his 1891 publication, Munro’s Tables. [READ MORE]( [Glen Etive]( How to Plan an Epic Road Trip Through the Scottish Highlands With countless ancient towns, castle ruins, and imposing mountains spread across this vast landscape, planning the most scenic route through the Scottish Highlands can be a challenge. The remote Isle of Skye is a destination all its own, and you could easily spend days immersed in the wilderness of Cairngorms National Park. Here’s how to plan a truly unforgettable road trip through the Scottish Highlands. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture Haggis and Other Traditional Scottish Foods to Add to Your Bucket List Rugged Scotland is known for its foreboding and eerie brown moors, stark mountains with a handsome stag perched proudly atop, roaring fires, grey stone buildings, misty harbors, and whisky. What deserves more attention are Scottish foods — hearty dishes that range from sheep stomach to fish chowder. [READ MORE]( [Single Malt]( The Difference Between Single Malt and Blended Scotch Whisky When it comes to countries famous for whisky, few can match up to the reputation and history of Scotland. The first recorded production of Scotch dates back to 1494, when King of Scotland James IV declared monks were allowed to make aqua vitae (“water of life”) in the financial Exchequer Rolls. A lot has changed since then — in fact, you probably wouldn’t recognize that spirit as whisky in a modern sense. [READ MORE]( [The Writer's Museum]( The 7 Best Museums and Monuments in Edinburgh Once you’ve visited Edinburgh Castle, there are plenty of monuments and museums in Edinburgh that will satisfy you and your travel companions, no matter your interests or your budget. [READ MORE]( 📍Where To Stay [Scotland Airbnbs]( [Sleeper train]( [Scotland Airbnbs]( [Scotland Airbnbs]( [Edinburgh Hotels]( [Glasgow Airbnbs]( EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH MATADOR FOLLOW US HERE [fb]( [tw]( [ig]( [yt]( [tk]( [in]( Move this email to your primary inbox or add Hello@MatadorNetwork.com as a contact so you never miss an email from us. Update your email preferences or unsubscribe [here]( © 2024 Matador Network, all rights reserved PO Box 7775, Suite 40021 San Francisco, California 94120, United States of America [Terms of Service](