My Top 7 Scotland Experiences 4

Scotland was sheer magic…

Apart from the famed scenic vistas and the Baronial architecture, what really grabbed my attention was the sense of mystery that had wrapped the entire landscape. Be it those piercing silhouettes of the bagpipes or the haunting sights of its misty highlands, the country kept on providing one marvel after another.

It would be criminal to contain my best experiences in this surreal country to a few, but after long hours of brain storming, here are the top 7, that I thought should be shared with my beloved readers..

So let the journey begin, aye ??

1. A drive through the Highlands

poetry in motion

The 300 km long journey crossing the entire country, starting from Glasgow in the south till Alness in the north was a ‘wow’ moment of my life. Aah..n those sights..The A9 highway cutting through the stunning Highland landscapes, the sleepy villages and some majestic medieval castels..Can it get any better?? The 4 hr drive passed through Stirling, Pertshire and Inverness..It was like discovering the soul of Scotland..Epic!!!!

2. A walk across the ‘Royal Mile’

the royal walk

A short walk, and it became really easy to understand why it has been labelled as the heart of Edinburgh. A walk on the ‘Royal Mile’ gave me a feeling of getting transported back to the medieval times. Connecting the glorious Edinburgh castle and the Holy rood Palace, the ‘Royal Mile’ cuts through Edinburgh’s Old town. You can hear the bagpipes play, gaze at the stunning medieval architecture, explore the historical gems scattered on both sides, or just relax at a roadside eatery and feel privileged to be present at one of the most beautiful streets in the world..

3. That creepy ‘Ghost tour’ in Edinburg

into the dark world

You heard it right…Edinburgh is considered by many as one of the most haunted cities in the world. And I experienced it firsthand. My tour commenced from the Royal Mile and went across various underground dungeons, tunnels and graveyards!!!! Legends say that the places are haunted, and many have also claimed to have actually come across some unexplained figures and other paranormal activities. The lady guide showed us the way forward in a candle light. Creepy…It surely was…..

4. Visit to the ‘Dalmore’ Single Malt Distillery

malt is the way

Missing out on a visit to a single malt distillery in Scotland is like skipping Vatican on a visit to Rome…These are probably Scotland’s most famous gift to the outside world. So there I was, at the Dalmore distillery in the Highlands, to be a part of the tradition. They give you a tour of the entire distillery, explaining the entire process of converting the raw materials into the so called ‘Liquid Gold’..N the icing on the cake was a peg of Dalmore 40yr old, that their guest was obliged with. (Read me !!!)

5. Romanticizing the old world charm of Pitlochry

the charm of Pitlochry

Pitlochry is a quaint little town located in the heart of Scotland. It took me just a 90 minutes drive from Glasgow to reach the town. Lying on the banks of River Tummel, Pitlochry’s beauty struck me the moment I got down from the coach. Set amidst a beautiful scenery, it is also considered as a gateway to the famed Scottish Highlands. I think the best way to experience the real beauty of Pitlochry is to take a walk across its narrow streets and greet the ever smiling locals..A great place to explore the ‘Real Scotland’…

6. A meet with history at the Edinburgh Castle

the crown of Edinburg

The castle has been towering above the city since 1100 years..No matter where I went in the city, I just could not escape from the sights of this imposing structure. A journey inside the castle is like reliving the Scottish history. The major attractions include St. Margaret’s Chapel (regarded as the oldest building in Edinburg), the Royal Palace, Great Hall, and the Scottish National War Memorial. A true icon of Scotland, it has been voted as the top UK heritage attraction..

7. Riverside walk in Glasgow

serenity at dusk

The best part about staying in a riverside hotel is that you remain just a few steps away from undertaking that serene walk you had long been craving for. During my stay at the Holiday Inn, Stockwell St, I made a full use of this opportunity.

Though, by no means a ‘tourist attraction’, the walk along River Clyde turned out to be a perfect setting to have a tete-a-tete with Glasgow’s tranquil side. Away from the grandeur of the city, it was all about experiencing the little things that I surely would have missed at the city’s commercial hubs. The walk was about crossing the bridges, greeting the locals, lying idle in the riverside park, admiring the stunning Victorian architecture, and watching the sun set on UK’s third largest city..

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