"I'll take the High Road" Scotland by tvor

Scotland Travel Guide: 14,126 reviews and 25,725 photos

Ciade Mille Failte... a hundred thousand welcomes... Aside from Glasgow and Edinburgh, pretty much the rest of my Scotland experiences happened on bus tours, one at the end of August 1993 and one at the beginning of October 2000. I have been enchanged, awstruck and humbled at the scenery in Scotland, especially the highlands and Wester Ross. The farthest north i've been is near to Ullapool at Inverewe and Loch Maree. Stunning.

When i was there at the end of August, the heather was in bloom and the hills as far as you could see were a haze of purple with yellow gorse dotting the picture. This photo (above) was a chance shot taken from the window of the bus on the road that approaches Glencoe. I think it's near or at Rannoch Moor. I have never seen a rainbow that wasn't an arc. It just laid on the ground in pools of coloured light, hanging in the mist. I took a chance with the photo and it turned out to be one of the most extraordinary photos i've ever taken. Very much like Scotland itself. Moody, misty, larger than life. When they say "Big Sky Country" they have to be talking about Scotland.

Ben Mohr, Mull, Scotland

I haven't yet finished with Scotland. I would love to see more up the west coast and the far north. In the spring of 2003 i had the opportunity to drive from Glasgow around some picturesque lochs to Oban and take the ferry to Mull and Iona. I would like to see more of Skye and some of the other islands on the west and in the north.

For those of you that are fans of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series (Jamie and Claire) as i am, you will be picturing the wild red headed Jamie clambering over the hills of the highlands and search for familiar sites like Fort William and Inverness.

St. Andrews was an interesting city, for more than just it's connections to golf. Braemar was a bit touristy as it's not far from Balmoral but it is pretty. The "Road to the Isles" is also a lovely drive, between Fort William and the ferry to Skye. I didn't get to see Stirling Castle the day we drove by as it and the Wallace Monument there were completely fogged in. Such is Scotland.

Another place i want to see is further north in Scotland. The roads are often single track, the highlands and coastline even more rugged and barren and the islands to the north, the Orkneys and Shetlands are dotted with standing stones and excavations of ancient settlements.

Scotland really does have everything. Cities for culture and civilization, and remote areas for those who want to get away from it all. And everything in between.

Pros and Cons

Pros:clean, fresh, wild scenery, golf, fishing, hiking
Cons:weather very unpredictable
In a nutshell:Romantic, moody countryside; vibrant cities, remote and wild, urban and modern.

Last visit to Scotland: Apr 2003
Intro Updated May 20, 2004
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Reviews (11)

St. Andrew's Things to Do (2)

Are you a golfing fanatic? You want to go to St. Andrews where the sport supposedly originated, or at least where the... more travel advice

Driving in Scotland Favorites (2)

Much of Scotland is remote and wild as i have said. Sometimes the roads are single track and you will see layovers... more travel advice

Inverewe Gardens Off The Beaten Path (2)

On the northwest coat of Scotland, near Ullapool, seemingly in the middle of nowhere is an exotic garden. It overlooks... more travel advice

Sunrise over Scotland, view from Broadford Skye - Scotland

Och Aye Favorites (2)

Scotland is full of history. And full of sheep. There's Bonnie Prince Charlie, William Wallace, Robert the Bruce,... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
Woolen goods
Tourist Traps (1)
Nessie
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Travelogues (1)

Written Dec 27, 2003

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Pictorial Travelogue

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Comments (10)

sau3141 Aug 20, 2009 at 1:14 PM Report Abuse

you cant judge scotland on a few run-ins with a piper!we dont have the unwritten law like USA and CAN that you simply MUST tip, pipers are part of our heritage and history,they play for the love of playing,and to welcome tourists like youself to scotland!
nickandchris Dec 5, 2007 at 12:43 AM Report Abuse

Great tips and lovely photos. Can't beat Scotland!!
chewy3326 Mar 7, 2006 at 3:46 PM Report Abuse

Nice tips, Scotland looks very beautiful and wild. Great photos.
scottishvisitor Nov 6, 2004 at 8:47 AM Report Abuse

Ah the rainbow who fell out of the sky.............invading echauns me thinks Regards Joan
globetrott May 14, 2004 at 6:50 PM Report Abuse

excellent infos and lovely pics !
prleprle Oct 14, 2003 at 5:58 AM Report Abuse

I like that remote places of rugged beauty! Really fine page...
Scotsgal Jun 2, 2003 at 10:21 AM Report Abuse

Your Scotland page is very good..and so are the tips!!
galy Jun 2, 2003 at 10:20 AM Report Abuse

Good page. I agree with every word about Nessie and the lake
CdnJane May 13, 2003 at 2:51 PM Report Abuse

I was agreeing with your comments until you called Nessie mythical!!! Just because YOU have not seen Nessie does not mean she/he does not exist! Rumour has it that OgoPogo of the Shuswap Lakes, BC & Nessie are related.
morgane1692 Mar 18, 2003 at 6:13 AM Report Abuse

Wild and remote Scotland, what else is there?! The landscapes here are otherworldy!