"Scotland has 2 seasons: June and winter (Connolly)" Scotland by GillianMcLaughlin

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

Cow and pink hills in late summer - Scotland

O Scotia! my dear, my native soil! (Robert Burns)

Scotland is my country. It’s where I came from, and it wears itself like a badge wherever I go. It’s one of my defining features.

I’ve been encouraged into starting these pages by VTer, Craic, who read a couple of stories I posted on a forum about my childhood holidays in the north west highlands. I’ve spent some time assembling my thoughts before embarking on this journey. I realise though that I left Scotland in 1986, when I was 24. So my Scotland comes from that surreal place that is a child’s mind, from that rebellious and wistful mind of the teenager, and from the “I’ve got it all sorted” attitude of the student. Don’t get me wrong: I go back frequently… 3 or 4 times a year, but the agenda is different now.

I came to VT too late to put up any seminal pages on Scotland: there are so many wonderful pages and photographs of Scotland on this site that, once again I find myself in a situation where I think my place is to present the features that are difficult to illustrate by a photo and difficult to rate as a tip.

They are illustrations of a country and the people in it that can only be found by scratching under the surface a bit. Some of it has gone forever though.

I have created a travelogue of tales about my family holidays on the shores of Loch Torridon. These are tales that had their time, and that time has gone. I include them as tribute to Maggie, Alastair and Janie who gave my family much, much more than any guidebook or map could ever have given.

Scottish light, like no other

Late winter afternoon at Fionnphort

Scottish commedian Billy Connolly made a TV series a few years ago, in which he observed in tones that almost drove him to tears, that at certain times of the year, Scotland is a purple country. It's true, so true.

Something about the quality of light in Scotland gives amazing images. Like this day's end shot across a bay on the Isle of Mull. I promise you that I have done nothing to alter the colours from the original photo. It actually looked like a sepia photograph, and this quality of colour lasted only a few minutes.

Where it all started

The auld brig - links Dumfries to Oxford

I come from a very overlooked and underestimated corner of Scotland. I took a friend thee recently. She comes from Perth, and has lived in Stirling for 20 years. She had never been in Dumfries and Galloway. I took her around a bit one afternoon, and we visited coastline, villages and the town of Dumfries.

We ate with my parents in one of the best Indian restaurants in the country, that happens to be in the most unlikely place: the town of Moffatt... she left to go and berate her mother for having deprived her of the experience of this part of Scotland.

Not a place for nightlife, or high adventure. But lovely in its own right.

Oh yes, how come this ancient bridge links Dumfries and Oxford. The original wooden bridge was built at the time of the Crusades by Lady Devorgilla, whose husband, John Balliol died. She had his heart embalmed and buirried in a nearby abbey. That abbey has since been known as "Sweetheart Abbey", thus giving the term "sweetheart" to the English language. In memory of her husband, the good Lady D also ensured the foundation of a college at Oxford University, that exists still and bears the name of her husband: Balliol College. It's alumni reads like a who's who of social reform, literature and history... here are a few you may have heard of:

Social reformers and idealists:
Arnold Toynbee (d. 1883), TH Green (d. 1949), GDH Cole (d. 1959), RH Tawney (d. 1962) and William Beveridge (d. 1963)

Prime Ministers:
Asquith (d. 1928) and Macmillan (d. 1986)

19th Century Poets:
Matthew Arnold (d. 1888), Gerard Manley Hopkins (d. 1889) and AC Swinburne (d. 1909)

20th Century Novelists:
Nevil Shute (d. 1960), Aldous Huxley (d. 1963), Graham Greene (d. 1991), Robertson Davies (d. 1994), Anthony Powell (d. 2000)

Irony of ironies... despite the fact that the College exists at all as a result of the bequest of a woman, women have only been admitted there since 1979!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Wilderness and bustling city. History bursting from every pore.
Cons:To see the complete picture a car is recommended - midges in summer
In a nutshell:Mountain, sea, long days, short days, tradition and culture

Last visit to Scotland: Feb 2004
Intro Updated Jan 23, 2006
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Reviews (20)

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Comments (94)

aussirose Mar 12, 2010 at 7:24 PM Report Abuse

Interesting overview of Scotland Gillian. We are looking at visiting next year before the big Paris meet :o) Will be visiting Brugge too!!....just down the road from you :o) Cheers, Ann.
balhannah Aug 6, 2009 at 12:01 AM Report Abuse

Like your cows, they are in Australia as well. I was breeding Belted Galloways at one stage, gave up, because I couldn't get a full belt.
blint Apr 3, 2008 at 3:22 PM Report Abuse

Tatan has a lot to do with the Burn's supper as it is worn that night and NOTHING to do with the English. It IS Compulsory folks!!!!!!
Borderer Apr 3, 2008 at 2:57 PM Report Abuse

What on earth has tartan to do with Burns Suppers, a festival of poems in 18th century English and Lowland Scots? Save it for the piper, preferably trews. It's NOT compulsory folks!
sourbugger Jan 27, 2008 at 2:40 PM Report Abuse

amzingly well written page, even though i am clinically allergic to bagpipes
Manyana Jan 4, 2008 at 2:06 AM Report Abuse

beautifully written stories from a wonderful country! should visit again..thanks for sharing:^)
cpiers47 Oct 2, 2007 at 12:09 PM Report Abuse

Thanks so much for your enjoyable stories and tips! Scotland is on my list for 2009 and I'm glad to have found your pages!
Pixiekatten Nov 11, 2006 at 5:01 PM Report Abuse

Fantastic tips! Really enjoyed reading your local custom ones! :)
hevbell Aug 6, 2006 at 8:03 AM Report Abuse

Great tips, especially the local customs ones! Learned something new there!! I can remember going to the Riding of the Marches in Sanquhar when I was a kid though :)
janetanne Jun 1, 2006 at 8:05 AM Report Abuse

Sounds like the weather in Michigan! 2 seasons..here it's July and winter:):) The State Motto is: 'if you don't like the weather, wait a second!"