6 must do’s in Scotland
Despite of unpleasant weather, Scotland has a lot to offer. After spending a year working there in 2009, I put up a list of 6 must do’s in Scotland.
Honestly, I did not know much about Scotland until 2009. I knew just some basic facts, such as local men wearing kilt without anything underneath; beautiful nature, Scottish whisky, a couple of amazing islands, many castles, Loch Ness monster, golf and sheep everywhere around. And definitely strong Scottish accent. Well, yeah, now when I look at it, my knowledge of Scotland was (not so) good. Maybe because of a friend of mine who was visiting this lovely country every summer for work and then telling me stories when she came back.
I remember we were supposed to go to the Shetlands islands in the North of Scotland together with my friend in summer 2008. But then the plans changed and I was upset about not going there. But it turned out that part of my destiny was to visit the land of sheep anyway. Just later on…
When I started working as a cabin crew, instead of Spain, where I wanted to go, they sent me to Prestwick Glasgow, Scotland. This was the second time already when instead of my favourite country Spain I went somewhere else and it was not my own decision. This time it was for a year, much longer than when I ended up in Italy instead of Spain.
To make it clear, I lived in Scotland for a year from February 2009 to February 2010. As usual when you live somewhere, it is the best way to learn about the culture, food, nature, nation and everything. And this time it was not an exception either. If you visit Scotland one day, you should do certain things there.
This is my list of 6 things to do in Scotland
1. Play golf
Scotland is a country of golf. Is the place where golf was born. Even Mary, Queen of Scots reportedly played golf here already in 1567. There are absolutely wonderful golf courses all over the country – almost unbelievable 600. Such as Turnberry Ailsa, Royal Troon, Prestwick, Royal Aberdeen, Muirfield, Castle Stuart, Royal Dornoch etc. Many of them offer accommodation just next to the field, too. So if you are one of those who find golf a very interesting game, then do not hesitate because Scotland is definitely the right place for you and your friends.
2. Watch the Scottish men dressed in kilts playing the Highland bagpipes
It is an amazing experience (unless you girls see something underneath you are not supposed to see; then it becomes a nightmare!). I am sure we all know how the bagpipes sound, but listen to real people playing them is something you will never forget.
The sound will be stuck on your mind for a long time after even if you do not like this kind of music. But to visit Scotland and not to enjoy its national musical instrument it’s as if you did not visit it at all. I am sure wandering through any bigger town, you will come across someone playing bagpipes on the street.
3. Go shopping in Glasgow
Glasgow is the biggest city of Scotland and the 3rd most populous in the UK. Apart from visiting some nice buildings and places such as Clyde Auditorium (the famous concert hall, called the Armadillo and resembling Sydney Opera House), Glasgow City Chambers, Glasgow University, the Cathedral, Necropolis cemetery, Art Gallery and Museums, the Clyde Arc over the River Clyde (often called the ‘Squinty Bridge’), and many little churches; Glasgow is a perfect place for shopping.
Each time I visited it for any reason, in the end I could not resist shopping. Buchanan Street with Buchanan Galleries mall (named after a wealthy Tobacco Lord Andrew Buchanan), together with Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street offer you a huge variety of shops, from sweets, sport shops, cloth to sex shops. Very often with discounts so prices everyone can afford. There is a designer shopping mall at Princes Square with Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Vivienne Westwood and much more.
If you look for designer watches, jewelry and other accessories, have a look at one of the oldest Brittish covered shopping arcades – Argyll Arcade. Besides shopping, Glasgow is a good place for night life with plenty of great pubs, discos and parties and also for eating out. My favourite restaurant there was not surprisingly Spanish restaurant La Tascaat Renfield Street just 5 min from Buchanan Street. If you are big lover of Spanish tapas and other traditional Spanish food like me, it’s a must do while in Glasgow.
Buchanan Street in Glasgow
4. Take a road trip through the remarkable countryside
Characterized by short green grass, small hills , many lakes and few trees. It is properly beautiful even though I missed there dense forests and really high mountains to which I am used to! The Scottish landscape gives your senses a chance to relax and take away all your problems.
And you will meet flocks of sheep and hairy cows on the way every couple minutes, sometimes crossing the road just in front of you so you need to wait. I have to say the countryside was one of the things that helped me not to go crazy in small Prestwick town with very few things to do. And the fresh air and watching sunsets at the seaside saved me as well.
Scottish landscape
5. Take a walk in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and the second largest city. Its Grassmarket shopping district cannot beat Glasgow when it comes to shopping for sure, but this city has other virtues. It’s a place of culture and history. Especially its Old Town as UNESCO heritage has a lot to offer: Edinburgh Castle on a volcanic rock, the famous street Royal Mile, St. Giles’ Cathedral with crown steeple or the Camera Obscura.
Then New Town is UNESCO heritage as well and its Princess Street Gardens appeal to take a little rest with a breath-taking view of Edinburgh Castle above you. It becomes an unforgettable place in summer time with sun shining and flowers growing. Holyrood Abbey and Park are worth a visit, too.
Edinburgh holds many festivals throuthout the year, the most known is Edinburgh festival in August when High Street is overcrowded with tourists. While Glasgow buildings are mostly considered Victorian architecture, Edinburgh is more a city of Medieval and Georgian architecture.
Edinburgh Castle
6. Learn some Scots
It is NOT easy to understand Scottish accent if you hear it for the first time. I’ve spent half of my life studying and speaking English when I came to Scotland for the first time, I was like ‘What the hell is this???’. Honestly the first days there I felt that I could understand Chinese much better without speaking a word than understand the weirdest Scottish accent.
And now I don’t mean Scottish Gaelic which is totally different, but just Scottish accent. To be honest, it is very interesting and funny to listen to. But after a while you get used to it and even learn some words or expressions and how to pronounce them. The most famous one is aye which means yes, wee as little/small, that’s you as here you go, loch as lake, lassie as a young girl, bonnie as beautiful, pooch as pocket etc.
TIP: Here’s 7 top things to do in Edinburgh. The capital city is a lovely place for a stroll, trust me :)
Is Scotland on your bucket list or not really? I was lucky enough to live there for a year and thus explore a little bit of what the country has to offer. It’s definitely worth visiting if you like nature and history.
Chris
| #
The thing is if you work abroad the guys do the heavy work, and well girls don’t and I don’t fancy doing that any more im 48 now, and the uncertainty that you can lose the easily is another thing thats difficult for me now, and also I have slept in some dodgy flats abroad you never know if that flat mate is nutter. Lol maybe I was that nutter noo.
But I still have that travel bug I guess once its in you its in you.
crazy sexy fun traveler
| #
I always say the age is just a number! If you want something, just do it ;) And there are some similarities but many differences between the Spaniards and the Italians, I prefer the first ones.
Chris
| #
If I was your age I would still be doing my traveling thing and spend more time around alicante It was great I love the food, it felt safe and cultural and that castle was great. I think Italians like Spain, in my head Italians seem similar to the Spanish but I dont know.
crazy sexy fun traveler
| #
Haha, no way! I went there 4 times last year, really nice place.
Chris
| #
Phew, I thought you might say it was the worst, I had good times there.
crazy sexy fun traveler
| #
Alicante and the surroundings are the best! I love it over there.
Chris
| #
Hi I didn’t check my last post, If I had the money probably live in the north of tenerife or somewhere near alicante. I love med food,
crazy sexy fun traveler
| #
There’s dry weather in Madrid so I can imagine the cold! And for me, Spain is my fave country so I understand why you loved it!
Chris
| #
Oh I remember also loved Spanish meat balls and Russian salad I ate that a lot over there, the chef is so important, I dont think they can make like it like it is over there I used to goto a small local cafe where the local police went to, so it had to be good haha, Ive been to all those places to I stayed over night once in Madrid for new year it was so Cold. I loved Spain.
crazy sexy fun traveler
| #
Ah, ok :) I lived in Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga for a bit.
Love patatas bravas, too but no seafood for me please :D
I went to La Tasca only each time I was in Glasgow, was my fave until they changed the chef!
Chris
| #
Yes I was Mallorca, I had a bar there but it failed, the tenerife at La Tasca my favorite is Patatas bravas with Mussels Vinaigrette as I love shellfish, there is another tapas restaurant in the centre also but I cant remember it.
crazy sexy fun traveler
| #
Where in Spain? I lived there, too and visited thousand times! And my fave in La Tasca was queso manchego with sauce :D
Chris
| #
Yes its nice there, I lived is Spain for years so I know my Tapas.
crazy sexy fun traveler
| #
:) Have you ever gone to the Spanish restaurant La Tasca at Renfield Street? I used to be my fave place!
Chris
| #
Fair enough so you do know, cool. I live on the south side.
crazy sexy fun traveler
| #
I lived in Prestwick, Scotland for a year so obviously I saw more places than just these 6 ;) And I am Slovak :P
Chris
| #
I just read what you said about Scotland (i live in Glasgow) I say you have got it pretty right about what you say about Scotland, One thing I noticed is that you went to the tourist areas what about going to where the natives live next time, and see what you think about the culture, I come from London originally and understanding the scotish language was difficult for me at first to, some peoples are stronger than others.
One thing I was curious about was are you Italian or Spanish?
crazy sexy fun traveler
| #
Edinburgh Castle is my fave! Good choice.
Right, but no worries, I can be ur translator of the Martian – Scottish accent ;)
Norbert
| #
I’ve seen some beautiful Scottish landscape pictures that have made me want to go there! I also want to visit Edinburgh Castle, it looks so interesting.
I hear you with the accent… I’ve heard a few Scots here in NYC and it feels like a totally different language. I can’t imagine it there where everyone is speaking the same! I will get totally lost in translation! lol
Tadeas
| #
Keep writing Alexandra. It’s really helpful.
Tadeas
crazy sexy fun traveler
| #
Thanks Tadek, nice of u! Promise to c u these days ;)