Planned the perfect UK trip? Not if Scotland is not on that list.
If there is one place that you absolutely have to visit in the UK, that’s definitely Scotland. You’re probably confused now, thinking “but wait, what about London?” Sure, London will steal your heart, but trust me when I tell you that Scotland is a whole other experience. The short 4-day trip to Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands is probably my favorite solo trip to date.
Keep reading to find out why, I’ll share the secret ingredient at the very end!
Vennel Stairs, Edinburgh
If you’ve seen the movie or the TV show “One Day” on Netflix, then you surely recognize this scene - it’s the famous Vennel Viewpoint of the Edinburgh Castle. I was so excited to soak up this view that I literally climbed up the stairs even before I checked in my accommodation 😅 Totally worth it though, right?
During my trip, I found out that Edinburgh is not popular just because it’s the Capital of Scotland, but also because it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Europe! There are so many things to see and do, you need to plan at least 3 days to be able to properly explore it without rushing.
Edinburgh Castle viewing point from Princess Street Gardens
Obviously the Castle is the main attraction in Edinburgh, and for the best views you can just walk around the Princess Street Gardens.
For the best sunset views though, a short climb to Calton Hill is a must! It’s just impossible not to fall in love with the city after seeing this… going there a bit earlier is highly recommended as it’s quite a popular and crowded spot and surely you don’t want to miss out on this magical moment!
Calton Hill views
The Royal Mile and the W Bow are the most crowded areas of the city. Did you know that the W Bow served as inspiration for the Diagon Alley in Harry Potter? 👀 It’s a notable street filled with retail stores, cafés, pubs and restaurants. Speaking of Harry Potter, it’s really a big topic in Edinburgh! There are HP-inspired bars, walking tours, apparently Thomas Riddell’s grave, lots of souvenir shops… you name it! If you’re a HP fan, then this is THE place to be for sure. And if not, I’m sure you’ll find the whole theme quite interesting nonetheless.
Royal Mile
W Bow
If you want to escape the crowds, you can take a short 20-30 minute walk from the Royal Mile to Dean Village. From there it’s easy to follow the river all the way to the Botanical Gardens, which are free to enter. Speaking of free entrance, did you know that almost all museums in Edinburgh have no admission fees? The National Museum of Scotland is also a great idea and a fun experience!
Dean Village
But enough about Edinburgh, Scotland is so much more than that! Your trip will not be complete without visiting the Scottish Highlands. Remember James Bond’s scenes in Skyfall back in his home in Scotland? Well, that’s Glencoe - one of the most beautiful parts of the Highlands that you will visit during the organized day tour.
You’ve also probably heard of the “Monster of Loch Ness” - the mysterious monster that lives in one of the largest and oldest natural lakes in Scotland. If you take the boat tour, you will find out a lot more about the lake and the monster. You might even see it! 👀
Glencoe
Loch Ness
So, by now you’re probably wondering what made my Scotland trip so special besides the amazing views? The people, hands down. I’ve travelled to more than 35 countries and I have to say that the Scottish people are one of the nicest, funniest, and most genuine people I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with! Whether you’re a solo traveller like me, or you’re travelling in a group, you can be sure that you will get the best possible treatment.
So what do you say, are you ready to create the best memories in Scotland?
Fill in the form and let us create your dream trip! 😍
For more travel-related content, follow @travels.bys. All photo credits go to her.