Visit Scotland
Scotland - my secret passion?
Who hasn't yearned to visit Scotland, and discover the mystique that surrounds this remarkable country. There are castles, stately homes, lochs, monsters(?), wildlife parks, hills to climb and new tastes and flavours to experience.
A part of Scotland that I know particularly well, having spend many wonderful holidays there, is the Black Isle on North East Scotland. A bit of a misnomer as it's not actually an isle, but a peninsula. No-one really knows why it is called the Black Isle, the explanations range from the fact the soil on the isle is very dark, to there used to be so many trees on the isle that it looked black in the wintertime, to the fact black arts may have been practiced there. It is up to you to decide which romantic connotation suits you.
From the Black Isle it is easy to travel north west to Ullapool or north to Wick. You can travel easily into Inverness and have a day exploring along by the River Ness, wandering up to Inverness Castle (now the Sheriff Court), or admiring the wonderful churches and cathedral.
Choose your time of year you visit with care and you may be lucky enough to visit during the Northern Meeting of bagpipe players and lovers in September, or the annual City of Inverness Highland Games which last for two days in July.
If you want to see wildlife that you are in a great place. You can take a boat trip from Cromarty to see the wonderful Moray Firth dolphins. I haven't done this as I'm not a great sailor, but I have stood on the shore at Channing Point by Rosemarkie and been moved and thrilled to see the dolphins. The first couple of times you can't believe that dolphins are in Scotland and think perhaps it's just been a wave that you've seen, but the camera doesn't lie.
If it's a beach you wish to visit they are there in abundance. You will find lovely sandy beaches at Rosemarkie, or for those willing to travel further afield try Lossiemouth East Beach. It is not called the Jewel of the Moray Firth for nothing. Miles and miles of wonderful soft sand. Take a picnic and enjoy the day.
Of course what would a day at the seaside be without fish and chips for dinner? That is exactly what we enjoyed and nothing tastes quite like eating fish and chips on a seawall watching the changing colors of the Moray Firth. Followed of course by an ice-cream. A feast indeed.
All the photographs in this lens are from my own stock.
Scotland The Black Isle - Scotland - The Black Isle
Scotland- Looking north towards Dingwall, taken from the Black Isle
Taken with my NIKON D90
Please take a look at these great Scottish items of interest
You'll be surpised by Scotlands history and facts
Loch Ness - Urquhart Castle - My Own Photograph
Urquhart Castle is located on the shores of the famous Loch Ness. A visit here is an ideal spot to search for the Loch Ness Monster...
Dolphins at Moray Coast (my own photo)
Yes! Dolphins in Scottish waters! Very common in Morayshire
If you don't wish to take a boat trip out into the Moray Firth, I'm not very good on boats so I didn't want to do this option, visit Chanonry Point, you can see the dolphins very clearly from the shore. Try to get there when the tide is changing and you have a really good chance of seeing the dolphins feeding.
Idyllic Lossiemouth Beach
Don't get lost in the Scottish Highlands...
Inverness In The Fall
Have you ever visited Scotland?
Loch Ness Monster
My children are positive they have seen Nessie.
Travelling South to Edinburgh
Another place not to be missed is of course Edinburgh. A cosmpolitan city with a love of life. It may be a city but it isn't a sprawling hard to negotiate city. It's a joy to walk around. Spend your days walking from Edinburgh down the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, past Camera Obscura and St Giles Cathedral. From Holyroodhouse glance over at the Scottish Parliament building. It may seem a bit modern for your tastes, it was mine, but the architecture of it is stunning.
Take a picnic and enjoy wandering around The Queen's Park. There are some wonderful delicatessens to pick up some special treats. The Queen's Park is a circular shaped park approximately 5 miles in diameter. Take some stale bread and feed some of the ducks in one of the three Lochs. A lovely tranquil oasis in the middle of a city. On a Sunday it is a no through-fare to traffic, so it's very peaceful. Even during midweek the traffic isn't busy and it has strict speed limits that must be adhered to as you will often see The Queen's swans walking in the road.
There are lots of eateries for different budgets within Edinburgh, go on try something new. From snacks and fast foods, to gourmet meals. Don't forget to try the Scottish treat of tablet. It's very sweet and like a crispy, crumbly fudge. A unique taste but very moreish.
Edinburgh is so wonderful, the way the architecture blends from old to contemporary is breathtaking. Around every corner is another photo opportunity. Remember to take plenty of spare batteries and memory cards. You will need them as you won't stop clicking your camera.
One other piece of advice, remember sturdy walking shoes or be prepared to buy a pair. You will need them.
Edinburgh Castle at Dusk (my own picture)
Edinburgh Castle from the Grassmarket. My own Picture from a Nikon D90
Find your way around Edinburgh with a guidebook
St Giles Catherdal, High Street, Edinburgh (my own picture)
The Border Town Of Peebles in the Spring
Scotland is beautiful at all times of the year for a variety of reasons.. Visitors don't visit Scotland for reliable weather. Why would you visit and at which time of the year?
What do you think is the best time to visit Scotland?
Edinburgh at Christmas - My picture in Edinburgh
Princes Street Gardens with the Scotts Monument in the background next to the seasonal German Market. A real winter wonderland.
Links to My Related Lenses
- My Digital Camera Link
This will link to my Lens on swapping to a Digital Camera - Scottish Themed Gifts
My link to beautiful Scottish Themed Gifts - Scottish Kilt Accessories
Link to my Lens on Scottish Kilt Accessories
SCOTLAND - Map Of Scotland
Scotland
Your comments are always welcome
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@jewlsss: Thank you.
Great lens! Thank you for sharing your experiences :)
Wow, I didn't know, Scotland has so many beautiful places to offer. Its always a pleasure to learn about new locations. Great lens!
Fortunately, like you, I don't have to travel far to visit Scotland - I live there and wouldn't want to move to anywhere else.
It looks absolutely beautiful!
nice picture
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@Arachnea: I hope you get to visit one day soon!
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@Minoru10: If you're very lucky you might just see Nessie!
I would love to visit the Scotland someday. This lens makes me want to do so all the more. Great lens.
Thank you for the glimpse of Scotland. I really wouldn't mind going there if I get the chance.
And the Lock ness monster, I gotta see. : D
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@Merrci: Thank you.
Lovely photos. They make me wish I was there! Very interesting lens--thanks.
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@Adventuretravels: Thank you, you are very kind.
We visited Scotland last October and it was absolutely amazing. The highlands, the history and the people are wonderful. We kayaked into Loch Ness, but unfortunately didn't get to meet Nessie!
My husband is Scottish so we go there at every opportunity. I am the UK Travel Contributor for Squidoo and i ma looking for great lenses just like this one to promote. If you have any more about Scotland or anywhere else in the UK please let me have you URL. I love your photographs.
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@andreea22: I hope you get to visit one day soon.
I didn't know I want to visit Scotland until I read this. I had to choose once between Great Britain and France. I chose France because of the language and, obviously, Paris. I can't say I regret it, but I'd love to see Great Britan (and Scotland, of course) one day.
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@Just4Luck: I hope you get to visit one day soon.
Beautiful country with rich history. I'll have to visit it one day.
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@IanTease: I agree, Scotland has so much to offer at any time.
The Scottish parliament building also contains a very fine collection of art, not that I've found time to see it yet. I voted for Summer in your poll but I must Scotland is a great place to visit whatever the Season. Good work on a great lens.
We recently spent ten days in Scotland and it was far and away the best part of our trip through Great Britan, if you ever get the chance to visit then make sure you so, great place, friendly people.
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@dudexyx: Thank you.
That photo of Edinburgh Castle at Dusk looks so beautiful !
i wish to visit the castles it look great
I'm planning to visit the gardens in South Western Scotland in the summer,2014. Looking forward to it very much
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@Colin323: I hope you have a super time.
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@LluviaDeArte: Thank you, you're very kind to say so.
Stunning lens. I love your photography! Thank you for a great read!
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@ArtByLinda: Thank you.
Beautiful lens, appreciate you sharing this with us.
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@Doc_Holliday: Variable weather is part of the package of course!!! Sound like you were unfortunate to have continuous rain though on your visit to Edinburgh. I'm sure they will let you back, and arrange for the sun to shine too!! They are friendly that way!
Whilst I was in Edinburgh it rained and it rained and it rained!!!! The rest of my travels in Scotland were fine. I'll have to go back again so that I can check out Edinburgh - if they will let me :-)
I broke a leg when visiting Scotland) But I still love this place and people living there.
I love Scotland. It's where my husband comes from. I recommend it as a place everybody should go at least once in their lifetime.
Lovely photos and great travel advice! Thank you for sharing your Scotland adventure!
Beautiful lens! Great job!
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That is very kind of you to say so.
Nice review about an awesome place.
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@Glenn McCarthy: Ah yes, the porridge. Salt or sugar? (Or now a days, neither!) That's probably another lens needed. You made me laugh out loud!!
Scotland can be cold, very cold, but the people are great. Some of the nicest people anywhere. Mind you the Scottish eat porridge with salt (strange people), but very friendly.
Wonderful pictures. Thanks for the virtual tour.
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@aleereviews: Thank you for your kind words. Indeed, Scotland is an amazing place. I certainly can recommend it for a visit.
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@omarasl: Thank you.
how amazing , it is wonderful photos so what beautiful country it is Scotland
Scotland is one place I would love to visit!
I need to spend some time exploring Scotland. Especially as its so close!
Scotland really is the most beautiful country in the world. Highland Perthshire as well is beautiful :)
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@alfonsogomea: I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your time in Edinburgh.
hi i spend five days this summer in edimbourg its great
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@Fit And Fab: Thank you.
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@MarathonRunning: Thank you, that's very kind of you to say.
Great photos you have taken. Interesting lens. :-)
Great Lens & pictures :)
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@kristalulabelle: I hope you get to visit Scotland one day soon. I'm sure you'd have a fantastic time.
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@JohnCumbow: I hope you manage to visit soon, I'm sure you'd have a great time!
I've always wanted to go to Scotland...maybe some day! I love your pictures, they are just beautiful.
I haven't made it to the other side of the Atlantic yet, but Scotland and the British Isles are very high on my list of places I want to visit.
I am from the UK and I agree, Scotland is a glorious land!
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@anonymous: I hope you had fun!
Been skiing in Scotland once, it looks different in the snow! Mind you, I only live next door so I could visit again!
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@Fufurinha47: I hope you manage to visit one day soon. I'm sure you'd have a great time.
I hope I can go there one day :)
Sigh...maybe someday. Beautiful lens.
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@kingandy: I hope you manage to revisit one day soon.
Thanks for this beautiful lens! Been to Scotland many years ago and it's been my dream to get back there for a long time now.
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@josietook: Thank you.
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@mariacarbonara: I'm sure you'd have a great time.
Great photography!!
Ive only been to Edinburgh so need to travel further afield next time!
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@Pete1000: Thank you.
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@SamanthaHaupt: I hope your dream comes true one day soon!
Fantastic lens. Very informative and well worth revisiting. Packed with great information
Great lens with beautiful picture! It's always been a dream of mine to visit Scotland.
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@happy-birthday: You are welcome, I am glad you enjoyed reading my lens.
Wonderful lens about Scotland! I would love to visit Scotland! Thanks a lot for sharing.
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@FlynnTheFineFle: Thank you, remember Scotland is waiting for you!
Darn it! Now I'm pining for another Scotland visit, and my schedule (not to mention budget) just won't allow . C'est la vie. Well done. Very good lens!
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@winter aconite: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy your visits.
I love Scotland and tend to visit once a year! It's such a mystical place! Beautiful pictures!!!
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@natureadventure: Thank you, I appreciate the like!
Great lens. I liked photos...
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@darkflowers: Thank you.
Beautiful Lens, I enjoyed it and your photos are great to so thumbs up!
I love the images .
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@E Andrew Brandon: I hope you manage to visit Scotland soon. The Wallace Monument is spectacular as is Stirling Castle. The views of the surrounding countryside are amazing.
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@mel-kav: I hope you get to visit one day soon. For such a small country there's a lot to experience.
I want to go to scotland so bad, Did you see the statue of William Wallace? I believe it is in Stirling.
I have never been to Scotland - but I would love to! Whenever I think about Scotland, I think about true enchantment. Wondeful lens!
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@Ibidii: Thank you. To copyright the photos I use Nikon NX2 software, although my husband says you can use Picassa web which is free.
Awesome lens! I love the photos! Question: What program did you use to copyright the photos??? I need to do that for my photos. :D
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@Socialpro54 LM: I hope you manage to visit one day soon!
I would love to visit Scotland. It would be a fascinating place
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@Blonde Blythe: Thank you, I enjoyed taking the photographs.
Beautiful place! Love your pictures!
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@sheilamarie78: I hope you get the chance to visit one day soon.
Your photos are fantastic! I'd love to visit Scotland.
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@TommysPal: Thank you, I enjoyed taking them.
What a really great lens. I enjoyed all the beautiful photos.
Scotland has always been one of those must-see places for me. An added bonus: I didn't know dolphins could be found in Scotland.
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