Disclosure: collaborative post
It seems strange to call an entire country a hidden gem, yet it feels like Scotland most certainly fits that description. When people journey to the UK, they turn their attention to England. It gets all the focus, mainly thanks to London. Everyone wants to go to London to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The London Eye, The Tower of London, and so on and so forth! There are so many things to do that you forget about everything else the UK has to offer. Rarely will people look at the UK and consider going on holiday to Scotland. However, this is a decision you should consider very highly!
Scotland sits at the top of the UK and is home to some very memorable sights and scenes. It may not offer the same type of attractions as other areas of the UK, but there is plenty to enjoy here.
Iconic cities
Scotland might not have London, but it does have two incredibly iconic cities in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Glasgow is home to lots of typical city attractions, including museums, great places to eat, galleries, and plenty of green areas. However, Edinburgh is the creme de la creme here. It’s not only the best city in Scotland, it’s regularly voted the best place to visit in the UK. The city itself is beautiful, with lots of old architecture and cobbled streets making it seem so authentic.
There are loads of attractions in Edinburgh as well; it’s the type of city you can visit for an entire week and get a lot done without being bored. The food here is very tasty, and it’s worth visiting during the New Years’ Eve celebrations every year. Here, Hogmanay takes place, which is a huge festival on the streets of Edinburgh that helps you see in the new year.
The Highlands
When you look at Scotland on a map, you can be confused into wondering why such a large part of the UK gets such little attention. Well, part of that is down to the northern region being largely inhabited. This is home to the Scottish Highlands, which are iconic and known throughout the world. You’ve definitely seen them in various forms of media as The Highlands are the perfect backdrop for different films and TV shows.
There aren’t many people or towns around, but there is still lots to do here. You can spend days hiking around The Highlands, taking in all the natural beauty on display. Why not hire a motorhome and just go for it? You’ve also got plenty of activities available, all of which are set up through local tourist organizations, making it a great place for an adventure. The few villages that are present in this area are so beautiful and quaint as well. They’re the ideal places to stay overnight and get a true taste of Scottish culture.
Lots of golf courses
Scotland is known for enjoying a fair few sports. Football is quite big in Glasgow, rugby is also popular, but the country itself is perhaps best known for golf. It boasts numerous courses that constantly get put in the top golf courses around the world. Many of the best golfers on the planet will have homes in Scotland or spend a lot of time playing the courses as they’re so good. The combination of the excellent scenery and the fantastic courses is what makes golf so popular here. Genuinely, a lot of travel experts view a round of golf as a must-experience thing for people visiting Scotland for the first time. If you’ve never played before, maybe now’s the time!
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Lochs, lochs, and more lochs
What is a loch? Simply put, it’s the Scottish term for a lake! In this country, there are dozens of gorgeous lochs for you to visit and enjoy. Many of them will have attractions for you to see, such as various different water sports to try your hand at. Despite having so many lochs to choose from, two stand out above all the rest. Loch Lomond is a must-see place, setting the record as the largest lake in the UK. It’s a great spot for fishing, and it’s only a short drive from Glasgow, making it perfect for a day trip.
Naturally, Loch Ness is the other one! It’s a legendary place thanks to the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster. Tourists travel here from far and wide to try to get a glimpse of something, anything! We can’t promise you’ll see the monster, but we can promise it’s worth a visit.
Scotland deserves to be much more than an afterthought when people are thinking about traveling to the UK. It’s home to many delights, and you can use the ideas in this post to plan your trip.
