It has been long time since I wrote something on this blog. Many new things happened in real life, and I had to re-organize my time. But I don’t want to leave this blog behind, so I picked my next place: Scotland!
Scotland Landscape
I went to Scotland in 2006. I drove from London to Edinburgh, and from there I visited 2 other places: St. Andrews and Stirling. I only spent 4 days there, but I’ll come back there in my life, that’s for sure. Scotland landscapes are amazing: this hills seem to touch the sky and the clouds that run so fast, the green fields full of sheep and cows, the tranquillity of the little city outside Edinburgh… wonderful! And Scottish people seemed to be funny and they welcomed you in a warm way! You can feel and see their pride for the old Scottish traditions, even if today tourism made things a bit more commercial.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland since 1437, and in 1995 UNESCO listed the Old Town and the New Town as a UNESCO world heritage site. I liked the old town because it has a medieval aspect, and it’s melancholic as London is, or even more than the English capital. You can enjoy the view of the city and the surroundings from Arthur’s Seat or many other places, because the terrain varies a lot: it’s all an up and down. My B&B was near the Arthur’s Seat, but I didn’t climb the hill, but from the bottom you could see people talking a walk. Now I regret not being there, because from the pictures I see on the net the view is amazing!
Arthur's Seat
In the city you can find many historical places to visit and museums, places where you can eat good food, places where you can buy real kilts (they are so beautiful) and a bagpipe, places where you can try or buy the Scotch Whiskey (there is also the museum near the castle, in the centre of the city), the zoo and the aquarium, nightclubs and many other things. If you want to visit the surrounds of Edinburgh, I think you will be able to find many many many interesting things to see. Personally I visited St. Andrews and Stirling. I went to visit St. Andrew because some years ago a friend of mine went there, and from her description of the place I decided I would have gone there soon or later. Saint Andrews is a little city on the coast north of Edinburgh. There you can find the oldest Scottish University (University of St. Andrews), but it’s also known to be the “home of golf”. As a matter of fact there is a large golf camp near the sea and the shore, but I think there are many more. Saint Andrews is also the patron of Scotland, celebrated on the 30th of November.
St. Andrews
In this little city you can also visit the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral, the castle, St. Rules Tower and walk around the place, that is really nice, relaxing and cold if you go in the winter! It’s one of that places in which you can seat somewhere and just enjoy to spend some time looking at the landscape. It looks like the time is slower compared to the big cities, and you can actually take some times for yourself and close the toughs about work and less funny things in a little closet.
The mirror
St. Andrews Cathedral
The other place I went to see it’s Stirling, of course because of William Wallace. Wallace was a Scottish patriot that was leading the resistance during the Wars of Scottish Independence, and he defeated the English army at Stirling; he has been hiding for years, but then he was found and handed in to Edward I of England, who had him executed for treason. In this city you can find a monument dedicated to him and his original sword (that is taller than me!), the Stirling castle, the Stirling Bridge where a famous battle has taken place and an amazing view of the zone.
Wallace
Stirling Castle
Stirling
Wallace Monument
Here you can find a list of useful links that will help you to plan a little trip to Scotland:
- Edinburgh: Edinburgh and Explore Edinburgh, if you want to see what kind of attractions there are, find an accommodation, etc.
- Edinburgh history: Wikipedia!
- St. Andrews history: Wikipedia again!
- Stirling history: the city and Wallace
- Museum of Scotch Whiskey: The Scotch Whiskey Experience
- If yo want to see Nessie: Loch ness
