Scotland

Scotland, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated and undiscovered countries in terms of tourism. Scotland is the United Kingdom’s most northern country, with a landscape comprising of highlands and lochs.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Scotland twice, the most recent time being late last year. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is very traditional in nature. Streets are cobble stoned and architecture is somewhat gothic. Edinburgh is beautiful in winter, with the Edinburgh Christmas Markets attracting thousands of visitors each year. These markets are conveniently located next to the Scott Monument and are home to hundreds of stalls selling goods from German pretzels to Christmas decorations to Christmas souvenirs. On my visit late last year, my family happened to stumble across these markets one night and were so impressed by our discovery! The atmosphere is incredible, these markets are a must see if in Edinburgh in winter time.

Edinburgh Christmas Markets

The infamous Edinburgh Castle is another must see attraction in this city. The castle sits on a hill, called the Castle Rock, in the centre of the city and can be seen from quite a distance away. There’s a good chance that the hotel you’re staying at would have a partial (if not full) view of the castle! This historic fortress dates back to the 12^th century, and is a definite must see for all people of all ages. Inside the castle, you’ll come across rooms, bathrooms, grand halls and courtyards, all of which have been greatly preserved to provide tourists with an authentic experience. The view of Ediburgh is also phenomenal, as the high Castle Rock location looks down onto the city.

Edinburgh Castle

Another city in Scotland I visited was Aberdeen, one of the most northern cities in Scotland. Aberdeen was significantly less populated than Edinburgh and had a very raw vibe to it. In saying this, Aberdeen is still a main city in Scotland and had streets lined with shops and restaurants. However, there is much less in terms of tourist attractions to see in Aberdeen given it is an oil and fishing centre of Europe and is also a university city. Most of the population who live here in Aberdeen are workers in the industry and university students. I would still highly recommend Aberdeen for a visit, as the peacefulness, rawness and scenery around this quiet town is priceless.

Brig O Balgownie, Aberdeen

Hasveen