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A Land of Myth and Legend

A countries national animal in many cases serves as a symbol of the nation itself, a literal representation of freedom, power, or dominance. So, while some countries chose birds or bears, what does it say about Scotland that their national animal is a unicorn? May seem an odd pick at first, but spend a little time in Scotland, a land famed for its long history of myth and legend, spectacular lands, and proud people, and suddenly the selection of a rare and magical creature might just seem fitting.

Scotland is part of the United Kingdom and covers the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Home to a little more the five million people, in addition to the mainland, the country includes 790 islands including the well-known Hebrides and the Isle of Skye. Located far in the north, the country has a cool climate and its fair share of rain.

While home to a number of cities both large and small, the capital city is Edinburgh. The city is the second most popular tourist destination in the U.K. and is divided into what is considered Old Town and the New Town (just to give a sense of how old the country is, the New Town construction began in 1766).

New Town has its charms to be sure. Streets are lined with more modern shops and restaurants, but if you are looking for the more historic part of the city, you will need to cross the street. Old Town is home to the Royal Mile — a long cobblestone street chalk full of tourists at all times of the year — which leads up hill to Edinburgh Castle, perched on the edge of a steep cliff overlooking the city. For history buffs, the Castle is a must see for its changing role in war and politics over the centuries. For those less interested in the number of kings and queens who lived/fought/were beheaded there, the outlooks on the castle walls make for a great photo.

The best way to experience Old Town is simply to walk it. Wander off the Royal Mile into the winding side streets and visitors will stumble across all manner of pubs, shops, and sites. For those interested in more specific destinations in Old Town, nearly every shop will sell maps pointing out where Robert Burns stayed in and The Elephant House where J.K. Rowling first wrote Harry Potter. If you happen to just walk by the café, don't worry, you wont miss it. There is a massive sign out front clearly identifying it as the birthplace of Harry Potter.

At the opposite end of the Royal Mile is Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British monarch. While the castle itself is fairly standard as castles go (there are thousands of castles across Scotland), the abbey ruins adjacent to the building are a sight to see.

Holyrood Palace is nestled at the foot of Arthur's Seat, the main peak of a group of hills close to city center. The seat, which rises well above the city, is often mentioned as one of the possible locations for Camelot, is possibly the site of some rather intense witchcraft, and has had varying religious significance over the centuries. Whatever the history, it is one big hill that takes an awfully long time to climb up, particularly when the wind tries to turn people into kites (it was the one time in my life I wished I weighed more). However the view from the top, on a clear day, cannot be beat.

Outside the City

Edinburg is just one of many things to see in the country. About 40 minutes outside the city is Sterling, home to Sterling Castle. The castle itself, in my biased opinion, is one of the more beautiful and doesn't draw in quite as many tourists. The town can also be easily reached by commuter train from Edinburgh, giving visitors a chance to look at a bit of the country on their journey.

If you really want to see the land that has inspired poets for generations, a trip up into the highlands is a must. Tour guides and busses can drive you up or you can be brave and rent a car – it is possible to rent an automatic car since driving on the opposite side of the car and road while managing a standard engine has the potential for disaster.

Far north is the famous Loch Ness, home to the famous Loch Ness Monster, Nessie. Farther south visitors can drive through the town of Perth and maybe catch sight of some jumping salmon. To the west is Glencoe, home to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery and a popular destination for walkers and hikers. For movie lovers, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and the James Bond movie Skyfall were both shot there. On the drive up to Glencoe, one might even spot the train the Flying Scotsman, which bears a striking resemblance to the Hogwarts Express.

The People and Their Food

The Scottish accent, to those unfamiliar with it, can be a bit of a challenge at first listen. Case and point, on a trip to Edinburgh with a friend she legitimately asked me what language the group siting next to us on the train was speaking. Fair to say she was stunned when I told her they were speaking English.

Combining any sort of alcohol with that accent does tend to add to the challenge, but it would hardly be a trip to Scotland without a little whiskey or gin. There are plenty of distillery tours to choose from, but if you want to stay in Edinburgh, Pickering's Gin is distilled right in the city, and the distillery tour offers an inside look at a small, but popular, operation.

When it comes to food, Scotland does have a bit of a negative reputation, but most of it isn't justified. There are plenty of exciting things to try as well as old classics like fish and chips. And yes, haggis is still on the menu. Haggis is essentially a sheep's heart, liver, and lungs mixed with oatmeal, salt and spices traditionally encased in the sheep's stomach. While not immediately appealing, don't knock it till you try it. Over the years it has been spruced up significantly but if you still find the contents disturbing, I don't suggest you ever Google what is in an American hot dog.

The cities and the countryside are a big part of what draws people to Scotland time and again, but for me it is the Scots themselves. People often wonder what it is that makes the Scots the way they are, some say history and others blame the weather, but whatever the reason, the Scots are wonderfully blunt, witty, and proud. Spend a few days with them and it will be easy to see how the Scots have survived for centuries.