25 REASONS TO VISIT SCOTLAND
25 REASONS TO VISIT SCOTLAND
With over twenty countries under our belt, we feel more patriotic than ever and for that reason we have put together a list of 25 reasons to visit Scotland. They do say absence makes the heart grow fonder, so here’s why Caledonia will always be our favourite.
2. UNICORNS
The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn. It was apparently the enemy of the Lion, which just so happens to be the National animal of England.
8. ALIENS
The small Scots town of Bonnybridge is the UFO capital of the world with over 300 sightings per year. It’s quite common for Scots to get confused when they see a glowing light from the sky, sunshine doesn’t happen often. Who needs area 51 when you’ve Falkirk?
9. GAME OF THRONES
Although you probably know the obvious Scottish characters, did you know The Red Wedding was based on a historical event in Edinburgh.
12. HARRY POTTER
Scotland is Harry Potter’s “birthplace” and any fans of the wee wizard will recognise a few famous spots. Firstly, J K Rowling crafted HP in a café in Edinburgh. The famous glen of Glencoe was featured in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’. And, if you can, take the Jacobite steam train just like the Hogwarts express over the actual Glenfinnan Viaduct. No need for flights to Florida for Universal studios!
13. BEACHES – PART 2
(That good, we’re mentioning them twice.) Mainland Scotland has 6,160 miles (9,910 km) of coastline. This is three times larger than England’s and twice that of France or Spain. If you include the numerous islands, it increases to an astonishing 10,250 miles (16,500 km). Imagine more sunbathing spots than Spain! Just a shame there’s no sun.
17. PORRIDGE
Yes the rumours are true, we eat our porridge with salt and it was once customary to eat it standing up. Oh and only mix it clockwise for good luck!
18. CAMPING
Like a beach and wanna sleep on it? In Scotland you can camp anywhere as of the access rights established by the Land Reform Act of 2003. It’s known as the “right to roam” act. Wild camping is illegal in England, Wales & Northern Ireland but pop over the border and you can rest your wee heid wherever you wish.
22. CHIPPIES
Scotland are experts at frying anything. Battered pizza? No problem. Battered Haggis? Of course. Battered Mars Bar? Nope, we didn’t make that up.
23. HOGMANAY
It’s no secret Scots love a dram and a good party, but Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year’s Eve and several traditions are involved (including the other national dish – Stovies). The morning after (or any time after midnight on the 31st of December) usually involves First Footing to bring luck to your home for the year ahead. Traditionally, the first guest to your home should bring a lump of coal, to represent well wishes that your home will always be warm. Whisky to represent you will always be warm and watered. Thirdly, food (traditionally shortbread or similar) to represent your belly will always be full. The luckiest first footer was a tall, dark and handsome man. The unluckiest a red head and the unluckiest of all a red-haired woman. That’s me and Daz crossed off the first footing list.
24. THISTLE
Forget pretty petals, the Scotland’s national flower is a feisty wee one just like its people. Legend has it that an Army of King Haakon of Norway, intent on conquering the Scots landed at the Coast of Largs at night to surprise the sleeping Scottish Clansmen. In order to move more quietly in the dark the Norsemen removed their shoes. One of Haakon’s men unfortunately stood on the spikey stem of the thistle, shrieked out in pain, alerting the Clansmen of the advancing Norsemen. Needless to say the Scots won that day.
25. ROBBIE BURNS
The National poet and our very own Shakespeare who also wrote the version of Auld Lang Syne the world now sings today. His Birthday is January 25th where traditionally the national dish of haggis, neeps & tatties are enjoyed in his honour.
Hopefully after our wee round up of wizards and whisky, beaches and Buckfast, we have been able to answer the question, why visit Scotland? We are sure that Caledonia is calling you too!
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Love this list – I agree with all of them! The mountains where definitely a reason for me to move here – the whisky a good reason to stay 🙂
You got me at unicorns:-) The beaches are also stunning.
I can’t believe how many of these facts I didn’t know about! Especially the haggis, and also about the UFOs. I think it’s really interesting how many “fiction” books talk about Scotland as the contact point between Earth and other civilizations.
Good list! I wonder if you can deep fry porridge ? ?