I'm going out of order but here's a post about my weekend in the Highlands! For my Scottish Culture class we have to blog about our semester on an academic page so here's the post I recently wrote!
A couple of weeks ago I spent an incredible weekend driving through and exploring the Highlands. What an experience! To see all the natural beauty that Scotland has to offer is truly a gift. Studying in Edinburgh is fanatastic. Only a short bus ride away you have the historic, bustling city and a couple hour drive brings you to magnificent lochs, glens, bens, state parks, and more.
I remember a couple years ago, as I embarked on a cruise, I realized that you never know you get seasick until you've been on a boat. Well, you never know if you get carsick until you drive through the Highlands! The roads were windy and twisted and turned around beautiful lakes and between mountains. I think the drive itself could be an amusement park ride, only much more beautiful.
A majority of Scotland's population lives in the main cities which leaves the natural scenery practically untouched, with a few small towns scattered about. I went on this tour with a tour group and guide so I would really be able to see many things in only two short days. My two favorite stops were Glencoe and Loch Ness. Glencoe was simply spectacular. I was torn between wanting to take as many photos as possible and just leaving my camera in my pocket and breathing in the fresh air and taking in the nature around me. Edinburgh is a magnificent city, but quietness is a rarity. Standing before these massive mountains and valleys the only sound was nature, and the occasional click of a camera. I spent this moment considering the great tragedy that took place in this beautiful area so long ago. The beauty is astonishing, but also haunting when you stop and think.
Loch Ness was pretty amazing. Because I'm a student here and feel so at home here in Edinburgh, I absolutely hate labelling myself as a tourist. But let's be honest, the moment I stepped out of the van at this massive, incredible body of water, my camera was out and we were posing with the Nessie stuffed animal our tour guide brought along. While there are many beautiful lakes in Scotland, this is definitely the most well-known so I was so excited to be able to see it in person instead of pictures!
This tour, among others I've been on, taught me that Scotland truly has it all when it comes to nature, and even better, it is all so accessible. Scotland has historic cities with beautiful architecture, incredible mountains, valleys, and lakes, coastal towns along its borders, magnificent islands up north, and herds and herds of sheep visible on any drive outside the city. Really, what more could you ask for?
We stopped at so many lochs, I cannot remember which one this one was. It was our first stop and absolutely beautiful.
Glencoe
Nessie!
Loch Ness
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