Scotland: An Unexpected Gem š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ
- nicoleforddesign
- Feb 9
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Scotland wasnāt initially on our radar for our UK and Ireland adventure, but adding two days in Edinburgh ended up being one of the best decisions we made.
We were blown away by how much we fell in love with the country, and by the end of our short stay, we couldnāt help but wish weād planned more time here. With only two days to explore, we knew we had to make every moment countāso we set out to explore Edinburghās charming city center and jumped on a 10+ hour highland bus tour. If you're short on time like we were, keep reading for our jam-packed itinerary!
Day One - June 25th, 2024
In the morning, we headed to King's Cross Station to catch our train to Scotland. After a five-hour ride, we arrived in Edinburgh. We checked into our hotel and immediately set out to explore the city. We knew we only had a few hours before the rain would start, so we wanted to make the most of our time.
Our first stop was Cambridge Bar for lunch, where we grabbed a sandwich and a drink. It was a charming pub tucked down a cobblestone street, and the staff were incredibly friendly.
Next, we made our way toward Old Town. The buildings, cathedrals, and Edinburgh Castle took my breath away. Everywhere I looked, I couldnāt believe how stunning the architecture was, and I just wanted to explore for hours.
We wandered along the Royal Mile, stopping to browse through the little shops lining the cobblestone streets. Unfortunately, Josh got a little "gift" from a bird overhead, so we stopped by a nearby shop to buy him a classic touristy T-shirt.
As late afternoon approached, so did the pouring rain. We decided to head back to the hotel to dry off and enjoy an early night in with takeout. We stayed at Hotel YOTEL, and I couldnāt recommend it more. The hotel was modern, clean, and the staff was exceptionally kind to us.
šCambridge Bar for Lunch
šExplored Old Town
šSt Giles' Cathedral
šEdinburgh Castle
šThe Royal Mile
Day Two - June 26th, 2024
Today was one of those days where I just couldn't believe my eyes as we explored the Scottish Highlands.Ā
We boarded our bus early in the morning and off we went to explore more of Scotland. We stopped in Inverness City of the Highlands for a quick pit stop where we got to see our first Highland Cow. He was so incredibly cute and we bought some food to give him a little snack. He was one happy Cow from all the tourists who passed through.Ā
Next, we headed to our Loch Ness Boat Tour to go find Nessie. It was a chilly morning, but we loved seeing the incredible views from the lake. We then arrived at Urquhart Castle and walked through its ancient ruins, exploring the remnants of its towers and defensive walls. The castle, perched on the edge of Loch Ness, offered a fascinating glimpse into Scotland's history, with its stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscapes. It was easy to imagine what it must have been like centuries ago when the castle played a key role in defending the area.
On our way back to Edinburgh, we stopped at the Three Sisters Mountains, and the views were amazing. The peaks were huge and looked so cool against the sky, with green valleys down below. The whole area was just beautiful, with hills and little lochs scattered around. It was such a peaceful place to stop and take in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands before heading back. We learned that the mountains have a bit of a tragic history ā during the Highland Clearances, many people used the mountains as a way to escape the harsh conditions and flee from the forces trying to push them off the land. Seeing the Three Sisters in the distance was a perfect way to end our trip, with both the natural beauty and the stories of the past.
We had one last stop to see a few more Highland cows before heading back to the city centre. We tried to grab a table at Greyfriars Bobbyās, as we were fascinated by the story of the loyal dog itās named after, but unfortunately, they were fully booked. After snapping a few pictures, we made our way to the Black Bull for drinks to wrap up such a memorable day in Scotland.
šInverness City of the Highlands
šLochness Boat Tour
šUrquhart Castle
šThree Sisters Mountains
šMet some Highland Cows
šDrinks at the Black Bull to end our day
On our bus during the day trip, I met a wonderful family from Florida traveling with their three boys. I shared some stories about Canada and showed them pictures of Banff and Prince Edward Island. They were amazed by the mountains in Banff and, after seeing the pictures, theyāve now added it to their bucket list!
Day 3 - June 27th, 2024 (Morning)
Today we had a little bit of time to explore Dean Village before we caught our flight to Dublin. This was a recommendation from our tour bus driver the prior day and it was an absolute must. Dean village is a charming, picturesque area nestled along the Water of Leith, just a short walk from the heart of Edinburgh. With its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and historic feel, it felt like stepping back in time. The peaceful atmosphere was a refreshing contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. We wandered along the riverbank, enjoying the tranquil surroundings and taking in the beauty of the old mills and bridges. It was the perfect spot to relax before heading to the airport. Dean Village definitely lived up to its reputationāI'd recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh!
Scotland has now become one of my favourite places I've travelled to and hope one day to come back!
Check out my Scotland travel reel below!
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