So far in my travels I have visited roughly 1/4 of all the countries in the world. That's both a lot and hardly any at the same time – there's still SO much of the world left to see.
And yet, even though there are more than 140 countries I've yet to step foot in, there are a few corners of the world that I find myself returning to again and again.
I travel a lot within the US, and go to Canada roughly once a year. I've also been to New Zealand 5 times, Ireland 3 times, and have visited Iceland, Norway, and Germany twice apiece. And then there's the United Kingdom. I've visited the UK almost every year since 2012 – and sometimes more than once in a year.
And the part of the UK that continues to draw me back again and again? SCOTLAND.
There are so many things to love about Scotland, from the beautiful Highlands to Edinburgh's historic Old Town. From the bagpipers and kilts to the hairy highland cows. From the calm lochs to the wild isles.
I freaking LOVE Scotland.
And to do my best to convert you into a #ScotlandLover, too, here are 35+ of my favorite photos from one of my favorite places in the world.
(A word of caution, though: These photos may indeed make you want to pack your bags and move to Scotland ASAP. Don't say I didn't warn you.)
One of the best views I've ever had from a kitchen. This was in an apartment I rented in Edinburgh, looking out at the castle.The Old Man of Storr reflected in Loch Fada on the Isle of Skye is kinda magical.Scotland Bucket List must-have: Riding the Harry Potter train (AKA the Jacobite) through the Highlands.This is Victoria Street, my favorite street in Edinburgh.A Coo With a View! This photo, taken on the Isle of Harris, is one of my very favorites.Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye, is mega cute.The ruins of Holyrood Abbey date back to the 1100s! (You can find this at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.)The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye are very popular (read: sometimes crowded), but I'd say the view is worth it.Bagpipe and kilts: Two uniquely Scottish things I love!Wandering down to Dean Village in Edinburgh is like stepping back in time a few hundred years.Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye got its name from the basalt columns that look like the pleats in a kilt.Loch Shiel in the Highlands is so darn pretty.Looking for a cool stone circle to visit? Check out the Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis.Eilean Donan Castle is the most-photographed castle in the UK.Reflections for days on the Isle of Skye.Inside St. Giles Cathedral, which sits on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.Looking out over Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands.Culloden Battlefield is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about the Jacobite rebellions.They say that if you hold your face in the water beneath Sligachan Bridge for seven seconds, you will have eternal beauty.Another shot from the Old Town in Edinbrugh, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Scotland also has amazing beaches! This is Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris.The ruins of Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye certainly are photogenic.The Butt of Lewis (the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis) is one of the windiest places I have ever been.The Palace of Holyroodhouse is home to the Queen for a week every summer.Glencoe in the Highlands has a sad history, but sure is beautiful.This is Dun Carloway, a 2000-year-old broch on the Isle of Lewis.Another glimpse of the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye.The sun DOES shine in Scotland! And it makes the Highlands look even more beautiful.I could gladly live here at Cawdor Castle with these pretty gardens.Looking out over Stirling towards the William Wallace Monument.The mysterious Loch Ness on a foggy morning.A popular stop on the Isle of Skye is here at Lealt Falls.The Royal Mile is the place to be in Edinburgh.This is Loch Lubnaig, one of the many gorgeous lakes in Scotland.If the Fairy Pools don't make you believe in fairies on the Isle of Skye, then the Quiraing might.Annnnd one last photo of Edinburgh Castle on a summer day, because why not?
If you've never been to Scotland before, what are you waiting for? This year would be a great time for that first visit.
Here are some of my favorite Scotland posts if you want to feed your newfound Scotland wanderlust:
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
"It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might get swept off to." - JRR Tolkien
Join the ADB Community!
Sign up here to get exclusive travel tips, deals, and other inspiring goodies delivered to your inbox.
64 Comments on “Photos to Make You Want to Pack Your Bags and Move to Scotland”
You need to go south into the borders. Its a totally different landscape! Some wonderful small fishing villages on the east coast with the best ice cream and fish and chips! Discover Hutton’s Unconformity in the rock. Its an often forgotten part of Scotland as people just go OH Highlands 🙂
I could move to Edinburgh in a blink. I freaking LOVE Scotland also. I first visited from Australia in 2013 and again in 2015/16 (for Hogmanay). There’s still so much to see next time. Skye IS magical, and we’ll do Inverness and visit the ancestorial are next visit. Your photos really do Scotland justice.
I’m a huge fan of Scotland as well. I’ve loved all the places I’ve visited but Scotland keeps calling my name and I feel like it’s one of those places that I could live long-term. So far I’ve only made to Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull and Iona. Still want to visit Lewis & Harris at some point as well.
I love all of your photography. They really are so cool!
I’m from England originally, but I’ve been living abroad for over 20 years. I won’t be going back “home” to live anymore I think…. but if I ever decided to move back to the UK, it would be to Scotland that I would move back to, and not England.
Apart from a better relationship with Europe, just look at that sky, the lakes, the cliffs, the warm people, the whisky…!
Your photos are brilliant! You seem to have seen a lot of Scotland so far – what’s on your bucket list for there? I’m based in Glasgow and will finally hike part of the West Highland Way this year, and want to visit a friend on Lewis as I’ve never been to the Hebrides. There’s just too much to see 😉
Ugh this makes me want to go to Scotland so bad. I’ve only been to 20 countries so far, but Scotland has been my favorite by far. If I could pack up my bags and move to Edinburgh tomorrow I would do so in a heartbeat. Fabulous country! Fabulous people!
Agreed on all accounts! If it was feasible for me to up and move to the UK, Scotland would definitely be at the top of my list for where I’d want to live.
This post is almost killing me! I’ve just finished reading a book by Rosamunde Pilcher called “Winter Solstice” (nerd warning here, I read it every winter around Christmas) that I LOVE! It takes place in Scotland, and as Mrs Pilcher is fabulous at describing the surroundings I practically live in Scotland while I read it. I dont thinnk I will ever move there, but it is so on my bucket list to visit.
And who knows, maybe I’ll decide to stay 😉 Thanks for your amazing photos!
You never know! I always joke that all the fairy myths might actually be true in Scotland, because I certainly feel put under a spell every time I’m there!
My friends and family love to come visit us in Ayrshire and we take them all over Scotland. It is an easy place to fall in love with. But it looks like you have missed some other beautiful parts of Scotland, so you have more reasons to return! I moved to Ayrshire from Atlanta 30 years ago and the beauty of the West Coast never stops making me thankful I did that! Come on down to Ayrshire sometime!
Seeing the photos of Edinburgh bought back memories of my visit there this past summer! At the time of my visit, the Fringe Festival and Military Tattoo were concurrently running so lots of people in the streets.
Glasgow was another fun city to explore.
I definitely agree the scenery is amazing and best experienced in person. 🙂
You need to go south into the borders. Its a totally different landscape! Some wonderful small fishing villages on the east coast with the best ice cream and fish and chips! Discover Hutton’s Unconformity in the rock. Its an often forgotten part of Scotland as people just go OH Highlands 🙂
This is very true! I’m one of those people who has definitely been charmed by the Highlands!
I could move to Edinburgh in a blink. I freaking LOVE Scotland also. I first visited from Australia in 2013 and again in 2015/16 (for Hogmanay). There’s still so much to see next time. Skye IS magical, and we’ll do Inverness and visit the ancestorial are next visit. Your photos really do Scotland justice.
I think I could see myself living in Scotland, too. I love just about everything about the country!
I am so lucky to be from Scotland!
You sure are! Such a beautiful country.
I’m a huge fan of Scotland as well. I’ve loved all the places I’ve visited but Scotland keeps calling my name and I feel like it’s one of those places that I could live long-term. So far I’ve only made to Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull and Iona. Still want to visit Lewis & Harris at some point as well.
I could definitely see myself living there, too!
I love all of your photography. They really are so cool!
I’m from England originally, but I’ve been living abroad for over 20 years. I won’t be going back “home” to live anymore I think…. but if I ever decided to move back to the UK, it would be to Scotland that I would move back to, and not England.
Apart from a better relationship with Europe, just look at that sky, the lakes, the cliffs, the warm people, the whisky…!
Scotland really is so special. (Though England has plenty of beautiful spots, too!)
Scotland is one of my favs. You got some great shots!
Thanks, Rebecca! It’s one of my favorites, too.
Your photos are brilliant! You seem to have seen a lot of Scotland so far – what’s on your bucket list for there? I’m based in Glasgow and will finally hike part of the West Highland Way this year, and want to visit a friend on Lewis as I’ve never been to the Hebrides. There’s just too much to see 😉
There are still so many isles that I haven’t visited yet. I’d love to get to Orkney, and I also want to fly to Barra to land on the beach!
Ahhh, my favorite country in the world. Scotland and Iceland are high up on my list of places to return to this year.
I always support return trips to both countries! I know I’ll definitely be back to both, too. 😉
Wonderful photographs! I have added Scotland to my travel list!
It definitely deserves a spot there. 🙂
Ugh this makes me want to go to Scotland so bad. I’ve only been to 20 countries so far, but Scotland has been my favorite by far. If I could pack up my bags and move to Edinburgh tomorrow I would do so in a heartbeat. Fabulous country! Fabulous people!
Agreed on all accounts! If it was feasible for me to up and move to the UK, Scotland would definitely be at the top of my list for where I’d want to live.
This post is almost killing me! I’ve just finished reading a book by Rosamunde Pilcher called “Winter Solstice” (nerd warning here, I read it every winter around Christmas) that I LOVE! It takes place in Scotland, and as Mrs Pilcher is fabulous at describing the surroundings I practically live in Scotland while I read it. I dont thinnk I will ever move there, but it is so on my bucket list to visit.
And who knows, maybe I’ll decide to stay 😉 Thanks for your amazing photos!
You never know! I always joke that all the fairy myths might actually be true in Scotland, because I certainly feel put under a spell every time I’m there!
I haven’t been and I’m already a fan…I feel like this is getting closer to happening, or moving up my bucket list 🙂
Yay! I know very few people who hate Scotland. (And by very few, I can’t actually think of any.)
You were bang on the warning; I am absolutely sold on Scotland. Such a beauty!
Definitely one of the most beautiful places I’ve been!
My friends and family love to come visit us in Ayrshire and we take them all over Scotland. It is an easy place to fall in love with. But it looks like you have missed some other beautiful parts of Scotland, so you have more reasons to return! I moved to Ayrshire from Atlanta 30 years ago and the beauty of the West Coast never stops making me thankful I did that! Come on down to Ayrshire sometime!
Yes, I still have lots of Scotland to visit! (Though I have visited a few other parts that I just don’t have good photos of, like Glasgow!)
Seeing the photos of Edinburgh bought back memories of my visit there this past summer! At the time of my visit, the Fringe Festival and Military Tattoo were concurrently running so lots of people in the streets.
Glasgow was another fun city to explore.
I definitely agree the scenery is amazing and best experienced in person. 🙂
Edinburgh during the Festivals is SO much fun!