20 things I love about Scotland

Having visited my friends in Scotland recently I have been inspired to write many different posts. I will be writing separate things about my time in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow, but thought a snappy list would be  a fun start! When moving to the Isle of Wight, I learnt that there was a certain charm in Scotland that I missed and can't quite describe. Here are some things I love about the tartan north of the United Kingdom:

1. A good ol' irn bru

Iron brew is my favourite beverage! It is the GREATEST invention from Scotland! Some might disagree with me there seeing as scottish, Alexander Bell invented the telephone...Anyway, only in Scotland can you go to  most fast food places, restaurants and all pubs and get a lovely glass of this fine fizzy stuff! That is what I miss most of moving back to England. It is also my favourite hangover cure.

2. The friendly accents

I've always loved the Scottish accent! I love some Scottish words like bosie, wee (as in small), bam, bairn, tattie, Maw...

3. Glasgow's shopping

I love shopping! How did I forget this? My recent visit has seen some great purchases  (mostly from Primark and some of the Glasgow markets that were on). Every time I'm in Glasgow, I feel a huge need to go Urban Outfitters. It's buildings are gorgeous with Buchanan Galleries, lots of shops spread across the west end...I could go on! Updating my wardrobe, buying LOTS of tights (which I still misplaced), candles, gifts for friends to thank them for letting me stay at theirs. Also used my card while out in pubs in Glasgow, needless to say it had a scary outcome...

4. Easy transport links

Photo credit to a tourism website

All transport seems easy since living on the Isle of Wight, where bus travel was so expensive and you only get trains in certain parts of the island (not covering where I live). For example, East Cowes where I live doesn't do return tickets on the bus, and singles cost £3.50, which is ridiculous since it doesn't take longer than 30 minutes on the bus to go most places. Going to Glasgow was refreshing where there are heaps of taxis, regular buses, subway system, trains...

5. Advantages of living in Scotland

Luckily I lived in Scotland for 3 years before uni and benefitted

If you live in Scotland you get benefits like free tuition when going to uni, free prescriptions, irn bru everywhere (as mentioned above - I really love iron brew, ok!).

6. Gallery of Modern Art

 ...

One of my favourite places to visit in Glasgow is the GOMA and think everyone should go once if they visit G-town. I even have a coin to prove I went! The art there is beautiful. Granted I've only been once (and it was about a year ago).

7. The drinking culture

A love of drinking...although I state it is a big stereotype placed on Scots that they are big drinkers and whiskey types. I'm yet to meet a Scot who only drinks whiskey. I love to drink and socialise when I can, although I hate going to clubs and the traditions of being a twenty something. However, I did enjoy doing a recent sub-crawl with friends when visiting in Glasgow. Drunken stories to follow...

8. Buildings

There is something beautiful about the buildings; they all have a sense of history to them. Aberdeen's buildings have them known as the "granite city" with a lot being made of granite, and making the city look very dull. Glasgow and Edinburgh are beautiful to me with a sense of history behind everything you see. In Edinburgh, I love going to Jenner's; it is a right of passage if you visit the scottish capital. I've never visited the Edinburgh Castle, which is a shame; it looks so pretty. It's funny because doing my GCSE History, I got an A in an essay about castles (so boring to write but chose to write about castles I thought looked the most interesting). I had written about Edinburgh Castle and two I'd visited during different school trips. It makes sense that I at least visit it, right?

9. Constantly looking to be different

Sorry! I can't think of a picture to sum up this one. There is always something unique, different, outstanding about Scotland. They fought the English, some Scots want independence, the men wear kilts, they invented, conquered, they are proud to be Scottish...Unlike the English, they seem much more patriotic and proud of their routes!

10. Kilts & Tartan

Men look HOT in kilts (don't think this picture necessarily proves the point). Hopefully I marry a Scot one day, or a man that will wear a kilt at least once a year. I also love the tartan print that is associated with Scotland. Love tartan detailing to lining of coats, or on scarves, accessories, decor and clothing.

11. The food

I blame Scotland for getting me fat. So much nice food and adaptations  The cakes all seem to have extra cream; scottish tablet is amazing; the invention of the battered Mars bar (or anything in batter actually). There are so many nice restaurants, takeaways I went to on my visit. Maybe I will combine a list of my favourite food recommendations if you visit the bonnie north!

12. All my friends live there!

At my 21st birthday making chocolate with friends

With friends who live in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, I love visiting and feel like a small piece of heart will stay that. Yes, I know it sounds incredibly cheesy, but feel it somehow makes me feel like I'm returning home.

13. It's the place of my achievements

It's where I decided to climb kilimanjaro, did college, had my first job, first paid job in fundraising (my dream), graduated uni, did a bungee jump, rented my first flat alone, first proper boyfriend, where I had my first driving lessons, and many more firsts that I can't think of...

14. Home of great music, writers, comedians...

It's the home of writers like Robert Burns, J.K Rowling, Ian Rankin; my favourite music including: The View, Biffy Clyro, Calvin Harris and Emeli Sande; comedians/actors such as Ashley Jensen, Kevin Bridges, Ewan McGregor, Sean Connery and so on.

15. Feels like home

Flattening a poster and tired during Freshers' Week!

I spent all my adult life in Scotland, and that must count for something because as said in point 12, it feels like I'm coming home. 

16. The sense of humour

Photo credit to Daily Record

It seems like the place where they get that 90% time I'm not being serious. They also have an amazing sense of humour that often has me in stitches!

17. Patriotism

As touched on in point 9, the Scots are hugely patriotic. Made in Scotland, flags and everything symbolic of Scotland will be everywhere you touch, I promise you! It is nice to go somewhere that people are so proud to be who they are. For example, there are few Scots that will say they are British, they say they are Scottish. I always say I'm British; mainly because although I was born in England and lived there until I was 16, I feel from my ancestry and my general feelings about the UK that I can't say I'm not part of the other lovely countries that make Britain.

18. Tolbooth museum

Credit to STV

This is one of my favourite sights when visiting Aberdeen. I recommend this free tourist attraction to anyone as it gives you a small insight into the city's old prison. I loved it. Granted I've only been once and jumped at one stage as I turned round a corner from the stairs, and the first thing I saw was a dummy/prisoner. Scary! I think I might have screamed...

19. Animal places

I love visiting animal sights such as butterfly world (love that place in Leeds) and things like that. Therefore I couldn't forget to include Edinburgh's zoo where you must see the penguin parade when you visit. A penguin actually walked past me! It was by far one of my favourite memories. I got my parents to take me on my 21st birthday, and this is a picture we took when we went. I do warn that you should never go with people like my dad though; he was the man who pushed his own daughter out the way to get decent pictures of animals. Hilarious! I also enjoyed Dundee's Camperdown park.

20. Their traditions

Credit to Haven.com where I got this picture

Scotland is famous for so many things from inventors, writers, actors, comedians, music, art, as mentioned. However, they also have lovely traditions such as ceilidh dancing at special occasions (or just for the sake of it), Burns Day, Hogmanay, bagpipes...They even have their very own myth in the shape of the Loch Ness monster, and people in Aberdeen have their own language known as Doric. Fit like!

Leaving with you with a picture as I left Glasgow a little over two months ago! Even the scenery is beautiful.