Saturday 10 December 2016

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.



62 comments:

  1. I've never been to Scotland but I would love to go! I think it sounds like such an exciting place!

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    1. It's so fun. Recommend Edinburgh or Glasgow for first visit x

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  2. I love visiting Scotland and we do try to get there every few years. Hoping to go more regularly now my sis is living there again.

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    1. I just love it, found it hard to describe how different it was. Hope you get to visit more

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  3. It's sad but I can't believe I've never been to Scotland! My other half has and he loved it. I didn't realise Iron Bru was so popular there either, I used to love drinking it when I was younger. I'd love to go and look at some of the architecture, by the sounds of it I'm missing out! :) xo

    Dino's Beauty

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    1. I feel there are so many great places in the UK and we are lucky. Scotland is definitely one of my favourites. Hope you visit soon 😊 x

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  4. Aww I love this post! I am from Glasgow and totally 100% patriotic. I love irn bru and everything scottish and yup if someone asks me what nationality I am I always say Scottish!

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    1. Lots to be proud of! :) I used to drink so much Irn bru that I'm surprised it didn't run through my veins 😂 x

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  5. You love your irn bru don't you lol? I have always wanted to try a battered mars bar and I am so jealous that you guys get free tuition!

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    1. Think I got lucky when I moved there. Shame government can't get their act together and spread it across England, Wales and Northern Ireland but never know haha. I've only tried it once and loved it despite liking mars bars x

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  6. I love Scotland, I'm lucky enough to have visited a few times. I'm yet to meet a Scottish person who doesn't like Iron Brew x

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    1. Haha I've met a few that don't like it or I love it more than them! Lovely scenery, nice people and great cities to visit there! X

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  7. I still haven't been to Scotland. I must visit soon :)

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    1. It is definitely my favourite place to go in the UK x

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  8. And of course Haggis, which I absolutely love x

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    1. I've tried it but not sure I like it but that's one thing that really makes you think of Scotland x

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  9. I have been to Scotland a few times and loved it every single time. My recent visit was 2 years ago when I visited Perth

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    1. Think I've only been to Perth once or twice. Once for my skydive lol lovely scenery. Not too sure what's really there! X

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  10. Have to admit when I've been to Edinburgh I've always found the people so much friendlier than down south x

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    1. Definitely think that! People down south take much longer to get to know, in my experience x

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  11. Ahh, Scotland! I love Scotland so much and am planning my next trip up there at the moment. We spend New Years in Glasgow last year and had so much fun wandering the streets, exploring, eating amazing food (including an abundance of cheesy chips with Irn-Bru!) Great post, it has brought back loads of great memories! :D

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    1. Awww that sounds like heaven to me! Haha x

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  12. I have i my ever been to Edinburgh once and was only there for a few hours but my cousin has just moved so we have a few family get togethers planned up there

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    1. I love Edinburgh. Fell in love with it instantly. Get lost round the streets, go to the zoo and the castle :) x

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  13. Love this post! I try and visit friends in Scotland as often as I can, and I really enjoy it. It's a beautiful place with fun people and loads of awesome things, as your post shows!

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    1. Couldn't agree more! Glad to hear you enjoyed reading :)

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  14. I love living in Glasgow its great! Its great for shopping and visiting new places

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    1. I'm so jealous. Hoping to move there eventually x

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  15. I love the Scottish, I think as I am Welsh we have a natural love for other Celts. I have been to Loch Lomond and Edinburgh but need to explore more. I love the Edinburgh festival!

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    1. Still to go to Edinburgh festival but hope to. Have a wedding in 2018 in Loch Lomond too! :) x

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  16. Lovely list. I've never been to Scotland before but would love to visit one day!

    Emma | EMMAMATTHEWS.CO.UK

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  17. Glad you enjoyed reading :) so much to see. I love the cities most! x

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  18. I have never been to Scotland, so many reasons to go! x

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    1. Plenty of reasons! Hope you enjoyed reading :) x

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  19. I was really young when I went to Southern Scotland - I'd love to go to Edinburgh, it's so pretty!

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  20. This is awesome!!! I really want to visit Scotland I love the accent although sometimes I don't quite catch every word! I'm a massive fan of Irn-bru too love that stuff remonds me of being a kid a lot! And battered mars bars I've wanted to try one for the longest time!!

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    1. Do it! When you go, you'll have to tell me what you think 😊 x

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  21. Love this! I live in Dundee and I have to say with everything that's going on at the moment I've felt safer and more 'looked after' here than I have anywhere else. I always thought the Irn Bru thing was a bit of a myth before I lived here but nope... the stuff is everywhere, it's amazing :) xx

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    1. Scotland lives up to a lot of weird stereotypes. It's find somewhere you feel comfortable that makes all the difference I suppose x

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  22. Haha those are great things to love about it. I've never been to Scotland but wish I can someday!

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    1. It is a fab place and you should really give it a go! X

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  23. we just went to Scotland a few months back and i kept telling my husband that we must shift here! I mean sure, I have always dreamt of living in London, but The people in Scotland are SO SO NICE!!

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    1. It is friendlier in the north I believe. However I feel that might be from my experience and I'm naturally a northerner haha x

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  24. Sounds like you had an awesome experience, I haven't been in Scotland and it looks a nice place to visit

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    1. Lived there for 7 years so nice catching up with friends and seeing what I like most! X

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  25. I was living in London for 3 years and always wanted to visit Scotland but never been! Shame on me :(, sounds amazing :)

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    1. Sometimes feels too far to get to. Definitely how I felt living in Isle of Wight to get to x

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  26. I've never been to Scotland, but Ewan McGregor, Calvin Harris and Irn Bru certainly work for me!

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    1. Haha good way of looking at it. Unfortunately I didn't see much of them men! X

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  27. Definitely has to be Haggis for me, didn't think I would like it and I actually do!

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  28. I've never been to Scotland. It's one of those places i would like to visit x

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  29. I have to admit that Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities to visit x

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    1. It is lovely! Like how it's more old and traditional and has lots to explore. So much I've not seen either! X

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  30. The free tuition caught my eye!!!!! Omg all the loans I could avoid if I just move to Scotland lol


    Nikki O.
    herdaringthoughts.blogspot.com

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    1. I was lucky that i'd been living there a few years before going to uni so got it free, but think they are wise of people doing that x

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  31. I never visited Scotland but I feel like visiting that place nowww...thanx for sharing:)

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  32. Oh my goodness IRN-BRU now that's a flashback to the 90s for me. I went to Scotland and stayed in Aberdeen for a fortnight in '99, yes all that time ago but I quite enjoyed it!

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