Welcome back, after all the teasing from the last post, I can finally tell you. Scotland is brilliant and believe me, it’s much more than the Loch Ness monster, Braveheart and rain. I’m sure some of you are thinking you already knew that. Well, I had never been, so, good for you for going first.
The Scots themselves are absolute top. I’m not sure if I can remember the last time I was in a friendlier place. It’s not just that either, everything there is easy. Easy to get around, easy to order anything you need, easy to find something to do.
First of all, Glasgow is now, officially, one of my most adored cities. There’s loads of history like the Cathedral, the Necropolis and the most excellent and informative free tour at the exceptional City Chambers. If you’re a scotch aficionado, you will have no trouble finding top tier libations at pretty much any pub or restaurant in the city. For proper whisky education and a memorable night, check out The Pot Still on Hope Street. The staff are magic and the local clientele are so welcoming, you’ll want to buy them a dram. Which you should do because you aren’t going to drink alone, right?
You’ll also be spoiled for scran because aside from the plethora of pubs (The Scotia Bar, The Drum & Monkey), and taprooms (Brewdog, Shilling Brewery), there are superb restaurants at every turn. For proper Scottish breakfast, check out The Bucket List and for the best beef birria taco you’ve never had, turn your gringo gaze towards La Masa Taco Bar.
Now, Edinburgh is about as legendary as you think it is and busier than you would ever imagine. Granted, I was there about a week after Festival Fringe so I am in no way docking points off my checklist because of it. However, if you going to do some creative shooting there, try to go during a low season like late fall or early spring to maximize your photo yield. If you’re really brave, I would guess January would really test your dedication as a photographer.
Speaking of, my only personal disappointment was that it wasn’t raining. You may laugh but only another photog will be able to understand this. I had an expectation of how and what I was going to shoot but (as always) the predictably unpredictable Scottish weather delivered the perfectly sunny day. However, it did allow for a much needed bacon roll and superb coffee on the sidewalk patio of Southern Cross Cafe at the top of the fabled Warriston’s Close Stairs. By the time I got to Grayfriars Kirkyard, I gave up hoping for some dreary, rainy production value and ended up shooting some uplifting graveyard photos under a blue sky LOL
I was only visiting for a few days so if you’re wondering about the highlands, lowlands and everything else in between, go book some flights because I didn’t get out to those places… this time. If you get there before me, leave a comment below and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button. Joking, don’t do that, we aren’t turning this into some insidious YouTube channel.
In all seriousness though, do yourself a favour and go to the land where the national animal is the unicorn and the weather can be just as mystical. And yes, I’m a bit put out I didn’t get any rain in the cemetery. I mean, honestly…
Postscript: All my posts are just stream of consciousness that project out of my brain and this one was no different. It was not meant to be one of those cringey travel blogs that there are FAR too many of. Finally, I did (or will not be getting) any compensation from any business or organization that was mentioned. They were just cool places in a cool country with cool people and that’s what travelling is all about, right?
Photo #1: City Chambers, Glasgow
Photo #2: Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow
Photo #3: The Necropolis, Glasgow
Photo #4: Victoria Street, Edinburgh
Photo #5: Grayfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh
