Before the study abroad experience that had changed my life, I didn’t know much about Scotland. Three years ago, if you had asked me five words that described Scotland as a whole, I would have told you these words: kilts, bagpipes, green, whisky and sheep. That was about the gist I knew of the country I was about to spend 4 months in. However, when the time got nearer and I had booked my first international flight EVER, I did some research on things to do in Scotland. After scrolling through website upon website and blog upon blog on things to do in Scotland, I noticed that most people had very similar ideas. Go to the Edinburgh Castle, hike Arthurs Seat. Saint Andrews Old Golf Course. Loch Ness. Glen Coe. All these places had one thing in common: they were riddled with tourists. 

It’s not that I’m completely against touristy destinations. I loved walking down the Royal Mile, taking pictures at the Old Golf Course and listening to Skyfall while passing by Glen Coe on my bus tour. They’ve all been beautiful. However, all my experiences with tourist attractions have been just that. Beautiful, pretty, nice to look at, etc. I’ve rarely gotten the moment where I’ve felt completely at ease, with nature and with the beauty of my surroundings with them. Mostly because even if I tried to enjoy the moment, there would be hundreds of other people in my view distracting me. Families with their crying babies, couples taking selfies, friends fooling around. It doesn’t matter where I am in that tourist trap, I can never fully enjoy it. Not to mention, the cost of going to a lot of tourist attractions really add up.  

I have taken the road less traveled by, and it has made all the difference. 

When ScotBloggers asked me to do another guest post with them, I decided to give our readers something a bit more unique. No more of that frilly, typical “things to do in Scotland” list. There are hundreds of those with all very similar suggestions. Instead, I decided to give my own list a little twist. On their website, I’ve compiled a small, but hefty list of 6 epic, surreal non-touristy things to do in Scotland. For most of you adventurers out there, I’m sure you will appreciate the variety of places to go and things to do. I’ve experienced all of these and I can tell you that they surpass my experiences at any tourist destination in Scotland by miles. It has to do with the people I’m with, and the fact that we are either the only people in the area or are surrounded my locals. It’s given me the chance to fully experience the Scottish culture and understand its beauty. If you ask me five words to describe Scotland now, I would tell you this: kilts, bagpipes, green, whisky and sheep. The same words as I did three years ago, but with much, much more meaning behind them. Check it out, and let me know what you think and if you believe traveling the road less taken is worth it. Because I sure do. 

6 Epic, Non-Touristy Things to Do in Scotland

The post 6 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Scotland appeared first on Angus and Vivian Adventures.