Scotland

Scotland is a place where history beats strongly beneath every hill. Land of warrior clans, epic battles, and traditions that have survived through the centuries, Scotland has always fiercely protected its unique identity. Today, it’s a fascinating blend of past and present: vibrant cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow coexist with ancient villages and wild nature, where you can still hear the whisper of legends and the call of traditions.

Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is like an open-air museum, made of cobblestone streets, artisan shops, and hidden cafés where you can taste a good single malt whisky or try the traditional “haggis” (if you’re feeling brave!). The city is full of little details, with an atmosphere steeped in history but also the warmth of a crowded pub and a hearty pint. Take Arthur’s Seat: an extinct volcano right in the heart of the city. It’s not just a walk, but a climb rewarded by breathtaking views. Pack a sandwich and enjoy a picnic at the top, maybe after exploring the ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel or feeding the swans at Duddingston Loch. Then there’s Edinburgh Castle, the city’s beating heart. Walking through its walls, you feel the weight of history: the dungeons, St Margaret’s Chapel, and those crown jewels that look like they stepped straight out of a fairy tale. And if you’re lucky, at exactly 1 PM you’ll hear the boom of the One O’Clock Gun, a cannon shot fired daily from Edinburgh Castle. Started in 1861, this signal once served as a time reference for ships in the city’s harbor. Even today, despite modern technology, the One O’Clock Gun is fired every day as a symbolic ritual and tourist attraction.

Scotland is a land that walks on two planes: that of recorded history and that of legends whispered among hills and ruins. It is an ancient, proud country, marked by centuries of battles, cultural conquests, and a strong sense of identity, but also inhabited by stories you won’t find in books—only in pubs, in the tales of elders, or folded into a landscape that seems to speak. The earliest known civilizations in Scotland date back over 8,000 years, when Neolithic peoples built stone circles and villages on the Orkney Islands, places still shrouded in mystery today. Over time, the Kingdom of Alba was formed and unified in the 9th century, but it was in the centuries that followed that Scotland forged its rebellious character, especially through the wars of independence against England. Figures like William Wallace, the rebellious hero and central figure of Scottish resistance, and Robert the Bruce, who led the country to victory, became national icons. In Scotland, every castle has its ghost, every loch its creature, every village a chilling story. The most famous legend? Naturally, Nessie—the supposed monster of Loch Ness, which has fascinated the world for centuries. But there’s much more. At Edinburgh Castle, for example, there is the tale of the “ghost piper,” a young bagpiper who disappeared in the underground tunnels, whose haunting music is said to still be heard on the quietest nights. In the Hebrides, the myth of the selkies lives on—marine creatures who can shed their seal skins to become human. Loved, feared, and melancholic, they symbolize a Scotland floating between the sea and the unseen. Then there are the banshees, spirits who announce death with a piercing wail, and the kelpies, water spirits that appear as black horses and doom those who ride them. In the 18th century, as Europe was changing, Scotland became one of the beating hearts of modern thought. David Hume revolutionized philosophy, Adam Smith gave the world modern economic theory, and James Watt paved the way for the Industrial Revolution with his inventions. In just a few decades, Edinburgh earned the nickname “the Athens of the North.” Today, Scotland is part of the United Kingdom but maintains a political and cultural identity it never stops asserting.

There’s a Scotland far from the busiest routes, made up of villages that look like they’ve stepped out of an illustrated book. Here you won’t find big monuments or tourist crowds, but low pastel-colored houses, hand-painted signs, pubs with fireplaces lit even in July, and a kindness that feels like home. Pitlochry, for example, is a little gem in the Highlands, surrounded by woods, hills, and whisky. Here you can walk along the Tummel River, cross the suspension bridge, and maybe stop at a historic distillery. In autumn, the colors light up the landscape, turning every walk into a living postcard. Then there’s Dunkeld, a hidden jewel along the Tay River. Its ruined cathedral, enveloped by vegetation, looks like it came straight out of a Nordic fairy tale. In the small artisan cafés downtown, you might end up chatting with a local musician or a former fisherman.

Tobermory, on the island of Mull, is impossible to confuse: its harbor is a rainbow of colorful houses reflecting in the water. And finally, Portree, on the Isle of Skye: a small town that’s also the gateway to one of Scotland’s wildest and most scenic lands. From here, excursions depart to the Old Man of Storr or the Quiraing, but before venturing among the time-sculpted rocks, enjoy some fish & chips by the sea.

The Highlands are the beating heart of this journey: majestic mountains like Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK, challenge you with demanding trails but reward you with breathtaking views over valleys and sparkling lakes. Don’t miss a walk along the West Highland Way, the country’s most famous trek, which crosses iconic landscapes from Milngavie to Fort William, passing through remote villages and vast moorlands. Scottish lochs are legendary. Loch Ness obviously dominates the scene, and a boat trip at sunset is a must, perhaps stopping at Urquhart Castle, whose ruins overlook the waters. But Loch Lomond, closer to Glasgow, also offers walking paths, kayaking, and perfect spots for a picnic. The coasts are no less impressive. St. Abb’s Head cliff offers towering cliffs, seabird colonies, and trails right above the sea. On the west coast, the white beaches of Balnakeil Bay, at Scotland’s northern tip, are a wild and remote little paradise, ideal for birdwatching. And then there’s the Isle of Skye, with its almost lunar landscapes: Quiraing, the Fairy Pools, and the Old Man of Storr are must-see stops for lovers of hiking and breathtaking photos. A local tip: always carry layered clothing and waterproof hiking shoes. The weather can change in an instant, and the ground is often wet. If you venture on less beaten paths, a paper map or an offline app is a must. Finally, remember that in Scotland nature is sacred: respect the trails, take your rubbish with you, and enjoy the silence.

A trip to Scotland isn’t complete without stopping by a pub or visiting a distillery hidden among the hills. Whisky here represents culture, identity, and craftsmanship. From the Speyside region, home to countless distilleries, to the island of Islay, famous for its peaty, salty whiskies, every sip tells the story of the landscape it comes from. You can join guided tours with tastings or simply let the bartender in a pub in Inverness or Fort William recommend something for you. Scottish cuisine is made of honest dishes, designed to warm your stomach after a hike through the hills or a day spent under the misty rain of the Highlands. Haggis is the national dish, famous as much for its taste as for its “intimidating” reputation among non-Scots. It’s a traditional sausage-like pudding made of offal, usually served with "neeps and tatties" (turnips and potatoes) and whisky sauce. Those with a sweet tooth will find comfort in a steaming bowl of cullen skink (a soup made with smoked white fish, potatoes, and onions), or a macaroni pie picked up at a local bakery. For breakfast, be surprised by a full Scottish breakfast that will get you back on your feet even after the longest night. And speaking of long nights, when you step into a Scottish pub, there’s no need to seek out touristy spots: everywhere you’ll find pubs with creaky wooden floors, whisky lining the walls, and a fireplace lit even in summer. Order a dram of Islay if you love smoke and salt, or explore the lesser-known distilleries of Speyside and the Orkney Islands. Every sip tastes of the landscape it comes from: peat, wind, sea. And if you’re feeling adventurous, step into a chip shop and ask for a deep-fried Mars bar. It’s an urban legend that actually exists — crispy on the outside, gooey inside. Just like cranachan, a traditional dessert made with cream, oats, honey, and raspberries, perfect for ending a slow dinner among friends and ghost stories.

Step inside, sit down, listen: every pub is a microcosm, every sip a story waiting to be told.