Summer in Scotland is something to behold. The locals are very appreciative of what little sun they get, so they take to the streets like a moth to a flame. You’ll see motorbikes on every country road, swimmers in every glen and loch, and picnics set up on any available patch of grass. It’s a great time to get to know others, but also to appreciate the landscape. The greens are a little greener, the water a little more inhabitable, and the air a little less cutting. Not convinced? We’ve got a guide to Scottish summer that will please everyone. Read on to find out the exciting options awaiting you.
If you like outdoor activities…
Of course, Scotland is famed for its golf courses. People come from around the world to hit a ball with a stick and get it into a gopher hole miles away. And it’s hard to blame them. The golf courses are usually set against the backdrop of the beautiful highlands or lochs nearby, and the experience goes well beyond the golf. Enjoy a dram of whisky by the fire, a facial in the spa, a room with views of the landscape, or a Michelin star meal.
But even if golf isn’t your thing, there is a lot to do outdoors in a country that is ironically famed for its murky weather. Do you know where the sun always shines? At the top of Ben Nevis. Hike through the rural countryside, wander the beautiful beaches, dive into the Devil’s Pulpit, ski down Glencoe, kayak up Loch Ness and more. Go wild swimming along any coast, wild camp in any forest. It makes for a great road trip option. Simply pack up the motorhome and go, landing wherever you feel like in the moment. Take a look at these motorhome hire Scotland options from Ariescape.
If you like art…
Art is all over Scotland. The biggest art enthusiasts are in Glasgow, where not only the history of the city is marked with stained glass window roses, a la Rennie Mackintosh, but building-sized murals have been popping up all over throughout the last couple of decades. This is turning Glasgow into a free art exhibition as long as you have your walking shoes. And much like Renaissance paintings of the past, they have a story. Saint Enoch is depicted on two buildings, by the street artist Smug and her son, St Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow gets his own as well as appearing as a baby with his mother. Scottish comedian and national treasure Billy Connolly is depicted in four murals by famous Scottish artists like John Byrne.
And of course, there is the Glasgow School of Art, which despite a spate of bad fortune, is still hosting exhibitions from its students.
If you like history…
Scotland is a country steeped in history, and it’s in everything from the language to the food. But to really see it up close, you can visit a few castles. And we say a few because there are plenty to choose from. There are ruins buried in national parks and standing tall next to lochs. For example, Urquhart Castle stands overlooking not only Loch Ness but a long history of vital battles.
And it’s not only Scots history that is celebrated regularly. The Celts have a lot of ties with our Irish cousins, so we’re not above sharing stories in their history, but the Vikings also get a mention. In fact, the Picts (pre-Vikings) were so integral to Scottish culture, there is an annual New Year’s tradition of Up Helly Aa, which sees locals dressed up as Vikings set ablaze to a massive Viking ship to ring in the New Year. It’s a step above a bottle of champagne and snoozing through the bells.
If you like reading…
If you are a bookworm, and perhaps a bit of a fantasy enthusiast, Scotland is the place for you. In the country, you’ve got landmarks all over the place that are steeped in mythology. Nessie, of Loch Ness, is an obvious example, but there are also the Fairy Pools of the Isle of Skye, The Kelpies statues in Falkirk, and the Devil’s Pulpit in Finnich Glen. A wander through the trees of any rural Scottish road will reveal fae, wisps, banshees and selkies.
But Edinburgh is the literature capital of the country, with modern and ancient authors honoured at every turn. Whether you’re into Irvine Welsh or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, you’ll love Edinburgh. Statues of authors grace the streets, festivals of authors, like Aye Write, take place every year, and modern authors are found in pubs every weekend.
That’s all without mentioning the architecture, with its large, cobbled walls and winding narrow roads, and its reputation as the centre of surgery and science, which makes it feel like something straight out of dark academia.
