Every year (at least, prior to 2020), tourists in their millions flock from across the world to see what the UK has to offer. While most of them are bound for major cities like London, a few are here to venture from the beaten track. And when it comes to sprawling wilderness, it’s difficult to rival the spectacular views and fascinating landscape that Scotland has to offer.
But exactly what makes Scotland so appealing? Let’s see if we can unpack the qualities it is admired for.
It’s unspoilt
Scotland has an extremely low population relative to its landmass. Moreover, much of this population is concentrated in just a few major cities. Consequently, there are huge stretches of awe-inspiring countryside where you won’t find many people at all – namely, the Scottish Highlands and the Cairngorms. This is not only great from a social-distancing perspective; it also means that the countryside itself is refreshingly free from human interference. The highlands are difficult to farm, naturally, and thus they’re perfect for a long-term hiking holiday. You might conceivably walk for miles and feel like you’re the only person left on the planet!
The Cities
Even the major cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh offer something completely different to the rest of the UK. The latter, in particular, has a distinctly continental flavour. The cities complement the natural beauty of the Scottish wilderness with breath-taking architecture and culture. It’s home every year to the famous fringe festival – but the culture is worth making the trip for year-round. If you’re looking for accommodation, then the serviced apartments Glasgow and Edinburgh provide are sure to make your stay that much more pleasant.
The Stories
Scotland also has a mystical element, with centuries of myth and folklore creating a captivating environment for would-be visitors. The famous Loch Ness, and its elusive monster, is known around the world – and it alone has persuaded millions of people to make the trip across thousands of miles, in the mere hope of catching a glimpse of Nessie. Naturally, Scotland’s historical allure is also considerable, thanks in part to Hollywood films like Rob Roy and Braveheart. Despite the fact that large portions of the latter were actually filmed in Ireland, it’s the Scottish tourist trade that has reaped the greatest benefit.
The Scotch
There’s nothing quite so beautiful as a dram of quality scotch whisky. This particular export has drawn in tourist trade more than any other. Distilleries are to be found near to areas of natural beauty, and thus venturing to them is often considered something of a pilgrimage. Many, like Jura, Ardberg and Laphroaig, are to be found on remote islands, meaning that visitors will need to make an entire day of it. The rewards, if you happen to like your spirits neat and peaty, more than justify the effort.
