I arrived in Scotland expecting whimsical castles, charming villages, and breathtaking scenery. Instead, I got pulled into a conga line, developed a deep love for Cadbury eggs, dunked my head in a river, and got rained on daily—which, as it turns out, is part of the full experience.
Our weeklong trip took us through Inverness, Edinburgh, and the Isle of Skye. Skye looks like someone brought a fantasy world to life. One moment you’re taking in the massive cliffs and endless green landscapes, and the next you’re baaing at a sheep across a mountain—and yes, they do baa back. On the way there, we even made our bus driver pull over so we could meet Highland cows (or as they call them, “Highland coos”), which to me felt like a completely reasonable priority at the time.
Looking back to when we first arrived, our three bus tours ended up being the perfect way to see the country. We spent full days winding through incredible landscapes while listening to folk music and historic stories. These tours also became my personal nap schedule. I slept between almost every stop, which quickly turned into a running joke for the group. There are more photos than I’d like to admit of me asleep in some very unconventional places. And nothing wakes you up faster than realizing you’re driving on the left side of the road—it throws you into a bit of a whirlwind every time.
Edinburgh felt like stepping straight into a history book—one filled with a suspicious number of hills. What was supposed to be a “short walk” somehow turned into a nightly test of endurance, leaving me wondering how my legs had completely betrayed me. That betrayal peaked on our last night when we followed a performing street band. What started as a quick outing turned into a two-hour adventure that somehow ended at Edinburgh Castle. Along the way, a local pulled me into a massive conga line, and suddenly I was dancing through the streets with hundreds of strangers. Throughout the city, you pass bagpipers, bookshops, coffee shops, and at least one very questionable alleyway none of which you will ever question—all of which somehow add to Edinburgh’s charm and energy.
Inverness offered a completely different pace. It’s smaller, quieter, and incredibly scenic, with a kind of calm that makes you feel like you’ve been there forever. You cross tiny bridges, chat with locals, and settle into the slower rhythm of the town. But there’s also a slightly mysterious side to it. On our final night, we walked through a cemetery in complete darkness, which absolutely lived up to that eerie reputation. Later, live music pulled us into a local pub, where we ended up singing “Country Roads” as loudly as possible with a group of strangers—because apparently that’s just what happens in Scotland and everyone thinks that is totally normal.
As for the food--I hate to say it, but it wasn’t exactly the highlight. A lot of it felt either a bit flavorless or made up of some very questionable combinations. Over the course of the trip, I found myself eating plenty of fries, pizza, and even McDonald’s at one point.
Getting home was its own adventure, with a long layover and a full sprint through the D.C. airport. I don’t think I’ve ever slept as much in my life as I did on this trip, but it came with funny photos, new friendships, and more inside jokes than we could keep track of.
Scotland was nothing like I expected—and I mean that in the best way possible. It was unpredictable, hilarious, and unforgettable. If you ever get the chance to go, take it—and make the most out of every unexpected moment.
