O Caledonia! stern and, wild,
Meet nurse for a poetic child!
Land of brown heath and shaggy wood
Land of the mountain and the flood,
Land of my sires! what mortal hand
Can e’er untie the filial band,
That knits me to thy rugged strand!
– Lay of the Last Minstrel, Sir Walter Scott Ever since I can remember, my heart has drifted oft and anon to that rugged, mist-shrouded land known as Scotland, or in antiquity as Caledonia. I spent my childhood pouring over books on Scotland’s history, its legends and battles, clans and peoples. Unlike Sir Walter Scott, I have no claim of heritage or “filial band” to draw me there. My “flaming locks” are thanks to a partially Irish ancestry instead. No, mine is but a child’s romantic obsession with a beautiful country and its rich history. Still, my love for Scotland oft creeps into much of my writing in one form or another. (Sometimes not so subtly.) I am awed by the breathtaking landscape, inspired by the music, thrilled by the battle and history of the highlands, and slightly in love with Scottish brogues—though I have no doubt my attempts to imitate one would sound insulting at best to someone who really knew what they were about. And the best of it all? I’ve actually had the chance to go there. Several years ago now, though it seems like it was only yesterday, my dad and I took a trip to Scotland to celebrate my graduation. We rented a car and drove off into the highlands. Before going, I sat down with a map marking out all of the places I absolutely had to visit. (Touristy, I know.) Some of the sites that made it on my list: Culloden Moor, Bannockburn, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle, the Wallace Monument, and the Isles of Skye and Mull. Other than that, we let the roads guide us, stopping wherever we wished, hiking, visiting castles, and listening to the fabulous accents. The most difficult part of the trip was not accidently speaking in a poor-attempt-at-a Scottish accent where we might be overheard, for fear someone would think we were mocking them! It was the best trip I’ve ever taken, and I dearly hope to go back some day. In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite pictures to whet your appetite as well. A highland road Eileen Donan Castle Crossing from the Isle of Skye to the Mainland Plodda Falls View from the Isle of Skye Trip to Staffa Island to see Fingal’s Cave Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock I could share more pictures—my Scotland trip was one of the few times I actually bothered to remember to pull out my camera—and perhaps I will at a later point, but for now, I think it best to stop there before everyone starts cashing in their bank accounts and booking flights. One day, though, I would love to go back to the “land of brown heath and shaggy wood, land of the mountain and the flood.” Caledonia, stern and wild. Is there a particular country that has laid claim to your heart? If you could visit any place in the world, where would you like to go/have you already gone?
Sarah says
I would love to go to Scotland; I think either it or Germany would be my top choice, though I'd love to visit Ireland or England as well. Those pictures are awesome; you're so lucky to have gone there!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Those are great choices, Sarah. Ireland is another place I would love to visit – that and New Zealand, or Middle Earth, as it's fast becoming known. ;)
ghost ryter says
Ireland. Indeed, that place has such a tight hold on my hear that it's painful sometimes. My grandmother is half Irish, but it's more than blood for me. I love the culture, cry over the history, and…anyway. I love Ireland, and like you that creeps into my writing waaay too often. :) I'm glad you got to visit Scotland and remembered to take so many pictures! Those are all breathtaking.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
The Emerald Isle. It does have a sort of magic about it, doesn't it?
Elizabeth Anne D. says
I went to England once when I was nine, but now I think I have to take a trip all over the British Isles and see Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and England(again). Your pictures are soooo beautiful!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Oh how fun, Elizabeth! All I saw of England was the Heathrow airport, which was quite nice by the way. Being a Texan (and proud of it) I was wearing my boots and had to take them off in security and was told (oh so nicely in a British accent) that my boots were "quite lovely."
Allison Ruvidich says
I am SO JEALOUS! My parents miiight take me to Ireland for my eighteenth birthday/graduation trip… fingers crossed! I sometimes wonder if my love of Ireland has to do with the rich culture or just Celtic Woman. Hmm. Probably Celtic Woman.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Oh that would be such a fun trip, Allison! Haha, well Celtic Woman does have some beautiful music, so I think that's a good enough excuse…
J.B. Simmons says
Gillian, love the pictures! And I absolutely agree. Proof: of all places in the world, I picked Eilean Donan castle as the spot to propose to my wife. It worked…she said yes! Skye has a magic unlike any other.
– J.B.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Wow, what a lovely story! Eilean Donan certainly is a beautiful castle. So picturesque. And the Isle of Skye was one of my favorites. My dad and I only spent one day there, but you could certainly make an entire trip out of it!
Yaasha Moriah says
Israel. Definitely. I've been reading about the history in the Scriptures so long that to actually walk where Abraham and David and Jesus walked… (happy shiver) Then I'd be off to Scotland and Ireland–I've always had "thing" for them!
Kate S (4readin) says
It looks beautiful! That's a place I have always wanted to visit.
I would love to go to Vienna or Rome or the Middle East. There are too many places to choose from. :)
Jill Richardson says
The isle of Skye and the Wales coastal trail are in my top five, but I think the top two are Iceland and New Zealand.