5 Things I Learned About Scotland
After Spending a Week There
Hey friends,
I spent the last seven days traveling across Scotland on a photography trip with my buddy Ryan Fitzsimons. It’s been fabulous — we’ve been to several incredible locations, shooting every sunrise and sunset. Got lucky with the weather too, so I’m extremely happy with the results.
I’m already planning a bunch of articles about Scotland on the blog, so watch out for those. But for now, I wanted to quickly share what I learned about Scotland this last week. It did, after all, manage to surprise me in many ways.
#1. Scotland is Insanely Beautiful
Well thanks, Captain Obvious! I know, I know, you’ve probably heard that before. And even if not, I wouldn’t go on a photography trip somewhere that wasn’t gorgeous, would I?
Even so, I have to state it again. Scotland is insanely picturesque. Mountains, rivers, lakes, valleys, and miles upon miles of pristine untouched wilderness — this country has it all. Add to this countless medieval castles and ruins and you never run out of things to photograph.
Even with a packed itinerary such as ours, we had to cut a lot of beautiful locations. It’s a country you could explore for weeks and never get bored. So if you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a landscape photographer, definitely put it on your list.
#2. The Weather isn’t That Bad
Another thing you’ve probably heard about Scotland (and the UK in general) is notoriously bad weather. Rainy gloomy overcast days can easily ruin a trip, whether you’re a photographer or not.
Well, I’m happy to announce that it’s not at all that bad. Perhaps we just got lucky but we had incredible weather all week, scoring on almost every occasion. There was only one overcast day but even then it didn’t rain much.
In fact, in some of the locations we visited I almost wished we had some rain and fog rather than clear blue skies. But overall, I honestly can’t complain. If for some chance weather is something that stops you from going to Scotland, I say just go. It’s actually quite pleasant.
#3. Midges Are Real and They Will Drive You Nuts
Oh, the infamous Scottish midges. You might have heard of these little flying insects that frequent the Highlands in summer, terrorizing anyone who dares to step foot outside.
If you’re considering going to Scotland, you might not worry about it too much. I certainly didn’t. Some insects I thought. So what, how bad can it be really? I’ll get myself some bug spray and it’s all going to be fine, right?
A grave mistake! Midges are unbearable. They come seemingly out of nowhere in large forces and once they attack, there’s no escape. These pesky buggers are absolutely relentless, getting everywhere they can reach — your face, neck, hands, arms, legs, any patch of exposed skin.
Truly, the midges are like little terminators. They cannot be bargained or negotiated with, they cannot be killed, and they will never stop. Once they’re onto you, you can only run. And watch where you’re going — the mean beasts can literally drive a person off the cliff.
If you’re even thinking of going to Scotland in summer, do yourself a favor and buy a midge net. Otherwise, you risk being miserable more than once. Believe me.
#4. Get Full Insurance on the Rental Car
If you want to enjoy Scotland’s most remarkable highlights, expect to do a ton of driving. Scotland may seem small on the map, but getting from one place to another is not easy. The roads are often narrow and twisty, so you’ll be spending a lot of time behind the wheel.
And don’t forget, you’ll be driving on the left side of the road. Unless you’re from the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, that will be very confusing at first. Confident drivers adjust quickly, but mistakes are nonetheless very likely.
Therefore it’s a good idea to not be greedy and buy full insurance on your rental car. I was on the fence as to whether I should include it and I’m very happy that I did. Both me and Ryan are experienced drivers but even so, we managed to hit curbs on more than one occasion.
Already on day 2 of our trip, we hit the curb so badly that got a flat tire. Didn’t think I’ll need the road assistance that soon!
Normally, I don’t advocate overpaying for all the bells and whistles that rental companies try to sell you. But in this case, it might well be worth it. Just saying.
#5. Scotland Is Very Diverse
Of course, Scotland is not all about dramatic landscapes and photography. It is very diverse. Centuries-long history, rich folklore, well-established whiskey tradition, unique culture, and plenty of hiking are just some of its attractions.
And then there are festivals, cultural events, celebrations, and a ton of other fun activities to engage in. All I’m saying, if photography isn’t your thing, Scotland has a lot more to offer than that.
Cheers,
– Alex
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Sunset Obsession Image of the Week
To be honest, I haven’t yet had a chance to process any of the images from the trip. So instead, here’s a behind the scenes shot from one of the early mornings on the Isle of Skye.
An early alarm at 4:40 am, followed by a 15-minute drive and a 40-minute hike up the mountains to see this. Some might say we’re crazy. I say, it was so worth it.
Quote of the Week
“There are few places in my life that I’ve found more ruggedly beautiful than the Highlands of Scotland. The place is magical - it’s so far north, so remote, that sometimes it feels like you’ve left this world and gone to another.”
― Julia London