Skye Archives - Roving Jo

13 Happy Places to Visit in Scotland

July 15, 2018 2 Comments

We all have a Happy Place. A place that gives us that special feeling. A place that evokes emotion and puts a smile on our face when we think of it. It is no secret that for me that place is Scotland. Scotland is the place where I feel most alive yet somehow still at peace. You may be asking why? Why does a place that sees so much rain, which tends to depress people, produce such feeling of euphoria and happiness in me?

Maybe it is the smell of fresh mountain air, clean and pure, that fills my lungs with life. Or the view of a peaceful loch that reflects its surroundings and calms my thoughts like a magic mirror. Or maybe it is the rugged coastline with its jagged edges, or the ocean waves that like my spirit are a bit wild. Perhaps its the rain itself which seems to cleanse my soul and wash my tears away. I can’t say exactly what it is, but Scotland brings a smile to my face and fills my heart with joy. Scotland is my Happy Place and if you give it a chance it could be your Happy Place to.

But don’t just take my word for it. Here are 13 Happy Places to visit in Scotland shared with love by those who know it best. (Listed in alphabetical order by contributors last name)

Scotland

6 Reasons to Visit Skye in Winter

March 8, 2018 25 Comments

This post was most recently updated on September 2nd, 2019

Will you dare to visit Skye in winter? Skye seems to have it all. Spectacular landscapes that are every photographers dream. Amazing hikes with breathtaking views at every turn. Fresh food and award winning restaurants. Picturesque towns with friendly people. Miles of beautiful beaches. A lighthouse, a distillery, castles, waterfalls….the list goes on. It is no wonder it is one of the most popular travel destinations in Scotland for tourists and locals alike.

As a mater of fact Skye is actually the 2^nd most popular tourist destination after Edinburgh. But if you visit Skye in winter you will notice that the number of visitors drops off dramatically. It seems as if only the brave will venture out for a visit. Admittedly, Skye is a different beast in winter. Many of its historic buildings close for the season. The sun rises late and sets early. The temperatures drop and the roads can be a bit dangerous. So why would you want to visit Sky in the winter?

Scotland, Travel

An Isle of Skye Itinerary – One Perfect Day in Skye

October 30, 2017 37 Comments

This post was most recently updated on September 1st, 2019

The Isle of Skye has some of the most dramatic and scenic landscapes in Scotland. Rugged sea cliffs, roaring waterfalls, enchanting castles, and epic mountains and glens provide for an amazing road trip. With so much to chose, putting together an Isle of Skye itinerary requires careful planning.

With only one day at your disposal in the Isle of Skye the Trotternish Loop should be the focal point of your explorations. This area of Skye contains some of the most extraordinary scenery. So if your time is limited you will still be able to experience some of the best of Skye. And because it is all within close proximity to each other it can be accomplished in one day.

Hotels, Scotland

Checking in – Isle of Skye. Three nights at Garalapin House

January 7, 2017 24 Comments

This post was most recently updated on October 13th, 2017

Skye was one of the places on my Scotland adventure that I was looking forward to the most. I spent significant time researching the ideal location to stay in and had a pretty long list of requirements for what would be my ideal home base for 3 nights. It was important to us to find a place that was centrally located but still outside of a main town. We wanted to enjoy the countryside views with accessibility to town for gas and food. I wanted to stay at a B&B, but it needed to be family friendly. Do you know how hard it is to find a place in Skye that has a family room for 4 people? After much research and deliberation I decided to book my stay at Garalapin House and here is what you can expect:

Scotland, Travel

Top 10 reasons to visit Scotland

August 21, 2016 49 Comments

This post was most recently updated on September 15th, 2019

I must confess I fell in love with Scotland before I ever set foot on its lands. My love affair began while reading the Outlander about 8 years ago and I have wanted to visit Scotland ever since. I thought about and romanticized it so much that quite frankly I did not know if my high expectations would be met. I was afraid that all the buildup in my head would just lead to disappointment. But regardless I embarked on my journey and arrived in Scotland via train (and not the standing stones) in June 2016. To my relief, this small country with its untamed dramatic beauty, majestic castles, turbulent history, fresh food and fantastic drink, not only met my expectations but surpassed them. So here is my list (in no particular order) of top 10 reasons to visit Scotland:

Scotland, Travel

Five of the Best Hikes in Skye

August 2, 2016 32 Comments

This post was most recently updated on December 22nd, 2019

The Isle of Skye which is located on the North West coast of Scotland is a mysterious and fascinating place. For many years it has topped my list of must see destinations. Not only because of its beauty and dramatic landscapes but because of its fabulous hikes and walks. So after spending some amazing time hiking in the Isle of Skye I put together a list of five must do Hikes in Skye.

I love spending time outdoors and Skye is the perfect outdoor playground for anyone with adventure in their soul. So if like me, you have limited time on the Island and want to experience in that short time some of the best hikes and walks, then read on so you do not miss out on what I would consider five of the best hikes in Skye.

Scotland, Travel

An Epic Scotland Road Trip – part 2

July 12, 2016 32 Comments

This post was most recently updated on October 13th, 2017

We (my husband, 2 girls and I) recently spent 14 days traveling around Scotland. In the 14 days we covered a lot of miles and many of them were on single track roads. The scenery is spectacular, you see mountains, valleys, lakes, forests, waterfalls, and wildlife everywhere. Scotland really is a country that is perfect for an epic road trip.

If you have never driven in this part of the world then just keep in mind that the roads are narrow (many times even single track roads) and winding. You will also be driving on the left side of the road. Let me tell you that getting used to this type of driving is not easy, especially when you come from the US where we have big open roads and highways. But I will leave the topic of driving in Scotland for another day and get back to our Epic Scotland Road Trip (Part 2).

Scotland, Travel

An Epic Scotland Road Trip – Part 1

July 7, 2016 29 Comments

This post was most recently updated on October 13th, 2017

Scotland has so much to offer, out of this world landscapes, cool cities (large and small), culture and history, good food and drink in both pubs and upscale restaurants. And while trains and buses are available, Scotland has some remote and out of the way places that really should be explored. This makes Scotland a perfect place for an Epic Road Trip.

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook then you have seen some of the amazing pictures from my recent 14 day Scotland adventure. Since I have been back I have been receiving quite a few inquiries regarding my itinerary. Therefore I have decided to share a condensed version of it here for all to see. Hopefully it will inspire you to plan your own epic Scotland road trip.

Scotland, Travel

Top 5 Scottish Castles for Kids

July 5, 2016 8 Comments

This post was most recently updated on October 13th, 2017

Scotland is the land of castles. More than 3,000 of them form a part of its dramatic landscape. So no matter where you find yourself there is always a castle nearby. On our recent Scotland trip we visited 11 castles and picking the best is no easy task so I have asked my 2 girls for their opinion on which where their favorites and why. Here are the top 5 Scottish castles for kids picked by my kids (11 and 8 years of age).