In my opinion, a trip to Scotland is incomplete without visiting the Scottish Highlands. Most of the people I know, spend a day or two in Edinburgh (which is spectacular) and the trip ends at that. But visiting the Scottish highlands is a very different and gorgeous experience and this is coming from a person who gets bored after spending 30 minutes in nature. The tour companies recommended going to the Highlands in the summer but I don't regret visiting the highlands in the winter. The peaks are snow clad and look stunning. One day tours are easily available on the royal mile and charge approximately £40. If it is your lucky day, may be £35 The typical itinerary covers the Stirling castle, Glencoe (west highlands), Ben Nevis, Loch Ness, East Highlands, Pitlochry and in that order. I loved Glencoe though Loch Ness was a bit over-rated especially since you don't get to see the monster. I satiated my monster cravings by taking a look at the mirror :). Loch Ness is still worth the visit though.
One tip would be to check the weather because taking a day trip to the Scottish Highlands as Scotland is known for unpredictable rains. Glencoe was spectacular. Its oxymoronic that a place so gorgeous was called the weeping Glen as in 1692 the Redcoats (a clan) murdered their own hosts (the Mac Donald's Clan - not the American burger chain :)) who provided them shelter from the cold and the dreadful weather thus breaching the Scottish code of hospitality. The reason being, the MacDonald's were not prompt enough to pledge their allegiance to the William and Mary (the Scottish Queen, with dreadful choice in husbands :)). Weeping or not weeping, breath taking would be an understatement for Glencoe. I am definitely heading back to the highlands in the summer. Till then here are the spectacular pictures of Glencoe taken during the winter. Actually I think they look more like a painting than a picture.
One tip would be to check the weather because taking a day trip to the Scottish Highlands as Scotland is known for unpredictable rains. Glencoe was spectacular. Its oxymoronic that a place so gorgeous was called the weeping Glen as in 1692 the Redcoats (a clan) murdered their own hosts (the Mac Donald's Clan - not the American burger chain :)) who provided them shelter from the cold and the dreadful weather thus breaching the Scottish code of hospitality. The reason being, the MacDonald's were not prompt enough to pledge their allegiance to the William and Mary (the Scottish Queen, with dreadful choice in husbands :)). Weeping or not weeping, breath taking would be an understatement for Glencoe. I am definitely heading back to the highlands in the summer. Till then here are the spectacular pictures of Glencoe taken during the winter. Actually I think they look more like a painting than a picture.
