Why Scotland is the Best Kept Secret

When looking to study abroad, there are absolutely endless places to go—some of the most popular range from Japan and South Korea to Spain and Italy. But if you dig deeper, you’ll find some truly stunning hidden gems- one of those is Scotland. In Scotland, there is something for everyone, ranging from sports to history, from art to nature.

Natural Beauty

Scotland is absolutely brimming with natural beauty everywhere you look. On your flight in, some of the things you’ll notice first are the beautiful mountains and hills around every corner and the lush green grass that spans for miles. Some people may decide against Scotland because of its ever-changing weather, but that’s a key part of what makes Scotland so beautiful. Without all of that rain, Scotland’s nature wouldn’t be nearly as vibrant as it is today. Plus, foggy days make for some of the coolest views of the mountains and the cities. Even in cities like Edinburgh, much of the natural landscapes have been kept intact, like Arthur’s Seat. Plus, there are several public parks and even botanical gardens to explore.

History

In addition to its natural charm, Scotland is filled with layers of rich history from several eras. As you travel around Scotland, you may notice large stones standing upright. What you might not realize is that these stones are thousands of years old and incredibly important to the history of Scotland. The oldest standing stones in Scotland are the Callanish Standing Stones located on the Isle of Lewis, which are believed to have been erected between 2900 and 2600 BC, making them even older than the famous Stonehenge!

Several locations such as the Wemyss Caves have carvings from the Picts, the ancient people of Scotland who lived there from 300-900 AD. Some of the most iconic historical structures in Scotland are, of course, the castles. Scotland is estimated to have over 1,500 castles still standing, many of which you can visit! The Scots are passionate about their history, and you can tell when you visit these historical sites. Some of these historical sites are still kept alive today through reenactments like Spectacular Jousting, which takes place at real castles and historical places!

Sports

In addition, Scotland is an amazing place to study if you are interested in sports and other activities. From St. Andrews, the home of golf, to the Celtic Park football stadium in Glasgow. In fact, the University of Stirling (one of CIS Abroad’s locations in Scotland) has sports facilities ranked 1^st in the UK and top 5 in the world, making it an amazing pick for athletes.

Along with modern sports, Scotland has its own traditional sports like The Highland Games. The Highland Games offer a variety of events to watch and maybe even participate in, if you dare! Keeping traditional sporting events like the hammer throw and Highland dancing makes this event a must-see in Scotland.

If you’re more interested in nature-driven activities, Scotland has many opportunities. Scotland has the most mountains in Great Britain, 282 of which are classified as “Munros”, meaning a mountain over 914 meters. The options for hiking are endless in Scotland. Perhaps you’re more interested in water activities like kayaking- Scotland has over 30,000 freshwater lakes, known as “lochs”. 

Art, Music & Entertainment

Scotland’s cities are rich with music and entertainment culture. On your adventure in Scotland, you may hear music in the distance- a piper playing traditional Scottish folk music, or perhaps with a modern twist. Along with traditional music, Scotland hosts many large music festivals, like TRNSMT in Glasgow. Theatre has strong roots in Scotland as well. Annually, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival occurs in August and lasts for three weeks. It’s one of the world’s largest performing arts festivals with over 50,000 performances from countries around the world.

The Theatre Royal Dumfries, which opened in 1792 and hosted several pieces written by the national poet Robert Burns, is still active today, along with many other theatres around the country. Scotland also boasts nearly 200 free museums, activities, and attractions, including art galleries featuring works from Vincent Van Gogh, Titian, Claude Monet, and more.

The streets of Glasgow feature murals and artwork by both local artists and famous street artists, such as Banksy. Many movies you may recognize have utilized locations in Scotland for filming. If you venture into the Highlands, make a stop at the Glenfinnan Viaduct- home to the Harry Potter bridge and Glencoe, home to Hagrid’s hut. James Bond also made an appearance in Glencoe in the movie Skyfall. Doune Castle has hosted several films and television shows, such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Outlander.

The beautiful county of Scotland is home to endless opportunities and activities for all kinds of people. There truly is something for everyone, if you know where to look. But what truly makes Scotland the best kept secret is the people. Around every corner, there’s a friendly face who will be willing to help you make the best of your trip, and even share a few secrets of their own.

If you're interested in exploring more of Scotland, check out all our available programs here!

Blog by Elliott Bertrand, University of Central Florida & Summer in Scotland alum