I keep returning to Scotland over and over. Why?
When I land in Scotland, I feel I have come home. I take a bit of Scotland back home with me and I leave a bit of me in Scotland every time. I love to connect with the land and its history. I love hiking with the Scottish scenery in the background, the rolling hills with heather, the unique beauty of the beaches, the oystercatchers, the serenity and the solitude the country offers.
Scotland has a lot of history with castles or their ruins scattered all over the countryside. People are nice and the food is good. You often find game meat on the menu and very fresh seafood. As much as I like a day of solitude on a Scottish beach to take photos, I love to share my experience with like minded people.
Hiking with Walking Women offers that..
I very much enjoyed the daily walks with the group last year on the Isle of Bute and the company at dinner time. What I learned is that one does not need to go with someone we know. Make new friends. This was the first time I did it as no one among my friends and family was available to go on a trip with me that year. But I yearned to go to Scotland again. I was a bit scared of the trip on my own from Glasgow to Bute. But it was easy, both the train and ferry. The instructions were very good.
Hiking on Bute (Check out WalkingWomen’s Bute trip) took 5 days after which I extended my stay to explore a nearby beach on my own to take photos of the oystercatchers and seals. I also came a day early and explored Mount Stewart Castle in Bute.
The group lead Jo was amazing, even when she hurried me along from lagging behind being totally engrossed with taking close-up photos of the long-haired long-horned highland cattle.
I can’t wait to do this again in May 2026, this time on the Isle of Arran.
Next year, I would love to hike the Isle of Harris and Lewis exploring their famed beautiful beaches of white sand and turquoise waters with mountain views (i.e. Luskentyre beach). Sir Alexander Mackenzie was born on the Isle of Lewis. He was a renowned Canadian explorer of Scottish heritage who first reached the Pacific Ocean in the late 1700’s and mapped the Canadian West, basically he was the first to cross North America. Many Canadian landmarks, including a river, were named after him. And no, the Americans did not reach it first they were second after Mackenzie and they used his maps and journals to do it. Perhaps, Sir Mackenzie’s love of exploration started in Scotland? Being a Canadian, will be very special to visit and hike Lewis.
I am celiac and one of my worries is the food while I travel
The lunches in particular were a worry, which are often sandwiches. Walking Women offers accommodation in one place. You return to the same hotel after a day of hiking. The benefit of this for me is that I can call the hotel ahead of time and discuss my unique dietary restriction with just one place. I inform them what I can have for lunches instead, so they are ready for me with no surprises for them. I had no issues. Everyone was very accommodating and honestly, there are many food options for people with dietary restrictions so long the establishment is warned ahead of time as on Scottish islands, the food delivery comes on certain days. Planning is a must.
What else I love about Scotland? Their whisky! There is no “e” in the Scottish whisky, if there is an “e”, it is not Scottish. Almost every place has its own whisky distillery, including islands. So leave enough space in your luggage for that unique bottle.
See you in Scotland
Thank you to Lenka for writing and for some great photos
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And check out our Scotland holidays – more islands coming in 2027. We hope you will join our walking women
