Travel in Scotland

I’m a devout fan of the Outlander books, so much so that I once spent a week making an 18th-century corset inspired by the main character, Claire. That’s why, when presented with an opportunity to visit Scotland and tour various filming locations for the long-running TV adaptation, I jumped at the chance.

If you're looking for a true breath of fresh air in the most literal sense, the pros at QR Code Generator have a new study you're going to want to see. In September, the team unveiled the findings of its newest study, which showed which U.S. and European destinations have the lowest pollution rates, offering the cleanest air possible for travelers and locals alike. 

Many travelers want to see eclipses, meteor showers, volcanic eruptions, penguin migrations, and other natural phenomena. That was one trend highlighted in Expedia’s Unpack’ 25 report, released Wednesday.

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The traditional territories in Alberta are home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who have called these territories home for time immemorial. We respectfully acknowledge the diverse histories, cultures, and territories of Treaty 6, 7, 8, 4, and 10, as well as the homelands of the Métis, the 8 Métis Settlements, the 6 Métis Regions of the Métis Nation of Alberta.

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Floridians are returning to their homes and businesses to survey the damage after millions were advised to evacuate before Hurricane Milton.

This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Helene Sula, an American travel blogger and author of "Two O'Clock on a Tuesday at Trevi Fountain: A Search for an Unconventional Life Abroad." It has been edited for length and clarity.

On my first morning in Donegal, a place sometimes referred to as Ireland's forgotten county, a man named Séamus Doohan drove a friend and me down a twisting ribbon of road in a van filled with electrical equipment. Although the county is one of the most beautiful in Ireland, it doesn't attract many tourists, so Doohan also works as an electrician. It was a bright, clear day, which isn't often the case in this part of the country, known for its beautiful mountains and the mists that often conceal them. We left the van and hiked up a windswept hillside, turning now and then to look at the glittering Atlantic below. There were no trees to obstruct our view. Like most of the region, the hill was covered in bog, a great green carpet of moss and grass speckled with flowers that Doohan named in Irish, which he said was the only language he spoke until he was five.

Recognizing that families that travel together, stay together, Destination by Hyatt has introduced a ‘Roots to Reunion’ program to inspire rekindling familial connections in unique ways while on vacation.

The northern lights may be visible over the lower 48 states starting Thursday night, offering a somewhat rare chance to see the spectacular phenomenon.

While 2024 represented the ‘Year of the Great Recharge’ as sleep retreats made headlines, Hilton’s annual Trends Report indicates that travelers are looking to pair their desire to relax and recharge with high-impact adventures and experiences to maximize their time and financial investment. 

Our first RV road trip in the UK put us straight in the deep end. My fiance James and I rented an RV and drove three hours south from our cottage near Glasgow, Scotland, to The Lake District in northern England with our Bengal, Angus. We’re both well-seasoned outdoors people, but this was the first time making a trip in a six-berth RV with our one-year-old kitten to a remote site with no hook-up or cell reception. That meant we had to pack smart. We learned a lot over the long weekend. I simultaneously overpacked and underpacked. We ran out of essentials like garbage bags by the final day. We should have packed the cooler and quick-drying towels. But we also had some wins. Below are some of our packing essentials that will join us on our future RV adventures.

In Scotland, we often experience weather conditions from all four seasons in one day. This can make planning outdoor sports feel like a military operation. If you let the weather dictate your plans, you’ll never leave the house. So this summer, my husband James and I tested some of Arc’teryx’s summer hiking gear to see if the innovative tech would stand up to gale-force wind and pouring rain and understand if the brand’s essentials are worth the investment. The three items — high-rise utility leggings, the Beta lightweight jacket, and the Cerium Hybrid hooded jacket — exceeded our expectations and are now family favorites and go-to grabs for all our outdoor adventures. In fact, we’ve argued more over who can wear the Beta jacket than who’s emptying the dishwasher.

Exploring the historic castles of Scotland is more than a popular tourist activity. It’s a way to learn about the country’s history, one steeped in fascinated legend and lore. These ancient fortresses, scattered across the dramatic Scottish landscape, are one of the best ways to explore tales of feuding clans, royal intrigue, and battles for power — all of which echo through stone walls and misty valleys even today, thanks to the dedicated efforts of preservationists and historians. Visiting Scottish castles is not just about ticking off tourist attractions, but about engaging with the stories and dramas that shaped the country.

Scotland has no shortage of draws for travelers. More than 4 million people traveled to Scotland in 2023, and that number is only growing. Famous draws like world-class whisky and museums fill itineraries, as do castles and nature that’s being restored through an ambitious rewilding program. And while there are plenty of things to do, the best way to experience Scotland is through slow travel, which the region is actively promoting. It’s just one of the reasons Matador Network named Scotland its Sustainable Destination of the Year in 2023.

St. Kilda is arguably Scotland’s most storied island destination. The archipelago, inhabited for 4,000 years and evacuated of its last 36 inhabitants in 1930, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the home of nearly one million seabirds, including the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic Puffin. While intriguing, the westernmost island in Scotland is, unsurprisingly, a hard place to reach. But it’s not impossible. St. Hilda Sea Adventures is one of a handful of Scottish small-ship cruise lines that can take you there.

Luxury travelers heading to the Bay Area can expect a major glow-up at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay debuting this month.

The simple pleasure of a hot pub meal and a cold pint can be found just down the street for most people in Britain. Then, there is The Old Forge: perhaps the most remote pub on the mainland, lying at the end of a multiday wilderness hike through craggy mountains and glistening lochs.