Slow Travel Scotland: How to See the Best of Alba

25.09.2024 - 14:41 / matadornetwork.com

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.

Slow travel is more than just moving slowly through a destination. It’s about taking time to find true experiences, connect with locals, and support the things that make a place so attractive in the first place. In short, it’s the antithesis of highlights seen on a hop-on, hop-off bus.

This slow travel Scotland guide will help you turn your trip into something truly unforgettable.

You may not catch sight of Nessy, but there’s plenty of real wildlife to enjoy.

A hiking and climbing paradise.

Going places you can’t go by large ship (or many other ways).

Swap your photo safari subjects from lions to stags, orcas, and other Scottish animals.

While rewarding, it’s not as simple as just diving in.

Scotland is not a big country. It’s nine times smaller than Texas. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in diversity. Each of its eight regions has a different culture, dialogue, and topography. In some areas, if you drive 10 miles from one town to another, locals will use different expressions for the most simple English phrases. Small villages each have their own way of doing things and traditions that have been followed for thousands of years. What you will find throughout the nation, however, is pride and a feeling of welcomeness. Walk into a bar in Glasgow or a historic pub in a rural community on the islands, and you’ll leave with stories you can dine out on for years (and likely a few new friends). That’s one of the many things I appreciate about my country.

You can drive from the southern Scottish Borders, where I spent my childhood, to the top of Scotland in about six hours. The route takes you from the Lowlands with its big skies and miles upon miles of colorful fields of crops and rolling hills, through the medieval streets of narrow wynds and closes in Edinburgh, and up to the Highlands, where the mountains will humble you and the roads are full of sheep.

If I had one tip for anyone planning a trip here, it would be to explore Scotland at a slow pace. Yes, you might not be able to cram monster hunting on Loch Ness, seeing live music in Glasgow, visiting Edinburgh Castle, hiking the West Highland Way, going on a whisky tour, and seeing orcas breaching off the Hebrides