Roadtripping through Scotland

It’s not every day you sit with your friends over wine and laughs and decide to all go on a roadtrip in Scotland. Well, maybe it is. But it’s definitely not every day that you actually make it happen. Well, James and I did. 

After a 10 hour bus trip from London (after nearly missing our bus) we arrived in splendid and cosy Edinburgh. Instead of hitting the usual sites, which were teeming with the summer throngs of people, we opted for tasting every fish and chip combination we could find, gulped dark and delicious Guinness, and wandered the streets. Although Edinburgh with its charming front doors and historic stone walls was a touristy treat, the magic of Scotland unveiled itself as soon as we hit the road.

Armed with a tent, smoked salmon, porridge and a mini gas cooker, we were set for our Scottish adventure. There’s no way to fully describe the soul of Scotland as it gently reveals itself the longer you spend there. At first, its beauty is intoxicating, as each curve of the road presents a miraculous vista; from green meadows for as far as the eye can see, to being dwarfed and enclosed by mighty bald mountains, while watching the heather dance and tickle the side of the road and the clouds ever-changing, bringing rain, mist, and occasionally letting the sun peak through. But the soul of Scotland is a peaceful one. Athough there were so many holiday-makers because we were there in the height of ‘summer’ (I put this in inverted commas as it felt more like a South African winter to us), the landscapes and spaces never felt noisy, or busy, or loud. The climate commanded calm, and the spaces felt very much our own, even when sharing them with others.

But Scotland’s soul is also wise and powerful, humbling you to the majesty of its ability to turn from a moment of sweet and tender sunshine to being blown away by dark and ominous clouds. But it’s this rich soul that makes you understand where bagpipes come from, why petey whiskey is distilled and sipped on often, why haggis and black pudding are a delicacy, and why sheep are so woolly and sturdy. Scotland is a mystical and ancient place, and I now know where fairies, Nessie, elves, unicorns and dragons come from. 

Videography & Edit: Lexie

Drone Visuals: @chasingjamesgerber

Song: Is it Heaven Up There by Palace

Logo build: Blatch

For more travel stories head to: @walkietalkietv