Curator’s statement
In October of 2023, my wife and I took our honeymoon to Scotland. We had a red eye flight from Raleigh to Glasgow (with a layover in Iceland) and immediately hit the ground running. After about two hours of sleep we got our rental car and quickly learned how to drive on the left side of the road, which I can't say I ever got used to! The beauty of Scotland in the fall is something we'll never forget, and the kindness of the people along with their beautiful accents. Driving through the highlands and exploring different areas together is something we'll never forget.
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Season
While I'd say there's never a bad time to visit Scotland, we went in what I consider a peak time: the middle of October. This was right when the crowds had slowed down. (From what we were told, two weeks earlier and we wouldn't have been able to find room. Watch out for school holiday in the fall!) And not only was it not the slightest bit crowded, but the weather was great and the leaves were gorgeous everywhere we went. You can't help but fall in love with Scotland at a beautiful relaxing time like the fall.
Travel
We elected to rent a car, as we wanted total control over our travels and to be able to stay wherever we wanted and leave when we chose. With that said, a few warnings about driving in the UK: 1. They do drive on the *wrong* side of the road. It definitely took some adjusting coming from America; simple turns were no longer that simple, and some of the roads were a little smaller than I'm used to. 2. Watch a YouTube video before you go and read up on road rules. When you're in a different country it's always nice just to check on the different rules each place may have. If you do a little research beforehand to prepare you'll be fine! And be able to see as much of the countryside as you want.
A true adventure - Camping
As some of you may know, Scotland is home to what they call "wild camping." So what this means is that you can pull over and park, and camp pretty much anywhere. It is recommended that you're far from the road and off the beaten path, but any public land is open to camping, which can make a good trip the perfect trip if you're into the outdoors! Imagine waking up out of a tent and overlooking Loch Ness. You may even be able to catch Nessy! It truly is a dream come true, and in some local shops you can get tents for less than $100.
Trip Review
Overall we are so glad we went to Scotland for our honeymoon. It was the best trip we could've chosen and we've never had a single regret. It was one of the most special moments of our time together. You should absolutely consider this location as an option!
Need to know
I recommend Scotland as a perfect honeymoon, road trip or adventurous travel option. It's a unique and beautiful vacation.
This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Scotland. In need of further inspiration? Check out Kelly Hendrix’s guide, Culture & Adventure in Scotland: Edinburgh and Loch Lomond.
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Hagen Hodges
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