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Just Back from Scotland!

  • Writer: Danielle Dybiec
    Danielle Dybiec
  • 12 minutes ago
  • 3 min read

"Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,

The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth;

Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,

The hills of the Highlands for ever I love."

― Robert Burns

 

I've never had a bad time in Scotland, and this trip was no exception. I'm flying home from Inverness today and bringing with me great memories - like my 12 hour tour yesterday to the Isle of Skye, one of the most beautiful places in the world. From Loch Ness to the Atlantic Ocean, we stopped for all kinds of scenery: snow-capped mountains, waterfalls over cliffs, villages, vales, black faced sheep and lots of little lambs (sooo cute), and the legendary Highland Coos (uniquely adapted cows with long hair). I was especially happy to visit Eilean Donan Castle, known as "the most photographed castle in Scotland."

 

On Facebook and Instagram, I posted photos each night of the places I'd been, and I invite you to look and let me know if you'd like to follow in my footsteps to any of them. While posting, a childhood friend from the 6th grade saw I was in Aberdeen while she was in Edinburgh, and it turned out we'd both be in Inverness at the same time! Our hotels are a 10 minute walk from each other, and we met Sunday for afternoon tea and lots of hugs. We agreed traveling off season is just the best and that it's really nice to see social media being used for good like this.

 

Before I arrived at my hotel in Inverness, I spent three tremendous days being shown the countryside between here and Aberdeen plus a stretch of the scenic North Coast 500 route, touring castles, savoring fresh and delicious meals, staying in top-notch accommodations, and meeting with people who are passionate about all things Scottish. A personal highlight was meeting Lady Cawdor at Cawdor Castle. She has a fascinating life story, and though I know Macbeth (Thane of Cawdor) predates the castle, it was a thrill to see inside before the seasonal public opening. Her art collection is really eclectic, including contemporary art she curates and cartoons by Salvador Dalí and Charles Addams. She actually lives in the castle except when she moves to her summer cottage just down the road.

 

One of my personal takeaways is how cool Scottish interior decorating is. Every hotel had elegantly whimsical throw pillows on sofas and chairs, while the wallpapers, artwork, and textiles were all different patterns that somehow always worked. Lady Cawdor describes her own decorating style this way: When you have things you love, then they'll go well together because they're all loved by you. I photographed examples of the varying patterns I found throughout my travels this week in Scotland and would love to hear what you think of this style. I'm inspired!

 

I hope you enjoy the photos of Scotland on Facebook and Instagram, because they describe much better than I can in words how wonderful this week has been. Scots are warmly welcoming, and I have so many new itinerary ideas after my 44 meetings at the VisitScotland Connect workshop last week. There's something for everyone to enjoy here in Scotland, and I'd love to help you experience it next!

 
 

Nine Muses Travel designs journeys to inspire artists, arts lovers and the culturally curious.

Danielle Dybiec

Founder & President





 

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