Hello, I’m Ashley! Welcome to my blog.
I thought this blog would be a great opportunity to share some of my travels, and the lessons I learned along the way!
Last year after months of feeling bored, stuck and generally frustrated with life I decided to take a leap and travel on my own for the very first time. On a whim I booked a flight from Toronto to Scotland, and less than a month later I was on my way. Not only was this my first solo trip, it was actually my first trip since grade 10 (I am 29 now, I will leave the math up to you), and my very first time travelling outside of North America. Why Scotland? I was looking for somewhere safe and English speaking, I have Scottish ancestors and have always been curious about the culture, and as a big fan of Harry Potter, Outlander and Downton Abby it seemed like the perfect fit!
Both excited and scared, once I boarded the plane there was no turning back!
What is it like to visit Scotland?
I flew into Glasgow and stayed at the Millennium Hotel which is located right in George Square. The location of this hotel was extremely convenient, I had booked some day tours and also took advantage of the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours that were available and both had pick up points just steps from the hotel. I highly recommend taking advantage of the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours while in Glasgow, it’s definitely the easiest and most affordable way to explore the city. My favorite stop to “Hop Off” at was the Glasgow Botanic Gardens pictured above.
On my second day in Scotland I went on a small group day trip from Glasgow to the Highlands. I booked my tours in advance through Scottish Tours but it is also really easy to book a tour from a variety of operators once you arrive in Scotland.
It’s important to “rest and be thankful” while exploring the Scottish Highlands.
The Scottish Highlands are absolutely breathtaking, everything is green and there is a magical atmosphere that is hard to explain. After returning to my hotel in Glasgow for the night I set out on another tour the next day with an overnight stop in Fort William before arriving in Edinburgh.
The Glenfinnan viaduct a.k.a Hogwarts Express!
The world famous Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Running between Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse you will want to give yourself at least one full day to explore the castles, shopping, restaurants, entertainment and architecture along the Royal Mile…who knows maybe you will even meet a ghost!
Some highlights from my trip to Scotland
What you need to know when you visit Scotland
It rains. A lot. I can not express how important it is to dress in layers and be prepared for damp cool weather while travelling in Scotland. The air is brisk and fresh and all that rain is what keeps the Scottish countryside so green.
Tourist attractions and areas are very busy. Arrive early and travel in the off-season if crowds aren’t your thing.
Small bus tours are a really convenient way to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time and check many attractions off your list. The downside is that you will have limited time at each attraction, and spend a large portion of your day driving. My recommendation is to split your time between guided tours and exploring on your own.
Food can be expensive, but if you wander away from the touristy areas even by a couple of blocks prices drop significantly.
Public transportation is excellent. It is very easy to get around in Glasgow and Edinburgh and to travel between the cities using public transportation. To travel the highlands I would recommend renting a vehicle or taking a guided bus tour.
Castles are everywhere! If you secretly wish you were a princess like I do, Scotland is the place to go! There is no shortage of castles to explore.
Is it safe to travel Scotland alone?
I felt completely safe the whole time I was in Scotland. With a little common sense you should have no problem exploring Scotland solo. Free walking tours are a great way to explore the cities and meet interesting people on your trip. Small guided bus trips also allow you to have company for the day and can prevent loneliness.
Though traveling solo is great, no trip to Scotland is complete without meeting and spending some time with a Highland Coo!
Ashley Travels 
Ahley, I read your blog and smiling all the way through. I was born in Scotland and have been guiding coach tours there for about 15 years. I now contract with Denure Tours and arrange and guide most of their tours all over Scotland. Your photos are beautiful and represent what I love about “My Scotland”
I love taking people to see this beautiful country and surprisingly, I have great weather on most tours which run in September. Thank you for your great comments and would love to meet you one day.
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Thank you for your kind words Stewart, I’m so happy you enjoyed the blog!!
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