Scotland has been the stop I’ve been most excited for. It didn’t start out exactly how I wanted. I originally planned to fly into Inverness and visit the Isles of Skye and the Highlands but sometimes things just don’t work out. Instead I came into Glasgow, and luckily can still take a day trip to the Highlands and Loch Ness, I won’t get to see the Isles of Skye but I would like to spend more than a day there anyway so I’ll be back.
My plane from Dublin to Glasgow came in at 8 in the morning, check in for my hostel wasn’t until 2. In Dublin I was able to drop my bag and go explore until check in. Not so much here. I sat in the common area, which smelled horrible, for about 4 hours before I decided to ask if I could get an early check in. I had about 2 hours of sleep the night before and was minutes away from losing my mind. Luckily you could do an early check in after 12 if the room was clean for 5 pounds. However they only took cash, and I didn’t have any on me. I was tearing up as the possibility of a hot shower and a nap was taken away. Thankfully the man saw my distress and told me that I could check in and after a rest run to the ATM down the street before 5 and it would be okay. I have never been more thankful for someone. I took a hot shower and crawled into bed and passed out. I had told myself I would get out into the city that first day but I was so exhausted after only a few hours of sleep each night that I couldn’t bring myself to get out. Each day I spend more than just a few hours laying around I have this internal war with myself. I feel guilty, but I can’t spend a month of constant running. I need days to recharge, I need days to watch crappy romance movies and drink loads of coffee.
My second day in Glasgow started out so, so much better. I slept through the whole night, a solid 9 hours of sleep. For the first time in 6 days! It was like a rebirth, I felt like a new woman ready to conquer the world, after my coffee of course. During what I will now refer to as my “walking coma” my body was on autopilot. I could sleep two hours and still function, I could eat one meal a day and still be full. It was great for my budget but I felt like I was seeing the world through a veil, even though I felt well rested I was exhausted, my body was heavy. I finally feel like myself, but myself in Scotland! I decided that I would spend my second day exploring and planning for my next stop in Edinburgh.
Unfortunately Glasgow is more spread out than Dublin so not many attraction were within walking distance. The one thing I really wanted to see was the Glasgow Cathedral, which did not disappoint. I had read that the best view of the cathedral was from the top of the necropolis, cemetery, which was built on a hill across the street. This is now the second cemetery I’ve visited on this trip, maybe it’ll be my new thing and I’ll hit one up in every country. But the view from the top was amazing.
The cemetery it’s self way beautiful. The leaves are just changing and there are parks that split up the huge cemetery that over looks the city.
After I was done exploring the grounds of the cathedral I took a quick peak inside. It technically wasn’t open but they had just finished mass so I snuck in. Honestly I was hoping for a bathroom but I was out of luck. However the lobby that was open was beautiful. From what I read in some of the stain glass there are unicorns, which is the official animal of Scotland.
Across the street from the cathedral was the St. Mungo Museum. I of course thought, “St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, hell yes!” *Sigh* of course nothing that awesome ever happens to me, and there were no Harry Potter references but instead a museum for St. Mungo the patron saint of Glasgow. It was free admission so I figured I’d give it a go. The museum sucked, sorry. But they had a cafe downstairs so I’d figure I’d grab some lunch and coffee with a nice view of the cathedral.
After my little excursion I figured I’d head back to the hostel. I desperately needed to do laundry. I have no problems wearing my clothes multiple times without wash, but I was out of clean underwear and that’s where I draw the nasty line. Plus I had no idea where I’d stay in Edinburgh, let alone how I’d get there. Not gonna lie, my little trip for finding a hostel is to type “hostels in ‘ ‘ ” into google and check reviews and prices. Very innovate and advanced, I know.
My final day in Glasgow I had a tour to the Highlands planned. I was super excited, but still slightly bummed about not being able to visit Skye. The tour didn’t start until 8 which was great, I seem to sleep in less on vacation than normally. Our first stop was at the very chilly Loch Lomond for coffee and bathroom breaks. We then carried on for Glencoe while learning about the rich history in the area. Let me tell ya, these Scots are violent people.
Our next stop was a quick picture opportunity as we drove through Glencoe. We stopped at the “Three Sisters” lookout point. We all ran outside in the spitting ran, snapped a few pictures quick and hurried back onto the bus before out fingers snapped off. The weather is great, if it’s not raining. As soon as the rain comes it feels like the temperature drops 20 degrees and the sun will never shine again. As we continued our drive through Glencoe we passed what was used as the Forbidden Forest in the filming of Harry Potter, and what they call the Purple Hills. For 10 months of the year the hills are covered in red grass, but every August-September they turn a vibrant purple, which is reason enough to make another trip sometime.
After what felt like a lifetime we finally made it to Loch Ness and the Urqhart Castle. We had an our to explore the castle ruins before boarding a boat to sail across Loch Ness and try to spot Nessie. I was in continual amazement of how breathtaking it was. I probably said “how is this my life” to myself 100 times. Thankfully I made some friends on the bus and we took turns climbing behind the “DANGER: Do not cross the point” signs for all the good shots for the ‘gram’. And I even managed to find Nessie!
When we finally made it back to Glasgow I was ready to pass out from exhaustion, but I had a 20 minute walk back to the hostel. Sami, who I met on the tour, was also in the same hostel so we walked back together, and ended up getting lost. However, we did see some beautiful Christmas lights while we were wondering around downtown Glasgow. By the time we reached the hostel I was a dead man walking.
The next morning I was up bright and early to catch my train to Edinburgh. This was really my first experience with public transport, and I am NOT a fan. Why on God’s green earth do birds need to be inside!? And who gave them the right to be so entitled and bold, I was getting dive bombed while drinking my coffee. And I once again caught myself afraid I was going to miss my train. My ticket said Glasgow Central Station, little did I know there was the main station, and Queens street station 10 minutes away. Of course I went to the wrong station. Luckily I am constantly paranoid about being late so I was ridiculously early and was able to get a bus and make it to Queens Street for my bus.
By the time I arrived in Edinburgh I was frazzled, sleep deprived, and the thought of carrying my bags made me want to cry. So I set off into the beautiful city of Edinburgh. In typical fashion my phone, my only map and sense of direction, died and I was stranded in Scotlands busiest city. Remember that cry thing, ya it definitely happened. So I dragged my butt into the nearest cafe, ordered some lunch and plugged my phone in. An hour later and after my 4th variation of lentil soup I had a new found energy. Lo and behold my hostel was just up a set of stairs and less than two minutes away. I dropped my big ass bag and hit the streets to explore.
My first stop was the Edinburgh Castle since my hostel was directly at the base of the castle and there was no ignoring it. I walked around the grounds and took some pictures but didn’t think it was worth spending the 17 pounds to enter. I then decided I would check out the Royal Scottish Museum, because it was free and I was bored. But I was once again let down by a museum, I really don’t understand modern art. My final stop of the day was unintentional, I’m coming to realize the majority of my favorite places are, the Prince Street Garden. The garden sat at the base of the castle and was beautiful. There was a large fountain and another museum, but the view of the castle was the real show stopper. And I slept goooood that night.
The next day I didn’t wake up until noon and it was glorious. I had already decided that this second day would be my lazy day. The hostel offered free tea and coffee and I was prepared to take advantage of that and get some work done! I booked my tour for the next day, figured out train tickets for my next stop, and booked my hostel. And by the time I finished I was ready for some food. I made my ritual search of “food” into google maps and found this cafe boasting that it’s the site JK Rowling wrote parts of the Harry Potter series in. Of course I had to go check it out, although I had my doubts I’d be able to get a table. Luckily for me the place was actually pretty quiet and I got in no problem.
Edinburgh was the place that I chilled out the most and just let myself do what I wanted, when I wanted. It was also the place I struggled with being alone the most. I honestly enjoy my own company so I didn’t really think twice when I planned this solo trip. But it was a lot harder than I thought when I was seeing these once in a lifetime views and didn’t have anyone with me to share that with. But at the same time it was so nice to have a break from my day to day activities. I spent a lot of time in Edinburgh drinking tea and watching Netflix. I still went out and explored but I didn’t force myself to go out unless I really felt like it.
My final day in Edinburgh I had another tour planned. This one was to Rosslyn Chapel, and Hadrian’s Wall. I was once again excited to get out of the city. And as much as I enjoyed this tour it’s been my least favorite so far. Regardless it was a lot of fun, and of course I got some pretty sweet pictures. Our first stop was Rosslyn Chapel which was actually pretty close to Edinburgh, and is featured in the book and subsequently the movie The Da Vinci Code, heellloooo Tom Hanks. I’m fairly sure I’ve spent more time at different churches these last couple of weeks than I have the entire year, oops. The chapel was beautiful and I loved hearing about the history behind it and trying to decipher the century old sculptures. After exploring the main level we were able to go into the crypt and explore down there. I jokingly sent a message to my friend saying “if I die it’s because I’m dicking around the in crypt of a 15th century chapel.” I didn’t think anything of it and spent a few minutes poking around before I went back up stairs. When I walked out there were three ambulances at the apartment building next to the chapel, and about 30 minutes later they wheeled out a stretcher and a body bag. So ya know it’s a good thing it isn’t still the 15th century or I would’ve been hung for being a witch, cause I killed someone with my powers.
After our stop at the chapel we set off for Hadrian’s Wall. But first we made a pit stop in Melrose for food, and I had yet another bowl of soup. After lunch and lots and lots of coffee I walked to the Melrose Abbey. Yet another church, but I wasn’t about to pay the 9 pounds to enter when I only had 15 minutes of my lunch break left so I snapped a few pictures from the sidewalk with the school children and then we got back on the road. We made one more stop at the boarder between Scotland and England so we could all run out in the rain and take some ridiculously cheesy pictures. And by this time I was about to pee my pants, even though we still had an hour before we would arrive at the wall. But I climbed back on the bumpy bus and toughed it out.
Finally, FINALLY, we arrived and I thankfully hadn’t peed my pants. I quickly waddled to the bathroom and then started the half a mile journey up to the old Roman fort. Along the way I got stuck in the best kind of traffic jam, behind all dem sheep.
When I reached the fort I decided that instead of spending my time inside the ruins and the museum I would continue to walk the wall. And I am so so so glad I made that decision. The history behind the wall is great but the real showstopper is the view. Once you climb high enough it feels like you can see everything. I unfortunately had to make my way back down, which was actually a lot harder going down the steep road when it was wet. We finally started on our way back and I fell asleep once again, someone about a rigid bus seat just lulls me to sleep.
The next morning I was up and ready to head to York, and very bummed to be leaving Scotland. But I’ll be back sometime, and will do a multi-day tour of the Isles of Skye. Also yes, I am currently writing this from London, sue me.
For whatever reason I cannot get my photos to upload but I will add them once I figure out the problem!