I’m back on the mainland and am back spending all my nights at the hospital. I already miss Mexico’s endless sunshine and warm, dry heat! Spring continues in Illinois with sporadic rainstorms and high 60s/low 70s temperatures. To keep my spirits up, I’m diving headfirst into planning our next trip: the United Kingdom and the Scottish Highlands!
Jordan and I will be road-tripping the Scottish Highlands before I meet my husband in London. (Yes, we are huge fans of Outlander!) In June, Colton is turning 30, so we bought tickets to the Cardinals vs. Cubs baseball game at London Stadium! This will be my first visit to Europe, and I am pumped! In honor of our upcoming trip, here are 5 interesting facts about Scotland to enjoy.
1. Though English is the most widely-spoken language in the area, Scotland is still home to “the ancient Celtic language of Gaelic” (Scotland.org, 2023).
Gaelic is most common in the Scottish Highlands and outlying islands such as the Isle of Skye, and we’re lucky to visit both locations on this trip! We are flying into Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, or Glaschu in Gaelic, meaning ‘green glen.’ Don’t ask me how to pronounce it yet! Maybe after we get back to the States? 🙂 Below is a map displaying the population spread of Gaelic-speaking Scots.
2. The best way to explore Scotland is by renting a car.
A train system runs between larger cities (such as Glasgow and Inverness), but there are limited public transportation options in the Highlands. After researching how to get around, we decided to rent a car from Glasgow Airport and explore the Scottish Highlands ourselves! Challenges: Learning to drive on the left side of the road, memorizing traffic signs/signals, getting international driving permits, and preparing to navigate the lochs and glens of the Highlands. Stay tuned on that note!
If you’re looking for more specific information on navigating the Western islands by car, click here for an article that I recommend!
3. Scots use pounds as their currency as part of the United Kingdom (UK).
One English pound is worth $1.25 American dollars at the time of writing. Unfortunately, some items cost more in the UK! The average cost of gas as of April 2023 is $6.60/gallon. A dozen eggs cost $2.67, and a gallon of milk costs a whopping $4.67/gallon!
We will be paying for lots of gas as we explore the Scottish Highlands over a two-week period, so wish us luck that we don’t blow our whole budget on gas! 🙂
4. Scotland’s national animal is the unicorn.
Not kidding! The unicorn has been a significant symbol in Scotland since 1542, when Mary, Queen of Scots, chose unicorns to adorn her royal seal. When depicted in Scotland, the unicorn adorns countless historical buildings, coins, and even the UK Royal coat of arms.
5. The weather in Scotland is notoriously cool year-round.
On average, in Fahrenheit, summer brings a high of 62 degrees and gets as low as 48 degrees at night. Winter stays relatively mild as well, keeping between 32-45 degrees. According to my research, daily weather is labile, and the Western Highlands frequently get more than 100 inches of rainfall yearly. Experienced travelers suggest dressing in layers to be prepared for anything the day might bring. Extra fun fact: The rainjacket was invented by a Scottish man named Charles Macintosh in 1823. Although the spelling has evolved, the Mackintosh company remains a maker of high-quality coats and raincoats!
Have you ever been to the UK? Only 19 more days until we’re in the Scottish Highlands! 🙂
Update: Click to read part one….. “Road-Tripping Scotland: The Little Town of Crieff”