This vacation gives me an opportunity to visit the land of one side of my family’s ancestors. Scotland and the highlands.
My Vacation begins after I flew in from Italy from my last vacation spot.
You may want to adjust the volume on this video the Scottish Bag Pipes are lovely but powerful.
Video by bugs2ki
Scotland is known as a land of mystery and legend. There are many myths about the Loch Ness monster. People believe there are ghosts in Scottish castles. There are also many legends about the Loch Ness monster, such as the story of how the monster got its name.
There are many attractions in Scotland. You can go to castles and battlefields. You can see the literary trails of famous writers. You can explore the wild landscapes of Scotland.
Day One Travel and Arrival
I flew into Scotland at Aberdeen Airport. From the airport, it is about a 1-hour drive to the resort. It is about 40 miles, depending on the route you choose.
When you arrive at the location, you get a feeling that you have stepped back in time. The entire resort itself looks timeless, like a castle.
Reviews of the Resort
Very nice location. I love the beauty and grandeur of this place.
A great way to experience the beautiful River Dee outdoors around Ballater.
Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty and the wonder of nature that is all around within a few miles of walk, trekking, or running along the river banks.
You can also choose to listen to birds chirping happily and or to the burbles of the rapid and gentle flow of River Dee at various points as it meanders its way down towards Aberdeen to be emptied into the North Sea. This type of beauty and wonder has no price tag.
This resort truly is a piece of heaven. Located in a beautiful part of the county of Scotland l, the accommodation was fantastic, with all essentials and items to make the trip more comfortable and memorable.
As it was my first trip to Scotland, we had meals out during our stay, however on our last night, we dined at the Keller Lounge and the food was exceptional. The staff are fantastic and extremely helpful and went out of their way to accommodate. We stayed in one of the 1 Bedroom Suites. I am very much looking forward to visiting again in December when we’ll be at one of the lodges.
The lodges have all the luxury, spa bath, sauna, balcony, clean through and through with a welcome note, and milk in the fridge. The countryside club is a wonderful place to relax and wind down with a spa pool, steam room, sauna, and swimming pool for the more adventurous try the gym. I have been on the squash court and had a good workout. Still try the tennis court and full-sized snooker table, not to mention the views and the walk to the top of Craigendorroch Hill.
A wonderful getaway in a beautiful lodge. Amazing service from Louise in reception and the staff in the sports reception and restaurant. We had a relaxing break with quality family time. My only complaint is that we didn’t stay long enough.
For myself, after checking in, I did a tour of the resort and location. The architecture was wonderful, and the layout was great. The thing that grabbed me on my walk around was the amazing indoor pool.
Villa Amenities
- Balcony/Porch
- Blender
- Cable TV
- Coffee Maker
- Ice Maker
- In-Room Safe
- Refrigerator
Then the resort itself offers all of these options.
Resort Amenities
- Free WiFi
- Indoor Pool
- Business Center
- On-Site Restaurants
- Fitness Center
- Concierge Services
Also, on-site dinning includes the Keiller Lounge and the Keiller Brasserie. It is always nice to have on-site dining options for breakfasts, or even other meals when you have been out site seeing for the day.
Day Two Seeing Scotland
Scotland is known as a land of mystery and legend. There are many myths about the Loch Ness monster. People believe there are ghosts in Scottish castles. There are also many legends about the Loch Ness monster, such as the story of how the monster got its name.
There are many attractions in Scotland. You can go to castles and battlefields. You can see the literary trails of famous writers. You can explore the wild landscapes of Scotland.
I started my day visiting the Castles and a trip to Lockness to see if the monster would show its head above water for me.
Castle Rock Edinburgh Edinburgh Castle
A great view of Edinburgh Castle can be seen from many parts of the city. This castle was built by Scottish king David I, who ruled from 1124 to 53. It is now a popular tourist attraction.
A drawbridge spans over an ancient moat. The drawbridge leads into the castle, and the moat is located near the Esplanade. There are bronze statues of Robert the Bruce and William the Wallace in front of the castle.
Inverness Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
Loch Ness is a lake located in Scotland. There’s a hotel called Drumnadrochitt Hotel that has an exhibition about the Loch Ness Monster.
Loch Ness is a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. The castle is located near the lake. The castle is a ruin but still very attractive.
The area of Lock Ness is 23 miles long. In areas, it is deeper than the North Sea and has more water than all other lakes of England and Wales combined.
St Andrews The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
The Scots invented the game of golf. They also invented the post office, tarmacadam road surface, bicycles, and the telephone. Visiting St. Andrews is a must for any golfer, even someone like me, who has only played for a short time.
Trossachs National Park Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is located in Scotland. It is the largest lake in Great Britain. It is situated approximately 14 miles north of Glasgow. It serves as an extremely popular location for fishing. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, it attracts many people who enjoy hiking, boating, and other outdoor activities.
For those with boundless amounts of energy, a stiff hike to Ben Lomond, Scotland’s highest mountain, is well and truly worth the effort. A Scottish Castle, Cameron House, offers great views and outdoor activities.
Day Three The Highlands & Islands
The Isle of Skye
The Isle Of Skye is a very popular tourist destination. It is known as Cloud Island because of the heavy mists. There are many natural wonders on this island, including the lighthouse at Neist Point, which is the tallest structure on the island.
This is an interesting description of the island. There are many types of wildlife, and there are also lots of things to do. You can go swimming in the ocean, you can see the seals, or you can even take a boat ride.
The Northern Highlands
The Northern Highlands are beautiful mountains and valleys. There are many lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. The Caledonian Canal connects the East Coast and West Coast of Scotland.
A mountain range is a great place for biking and hiking. There are many beautiful, small towns and cities in this area. The most charming is Dornoch, which has a castle and cathedral ruins.
Ayrshire The Burns Heritage Trail
The Burns monument is a great place to learn about the life and times of Robert Burns, Scotland’s favorite poet. You can see his birthplace and hear stories about him as you walk around the grounds.
Dumfries is a Scottish city located in South West Scotland. It is also known as Dùn Mhic-Ghilleach (pronounced Dun-Mick-Gill-Eck). Dumfries was founded by the Romans in AD 77. In 1885, the population was 5,000. Today, the population is around 30,000.
Aberdeenshire The Castle Trail
A castle trail in Scotland takes you to some of the best castles in the country. There are many kinds of castles in Scotland, ranging from medieval fortresses to palaces. Some castles are more impressive than others. This tour includes some of the best castles, including Drum Castle, Crathes Castle, and Craigievar Castle.
The tour is also a magnificent means to enjoy the dramatic coast lines and majestic mountains within the Scottish region.
Stirling The Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle
Stirling is famous for a number of bloody historical battles, including the battle of Bannockburn, which saw Robert the Bruce defeat the English in 1314. In 1297, the town was besieged by the English army led by John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, who captured the castle and killed many people inside. Later, during the reign of James II, the town was attacked by the English army again. In 1304, the town was sacked by the English army under the command of Henry Beaumont, Lord Warden of the Marches. Finally, in 1405, the town was besieged once more by the English army commanded by Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray. This time, the siege lasted until July 1406, when the English were forced to retreat.
A magnificent monument was built by William Wallace, who was also known as Robert the Bruce. He fought against England during the Wars of Scottish Independence. This monument was built in 1829.
Isle of Mull Reside in Glengorm Castle
Glengorm Castle is located in Scotland. It was built in 1860. It is situated on the north coast of Mull. It is surrounded by the cobalt sea and the ruins of ancient stones. It is owned by Mr. Tom Nelson. He lives there with his wife and children. There are many rooms available in the castle. Guests can enjoy the view from the terrace. You can also go hiking in the nearby hills.
Orkney Skara Brae
Skara Brae is an ancient settlement located in Scotland. It was uncovered during a storm in 1850. It is estimated to be about 5,000 years old. It was completely buried under the sand for many centuries.
The houses at Skara Brae are preserved well because they are buried under the sand.
Loch Duich Western Highlands of Scotland Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan is a small island off the coast of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland by a simple footbridge, which is built during the castle’s restoration. The castle serves as a defensive port against Viking raids.
Today, the castle is a very popular venue for both film & weddings. It has appeared in movies such as James Bond (the world is not enough), Bonnie prince charlie, The new avengers, and highlander.
Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh Castle Festival Finale Fireworks
The world’s largest annual pyro-technic display is held annually during the Edinburgh festival. The event is attended by over 250,000 people who watch the show from the castle walls.
There are many great places to watch the fireworks. You should go to the gardens or park if you want to see them. The castle is also a great place to watch them.
The military tattoo events are held in August and are the reason some travel to the area. I was not on vacation during this time but rather in early spring so I did not get to enjoy the festival.
If you feel you have a connection to Scotland, now is a good time to visit and see the land, and history, and experience the culture for yourself.
Just make sure you book with TZort and stay at the Hilton Grand Vacations resort.