Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and one of the top destinations on my travel bucket list! Scotland is located in the United Kingdom along with England and Northern Ireland (which I’ve traveled to and have written about in previous posts).
Royal Beauty
I find the different architectural styles in different countries so fascinating and exciting! It truly expresses such an expansive and individual history that really emphasizes each country’s uniqueness. I absolutely love visiting castles not only because of how gorgeous and elegant they stand, but also because they represent so much within the walls. The wealth that they hold is unfathomable as an 18 year old college student and really creates an unforgettable experience. Here are a couple castles and related sites that I hope to visit one day! You can really see the age in each of the buildings and represent such a rich history. Could you ever imagine living in such luxury? Some of the castles are used for military purposes now, but they are also popular tourist sites to tour!
Edinburgh Castle & the Royal Mile
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Stirling Castle
Harry Potter!
Why do I really want to travel here? There are a numerous reasons, but the biggest reason is my love for the Harry Potter series. How does Edinburgh relate to Harry Potter? Well, most people associate Harry Potter with London, which I had the pleasure of visiting many of the Harry Potter related sites while I went there a few years ago, but Edinburgh also has some connections to the Harry Potter series! Apparently, the city was part of the inspiration of the series, and currently has many attractions that are tailored for Harry Potter fans including themed shops and more!
There are attractions and activities relating to the book series found in Scotland (not specifically in Edinburgh, but I don’t traveling a little more for certain attractions)! For example, there is an 84 mile train ride that is meant to resemble the Hogwarts Express!
Victoria Street
Furthermore, this street is said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the books/movies, a magnificent cobblestone shopping alley that just resonates happiness and magic. I would absolutely love to walk down those cobblestone streets and past such bright, stunning buildings, and Victoria Street looks really similar. There are many Harry Potter themed stores along the street now, so it seems to really set the scene for huge Harry Potter fans. Beyond Harry Potter, the buildings themselves look so gorgeous and it’s just another site that really exemplifies the beautiful architecture that Scotland encompasses.
Other Sites & Activities
Besides visiting castles and shopping, I also enjoy outdoor activities to see more natural landscapes that are available to explore! Hiking and just walking around to view lakes or mountains are also just as exciting and refreshing in my opinion, to experience the different and wide range of activities that Scotland has to offer.
Loch Ness Lake
You’ve probably heard of the Loch Ness monster, which is based in this gorgeous lake in Scotland! The Urquhart Castle also sits beside the lake as ruins, again representing such a unique story and history to Scotland. This location is not too far from Edinburgh, so even though it’s not located in the city, it still is relevant to mention. But I think it would be so peaceful and relaxing to walk along the lake and just take in all of the natural beauty of bright greens and blue waters.
Would you ever consider visiting Scotland? What places would you like to see? I’d love to know your thoughts!