EuropeScotland

20 things I learned from living in Scotland


living in Scotland“The Scottish sun, shocked by having its usual cloudy underpinnings stripped away, shone feverishly, embarrassed by its nakedness.” Stuart Haddon

Living in Scotland for 10 years was fascinating. I never stopped finding out a new things to adjust to. It never got boring and living in Scotland was truly amazing. No wonder, it is one of the most beautiful places I have been to. It is also weird, funny, dark, wet…but never boring.

I am writing this post with so much sympathy and love for Scotland and its people, so I hope that everyone can read it with a little smile. Here you have 20 things I learned from living in Scotland. Some are funny but so true.


Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

  • Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
  • Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
  • Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
  • World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
  • Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
  • Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
  • Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
  • Trip Advisor amazing for good quality recommendations.
  • Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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Isle of Skye , Scotland

20 things I learned from living in Scotland

There is no a single food that cannot be deep-fried

From obvious foods to not so obvious Scots can eat deep-fried basically anything. Do you fancy a deep-fried desert? No problem. In Scotland you can munch on a deep-fried Mars bar with a crispy batter coating.

Planning a weather outfit is impossible

“There are two seasons in Scotland: June and winter” Billy Conolly

I never imagined that living in Scotland would make me be prepared for rain every day.

Imagine this. You wake up in the morning, look through a window, see a sunny blue sky. You wear your best shoes and a flattering dress, you just manage to lock the doors behind you and the heavy rain shower falls all over you and the wind doesn’t let you walk. So you decide get back, put a winter coat on and welly boots just to realize 10 minutes later that the hot sun forces you take half of your clothing off or you’ll boil otherwise. True story. Repeated and rehearsed hundred times.

There are festivals lasting months

Technically not just one festival, but a number of them one after another that last a few good months. In August Edinburgh hosts one of the biggest parties just after the carnival in Río and even though  the locals get tired of the crowds, I never got bored with it.

Whatever you can think of, you get. From classical music to book festival to the film festival with a special guest that is Sean Connery. During the Fringe, amateur artists come from all the corners of the world to perform on the old city streets and every possible bar in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is a city of ghosts

Edinburgh can be a rather spooky place. With its dark history, hunted cemeteries and foggy evenings you can really get goosebumps on your skin, especially if you join one of the night ghost tours to the underground city and hear some dark stories from the past. Although the humid, cold air can be rather unpleasant, there is a specific charm in it. The fog lightly floating over the lawns and the streets adds a little bit of mystery.

Locals love the tourists believe all the legends told

Yep! That happens. Scary ghosts stories or romantic affairs do not necessarily have to be true, they have to be interesting and many tourists will believe them. We’ve all been there, haven’t we?

Knowing English does not guarantee successful communication

Literally! Scottish accent is quite specific, not to mention the whole vocabulary that only exists there. Not to make your life any easier, once you are headed to Leith, you might need a little translating help. The trouble does not even finish there, just outside of the city you may face a totally different slang…so it is not easy in Scotland. Funny for sure, but not easy.

Cultural events and art doesn’t have to be expensive

Most of the museums and exhibitions are free. You can also find many shows and cultural events that are free of charge or cost little money. This was one of my favourite benefits of living in Scotland. It is really great, don’t you think? Culture should not be only for people with money. It gives you also plenty ideas on a rainy day.

You can never get enough of the landscapes

For so many years I was falling in love again and again with this lovely country. From the small charming towns, through the vibrant Edinburgh to the green Highlands, Scotland will be a beauty feast for you.


See also: 

11 curiosities you did not know about Madrid

19 most beautiful castles in Europe you must visit

19 most beautiful castles in Europe you must visit

Feel the romance of Eilean Donan Castle. A quick guide.

12 tips for solo female travelers


Scotland

You can’t joke about football

Football is a serious matter in Scotland, especially in Edinburgh that owns two teams and when they play together, the whole city becomes rather competitive. You better do not joke about neither of the teams or you can get some serious looks.

Vinegar is a must

I tried once and never again. Not a big fan of fries with vinegar, but the Scots seem to not be able to eat it otherwise.

The new meaning of juice

Have you tried an orange juice from a can? No? In Scotland you can. There is one little detail though: Fanta, IrnBru and other fizzy drinks are commonly called juice. Fresh orange juice is proudly coming out from a box. How can we call a freshly squeezed orange juice then? Super fresh juice?

You never run out of castles

Scotland is a land of castles. From the most famous Edinburgh castle to a countless number of not less spectacular ones throughout the whole Scotland. Some of them will even make you feel like in a fairy tale. If you think I am exaggerating, go and see for yourself.

Eilean Donan Castle

Sun out means sandals and shorts

Scots seem not to feel cold at all. You can meet people wearing t-shirts all year round. Once the sky clears up a little bit and you can barely see a few sun rays, the Scots’ winter wardrobe goes to the attic…and it does not matter that it is only 10 Celsius outside. I remember many winters, freezing (but sunny) days wearing the warmest coat I possessed, gloves, a hat and a scarf and seeing people in sandals and tops. This definitely was making me feel even colder.

The best fireworks show happens in Edinburgh

Actually the huge fireworks shows happen twice a year in Edinburgh. My favourite though is the one at the end of the Fringe Festival at the beginning of September. The other one that bring so many visitors to the city is the Hogmanay show. Both are fired over the castle in the middle of the city accompanied by music. If you want an excellent seat with a view, go to Calton Hill, but arrive early as you won’t be the only one having the same idea.

Edinburgh Castle

Making a line at the bus stop

What a nice surprise it was to me when I first arrived to Edinburgh and saw people queuing politely at the bus stop and when the bus arrived, one by one entered without rushing or pushing. The only disagreements you can witness then are the once when the people want to let others pass first.

The word ‘wee’ is not embarrassing

It means ‘small’. It is overused in my opinion: “Let’s have a wee coffee”, “Would you like to join me for a wee walk?”, “Look at this wee girl!”. No matter what the subject of a conversation is, there can be ‘wee’ in a sentence.

The weather is an important topic of conversation

I have been to places where people almost never talked about the weather. In Scotland it is a topic that almost always opens a conversation with a stranger.

People take advantage of a sunny day to the limits

As mentioned earlier, a little bit of sun means beach clothes and the Scots don’t care that it is still cold. The look for any place to sunbathe. Walking the streets of the city you can see people sitting on the roofs or windows on the 3rd floor just in their underwear. On sunny days any place is good for sunbathing and the Scots stretch their imagination as much as possible.

Some common rules and habits are hard to get used to

Like two taps for instance. One that will freeze your hands and the other that can burn you with boiling hot water. Why they have not adjusted to the rest of the world with this everyday necessity? I will never know!

If you paid attention at school and somehow learned the old fashion measurements, then you are safe. If not, you better learn them quickly what is a foot and how much a pound weights.

Debate: Edinburgh versus Glasgow

You listen to never-ending debate which city is better. Businessy and dynamic Glasgow always competes with artistic and charming Edinburgh. I had a chance to experience both and without any hesitation I admit that nothing can beat Edinburgh. If you think that nothing is better than Edinburgh, you better might be careful about commenting on that while in Glasgow as not everyone can appreciate your love for the capital of Scotland.

Isle of Skye , Scotland


Some best excursions in Scotland:

During my time living in Scotland, I had a chance to travel around extensively. It is such a beautiful place to be. If you have a chance, go beyond Edinburgh. Here you have some amazing trips:


Thank you for visiting. Have you ever been to Scotland? Or maybe you can share with us some funny habits you have noticed in other countries? We would love to hear from you. Happy travels everyone.

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Scotland




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