Irene Libelli Blog
Irene Libelli is in her 3rd Year studying International Relations and Sociology and is the School's SRC Representative.
Scotland's Stunning Scenery
Scotland is simply a wonderful country with an extraordinary variety of landscapes: from the gentle hills of the Borders to the wilderness of the northern archipelagos, from the rocky fjords of the Highlands to the woods and lakes of central Scotland. To the endless beauty of the landscape, add welcoming and friendly people, strong and deeply rooted cultural traditions, and good pubs, and you will discover why so many international students and tourists fall in love with Scotland. As an international student myself, here are a few of the places I got to visit in the past three years!
Glencoe
The stunning valley of Glencoe is one of the most evocative places in Scotland: a road immersed in silence and solitude crosses rugged valleys swept only by the winds and dominated by the Three Sisters on one side and Anoach Eagach on the other - it is indeed an unparalleled landscape. Add the charm of green on the ridges, rushing torrents and waterfalls, and the good old Scottish weather, and you’ve got yourself one of the most beautiful places in Scotland. I suggest you have a look at the hiking trails there! They are all breath-taking, but make sure you pick the right one based on your skills and equipment. Glencoe is fairly close to Glasgow, and you can easily find a guided tour, although I’d recommend renting a car so you can take all the time you need to admire this Scottish beauty!
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Closer to home and just a one hour train ride away is Loch Lomond! The loch is around 38 km long and 8 km wide, which make it the largest lake in the UK and the heart of the Trossachs area. Ben Lomond, a hikers’ paradise, looms over the loch, surrounded by woods. For the fellow photography lovers, I recommend taking the road that goes around the loch: you will find clearings and parking where you can take in the splendid views. To admire the loch in all its splendour and the 37 (!!!) islands within it, you can also take a boat trip departing from Balloch, where the train station is located. From there, you can also take a 20-minute bus ride to Luss: a picturesque village with sandstone houses framed by climbing roses. Have a walk on the beach and bring your hammock! It’s the perfect spot to chill and journal.
Loch Ness
Next on the list is arguably the most famous lake in the world, Loch Ness. This is a narrow and long loch that enjoys huge fame thanks to the legendary monster that lives in its depths: Nessie. The monster has fueled the imagination of writers, children, tourists and mystery enthusiasts for decades, and it has added to the particular beauty of Loch Ness: unfathomably deep, cold, gloomy and foggy, and surrounded by rugged, gloomy and silent mountains. The only con to this Scottish beauty: the hordes of tourists who flock to the visitor centre and panoramic areas in the summer to spot the monster.
Isle of Arran
Last but not least is my favourite place in Scotland, the Isle of Arran! It has been nicknamed Scotland in miniature: the geological fault known as the Highland Boundary Fault divides the landscape of the island in two, the Northern part which recalls the mountainous landscapes of the Highlands, and the South which is more similar to the Lowlands. Arran is the seventh largest Scottish island but a weekend is enough to explore it. The ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick is only an hour and quite cheap. To get the most out of it, I suggest renting a car, although there is public transport on the island.
Arran has plenty of activities and attractions to offer between nature, history, and good food! I recommend staying in Brodick and hike Glen Rosa, where you can also go wild-swimming, or even Goatfell if you’re feeling adventurous. In the south you can go on a short hike to the Giants’ Graves, two evocative neolithic tombs with a gorgeous view of Faith Island! If it’s a sunny day, drive down to Kildonan Beach to spot the seals. Golden hour is also gorgeous there. If you venture in the Eastern part of the island, check out the Machrie Moor Stone Circles from the Early Bronze Age. I promise you a weekend getaway in Arran will not disappoint you!