OUT WEST: THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND
The Cairngorms (Blue Mountains) are lovely, but for more breath-taking natural beauty, the wild and lonely Hebrides, (HEB-red-dees) off the west coast, are centers of Scottish whisky production. They offer wonderful views as you explore their coastal walks – windswept cliffs, mountains and bays will take your breath away. There is a lively association with Bonnie Prince Charlie on many of the islands as he tried to restore the Stuart line to the throne in defiance of the English in about 1745.
The Hebrides are divided into the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Whisky, bagpipes, tartan and kilts are all inextricably linked with Scotland. You can visit the bagpipe museum on the Isle of Skye, part of the inner hebrides. The Celtic language college Sabhal Mor Ostan (The Big Barn) is also on the Isle of Skye. Whisky can be found on all the islands, and some of them are well worth tasting, especially the turf-y tasting ones like Laphraoig and Lagavullen. If you’ve ever smelled a turf, or peat fire, you will get that warm rich flavor from may of the whiskys made out west.
In the outer islands, Lewis, Harris, the Uists (YOU-ists) and Barra, you can still hear Scots Gaelic being spoken. You will need to take a ferry out to either Barra or Lewis, and can drive between most of the islands in a straight line, and then get little ferries in between and back to the mainland. I recommend starting at Lewis in the north, and heading south.
The Uists are a dream come true for anyone who paints watercolors. The constant quality of the changing light is breathtaking. In the summer, they also get a great deal of daylight, almost like the land of the midnight sun, because Scotland is so far north. Just beware of midges in the highlands, they come out only in the summer and will eat you alive.
If you are planning to go out to the Outer Hebrides, make sure you book the ferry portion of your trip well in advance, and allow plenty of time to get from point A to point B. The distances are further than they look, over not very good road, and even one-track roads, with few passing places. Fort William is a lovely town, and the gateway to the ferries that will take you on and off the islands. There is a wonderful sense of spaciousness in that part of the world–not surprising, since Scotland only has about 10 million people, and most of them live in the cities.
The holy island of Iona is part of the Inner Hebrides, and well worth a visit. You might also consider Bamburgh castle in the south east, or the county of Dunfries in the south west. There you can walk Hadrian’s wall in certain segments, and visit fascinating museums and a Roman villa.
In the far, far north, is spectacular Dunrobin Castle, and from there on to John O Groats, the northernost tip of the mainland. It is also the ferry terminal for the Shetlands and Orkneys, which were actually part of Norway for many centuries.
On the Orkneys, the buildings and places to visit are very distinctive and it is a delightful place in the summer due to the midnight sun-just make sure you close your black curtains if you want to get any sleep!
The ancient castles, churches, and architecture of every style imaginable make Scotland an ideal honeymoon destination for anyone who enjoys romance, wildness, touring by car, the big city, history, gorgeous seascapes, and ancient castles. If you enjoy whisky, music, dancing, and ghosts, quaint bed and breakfasts and great food, then a Scottish honeymoon will be perfect for you and your partner.
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