With a name like McCown, it may or may not be pretty obvious that I have some Scottish heritage. Scotland feels a bit like coming home to me – except it’s a little chillier than my home of South Carolina.
I’ve had the good fortune to visit the lands where my ancestors once lived twice now, even visiting the small, picturesque village on the banks of Loch Lomond that is the epicenter of my family history. It leaves you wondering why they ever left?!
The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh, is full of its own history. With a castle high on a hill overlooking the entire city and plenty to do, learn and see, it’s the second most visited city in the UK.
Luss, a small village on the banks of centrally located Loch Lomond, is a must-see in Scotland even if you don’t have any family history to trace. It’s a very, very small village made popular by a Scottish soap High Road. But even in peak tourist season, its sandy shores and quaint houses covered in flowers makes it well worth a day’s stop. The nearby Rossdhu House is a must-see, too.
The fishing villages of East Neuk are a perfect summertime resting place, with delicious restaurants serving fish and chips and cute houses lining sandy beaches.
Finally, I’ve never seen such beautiful hydrangeas than on the Isle of Arran, a quick ferry ride from mainland Scotland. We spent a few relaxing days taking the “city” bus around the island and could have stayed much longer. There’s plenty of tasty restaurants serving fish and chips (of course), but plenty of nature, too.
