Scotland Tour for Solo Travelers: Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews, Inverness & Loch Ness

The day begins when you feel ready, but the city you wandered through the previous day makes you eager to experience more. Edinburgh Castle contains over a millennium of history. A castle, in some form, has stood atop Castle Rock since the 8th century. Today Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s most famous, home to both the nation’s Crown Jewels and the crowning seat of the Scottish Monarchy. The powerful edifice is inspiring in its persistent strength and opulent interior. In the Great Hall, you stand beneath a hammer-beam roof, an open timber truss that arches at the center. The beams are painted black and contrast against the red velvet walls and carpet.

Dangling chandeliers add a golden light to the windows. Every day at one in the afternoon the One O’Clock Gun is fired. The roar takes you aback. Your guide explains the tradition that dates back to the 1860s and the necessary time signal for shipping and maritime clocks. Your guide leads you along the Royal Mile and you once again view the charm of the city’s skyline and ancient settlement. Crowds form at Grassmarket. Jovial conversations filter through the air. Edinburgh Castle lingers above the neighborhood. The image of the castle seems to be present wherever you turn.

North of Edinburgh is the quaint town of St. Andrews. Golden sands run along the shores until the banks rise into small bluffs. Manicured grass borders the outskirts of the city opposite the sea. The aroma of fresh grass blends with the salty scent of the water. You can hear the gentle spritz of the sea lulling against the shore. St. Andrews is the birthplace of golf, and the Old Course at St. Andrews is part of the rotation that hosts the British Open.

Beyond golf, the town contains a grand history held in its charming streets and the remains of its once magnificent cathedral. The cathedral’s remnants run along its original architectural design. The edifice was first constructed in the 12th century and attacked during the Scottish reformation in the 16th century. The towers at the main entrance continue to stand around 108 feet tall. Arched windows focus the sunlight in beams onto the grounds. The view from St. Rule’s Tower, constructed in the 11th century, offers a remarkable panorama of the grounds and city beyond the old cathedral walls.

The nearby village of Anstruther looks like a recreation of a Dutch settlement. The houses have been painted an array of colors and fishing boats wade in the calm cobalt waters. The scent of freshly battered fish from the fish and chips shop lingers in the salty air. In the evening you can hear the university students roaming the streets in collective amusement. The aromas of decadent dinners drift from restaurants and pubs. Infectious calls of excitement fill the sleepy city.

Your time in Scotland is filled with the freedom to explore what you want, when you want. The sunshine washes over the shoreline and spreads over the cathedral ruins. You depart the city and venture to Edradour Distillery, one of the smallest whiskey distilleries in Scotland. The grounds are set on the banks of the Edradour River in the Pitlochry. The distillery resembles a quaint village. The buildings are painted white and have a semblance of a thatched roof. Indulge in a guided tour around the grounds, complete with a tasting. You don’t have to be a connoisseur to distinguish the seductive scent of sherry and vanilla. You taste subtle toasted almonds and a spiced fruity finish. Continue onward into the Highlands and find Rothiemurchus Highland Estate.

The grounds run from The River Spey to the Cairngorm plateau and are home to the largest remaining Caledonian forest in the country. Rent a mountain bike to explore the bicycle trails or journey along the footpaths to experience the region’s natural majesty. You can even jump in a 4x4 for a safari-style discovery of the estate. Rare plants grow in the underbrush and wood grouse, whose wingspan can reach up to 49 inches across, forage. Their feathers are black and silver with an undercoat of light yellow. Red and Roe deer romp under in the forestry. They nibble on the foliage and step with a graceful aura.

Inverness will charm you with its riverside location at the north end of the Great Glen. Rolling verdant hills reach out from the city’s borders and nearby Loch Ness hums with historic mythology. Ness Island is connected to the city proper by a series of Victorian bridges. 18th century Inverness Castle watches over the riverbanks with a classic style made of pink sandstone that replaced the medieval edifice. After your morning exploration of the city you make your way to Culloden Battlefield. The famous battle took place in the 1746 and was the last pitched battle on English soil.

When you arrive you see a vast plain that leads to the distant tree line. Rocks are placed intermittently with a purpose around the old battlefield. A small tower made of mortar and stone acts as a marker for the fallen British. You then notice that the rocks around the battlefield contain names etched into their faces. The rocks are memorial stones marking where a particular clan fell while in battle. After your visit to Culloden, you will continue to Loch Ness to discover the indescribable beauty of the landscape, along with a chance of finding the elusive Loch Ness Monster.

The Highlands converge in the emblematic landscape of Glen Coe. The River Coe has carved the land in a gorge that brims with splendor. The mountains look like hills, easily overtaken, but the closer you get the more you realize how rugged and tall they are. The hills almost build on one another, rising higher into the sky and overlooking the trees and calm water of the river. The village of Glencoe was also where they filmed part of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Golden Eagles soar through the sky.

A singular wing of the Golden Eagle can measure an average of 28 inches when bent at 90 degrees. Bluebells bloom by the riverbed and dangle in an explosion of bell-shaped color. The delicate blossoms, graceful wildlife, and reflective waters offset the natural ruggedness of the mountaintops. When you reach the visitor center you have a sweeping panorama of the towering mountains. You pull up a chair, order a cup of tea, and indulge in the pure vision of the Highlands. The aroma of fresh-baked tarts and crumbles fills the Visitor Center. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city.

Glasgow cannot be defined by a single architectural style and instead has embraced the varieties of its design. The Victorian architecture provides an elegant skyline and lines the streets of antique neighborhoods. Vibrant glass windows bordered by contemporary steel outlines mark the newer edges of the city. In the morning light, you first notice the handsome Victorian structures that offer a stoic and calm exterior. However, the interiors are filled with trendy bars and award-winning restaurants. The vitality of the city is captivating and the friendliness of Glasgow’s edgy people is captivating.

Glasgow Cathedral was constructed in the traditional English Gothic style and dates back to the 15th century. The entry nave is topped with large arched windows, including a circular rose window that touches the edge of the curved and pointed roofing. The roof was initially made of wood and elements of the original roofing remain. You enter the church and find an aromatic fragrance wafting through the hall. Head to the lower church and discover a forest of pillars that encompass St. Mungo’s tomb.

The air inside of the cathedral is cool and refreshing. The vaulted ceilings create a euphonious acoustic. When you look at the pillars from a particular angle they seem to run on eternally. Stroll through Merchant City, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Glasgow and the cultural heart surrounded by the shopping precincts of Argyle and Buchanan Streets. An independent clock tower rises over the plaza and the cobblestone streets are filled with bustling restaurants at all hours of the day.

The morning is once again yours to enjoy in the splendid city. The streets brim with locals and visitors alike. The Macintosh Home I, connected to the Hunterian Art Gallery, is famous for its quiet elegance. The interior was reconstructed with the original furniture that dates back to the early 20th century. The proportions were designed to allow natural light through the windows from many angles while at the same time keeping the structure austere. The house is characteristic of Glasgow, a city in touch with its historic roots while constantly pushing forward with an edge. Your private transfer meets you at your hotel and escorts you to the airport. Your time in Scotland has been filled with exceptional natural beauty in both the landscape and the people.