Follow Me In Scotland: A Culinary Countryside Itinerary

Tonight I’m hopping on a flight to visit Great Britain for the second time this year and I can’t wait!  We’ll have a brief stop in London where I’m hoping to have the opportunity to see the red poppy exhibition at Tower Bridge and then it’s off to Scotland to stay in castles, go for hikes in the countryside, explore the local art, and venture out on a quest to discover if Scotland’s food scene offers more than just whisky and haggis (I have a sneaking suspicion it does).

(Pictured above: Boat and Eilean Donan Castle – Scotland.  Credit:  UncorneredMarket.com)

Have you been to Scotland?  Live there?  If you have any suggestions for me, we’re having a Twitter chat Saturday at 5:00 pm (London Time) which will be noon here on the east coast of the US.  Just search for the hashtag #UnexpectedGB and let us know what suggestions you have for anything that’s a must-see or gotta-taste in Great Britain!  You can also use that same hashtag to follow along in-real-time as we travel through the countryside.  Here’s my itinerary below.

(Pictured above:  Celtic Cross in Edinburgh Castle.   Credit:  UncornedMarket.com)

Culinary Countryside Itinerary In Scotland

DAY 1 – Arrive In London

• Go for a walk and grab some snacks in London’s foodie haven, Borough Market, and then visit Tower Bridge.
• Check out The View From The Shard.  As Western Europe’s tallest building, we’re sure to get some spectacular views of the London skyline.
• Overnight at one of London’s newest and most unique hotels, Mondrian.  Located in the Sea Containers building with modern design with a bit of luxurious cruise ship glamor.  I’m excited to see it!

DAY 2 – Travel To Edinburgh

• Take the Little Red Flight to Edinburgh and check in to The Balmoral.  Did you know that Balmoral means ” majestic dwelling” in Gaelic?  This luxury hotel opened in 1902 and was originally one of the great railway hotels.  Sounds like the perfect place to begin our adventure in Scotland.
• Visit Edinburgh Gin for a tasting and “make your own gin” experience.
• Dinner at Hadrian’s Brasserie

DAY 3 – Drive To The Countryside

• Visit The Kelpies, a majestic sculpture of  horses that stand 30 meters high and are a stunning monument to horse heritage in Scotland.
• Travel to Cameron House on Loch Lomond for some relaxing spa time and dinner.

DAY 4 – Exploring Loch Lomond

• Champagne cruise aboard the luxurious yacht, Celtic Warrior, to sail along Loch Lomond, the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain.  There’s also a cheery little song for Loch Lomond that I’ll have to learn so I can hum along.
• Warm up with an afternoon tea, because you just have to do tea when visiting Great Britain.

DAY 5 – Highland Safari

• Drive deep into the Highlands in a Range Rover on a Highland Safari to see local wildlife and picnic out in the countryside.
• Travel to Perthshire to stay in the luxurious historic Cromlix House.

DAY 6 – Visiting Castles

• Explore the former home of Mary Queen of Scots, the backdrop of coronations and bloody murders – Stirling Castle.  I love history, so this will be a huge highlight to see.
• A visit to the former Scotsman Newspaper building, the Scotsman Hotel, to relax with a newspaper and a cup of tea before our journey home.  I’m looking forward to dinner at the North Bridge Brasserie with their fresh market and Taste of Scotland menu.

(Pictured above:  Edinburgh – Scotland.  Credit:  JustTravelous.com)

This post was created as part of my collaboration with Visit Britain. As always, all of the opinions, thoughts, and enthusiasm for travel and food are entirely my own. If you’d like to follow our trip in real time, search the hashtag #UnexpectedGB on Twitter and Instagram.