A piper wearing a kilt in a Mackenzie tartan
News

Understanding Your Scottish Surname

Names tell a story about each of us and about our ancestors. Nowadays, Scottish surnames have made their way all over the world. You’ll find people with Scottish surnames in almost every corner of the planet, with an even higher concentration in countries that had a significant level of Scottish immigration in the past, such … Continue reading “Understanding Your Scottish Surname”

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Stirling Bridge on a sunny day in Scotland
News

5 Reasons to Visit Scotland in the Spring

Spring is well on its way to being sprung in Scotland, and with the changing of the seasons comes a change in the way visitors will experience Scotland. The scenic snows of the Highlands are on their way out (although on the highest peaks, some will hang around for months yet, making for beautiful photos). … Continue reading “5 Reasons to Visit Scotland in the Spring”

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Scotland, Landscapes

Scotland’s Natural Beauty: 5 Hidden Gems to Go See

Scotland’s natural beauty is indisputable. Stumbling across jaw-dropping vistas in Scotland isn’t exactly difficult. With a population of just over five million, much of the country’s area is given over to expansive stretches of rugged countryside punctuated by soaring peaks, vast lochs, and evergreen forests. Even in Scotland’s cities, you’re never far away from nature … Continue reading “Scotland’s Natural Beauty: 5 Hidden Gems to Go See”

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Gaelic and Scots: A Visitor’s Guide to Scotland’s Other Languages

The Scottish Highlands Part of what makes Scotland such an accessible destination for visitors from the US, Canada, and other countries where English is the majority language is that you don’t need to get a phrasebook or a language app to find your way around here. As in the other countries of the UK, Scotland’s … Continue reading “Gaelic and Scots: A Visitor’s Guide to Scotland’s Other Languages”

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Eilean Donan Castle in the Highlands of Scotland
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Looking Forward to Scotland in 2019

Hogmanay has been and gone, and we’re all looking forward to the year ahead. For everyone here at Inspiring Travel Scotland, this involves anticipating the various unique events and celebrations that occur throughout the year. 2019 is going to be a fantastic year for Scotland and there’s never been a better time to consider arranging … Continue reading “Looking Forward to Scotland in 2019”

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The saltire, Scotland's national flag - St Andrew's day
Scotland

St Andrew’s Day — Scotland’s Official National Day

The US has Independence Day, France has Bastille Day, and Scotland has St Andrew’s Day. And because we celebrate all-things-Scotland here at Inspiring Travel Scotland, we thought we’d write a blog explaining a little more about Scotland’s official national day. We’ll look at who St Andrew was, how he is connected to Scotland, when St … Continue reading “St Andrew’s Day — Scotland’s Official National Day”

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Edinburgh Christmas Market Scotland
Scotland

A Guide to Christmas in Scotland

There are endless reasons why a Christmas trip to Scotland is well worth considering. For a start, there’s the weather. Yes, you’ll need to bring plenty of layers and be prepared for rain, but there’s also a much higher chance of a white Christmas here than in many other parts of the UK – and … Continue reading “A Guide to Christmas in Scotland”

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Edinburgh Castle seen from the West Princes Street Gardens
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Frequently Asked Questions About Edinburgh

Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and, recently, it has grown in popularity, becoming one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world. For the team here at Inspiring Travel, it’s heartening to see our capital city receive the praise and attention it deserves, and many of our tailormade and set Scottish tours involve visiting … Continue reading “Frequently Asked Questions About Edinburgh”

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Glencoe Valley in the Scottish Highlands - Visit Scotland instead of England
Scotland, Landscapes

Why You Should Visit Scotland Instead of England

Tourists come from all over the World to visit Scotland, but it’s particularly popular with Americans and Canadians. England is also an incredibly popular tourist destination, and, while it’s possible to visit England and Scotland in the same trip (they’re on the same island, after all), we’d like to make a case for why you … Continue reading “Why You Should Visit Scotland Instead of England”

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2017 Edinburgh Military Tattoo
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Guide to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo

With an annual international television audience of around 100 million and 220 thousand live spectators, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of the biggest events on Scotland’s calendar and well worth a visit if you’re visiting in August.  Whether you’re on one of our pre-set guided Scotland tours or on one of our fully customised … Continue reading “Guide to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo”

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