The World’s Best Small Country
Or at least at one point, it was.
This was the message you used to see when arriving at one of Scotland’s main airports, train stations, or bus stations.
Now you’re greeted with a simple ‘Welcome to Scotland’ message, which is a shame, because I really liked the pride and symbolism in the longer message. Sure, it was somewhat an inaccurate statement – I mean, is it really that small of a place? I think the Vatican City and Monaco might beg to differ. And it’s not technically a country – here we tend to refer to it as a nation, which is more accurate as you can see from this definition of a country.
Why I Love Scotland
However, just because they took the signs down doesn’t mean it still isn’t the best small country. It is a really special and really inspiring place – and I don’t just mean as a film studio for Braveheart
Just a few of the reasons why I love Scotland:
- Nature & City in Harmony. It’s so easy to get out of the city and explore nature – you can even get on walking trails in the city and feel miles away. My Edinburgh favourites are the Water of Leith and the Innocent Railway Tunnel but you can’t rule out walks along the River Clyde in Glasgow.
- Tremendous National Heritage. It goes a bit beyond the cheesy kilt shops along the Royal Mile. The songs, the storytelling, and the history that is soaked into the soil here is absolutely amazing. And people remember it too – it’s not just stuff long forgotten. Including all the dead people. Yes, there are dead people buried everywhere in Edinburgh
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- Casual, Relaxed Culture. Unlike London, things here in Scotland run at a bit of a slower pace, which suits me just fine. (In fact, on a trip last year to Campbeltown, I think things ran backwards for a second, but that might have been one too many ales). While I would agree some Scots like their drink a wee bit too much, my point is that it is totally ok and accepted to spend a Saturday exploring some of our great museums, a glass of wine at lunch, and a long outdoor stroll to round off the evening.
- World Class Culture. Edinburgh was the first UNESCO City of Literature. Glasgow is now a UNESCO City of Music. Both cities host art exhibitions with stuff that’s been through some of the world’s most prominent cities. And don’t get me started on the theatre scene – there are great performances on every month of the year, not just during the Edinburgh Festival.
- Smart, Friendly, Inspiring People. I’ve met such helpful and inspirational people here in Edinburgh. It sort of feels like I’ve been on this life long journey and finally would up here just to meet and learn from some really clued-in folk. If you’re reading this, you know who you are and thanks for the support.
Ok, I’ve rambled on long enough about Scotland. It is great. It really is. Do you have a Scotland story to share with us? Share in the comments or drop me a line if you want your own guest post.
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January 1st, 2009 at 4:13 am
[...] Scotland is a hot news item at the moment, with a travel to Scotland podcast, information on travelling Scotland by train, a lovely tale about a white Christmas in Scotland, and a reminder about the upcoming Scottish Snowdrop Festival. See – I told you it was the world’s best small country. [...]
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:08 am
I love Scotland. There is abundant, fascinating history and culture, as you note, but I also think that, physically, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, with its splendid mountains, lochs, and glens. I also love the people. As with most countries that have histories, climates, and terrains that are a bit difficult, the people have developed both a tremendous sense of community and a great sense of humor. History, natural beauty, great people, and bagpipes — it certainly offers everything I look for in a destination.
Cynthia’s last blog post..Australia, The Movie
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:18 am
Thanks Cynthia – I’m glad you agree. Heaps of Scots emigrated to Australia, didn’t they?
Do you really look for bagpipes in your travel destinations?
January 7th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
My father’s mother is from Bathgate and her father’s from the Orkney Islands. I spent a summer in Edinburgh and a week in the Orkneys. I studied Scots Gaelic back in university and briefly considered doing a PhD in Pictish Studies in Edinburgh.
So yeah, I have to admit – I love the country!
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Life always changes: a lesson my dogs taught me
January 8th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Reasons to love Scotland? Oh so many…
Haggis, whisky, stovies and Irn Bru
Iain Banks and Alasdair Gray
The northwest coast from Skye upwards
Incredible history (for such a wee place anyway!)
The fact that being able to wear a kilt practically guarantees you at least one free drink in any pub in the world
Too many others to list while at work…
Yup, I love the place!
January 8th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Hi Cannonball, So I guess this would be a bad time to ask what you wear under your kilt? Just kidding. Anyway, we are starting to amass quite a list. Don’t worry – you’ll see more of Scotland on this blog in the future, for sure.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Greetings, Andy.
While I wouldn’t necessarily pick a destination based on whether or not they had bagpipes, I would certainly find the bagpipes if any were to be found at the destination. Surprisingly, I even found a bagpipe concert in Jordan, when I visited recently.
Cynthia’s last blog post..Albany Coast, Torndirrup Peninsula
January 8th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Wow Cynthia – you are quite the resourceful traveller then. Excellent! Maybe you should write a book about bagpipes around the world?
January 9th, 2009 at 5:56 am
Well, thanks to “The Clearances,” there are Scots just about everywhere on the planet. We have nearly 2,000 pipers here in Chicago, but I’ve heard that even Russia has Highland Games.
Cynthia’s last blog post..Albany Coast, Torndirrup Peninsula
January 9th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Speaking of Highland Games, that reminds me – is everyone signed up for Homecoming Scotland?
January 14th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
[...] not convinced that Scotland (the world’s best small country) is the place to be? Well, I’ve got a secret with you. Or maybe a few of [...]
March 29th, 2009 at 1:39 am
I spent a wonderful year living in Edinburgh. I fell in love with the city, and look forward to visiting it again already. I would say Edinburgh is the best small/big city. So much to do… but you can walk so much of it!
March 29th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Indeed – we look forward to seeing you soon, Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by here and saying hello.
April 19th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
[...] mentioned on this blog many a time before, Scotland is an inspirational, magical place. From being the World’s Best Small Country to a stunning photo backdrop, it is a traveller’s paradise. But there’s one special [...]
October 14th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
[...] not that much of a secret, but despite living in the world’s best small country, I do have a tiny love affair with another place far, far away. It’s a world capital in its [...]
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
[...] Scotland is a hot news item at the moment, with a travel to Scotland podcast, information on travelling Scotland by train, a lovely tale about a white Christmas in Scotland, and a reminder about the upcoming Scottish Snowdrop Festival. See – I told you it was the world’s best small country. [...]
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
[...] not convinced that Scotland (the world’s best small country) is the place to be? Well, I’ve got a secret with you. Or maybe a few of [...]
November 29th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
[...] One thing that drives me crazy (but it has no right to, as a Cornishman) is that Nicola Sturgeon again repeats that Scotland is a “small country”. This echoes the posters which used to greet me at Glasgow airport saying “Welcome to the best small country in the world“. [...]