I have been visiting Scotland for 31 years. While the 3-legged journey from Boston can be arduous, I have never tired of making the trip. The payoff after a half day of traveling is worth any discomfort. Most of my friends know of my quirky love of “Caledonia.” Virtually none of them understand it. When they think Scotland, they think everyone is running around in kilts, playing the bagpipes, dodging torrential rain and eating bad food. Hmmm…..maybe they do understand it.

I present for my friends and readers 10 of the reasons why I love Scotland.

• The hospitality is unrivaled.
The first time I visited St Andrews, I was invited into an elderly couple’s home for dinner. I had met them only fifteen minutes earlier.

The next day, while trying to play the Old Course, I was invited to join an outing of division heads of Allied Bakeries. The President of Sunblest Bread and his two other colleagues were my hosts. They treated me like a visiting dignitary. This would never happen in the States especially to a 20 year old young man. In the ensuing 31 years, I have found this type of Scottish welcoming the rule rather than the exception.

• The names of places will keep a smile on your face.
Some town names look like random letters have been shaken out of a Scrabble bag. Others are just fun to say. Kilmahog comes to mind. Another, Auchtermuchty, has always been a favorite of mine and trying to get an unsuspecting visitor to pronounce Kilconquhar is a laugh riot (pronounced Ka-knock-her).

Wear a Fox Hat in Auchtermuchty

• Surprise, surprise, the weather makes the top 10.
There isn’t anything quite like a Scottish summer. It’s never dreadfully hot but boasts 18 hours of sunlight. Does it rain? Sure, but on the East Coast not nearly as much as you think and I never knew a triple rainbow existed in nature until I saw one 3 years ago in St Andrews. The West Coast, on the other hand, rains everyday. Well not EVERY day but the natives say “it’s not rain, only beer that hasn’t been brewed yet.” Which leads us to…?

• The beer and whisky are second to none.

I was mortified when the century old McEwan’s 80/ Ale announced that they would no longer brew the heavy ale. My good fortune was that while phasing out the cask ale, the keg ale was still available. Whew! (/ means shilling and was used to connote the tax due based upon alcohol content. 80/ was stronger than 60/ for example.) Caledonia 80/ is another of my favorites. And you must know what you’re doing if you name your beer Skullsplitter as did the Orkney Brewery.

I couldn’t begin to tell you the whole story here about the magic elixir of single malt whisky. Perhaps you won’t like it on your first taste. Perhaps it will never be your “go-to” drink. But once you get over the hump, there is nothing like a Springbank 30 year old or an 18 year old The Macallan or a wee dram of Islay’s (pronounced eye-LUH) favorite son, Lagavulin. A word of warning, don’t start your whisky experimentation with anything from Islay as the peat/seaweed taste may set you back.

• Have I mentioned the golf yet?
Scotland has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the world. While this may be partially due to the fact that Scotland is the home of golf. More importantly, Scotland is the home of the democratization of golf. Whether old or young, rich or poor, male or female, everyone plays. I find that to be cool. Additionally, they get to play on places like the Old Course, Royal Dornoch, North Berwick West, Turnberry, Kingsbarns and alike. And they share these wonderful tracks with us outsiders!

Possibly Related Posts:

• Back from St Andrews But Not Really
• Aye Wonder Pre-Flight
• St Andrews in All Its Glory
• Week 27 – 5 x 5
• Dum Spiro Spero*