While the rest of the Northern Hemisphere swelters under unbearably humid climes, those of us in Scotland dream of heat-soaked skin and a cloudless sky. To those of you sweating it out some place horrendously sticky, you just have to believe me when I say this road trip was magical because of how hot and sunny it was! The Highlands are beautiful every time of the year, even in the pouring rain or a dark, eery mist, but when the sun comes out, it’s full on Brigadoon and the land of Oz rolled into one.
And it wasn’t just gloriously sunny. It was hot! Like hotter than 69 degrees, hot! For those of you who aren’t totally tired of hearing me drone on about how cool Scottish summers are, let me just remind you that my first July here it rained nearly every day and didn’t get above a depressingly chilly 56 degrees. When you forget what heat feels like, you know your vitamin D levels are in trouble.
So to spend four days in the Highlands with not only the sun shining at full tilt, but to also get a sun burn! Why that’s down right unheard of in these parts! The sky was blue, blue, blue and the clouds fluffy. The sheep plentiful and the grass a brilliant green. And even during the height of tourist season, you can hike for miles and not run into another soul (save those sheep and a ‘coo’ or too).
We spent a few days traipsing around Loch Ness, hitting up Fort Augustus, Inverness and Aberfeldy on the way. Apart from some hiking (in the sun and heat! Have I mentioned that already?), we also gorged ourselves on fresh, sweet Scottish strawberries, sun bathed in a castle’s garden and had a neep of whisky to celebrate my birthday on The Hottest Day of the Year (in Scotland)!!! Oh it was heavenly. If the Scottish Highlands aren’t on your bucket list already, erase your number one and put it there.
P.S. This post might be sponsored by my the feeble quantities of vitamin D that are left in my body after living in Scotland for four years. The Highlands are gobsmackingly beautiful, but my cells have definitely been dazzled by my recent forays into the sun (and heat!). Looking back on these photos, I’m noticing a lot of clouds when in my head every single day was cloudless and really sunny. I think most of the world would describe this kind of weather as ‘mostly cloudy’. Is there such thing as sun-coloured glasses? I definitely had those on.
so beautiful!!! enjoy that cool summer girl.today it’s so unbelievably hot and humid i can’t take it!
Hi Diane!
Oh don’t worry — as much as I miss heat, I also love the cool fresh air here in Scotland. Though I think I’m partly being so optimistic because I know I’m leaving soon — sniffles!
xoxox
Lar
These photos are so happy making! I still can’t believe how warm it got. Look at you in a t-shirt!!! I bet for once you didn’t even feel like drinking tea.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Scotland isn’t too cold next week when we fly in. I can handle the ran, but living in Georgia for so long has left me grossly under-prepared for cold.
Also, you’re shoes are like ten times bigger than the rest of your body ;P
I don’t think it will be quite as warm when you guys are here, but that’s good right? You’ll get to wear jackets again and have a break from the heat.
Hahaha! My hiking boots are clunkers but I’ve also realised I have very large feet for my body. I don’t think I noticed it before because I wore heels, but wearing flats around now — they look like boats ;D Good for ballet though, so there’s that!
SEE YOU IN SIX DAYS!!!!!
XOXOXO,
Lar
I love all the green! I haven’t appreciated it as much but now that I’m in Washington state, and see so much green everywhere, I love it!
Hi Kaolee!
Isn’t that green gorgeous? I totally take it for granted and am so happy that Washington will be more of the same in that sense. I’ll take the rain (most of the time) if it means green ;D
xoxox,
Lar
Oh I miss Scotland!!! So beautiful!!!
And I really wished I was up there in the Highlands during the heatwave last week!
My husband and I are planning to go back there when our daughter will be old enough to hike a little. Can’t wait!!!
Enjoy your last weeks in Scotland!
Hi Céline!!!
Oh I think Scotland misses you! What a lovely idea to take your family when your daughter is a wee bit older! You’ll have such a wonderful time!
xoxoxo,
Lar
Great pix. Bill and I toured the Highlands once long ago and I remember it as one of our very best trips.
I’m intrigued about your move. But who will I go to for unknown words in my Scotch Noir novels?
Hahaha! Thanks, Mary! I plan to still keep up my ‘Scots’ as long as I can. I think Americans will just think I sound Canadian ;D
I’m so glad you and Bill have been to the Highlands — I really do think it’s one of my favourite places in the world.
xoxox,
Lar
So funny! I did the same thing when I talked about a day trip back to Ireland recently and described it as sunny and gorgeous, when the pictures show pretty much the mostly cloudy skies you mentioned. I love it. The scenery and pictures from your trip are gorgeous, btw.
We’ve been wanting to take a driving trip out to the Highlands (this weekend, in fact) but my husband went and lost his wallet with his driver’s license, so I’ll have to buck up some courage to be the one to drive on the left-hand side of the road. I don’t have the experience he does. I’m a bit nervous.
Hahaha! I love that Deserae! I really do think it speaks to the beauty of Scotland and Ireland that we both think of these places as perfect even when they aren’t.
So sorry to hear your husband lost his wallet! I always make Matt do the driving because I only know how to drive automatic. But you’ll get the swing of things quickly, I’m sure. I hope you guys have a wonderful time!
xoxox
Lar