Bits 'n Pieces of Town and Villages in Scotland

What would an exchange program abroad be without travelling? Quite boring in my opinion. Why waste your time drinking every day when you can see places and get to know other culture? There's a common misconception that an international exchange program is just for partying. I mean, you get to drink as much as you want in your home country, so no need to become an alcoholic abroad. 

During the two months I've been here, I've done quite a lot of traveling in Scotland, and especially to the beautiful Scottish Highlands. Scotland is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries I've ever been to. Next I will be telling you about what places you could visit in the Scottish Highlands. The nice Scottish cities and villages.

Inveraray

Inveraray

Inveraray is located in the shores of Loch Fyne. It was a really small town with only a few buildings, but it didn't lack in beauty. The lake surrounded by mist covered mountains was like from a movie. In Inveraray you can also see Inveraray Castle, which has been featured for example in Downton Abbey.

Oban Bay

Oban

Oban was a beautiful seaside Scottish town, so no wonder it is a tourist attraction. The surrounding mountains created a dramatic scenery. You could've spent the whole day sitting there on a bench facing to the bay, and listen to the sound of waves and the singing of seagulls. Just let your hair down and forget about all the stress. Not only does Oban offer mind resting scenery, it also offers amazing seafood. Oban is known as the seafood capital of Scotland, and for a reason. During my stay in Scotland, I have had the best fish'n chips of my life there. 

Sandy Beach in Aberdeen

I remember only two things about Aberdeen. The whiteness of the city and the nice beach. By the whiteness I mean the color of the buildings. Not only are the buildings white, they also possess spectacular architecture. My favorite part of Aberdeen was its beach. It was the prettiest beach I've seen in Scotland so far. Maybe you can swim there if it gets warm enough during summer. However, I highly doubt it.

Fort William

Fort William Bay

I think it becomes clear many of the seaside towns or cities in Scotland are pretty similar. You can always see some mountains at the distance, docks, and similarly fashioned houses. Every city or town is worth visiting for, in my opinion. So was Fort William. It is one of the biggest settlements in the Highlands and it is a tourist attraction thanks to the proximity of the highest mountain in Scotland, Ben Nevis. Although some of the cities are considered to be tourist attractions, we managed to avoid the mass of tourists thanks to the time of the year. The travels to the Highlands took place in January and February. Even though it was a winter season, the temperature was usually above zero and in some of the places, there weren't even snow. To me the winter climate was more that of a spring. I mean, I'm Finnish. I've survived worse.

Dundee Penguins

Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland. I didn't get to spent much time there because it was just a quick stop on the way. Dundee is situated on the banks of Scotland's longest river, River Tay. The city is famous for four J's: jam, jute, and journalism. But, I wonder what the jute stands for. In Dundee you get to see the Royal Research Ship, which was sent to Antarctica. Because of this, the city is obsessed with penguins. The love is represented in the form of Dundee penguins, which you can see from the picture above. People dress up the penguins in different costumes or clothes according to the occasions. During December you could get to see them in Christmas sweaters. The penguins even have their own Facebook page. Cute or crazy?


- Elina

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Kohta on kulunut kaksi kuukautta siitä kun saavuin Skotlantiin. Sinä aikana olen matkustellut aika paljon ympäri maata. Monella saattaa olla käsitys, että vaihto-opiskelu on pelkkää ryyppäämistä ja bilettämistä. Tulee kuitenkin aika kalliiksi lähteä toiseen maahan vain juhlimaan. Kun kerta sitä täällä ollaan, niin miksei näkisi samalla eri paikkoja ja tutustuisi maan kulttuuriin? Bilettää voi aina kotimaassa silloin kun haluaa.

Skotlannin ylängöillä on monia eri kaupunkeja ja kyliä. Monet niistä muistuttavat toisiaan johtuen samankaltaisista maisemista ja talojen rakennustyyleistä. Jokainen kylä tai kaupunki on kuitenkin ollut käymisen arvoinen. Inveraray oli vain muutaman rakennuksen kylä, mutta se oli sitäkin kauniimpi. Se oli Loch Fynen rannalla, jota ympäröivät vuoret kaukaisuudessa. Tammikuussa kylässä oli vielä lunta ja usva peitti osan vuorista. Obanin kaupunki sijaitsee merenrannalla ja se on turistien suosiossa. Onneksi matkustusajankohdan vuoksi en joutunut turistimassan hyökkäyksen kohteeksi. Kuten Inverarayta, myös Obania ympäröivät vuoret. Sijaintinsa vuoksi Obanissa harjoitetaan kalastusta ja kaupunki onkin tunnettu meriruoastaan. Mistään muualta et saa yhtä hyvää Fish and Chips -annosta!

Fort Williamista mieleeni on painunut vain kaksi asiaa. Kaupungin valkeus ja iso hiekkaranta. Valkeus ei välttämättä liity puhtauden tasoon, vaan rakennusten väriin. Rakennusten erottava tekijä ei ainoastaan ollut tämä puhtaan valkoinen väri, vaan myös erilainen arkkitehtuuri.  Talot olivat hyvin koristeellisia  ja näyttäviä. Kolmanneksi suurimmassa kaupungissa, Aberdeenissa, sijaitseva Sandy Beach on ehdottomasti ollut yksi upeimmista rannoista mitä olen nähnyt elämäni aikana. Tosin en tiedä onko Skotlannissa ikinä tarpeeksi lämmin rannalla loikoiluun ja uimiseen. Dundee on neljänneksi suurin kaupunki Skotlannissa. Mieleenpainuvin asia kaupungista olivat Dundeen pingviinit. Hauskaa, miten pienet patsaat saavat niin paljon huomiota ja tunnettuutta. Pingviinejä puetaan teeman mukaan ympäri vuotta ja niille on luotu jopa omat Facebook sivut! Söpöä vai hullua?!?


- Elina