Seeing Scotland, Easy, Cheap, and Fun!

Scotland was voted the “most beautiful country in the world” 2019 by the voters of Rough guide travelling website. They described us as having “wild beaches, deep lochs and craggy castles” that “are some of the most wonderful and beautiful sights in the world”. If you are coming to study in Scotland you have come to the right place!

Dundee is in a great position in Scotland for reaching the Highlands– less than 50 miles to the heart of the Cairngorms. Where there are beautiful walking trails, skiing, wildlife watching, castles, museums, distilleries – you name it, we’ve got it!

 

Loch Lomand – Conic Hill

Dundee is also lucky to be on the east coast of Scotland that is recognisably drier than the west coast and voted the “sunniest city” in Scotland. It is a short distance from some great beaches and cliffs for when the sun comes out. You can take the bus very cheaply and quickly to Broughty Ferry beach or take the train to Arbroath and Stonehaven. The train station has great links to Perth and Glasgow. If you book far enough in advance, they can be cheaper. If you are a keen train traveller, then you should definitely invest in a railcard. It is £30 for the year and I guarantee that it will save you a lot of money in the long term. Booking buses through the likes of Megabus, can be much cheaper if you book far in advance as well. I used to do this in my first few years until I discovered the railcard. I am from near Glasgow so getting there by the bus or train is very direct.

Arbroath Cliffs – 20 mins on the train from Dundee

If you want to discover Scotland with company many societies and clubs involve travelling around or organising trips. The Rucksack Club is a lot of fun and good for meeting new people with the same interests in hiking, climbing and seeing many locations throughout Scotland. The club is very good and involves anyone of all skill levels. I have been in the club for a couple year as a keen adventurer and a lover of hiking.

It may be easier to gather a bunch of friends and hire a car! An old fashioned road trip! You can pick places where you want to go and arrange a route between them all. Splitting gas will cut costs too. Make sure to be comfortable and safe on Scotland’s bendy roads. I know the views out the window may be extraordinary but make sure the person driving is not distracted. I recommend stopping at pubs; hear live traditional music; wander around towns and hear bagpipes busking! Most importantly, have fun!

Here are a few locations in Scotland that are worth a visit!

Pitlochry
West Coast – View of the Isle of Arran across the water at sunset 
Glencoe – The Pap Hike with a view of Glencoe village below
Orkney – Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae from the 3rd Millennium BC

 

Happy travelling! No choice is the wrong one! 😉

Me, at the peak of the Pap of Glencoe

Written by:

Hi! I am in 5th year of University studying Civil Engineering. I hope to talk about life in Univeristy and outwith your studies to make the most of your time here!