While Scotland is widely known for its enchanting castles, tartan kilts, bagpipes and award-winning whisky, this Celtic country also offers a raft of interesting geographical, historical and mystical treats which are wonderful to know if you are considering living in Scotland.
Let’s start exploring everything you need to know about living in Scotland:
Scotland’s landscape areas
Scotland can be roughly divided into three areas – lowlands, highlands and islands. The lowlands are known for their farmland and dense woodlands. The Highlands for their looming mountains, vast moorland, and beautiful lochs. And the islands for their wild landscapes, long beaches and spectacular coastal scenery.
The wildlife in Scotland
With so many habitats come an array of wildlife. In the mountains, you’ll spot red deer and mountain hares, while on the islands, you’ll find seals and many seabirds including the much-loved, colourful puffin. And of course, let’s not forget that the national animal of Scotland is the magical horned unicorn!
Natural Attractions in Scotland
Mother nature is talented and has gifted Scotland a number of magnificent natural attractions. The country is home to the tallest waterfall in Britain, named Eas a’ Chual Aluinn, at 638 feet. It is also home to the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis, with its summit reaching 1, 345 m (4412 ft) above sea level. You will also find the oldest tree in Europe in Scotland; the Fortingall Yew in Glen Lyon, thought to be over 3000 years old.
Then there’s the 7 scenic natural wonders of Scotland:
- The famous and scenic peaks of Aonach Dubh, Beinn Fhada and Gearr Aonach, collectively known as the Three Sisters of Glencoe, Bidean Nam Bian
- Fingal’s Cave, one of the best examples of volcanic basalt columns in the world
- Luskentyre Sands and the island of Taransay, famous for its beautiful beaches and Dunes – and for being the setting of the BBC’s Castaway
- Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries and Galloway, the UK and Europe’s first designated Dark Sky Park
- An Lochan Uaine, known locally as ‘the green loch’, where pixies wash their clothes in the water, giving it its green colour – or so the legend goes; and
- Rannoch Moor, often referred to as one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe, occupying roughly 150 square miles in Perthshire.
- The Old Man of Hoy, the UK’s tallest sea stack, rising out of the Atlantic Ocean to a spectacular height of 449 ft (137 m)
Scotland’s population
Over 91% of Scottish residents live in less than 2% of the country’s land area, and just 93 of the over 790 islands are inhabited. Now that’s a truly sparsely populated country!
Greater Glasgow is the most densely populated area, with nearly one in five people (just over 1 million) living there. This is followed by Edinburgh (with almost 531,000 people), and Aberdeen, including Milltimber and Peterculter, (with 220,690 people); that’s according to the National Records of Scotland. You can find out more here about some of the best places to live in Scotland.
Scotland’s inventions and discoveries
The Scots are keen innovators and throughout the centuries have brought many new concepts, ideas, inventions and discoveries to the world – some we use every day, without even thinking about it. The telephone, the television and tarmac. The steam engine, anaesthesia and penicillin. The pedal bicycle and even the decimal point. These are all with thanks to the Scots – not to mention the raincoat, invented by Charles Macintosh!
Scotland and golf
In keeping with the theme of inventions and discoveries, it is generally believed that the wonderful (and frustrating) sport of golf originated in Scotland in the High Middle Ages. However, while St. Andrew’s Links is known as the ‘home of golf’ it wasn’t the first golf club – it was in fact was ‘The Gentlemen Golfers of Leith‘ who established the first golf club in 1744. St Andrews did however build the first 18 hole course which became the standard number of holes for all courses thereafter.
Great Scottish writers
Scotland is also famous for producing a number of influential writers, including the poet Robert Burns, the author of Peter Pan, JM Barrie, and let’s not forget Sir Conan Doyle who brought us the collection of Sherlock Holmes novels.
Home of the traditional Highland Games
Scotland has its own Olympic Games – or the Highland Games to be more precise. The events, which are held in spring and summer, are a real test of brute strength, many of which involve throwing and lifting. Here’s a fun fact – all those taking part in the open heavy events – including the Sheaf Toss, Caber Toss, Stone Put, Hammer Throw, Light Weight Throw, Heavy Weight Throw, Weight for Height, and Weight for Distance – must wear kilts while competing.
The Legend of Nessie
And one final point we’ll leave you with while you ponder everything you need to know about living in Scotland … the country is home to the Loch Ness Monster! Ah well, whether it exists or not is up to you, but we recommend you take a trip to the Scottish Highlands and spend some time gazing into the deep, dark waters of the Loch Ness. Perhaps then you’ll be able to decide if this fact about Scotland really is real or myth!
Thinking of living in Scotland? Speak to your local removal’s experts
Doree Bonner, one of the UK’s top removals and storage companies, has been moving families and businesses to and from Scotland for many years, so we are aware of what it takes to make your move a success.
If you’re considering moving to Scotland, our specialised moving services, expert packing services, and cutting-edge storage give you peace of mind knowing that you’re in good hands and your move will go smoothly.
Please get in touch with Doree Bonner International to learn more about the different moving services we offer and how we can help with your impending move. Additionally, you can get a free quote online. We offer either a Virtual or Home Survey so that our consultant can assess your requirements and provide a tailored quotation to your needs.
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