If you don’t get past the intro on this Scotland Blog about falling in love with Scotland, you should at least take away these three pieces of advice from our very own Josh Guerra: 

“Don’t wear brand new shoes.”  

“Do try and walk as much as you can”  

“And don’t sleep on Glasgow.” 

Still with us? Good, there’s plenty more to read about falling in love with Scotland to come. We tapped Guerra, our Brendan Vacations Reservations Manager for custom trips, for his advice not just as someone who professionally plans travel, but someone who is an avid traveler himself. Specifically: why he loves Scotland. 

He’s an excellent person to talk to if you want to know about: 

1. Visiting Scotland 
2.  Planning solo travel in Scotland 

But also, he’s got advice on Scotland travel – specifically how to really immerse in and connect with a destination.  

Hint: You’ll get all your steps in. 

 It requires you let down your guard a little bit, get into the heartfelt pulse of where you’re going and lose yourself a bit (while still having a clear idea of where you’re going). 

Scotland Travel: What made you want to visit? 

“I had never traveled internationally before I started working with the company and Scotland had just so happened to be a place I had always dreamed of,” says Guerra. “Meaning – I had already been there twice and I still paid to go a third time. It has the distinction of being one of the few places that I built up in my mind for years and years that not just met but exceeded expectations.” 

“It has the distinction of being one of the few places that I built up in my mind for years and years that not just met but exceeded expectations.” 

Guerra says that in Scotland, there truly is something for everyone. 

“I think one of the things I love – and there’s a lot of reasons to love Scotland – is that it’s got all these different levels for people to meet it at. It’s got something for everybody.  If you’re a history buff, there’s an embarrassment of riches pretty much any place that you go.” 

For example: Edinburgh.  “I know that’s the most popular one – and very rightfully so. You’ve got the Old Town’s medieval history and you can just walk over and see the planned city of the New Town. It has that dramatic historic feel… it looks like you’ve stepped into a postcard from the, you know, early 20th century.” 

It’s a city where there are no skyscrapers, and walking is a more sensible (if sometimes strenuous) way of getting around. But challenge (and new sneakers) notwithstanding, it may have been getting around that made him fall for Scotland.

Things to Do in Scotland: Drive. Walk. Eat. 

One of the best ways to learn to love a place, says Guerra, is to walk in it.  

Or drive in it. 

Or get a little lost. but in a good way. Scotland is excellent for that. Whether you’re taking public transport or meandering your way through town, you’ll get to know your destination in a personal, face-to-face way. 

“One of the charms [with travel in Scotland] is how walkable everything is there and how easy you will tend to find it,” says Guerra. 

The first time he traveled to Scotland for work, it was a Self-Drive trip. 

“Driving was pretty easy. There’s always a little bit of a learning curve like anything else. The cities themselves will be the trickiest just because they’re more congested,” says Guerra. “But once you get onto the open roads it’s much easier.” 

And once you’re out of the car, that’s where the walking part begins. Make sure you’ve got sturdy shoes for the cobblestones and rain – but be sure they’re already broken in. 

 “Everything’s walkable. Even if you have to make a 15-minute walk from one corner to the next, just know you’ll probably be late. Because you’re stopping and looking at everything.” 

This is where it pays to get a little lost. Lose yourself in the spot. The moment. The curious little shop. That little cafe you just saw. Each of these, Guerra says, might be the key to unlocking your heart when you travel in Scotland. 

Prefer to let the experts be your guide? Not to worry: There’s more than enough walking tours to choose from when you book your travels. Some will even take you into the secret tunnels that run under the old streets of Edinburgh. 

Also: don’t forget to eat. You won’t be disappointed.  

“There’s this stigma of the UK having subpar food – but like the food scene in Scotland has just exploded,” says Guerra.  

Even ordering an American standard like a cheeseburger will be different in Scotland he says, because the meat and every ingredient came from within ten miles that week. 

For those traveling specifically for foodie experiences, there’s plenty to choose from. Like the Wilson’s Farm and Kitchen Field to Fork Tour, the St. Andrew’s Food Tour and more – that’s how you get to taste, flavor and feast on your travels. 

“Everywhere you go, there’s such a pride and an emphasis on locally sourced foods. People are breathing new life into like traditional Scottish food.” 

Scotland travel advice: Don’t forget Glasgow 

Guerra says a lot of people hop and skip over Glasgow when they plan their Scotland travel. 

“I think a lot of people tend to sleep on Glasgow,” says Guerra. “I don’t think any place is gonna beat Edinburgh for just the wow factor. But Glasgow is probably the place  where I still feel like I’ve never had enough time.” 

What did you love about Glasgow? 
 The history, the culture, the vibrance. It’s a city with a thriving urban scene that bridges the stoicism of the past with the liveliness of the present. 

“I would recommend anybody to go there, first to go see the cathedral, but also to walk up to the necropolis and just see the stunning views of the entire city up there. 

In addition to being a history buff, Guerra is also a music lover. And Glasgow is perfect for him in that regard, he found. 

 “I’m somebody who’s into music, and every time I go there, you know, there’s punk bands playing and there’s small exhibits,” he says. “There are all these little museums, all locally funded.” 

Among the many museums he made a point to stop in and see, when he visited the Policeman’s Museum in Glasgow, founded by a former Glasgow policeman who’d served for 25 years. 

“And that [museum] was his dream,” says Guerra. “And he was there, talking to me for like 2 hours, showing me each thing in his museum.” 

Josh’s Travel Advice for Scotland: 

1. Travel in the off-seasons : Autumn and winter are perfect for skipping the crowds and getting the city and spaces a bit more to yourself.
2. Waterproof Layer: It’s going to rain no matter the season and that’s part of the charm. Don’t get caught unprepared,
3. Broken in shoes: Nothing ruins the rest of a trip like blisters and hurting feet.
4. Eat  like a local: Go ahead and spoil yourself if you want to, but don’t  

And a final parting note: Don’t ever skip on Glasgow!