Many have "connections" to Scotland, be it by blood or by interest.

I have read SO MUCH about Scottish history that it is interesting to me seeing wherethe event happened AND what is there now. Are there any plaques/monuments? How is it treated.

For example, the site of the 16th/17th century gallows in Edinburgh is now a shopping area, with a round "park"-like area that is supposed to mark the site of the gallows. It was on these gallows that MANY famous figures (famous, infamous, and ones killed by politics) in Scottish history met their end.
The markers cite the Covenanters (some of my own ancestors), though there were MANY more.

Another was the grave site of Rob Roy. I "stumbled" upon Doune Castle, a key by relatively minor site in Scottish history, but a VERY interesting site (ALSO-> where they shot Monty Python and the Holy Grail). It was interesting to see what was formerly VERY important (as indicated by books and old historic markers and memorials) but no longer maintained. It was also interesting to see a few OLD events/sites with NEW markers (replacing old ones? if not, why important now and not before?)

On place of STARK contrast was Grayfriars Church in Edinburgh, the site of MANY important political and religious happenings, events, and decisions, as well as where a "cute" story about a dog took place. Before I went, I was told that "Grayfriars separates the historian from the tourist." I misunderstood the meaning before I went there. First I miss IDed a church that had been turned into a theater for Grayfriar's (which saddened me), the found the right place. After worshiping there on a Sunday morning, I talked to some elders and they were excited that I was there due to the Covenanters and the history. They showed me the "artifacts" and let me into the "Covenanter prison" part of the grave yard. It was VERY interesting. (If you don't realize the meaning of the phrase above: the historians come there for the many important historical events that took place there -including the first signing of the National Covenant-, while it is MOST remembered for the story of Grayfriar's Bobby (a dog) that tourists come to see (totally unaware of the key events from the past that took place where they are standing).

Also, I was impressed by the beauty of the highlands and the similarities to "home" and the differences. Also, I found the "differences" to what I had originally expected to be VERY interesting. In one pub, a local called the Green Man fountain in town the "Puking Geezer," something people over here imitate at decent expense and with pride is common and gained an unflattering nickname there.

Of course, I had read enough and knew enough to KNOW the "tourist" image was WAY off reality. So I was not looking for the "romantic" version of events and places, but for the reality.

Many go for different reasons. Some probably leave in a euphoric but created fictional dream, other saddened that their "bubble was burst." Others (who have ties to reality) leave having really enjoyed themselves and with a better impression of the scope of Scotland as a REAL place with a more complex history than they knew and one that is STILL ALIVE and moving/changing/developing. What was is not what is, nor what is what will be.