what do you expect?

[ChromeScholar]

I expect to see the MacPherson museum. It's one of the reasons I would be going. I'd like to see some of the castles. I'd like to avoid the tourist traps, as much as possible.

[The Wizard of BC]

My interest in Scotland is probably different that most as I have no Scottish roots that I can trace. However I have broken down my reasons for wanting to visit into 3 categories.

1. Professional - I'm a Kiltmaker and Shop Owner. Some of the items I offer in my shop come from Scotland. So I would like to pay a personal visit to some of my suppliers. Also, I would like to visit the mills that produce the wonderful Tartans we all covet.

2. Tourist - I would like to walk the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to experience the "Tartan Tat" phenomenon. I understand it from a business standpoint but understanding something and seeing it first hand is different.

I would like to visit for the beauty of the country that I have seen pictures of all my life. I love to experience the shock when finding that picture perfect spot that is on all the post cards and then turn around to see the car park, with the crazy, camera toting tourists, pilling off the coaches and heading straight to the little shop that sells the same tat that I can find at home.

I would like to visit my favorite distillery. And say thank you.

I am fascinated by things like the Falkirk Wheel and the Glasgow Tower. Engineering at it's best.

I would like to visit my fishing estate in the highlands. I am the 2nd Laird of Lochaber. OK, OK, the thing is 12"x12". but heck, I have the deed. Perhaps I'll bring one of those little painted castles and put it there for a trick photo.

My wife is an avid reader of the "Outlander" series of books. OK, bodice rippers, but stuff like that is important to women. So to allow her to walk through, over and around the areas described in the books would make her very happy.

3. Personal - There are a lot of members of this forum who live in Scotland, (and slightly further south) that I would like to meet in person. Their posts here have let me into their lives and I feel like they are my friends.

[ccga3359]

I was born in England, came to Canada in '76 ant the age of ten and have not been back since '81. I expect Scotland to be similar to England culturally speaking (having never been north of London). But hugely different that my distant memories. If I were to venture bck it would be to show the wife and kids the England of my youth. When I retire though I really would like to travel the canals of all of Britain.