Hello folks! My parents and I (21 yrs old) have 7-9 days during the third week in march to visit scotland or ireland. which do we choose? we all love nature, hiking and exploring, as well as being a part of the local culture and seeing the history. We are not interested in the pubs as much.

a quick response would be much appreciated! thank you so much!!

Good heavens, that's a leading question!

Both countries have all of the above. Do you have any personal connection to Irish or Scottish history or culture, like your ancestry? I don't think it's possible to make a good suggestion about the scenic outdoors of one country or the other to a stranger. If I had to distinguish, I might say the natural areas of Scotland are wilder, of Ireland greener. Dublin vs. Edinburgh, I wouldn't touch that one! If I had to choose, it would be the lochs of Western Scotland, but I'm not you, and a lot of people, probably a majority, would disagree.

Instead of focusing on stuff both places have, how about weather and daylight?

March will still be somewhat cool and rainy in both places, but southern Ireland will be much milder, due to the Gulf Stream. I went in the middle of April one year, and had delightful weather - cool and clear.

You'll get nature, hiking, and exploring in the southwest of Ireland easily, and local culture/history galore...

The highlands of Scotland will likely be rainier then, and colder. I'd (personally) wait until you can go in warmer months. But then again, while I like it cool, I don't like it cold and wet

The landscape in Scotland seems to be calling me, especially around the highlands, isles (skye), and trossachs, but the question is, is march 18-24 too cold/snowy/wet to really enjoy it? we're not weather wimps, but maybe southern ireland makes more sense? thanks!

I was in the Highlands of Scotland in April/May and it was snowing like crazy. Green Dragon is correct that Ireland's climate is milder. Save Scotland for later in the year.

When I was in Ireland in April, highs were around 65F, lows at night around 45-50F... rained one day out of a week, but some mists on most mornings. Very nice!

God may strike me down for my presumption, but it won't snow in Scotland in March this year- except possibly on the high tops. We are having a mild (albeit damp) winter; but the REASON Ireland and Scotland are so green is the rain.

I think that I think there's more biodiversity (nature, to you) in Scotland, culture in Ireland out of the cities is very pub related- no bad thing, I say- Edinburgh is better than Dublin. Sorry, but it's true.

The people in both countries are welcoming. Either way, and in both languages, ceud mile failte

I will weigh into the Dublin/Edinburgh issue- loved Edinburgh but not Dublin. Weather influenced - March in Dublin (sorry) and June in Scotland. Loved both countries but have been to Scotland much more recently so tend to favour that over Ireland I guess. The scenery in Scotland is breathtaking, less so in Ireland aside from the southwest (that we saw anyway)and Scotland has better roads and less crazy drivers. Ireland seemed much more pub oriented. 7 - 9 days is not long in either country really.

<<< God may strike me down for my presumption, but it won't snow in Scotland in March this year >>>

Within the past few years there has been snow at Easter in England in low lying areas