Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - SCOTLAND: Addict

How can one not be addicted to the elemental beauty and dramatic seascapes of the windswept archipelago of Scotland's Western Isles? Words cannot begin to describe the subtle shades that permeate as the light unfolds at break of day ...

1] isolated strands of luminescent coral sand
2] swiftly beating wings of comical Atlantic Puffins; preening iridescent Shags; raucous breeding Kittiwakes, Razorbills, and Aerobatic Terns call me hither ...
3] a lonely Hebridean calm and the pervasive smell of peat smoke wafting from Islay's seven whisky distilleries ...
4]shimmering gold & silver Celtic jewelery entices - Shetland[Crosses]; Ortak,& Sheila Fleet from Orkney
5] the gregarious, welcoming nature of the Gaelic people ...
These are my primary reasons for visiting Scotland, but the list goes on ...

TOP 50 REASONS THAT I LOVE SCOTLAND:

A] SCENERY:
1] EshaNess [Basalt Lava Cliffs], Shetland
2] Five Sisters of Kintail & Loch Duich
3] North Applecross Road to Sheildaig
4] Bealach Na Bo [Pass of the Cattle]
5] Torridon Mountains & Loch Torridon
6] Elgol, Skye -- views to the small Isles
7] Knoydart, Loich Quoich, & Kinloch Hourn
8] Sheil Bridge to Glenelg
9] Cuillin Mountains, Skye

ISLANDS & BEACHES:
10] BARRA - isolated Tangasdale Beach & Kisimul Castle in the bay
11] HARRIS - Seilebost & Luskentyre Beaches
12] IONA - beaches, Benedictine Abbey & beautiful Celtic Crosses
13] ISLAY & JURA -Birds, peaty Whisky,and windswept Machir Beach
14] COLONSAY - deserted Kiloran Beach
15] HOY - blustery Rackwick Beach riddled with boulders and the Old Man of Hoy

HISTORY:
16] Skara Brae [seen in driving rain and/or suffused in sunlight], Orkney
17] Ring of Brodgar - the contrast of pink heather against ominous grey skies, and brooding slate gray stones -- haunting!
18] Calanais Standing Stones, Lewis
19] Carloway Broch & incumbent sheep, Lewis
20] Mousa Broch, Shetland [outstanding views]
21] Jarlshof, Shetland
22] Finlaggan, Islay -- tranquil, brooding serenity [A. Jefford: "Islay's quiet soul"]
23] Culloden -- early morning before it's really open to experience the solitude
24]Dwarfie Stane, Isle of Hoy

RELIGIOUS - ARCHITECTURAL SITES:
25] Dryburgh Abbey -serene, tranquil location along the Tweed River
26] Melrose Abbey- exquisite stone sculptures
27] Jedburgh Abbey - amazing architecture
28] St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall [Arctic Explorer - John Rae's effigy]
29] Italian Chapel - beautiful, dramatic artwork by prisoners of war
30] Sweetheart Abbey
31] Salvidor Dali -- Christ of St John of the Cross, Museum of Religious Life, Glasgow
32] St. Kentigren [St Mungo's] Cathedral, Glasgow
33] Paisley Abbey -- in Spring!
34] Augustinian Priory, Beauly

FAVOURITE COASTAL VILLAGES & SCOTTISH TOWNS:
35] East Neuk - coastal trail between fishing villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, and St. Monan's
36] Sheildaig - beautiful white-washed houses
37] Plockton - of Hamish MacBeth fame
38] Applecross - very scenic walk past gnarly trees to church
39] Glenelg - beautiful Inn & village
40] Port Charlotte, Islay
41] Portree, Skye -- picturesque harbour
42] Tobemory, Mull -- great bookstore
43] Melrose, Borders -- beautiful in spring
44] Portpatrick - views from South Upland Way
45] Stonehaven
46] Gairloch
47] Scourie

MISCELLANEOUS:
48] Dunrobin Castle - Falconry and Gardens
49] Threave Gardens
50] Abbotsford House - Den/Library

Friends in Canada think that I must have seen all there is to see, after touring Scotland for the past four years, but a true addict is never satisfied ...
I have a list of at least 28 other places and sites that I must see :>)