Discover Scotland: Romancing the Highlands

by Mike Ryan

Perhaps you haven't considered Scotland as the ideal destination for a romantic vacation. But a five-day trip through the majestic highlands will definitely change your mind. Spectacular views, incredible food and quaint village inns make Scotland a remarkable place to rejuvenate the body, soul and mind. Leave the young ones at home and take a romantic retreat to an enchanting and gorgeous country where time seems to stand still.

There's so much to see in Scotland, you'll want to start by booking a custom trip through Highland Explorer Tours (www.highlandexplorertours.com). With genuine Scottish guides, wearing genuine Scottish garb (yes, they wear kilts!), Highland Explorer Tours can set up specialized tours for any size group. If you want a more rugged view of Scotland, book your vacation through their adventure division, Haggis Vacations (www.radicaltravel.com).

Start your romantic trip by treating yourself to Club World service on British Airways from Los Angeles to Glasgow (www.britishairways.com). In your own private "pod", you'll enjoy luxury and privacy in a seat that reclines into a full bed. Best of all, you'll arrive in Glasgow relaxed and ready to meet your guide for a breathtaking drive into the Highlands.

Rolling hillsides covered in peat and heather surround you as you make your drive north. Pass the monument to "Braveheart" William Wallace (Europe's largest monument to any single man) and the location where the three witches gathered to forecast MacBeth's fate in Shakespeare's famous play. As you enter the perfectly picturesque village of Pitlochry, your magnificent hotel comes into view. The Atholl Palace (www.athollpalace.co.uk) has been a stately presence overlooking the Tay and Tummel valleys since 1873. Enjoy walking through the manicured gardens or treat yourself to a day at the Lavender Spa. Just one night at Atholl Palace is enough to make anyone feel like royalty.

Wake early the next day to enjoy the spectacular morning views. Stop in Pitlochry to enjoy a cup of coffee and meet some of the locals before driving into the true Highland region. The highest road in Britain brings you past the famous distillery of Dalwinnie, where the world-class Scotch is made from clean snow water cascading down the hillsides. Stop for lunch at CairnGorm Mountain ski resort (www.cairngormmountain.com) and take the funicular to the highest point in Europe. Within sixty minutes, you'll see every possible weather front pass you by in the valley below.

That afternoon, drive north to the city of Inverness, capital of the Highlands (www.inverness-scotland.com). Although this town of 45,000 has recently been Europe's fastest-growing city, it has not lost any of its charm. Book a suite at the five-star boutique Rocpool Reserve (www.rocpool.com) and enjoy the hotel that has won "Best of Scotland" several years running. After dinner at the Rocpool's award-winning restaurant, take a romantic riverside stroll through Inverness or enjoy a pint or two at the raucous Hootananny Club (www.hootananny.com).

A quick drive south the following morning will bring you to Urquhart Castle and the north entrance to Loch Ness. Built nearly 600 years ago, Urquhart Castle has been the scene of many Scottish battles (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk). The most recent battle, in 1692 left the Castle in the near-ruins state of today. The Scottish declared that they would forfeit the castle to the British, but not before nearly destroying it. Despite its past, a walk through the castle's grounds today is both romantic and intriguing. The half-destroyed ramparts also make for excellent photographs.

But best of all, Urquhart Castle is the perfect place to overlook the famous 24 mile-long Loch Ness. There, in the murky peat-colored waters, lives the evasive Loch Ness Monster. Over the years, many unconfirmed sightings of "Nessie" have originated from the upper turrets of Urquhart Castle (www.lochness.com).

Spend the night in Fort Augustus, at the southernmost tip of Loch Ness. An evening at the Lovat Arms (www.lovatarms-hotel.com) will give you the chance to explore this charming village. Soak in some of that rare Scottish sun as you watch the boats travel down the locks from Loch Ness to Loch Lochy.

Day Four gives you both the most romantic drive of the trip and the most luxurious evening. Travel south through Glencoe to experience Scotland's most awe-inspiring National Park (www.glencoe-nts.org.uk). These majestic green mountains and their ribbons of waterfalls were undoubtedly the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. A day hike through Glencoe will give you a quick impression of the magnitude of the glacier which once carved out this scenic valley.

Glencoe was also the site of the infamous "Glencoe Massacre", where the English sent the Campbell family to befriend, and then murder, the landowning McDonald clan in 1692. This massacre was a show of strength for the English and symbolized the end of the Scottish Clan system. A nearby tavern, the Clachaig Inn (www.clachaig.com), still displays the historical signs of old, warning that "No Campbells" will be served. These days, however, anybody can enjoy their classic fish 'n chips.

That afternoon, your drive south brings you deep into the Scottish countryside. In the village of Killin, visit the fast-moving Falls of Dochart. There, the old waterside mill has been converted into the charming Breadalbane Folklore Centre (www.breadalbanefolklorecentre.com). A quick visit to Breadalbane provides a glimpse into the past life of the highlander, along with a fantastic overview of Scottish mythology. A walk along the falls is perhaps one of Scotland's most romantic settings.

From Killin, you'll drive forty minutes along a one-lane path in the woods before you arrive at The Ardeonaig Hotel (www.ardeonaighotel.co.uk). This romantic inn, on fourteen acres, was built in 1649 and offers magnificent uninterrupted views across Loch Tay. Peat-burning fireplaces heat the inn's low-ceiling rooms, giving off a sensational aroma of Scotland's world-famous whiskey.

Travelers come from as far as London to dine at the Ardeonaig, so you don't want to pass up one of the inn's six-course gourmet meals. Each course, from Loch Tarbet Scallops to Ardtalnaig Estate Hare, features food from the local area -- often from the hotel's own grounds. The extensive wine list features exclusive selections from South Africa. All room rates include breakfast and dinner in the main dining room.

The following day, head south for a return to Glasgow (www.seeglasgow.com). Check in to the five-star Radisson (www.radissonsas.com) and find yourself within walking distance of Glasgow's world-class attractions. Old World architecture meets modernism in this visually stimulating city. Hundreds of fabulous shopping and dining experiences are at your fingertips in Glasgow.

You certainly won't want to miss the Willow Tea Rooms (www.willowtearooms.co.uk) designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1903. This famous architect was the inspiration for famous American masters such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan. Another "must-see" is The Lighthouse (www.thelighthouse.co.uk), a modern museum housed in one of the city's oldest buildings. Climb the spiral staircase through the tower – if you dare – to experience Glasgow's most spectacular viewing point.

As you travel through Scotland, keep in mind that the most romantic moments are those which you don't expect: the glimpse of a waterfall off the side of the road, the sun breaking through the clouds in the Highlands, the wildlife grazing on the green hillsides. The beauty of Scotland is in the purity of its landscapes. Strip away the hustle and bustle of our busy lives and you'll discover the romantic in yourself.