A 3-Day Adventure Guide to Spontaneous Escapes in Scotland
- Nour El Houda Bouzaffara
- Sep 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 9
I had the chance to join the last leg of an already planned trip, and since work was quiet, I thought, why not? I booked three days on a whim, without googling a single thing about the region, and with zero expectations beyond the usual gloomy skies and endless rain that the UK is known for.
#Edinburgh immediately struck me with its charm. The architecture is mesmerizing — a fascinating blend of medieval and Victorian styles.
" Truly, not a single ugly building in sight."
I kicked off my trip with afternoon tea at my hotel while waiting for my room to be ready. I wanted to dive into British culture right away and the tea room felt like a good place to start.
When I finally got up to my room, I was welcomed by a beautiful Victorian-style interior and an even more beautiful view. A quick shower later, I was ready to explore the city.
My first stop was the castle area, though I quickly realized climbing up that hill is no joke. On the way, I stumbled upon Victoria Street by accident — what a delightful surprise! A winding cobblestone lane with colorful shopfronts, quirky cafés, and boutiques, it’s often cited as the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.
By the time I was ready to eat, it was around 5 p.m., and all I wanted was the quintessential fish and chips in a local pub. Easier said than done. Every pub I tried — first, second, and even third — was packed to the brim. Defeated, I ended up in a Pakistani-Indian restaurant, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The food was delicious, and the staff greeted me warmly, curious about where I was from. I went back to the hotel with a full stomach and an early bedtime, since the next morning required a 6 a.m. wake-up call.
Day two was dedicated to the Highlands. The tour started at 8 a.m. sharp and lasted nearly 13 hours. Along the way, we visited a cow farm, stopped at the legendary Loch Ness — which holds as much water as all the lakes in England and Wales combined! , drove past Ben Nevis (the UK’s highest mountain), and admired the dramatic Three Sisters of Glencoe. The scenery was breathtaking at every turn. What struck me most, though, was how consistently beautiful the villages and towns were. Unlike many European regions, there wasn’t a trace of those grey, communist-style apartment blocks that usually scar the outskirts. Edinburgh, its surroundings and every single Scottish village we drove past seemed immune to “ugly architecture.” By the time I got back, I was exhausted but enchanted.
That evening, I finally joined my crew in the city. We headed to Rose Street, a lively stretch filled with pubs, and finally — victory! — I had my long-awaited fish and chips at The Abbotsford.
My third and final day was spent in Stockbridge, a neighborhood that instantly won my heart. It reminded me of a charming borough of London, full of independent boutiques, bookshops, and small restaurants with inviting window displays. We strolled through Circus Lane, a postcard-perfect little street, before having lunch at The Scran and Scallie. Highly recommend — the food was outstanding, with fresh local ingredients.
When it was time to leave Edinburgh, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had only scratched the surface. Before booking the trip, I was asked if I wanted to extend my stay over the weekend, and I confidently said no, convinced I wouldn’t like it. Little did I know I’d leave with the complete opposite opinion.
“ Edinburgh won me over in every possible way, and I can’t wait to go back."
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