Does Scotland have world class scenery?
 

Would you describe the scenery in Scotland as world class? Does it compare to Swiss Alps, Canadian Rockies, New Zealand or Norway? Any links as to the top things I might be able to see with 5 or 6 days in Scotland?

What kinds of things do you like to see, and when do you plan to go?

Quite frankly, I think it does -- Glen Coe; Cairngorms; Eilean Donan castle; Kelso, Jedburgh, Dryburgh, and Melrose Abbeys; Elgin Cathedral; the Great Glen, Loch Ness, and Urquhart Castle; Edinburgh Castle; etc etc etc.

I don't think it has exactly the same soaring mountains and crags that your examples do -- no Zermatt, for example -- although there is the Black Cuillin on the Isle of Skye. But if you want the scenery of the Swiss Alps, the Canadian Rockies, New Zealand, or Norway, why not go to one of those places? ;)

Google Black Cuillin, Great Glen, Glen Coe, Cairngorms, Arrochar Alps, and Rest and Be Thankful and see what you think of it.

One piece of advice if you are only going to have a limited time (you cite 5 or 6 days, for example) is to pick only one or two things to do. This is especially true if you do not plan to rent a car! For example, to get from Nice to near Inverness by flying into EDI I need a full day, and a full day on the way back, with departures at 6 or 7am and arrivals around 7pm (to Inverness) or 10pm or later (to Nice). So, if you have 6 days total, you'll lose two getting from the US to the highlands, plus at least one coming back and more likely two. Two or three days at your destination isn't much if you have a whole list of things to see or do.

Apples and oranges.

Despite claims there are no mountains in Scotland, just big hills. Worth seeing once in a lifetime because it is unique topography.

Depends on what you mean by 'world class'. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Absolutely yes.

http://gallery.millerworks.net/Trave...68_G5uqJ-M.jpg


http://gallery.millerworks.net/Trave...99_xiuhm-M.jpg

And that was just from a tiny bit of what we saw.

Yes indeed.....can't say the same about the weather though. :D

Scotland is stunning:

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6081/6...663f613b_z.jpg

Took this one around this time last year near Glenfinnan

Yes, Scotland has amazing scenery, much of it available from scenic drives. It's one of the best places to see a variety of culture and scenery, mountainous, lakes, ocean, wildlife, etc. a hotel like the Torridon hosts beautiful views (it's also a Virtuoso hotel with Amazin amenities) same with Gleneagles (future host of te Ryder Cup - green fees here are a Virtuoso amenity!)

I'd definitely plan on hiring a car and covering as much ground as you can. I'm on Skye at the moment (drove up from near London for a weeks relaxation away from the office) and loving it.

I've driven fairly widely in the US (west coast) and in Europe (southern france, switzerland etc) and would say that while it may lack a few of the bigger "wow" factors provided by tall waterfalls or towering summits, it is consistently beautiful and very much world class in it's own way.

Even the weather could be described as world class - just not in a positive way :)

For the OP: yes, I think it is world class - especially when you add the specific attractions of Scotland outwith just the scenery.

Aye.

Neil Gaiman wrote in Fragile Things about the remoter parts of Scotland "...where the bones of the Earth show through, and the sky is a pale white...".

Given the age of the rocks there, he certainly nailed that description.

Also, I think that the Outer Hebrides are a must see.

Yes and my grandfather wrote....

"When standing on Troon beach if you can see Ailsa Craig clearly in the distance it's a sign that rain is coming......if you can't see Ailsa Craig in the distance it means it's raining already".

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/...f262feec1e.jpg

Scotland is amazing. Of the places I've visited, it's the one that I always want to get back to. Other places are "Been there, done that", but Scotland is special for me, and I've not explored nearly as much as I'd like to. As far as the weather goes, I went to Scotland last year on summer solstice just to see how far north I could get without making a major effort. (I was living in London at the time.) I was a bit bummed to have a very overcast day in Inverness until I realized that the scenery is majestic even with the clouds hanging down into the hills. Sunny days (and yes, I've been there for some) provide amazing blue skies. OP's comparison points suggest that the Highlands are probably the target destination, but certainly don't overlook Edinburgh (despite loving London after 22 months there, I think Edinburgh really has my heart) and St. Andrews. The ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral are amazing, and my visits to Scotland taught me much about the Reformation that my Lutheran upbringing left out.

Scotland is one of the best, spot on.
Definitely a place worth visiting...