My Winter Vacation - The Beauty of Scotland

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It's easy to go on and on about the sheer beauty of the land of the Scots, located in the northern portion of that Kingdom of the United on the eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean. The landscape features dramatic cliffs, lush greenitude, and rugged hills, peppered with the likes of mysterious fog, old farmhouses, and wet sheep (with the occasional Highland Cow thrown in for good measure). Yes, Scotland is a picturesque place, even in the worst of weather.

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If, however, you manage to get yourself some sun while in the land of William Wallace, enjoy the show, friends. Much is made of the light in Scotland, and with good reason. The country is so far north, the rays come from sharp angles, and this makes for colors you just don't see anywhere else. And, naturally, the camera can't quite do it all justice. During the summer, when parts of Scotland experience near 24-hour daylight, the impressive colors last, well, nearly 24 hours. And yes, that light and those colors are impressive for nearly the entire time.

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But the winter light in Scotland, though it may only last for a few short hours, is even more stunning. And rare. Winter is an inopportune time to visit the highlands, unless you're prepared to be damp and cold. Sunlight can't be guaranteed. Somehow, though, we had some sun and some rain almost every day (which is typical in the summer). And when that sun came through, well, holy shit. The country couldn't look better, everything about it extreme. Even the sheep with their windsurfing and basejumping ways are totally extreme, dude.

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Oh, I say unto you B&E readers: Underestimate not the power and glory of the Scottish countryside, particularly when it's bathed in that light. I happen to know from one B&E reader that photos of Scotland can lead to sex, marriage, emigration, and religious conversion. That's right, folks. There's mojo in them there islands, lowlands, and highlands.