Scotland (sigh). It’s my Mum’s home and in many ways mine as well. I grew up in Jacksonville, Fl. but my heart has always felt like it belongs in Dunoon, Scotland. I have two passports, dual citizenship, but I am neither here nor there. Although I love America, there is still a sense of pride I feel for being Scottish that I can never adequately put into words.
This Autumn I had the privilege of returning to Scotland. Even though it had only been 2 years, it felt like I’d been gone for a century. This place is where my soul feels free. It was so refreshing to come home.
This most recent trip to Scotland was unique, because I set out to experience this magical place like never before. Typically when I go, I visit with family, take wee drives around the Lochs, and occasionally hike in the surrounding areas. This time was different. I made a specific effort to see Scotland for all its beauty and mesmerization.
I rented a car for the first time and set out for Skye, an island I’d always wanted to visit. It was the most exhilarating and rejuvenating roadtrip of my life. When I got there, the clouds covered the hills like a blanket, making it seem like the island was flat. I was wrong. The next morning when I woke up and looked out my window, I realized my dreams were coming true.
I didn’t have an agenda for the entire week. I just wanted to live and soak in these views I had been imagining for years. There were moments I broke down crying, my treck at Quirang in particular. The beauty was so overwhelming there. You follow a wee footpath along the side of the mountain, walk through several waterfalls, and encounter friendly sheep along the way.
When I got to resting spots, I would look around and realize I was living the treasured photographs I had seen growing up. Tears flowed down my face as I repeatedly thanked God. No dream is too big. There is more beauty around us than imaginable, we just have to go find it.
