In August 2023, I embarked on a road trip with my friends Paweł and Ania to Scotland, completing the iconic NC500 route. While my friends loved the journey, I found myself feeling a bit less enthusiastic. Scotland is undeniably beautiful, but after a while, the northern scenery started to feel repetitive—rolling hills, narrow roads, green fields, cliffs, waterfalls, and, of course, castles around every corner.

One of my frustrations was the lack of infrastructure along the route. I had hoped for more inviting cafes, bars, and restaurants to break up the long stretches, but these were few and far between. We were camping, and with it raining every day, setting up a tent in the wet conditions became a chore. Between the constant rain and the midges, I found myself struggling to fully enjoy the trip. Maybe I’m just getting older and grumpier!

However, there were some highlights. Dunrobin Castle was a stunning stop, and we ventured to the Isle of Skye, although our experience there was marred by poor visibility due to clouds. The climb up Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK, was a challenge but a rewarding experience. In fact, I’ve now had the pleasure of climbing all three of the UK’s highest peaks—Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England, and now Ben Nevis in Scotland.

We also made a stop in Glasgow, which pleasantly surprised me. I had expected it to feel a bit rough around the edges, but instead, we found the city centre to be a nice spot to spend a few hours. We stopped for some food, and I walked away with a much better impression of Glasgow than I had anticipated.

Overall, while the trip had its challenges, there were definitely memorable moments. The beauty of certain spots, like Dunrobin Castle and the sense of accomplishment from climbing Ben Nevis, made it a journey worth remembering.