Scotland voted world's most beautiful country

RowenaBCAMC
RowenaBCAMC Forum Participant Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭
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edited September 2017 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

It was announced yesterday that Scotland has been voted the most beautiful country in the world by readers of Rough Guides. 

The guide states, "Who can deny that these wild beaches, deep lochs and craggy castles are some of the most wonderful and beautiful sights in the world?"

Where have you been in Scotland, what were the most spectacular sights you visited and where did you stay? Do you have any places you would recommend people visit? It would be great to hear your recommendations and share any photos you may have.   

The picture below is of Brora Beach submitted by Margaret Nelson in our 'Inspire' photograph competition earlier in the year (currently our Facebook cover photo).

Comments

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited September 2017 #2

    Wow...I think I misread the first post, did they only ask Nicola Sturgeon?

    Seen most of it but obviously I must have missed the nice bitssurprised

    Good luck Scotland now the CC are on your casesealed

    PS. England at number 7 is a bit suspicious toowink

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2017 #3

    Scotland is undoubtedly beautiful, but to call it the most beautiful country in the world is overdoing it a bit. Obviously whoever voted has never been to New Zealand.

  • RJLJ
    RJLJ Forum Participant Posts: 148
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    edited September 2017 #4

    Lutz, have to absolutely agree with you.  Scotland is beautiful love New Zealand even more.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #5

    I also have to put New Zealand as number 1, from North island to South island it encompasses rolling hills, volcanoes, desert, rain forests and fiords. We were in awe at the country so returned for a second time.

    Scotland is certainly in my book as the No1 UK spot and Slovenia rates No1 in my limited travels of Europe.

  • Unknown
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    edited September 2017 #6
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  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2017 #7

    We have had holidays in Scotland,but best in world? Then it is only according to the "Rough Guide"surprisedwink

  • Unknown
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    edited September 2017 #8
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  • Wex
    Wex Forum Participant Posts: 139
    edited September 2017 #9

    Beauty is subjective and my opinion won't have any bearing on these results, although I happen to agree with them. New Zealand is also superb and perhaps that's why so many Scots emigrated there.

    One observation is that beauty is not diminished by midges or rain (perhaps it's even enhanced by the latter!). Scotland has some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth from the tranquility and perfection of many isolated beaches to the grandeur of its peaks.

    if a collection of Rough Guiders think it's the most beautiful country, who am I to naysay them?

  • PhilHeller
    PhilHeller Forum Participant Posts: 267
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    edited September 2017 #10

    Certainly deserves the title, we moved here 35 years ago for a maximum stay of 18 months and just forgot to go back down south. 

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited September 2017 #11

    I'm  delighted   that  many  of  you  lot  prefer  New Zealand  &  other  foreign  places  over  Scotland.  That  should  give  me  more "people free"  places  to  photograph  'oop  north'  --  not  next  year  tho  'cos  I'm  taking  a break  and  heading  down  South West  !  I  did  promise  somebody on  here  I'd  go  &  eddificate  them  for  a  change  !.

    As  for  Scotland,  Rowena  --  I must  have  already  mentioned  watching  the  moon  rise  over the  ben,  and  the  reflection  of  that  moon  in  a  very  still  Loch  Naver  whilst  enjoying  a  ( very )  late  night  coffee  at  Altnahara  CaMC  site. 

    Brian  A B M

     

  • Unknown
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    edited September 2017 #12
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  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited September 2017 #13

    DD,  you  are  welcome  to  try  but  you'll  have  to  put  something  in  it  first  tho'embarassed

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #14

    I'm getting fed up with the club keep promoting Scotland, first the big article on the NC500 and now this....

    Can't they mention the atrocious weather, the midges and narrow roads and leave those of us who like that sort of thing in peace.....

    Folks, it's much better "over there", cheap sites, cheap diesel, aires, no brits, arrive when you like, leave when you like, don't need to book etc....

    Repeat, "over there" is far far better than Scotland.......head south folks....

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #15

    The Scottish highlands are beautiful and can stand alongside many a destination. To say the most beautiful is a tad over the top. What with The Canadian Rockies along with NewZealand's Southern Alps and Spain's Picos they too must rate up there for me. But as stated, it's all subjective and high mountains do it for me.

  • Unknown
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    edited September 2017 #16
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  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #17

    Can't they mention the atrocious weather, the midges and narrow roads and leave those of us who like that sort of thing in peace...

    So you actually like that sort of thing undecided make up your mind, you either like it or you don't.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #18

    That's fine, please continue with your travels south and let the rest of us enjoy the empty north. My walk along the mighty river Tweed this morning was uninterrupted by the "hotinnit" greeting. laughing

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
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    edited September 2017 #19

    I spent two weeks walking to Scotland once via the Pennine Way ...and then quickly caught a train south the next day!

    Seriously though, there is some stunning scenery but I can't believe it came first in the category of 'Most Beautiful Country In The World.' 

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited September 2017 #20

    The results are purely subjective - Yes Scotland has stunning scenery and friendly people, combined with Scottish history makes Scotland IMO something really special.. 

    But remember that there is also fantastic scenery in Wales, Ulster and the North of England. 

    Those who don't like Scotland should stay away and leave the Nation of Scotland to be enjoyed by those of us who appreciate the wonderful outdoor life among gorgeous land and seascapes that touring Scotland makes possible. 

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #21

    "So you actually like that sort of thing undecided make up your mind, you either like it or you don't."

    And

    "That's fine, please continue with your travels south"

    Ahh,  I can see leaving the wink out made it too subtle for some...wink

    At least David got it.....wink

  • Photo4x4
    Photo4x4 Club Member Posts: 29
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    edited September 2017 #22

    Crikey, there are some really miserable folks on this website! Can't you be pleased for someone or somewhere?

     

  • Biggarmac
    Biggarmac Forum Participant Posts: 364
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    edited September 2017 #23

    Well it obviously was not from a poll of CTers!  

    Even if some of you are underwhelmed by this news story there are plenty of others who are voting with their wallets and coming here to Scotland.

    For me there is beauty in every country I have ever visited. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,868 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #24

    It always amuses me the reaction to this sort of thing. It is after all only a snapshot and we don't know what question people had to respond to. Having said that I can well understand why the conclusion was reached as Scotland is pretty outstanding and coupled with its history which most other places mentioned lack why are people surprised? But not to worry I am sure somewhere completely different will emerge the next time. Lets face it if Lidl can  surpass Waitrose as supermarket of the year anything is possiblewink

    David

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,152 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #25

    I'm not qualified to vote on the whole world and I doubt many people are, BM, but Scotland gets my vote based on my limited experience.

    People are, perhaps, thinking only of the Scottish mainland and, while that is truly spectacular, the islands add a whole new dimension to the beauty of the country. 

    My fear is that Scotland itself may spoil the very things that make it attractive by encouraging so many visitors to the beautiful and peaceful remote areas.

     

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #26

    Even though we were in Scotland this summer and may well return one day it wouldn't be my particular number 1.   We weren't ask to vote so my view is probably irrelevant.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,395 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #27

    Or Norway, or many other places in the world. Yes it is beautiful in the right weather but the most beautiful in the world!  Never.

    peedee

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #28

    We do ensure a visit to Scotland each year after our 'overthere' trip. Knowing when and where to visit is half the battle regarding the midges, the other half is guesswork regarding the weather. It is my favourite place in the UK and even more so if it's dry  cool

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited September 2017 #29

    Even France has areas that would put Scotland in the shade (literally!) and I'm the last to promote that countrywink

    PS. The publications are called Rough Guides.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited September 2017 #30
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