Haunted castles, whisky, kilts: These are the 5 biggest misconceptions about Scotland

Nessie, kilts in clan colors, a traditional dish that requires a strong stomach, haunted castles, the birthplace of the Harry Potter saga, a thorny national flower, a land of whisky... The imagery surrounding Scotland is rich and varied, as are the preconceived ideas about this land of legends.

Top 5 clichés about Scotland

Scotland offers breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, where every corner of the country tells a different story. Vast farmlands stretch as far as the eye can see, punctuated by picturesque villages with grey stone houses and castles. Rolling hills meet winding rivers with their silvery sheen. Scotland is a land of contrasts, where nature reveals its many facets. Its landscapes invite you to explore, to discover its history and rich culture, and to marvel at its timeless natural beauty.

1. Whisky is only drunk as a digestive

Often associated with pure after-dinner sipping, Whisky can also be enjoyed in cocktails. The history of mixology was built over a century ago around whisky, and LABEL 5 continues to keep this heritage alive. This authentic Scotch Whisky offers fragrant, elegant and tasty cocktail recipes such as the Paloma or the Bourbon Fresh.

2. There are only castles in Scotland

Some are made of grey rock, others of red brick, while still others are whitewashed for a more modern aesthetic. There's something very special about Scottish castles, and it's not unusual to come across one on your way. Steeped in history and architecturally rich, they bear witness to a bygone era, and it's possible to immerse oneself in them, both through events and guided tours. Of course, these castles are not the only tourist attraction in the country, as some might think.

3. Its music is not soothing

The Scottish music scene boasts many talented artists. Traditional Celtic music is often synonymous with the bagpipes, but that's not all! In fact, many other instruments accompany it, such as the accordion, harp and fiddle. Scotland is also known for its rock creations and sea chanteys, such as Sea Shanty's famous Wellerman.

4. Everyone wears kilts

The kilt is a traditional Scottish garment. Its history goes back many centuries and is closely linked to its culture. Its modern version is made up of over 6 meters of pleated fabric, fastened at the waist by a belt and reaching down to the knee. Tartan variations are not only aesthetically pleasing, but are also a way of showing that you belong to a specific clan. Today, tartans are worn mainly for ceremonies such as weddings, and by bagpipers on the streets of the country to keep folklore alive for tourists.

5. A misunderstood traditional gastronomy

In Scotland, gastronomy struggles to find palates that will appreciate its culinary specialties. This is particularly true of traditional dishes such as Haggis, a stuffed sheep's stomach whose appearance is not necessarily very appetizing. For sweet tooths, the deep fried Mars bar is a chocolate bar fried in doughnut batter. In short, you need to be brave and open-minded to discover some of Scotland's delicacies.

Read more:

⋙ King Charles: There's much more to the royal's kilt than you might imagine

⋙ Scottish government going to court over gender recognition bill: Why is it so controversial?

⋙ Lilias Adie, accused of witchcraft, was buried in Scotland but her skull is nowhere to be found

⋙ Nicola Sturgeon: What is the ex-First Minister of Scotland doing today?

⋙ Humza Yousaf's salary: How much does the First Minister of Scotland get paid?

This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag FR.