What do highlands look like

Later big infrastructural works such as the Caledonian Canal provided some relief. These were hard times and many Highlanders tried their luck elsewhere and migrated to the US, Canada and Australia. Nowadays there are more descendants from the Highlanders living outside Scotland than there are inside. The results of the clearances are still visible today if you drive through the empty Glens in the Highlands and most people still live in villages and towns near the coast.

The Highlands remain very scarcely populated. This type of woodland, which consisted mostly of Scots pine, rowan, birch oak and Juniper, one covered huge areas in Scotland. Climatic changes caused the forest to retreat but fortunately there are quite a few remaining parts of the Caledonian Forest which are not only unique but also home to amazing wildlife such as the Capercaillie. Visit Loch Ness and keep your eyes peeled as you explore the area! There's no denying it - Scotland has plenty of stories to tell.

Visit advice page. Can you find Nessie? Home About Uniquely Scottish Nessie. What does she look like? The Five Sisters of Kintail is one of the finest hill walks in Scotland, and a great challenge for fit and experienced walkers with the right equipment. For families there are low-level walks along Gleann Lichd, and you can even give sea kayaking a go with the help of our friendly rangers. One of the special things about venturing into the Highlands is that feeling of isolation.

This is an unforgettable, unmissable experience. Want to get your adrenaline going? The trails on Balmacara Estate are perfect for mountain biking. In fact, you can try all sorts of outdoor pursuits on this traditional Highland crofting estate — activities like orienteering, hiking and birdwatching let you experience the environment in new ways.

Walking in Scotland. Want to go wild? Is there a more iconic Scottish animal than the red deer? Get up early to find them on the hillside, or visit our deer enclosure and museum for a closer look.

Calling all plant lovers! It is also perfect for people who have pets, because you can make sure their muddy footprints stay isolated to one area. Not everyone can afford to build an entire mud room in their home, but you can still recreate this with an entry way that is devoted to putting your outdoor gear away.

In most older homes in Scotland, you will find wooden beams supporting the ceiling. In modern homes, some people will even buy decorative wood beams to give a house the look of being historic. Unfortunately, that will make the task of getting this look, far more expensive if your home is newly built. It truly is a luxury to have a library in your house.

However, there are plenty of solutions to displaying your books in an elegant way, like the office featured above. An office can have a large built-in piece that makes a room truly feel like a study area.

In the UK, they have a gorgeous tradition around Christmas time where they take greenery from the outdoors and create a display on the mantle above the fireplace. The best part of this tradition is that if you have a garden, you might just get away with doing this for free! If not, check out your local craft stores and plant nurseries to see what you can find. As an added bonus, consider finding scented pine cones.

In a quintessential historic stately home in the United Kingdom, there are always large portraits of dead relatives. Usually, there is a grand story about how this man founded the family hundreds of years ago.

In the photo above, you can see the huge picture of a man with a kilt. If your goal is to make a house look as Scottish as possible, you might want to find one of these!

Even if your family did not have portraits, there are plenty of options out there for you to choose from. Not related to anyone Scottish? Well…You can always make up a funny story to go along with it. Modern homes usually try to stay away from dark colors in favor of bright minimalist vibes. Usually, having lighter colors helps people feel like they are in a happier mood. But in Scottish homes, the color scheme usually feel very masculine and dark. The color scheme is very earthy in general.

Enclosed glass terrariums are great, because they basically create their own ecosystem inside of the container. These also look so much more visually interesting than plants in simple pots, because you can gaze inside to see the roots and the layers of dirt that are helping to make the plants grow. Terrariums look great almost anywhere- on a coffee table, window sill, or a back porch.

Even if you hate the idea of having real taxidermy animals in your house, many homes in Scotland will opt for antlers, instead.

There are even pieces of furniture and huge chandeliers made out of antlers. As you can see in the photo above, there are a lot of options out there for faux antlers made out of wood or plastic, as well.

Check out eBay and Etsy for the various faux antler options out there. For most of you, finding great accent pillows is a no-brainer, no matter what kind of style you have in your home. However, remember that Scottish vibes are all about having somewhere cozy to lay down with a good book.

So pillows are a must-have. If you are not sure how to incorporate tartan fabrics into your home, accent pillows may be the best place to start. You can find the pattern in almost any color, and they can easily be thrown on a couch or chairs. If you close your eyes and try to imagine a big house in Scotland, the very first thing you probably thought of was a grand brick fireplace. This is quintessential in most stately European homes.

If your home does not already have one, this project may be way out of your budget. However, they make faux fireplaces for a fraction of the price. You could also consider a wood burning stove, which would help cut down on your heat bill in the winter.

Most Scottish homes that have been passed down from generation to generation are filled with antiques that were left behind from previous owners. Or, people inherit items from their grandparents, and they ultimately end up on display at some point. The amount of antiques arranged in homes around the UK may even border on tacky. It is the polar opposite of the modern minimalistic vibe. So, the more trinkets, books, and heirlooms you can get, the better.

Back in the day, people would bake things in a brick oven. Today, these are incredibly rare to find in American homes. The taste of pizza and bread truly is different when it is baked on brick near a fire, versus the results you get from an electric or gas oven. For some people, the taste is totally worth it, and they use it for entertaining guests. If you want to build a pizza oven, it would cost a lot of money.

Most people opt to have one outdoors, as well, just in case there are any issues. Many of the larger homes in Europe are passed down from generation to generation. Some of the wealthiest families even have a crest. Having a house that is lived in for multiple generations also means that a lot of family heirlooms are left behind.

Each family is different, and there will be sentimental items that mean something to you. Most older homes were build with dark hardwood floors, and you will be able to sand and polish it without tearing it up. This items is practically a must-have since it is an element that you will see in most Scottish homes. Real hard wood can be very expensive, but you can find vinyl flooring that mimics the look of hardwood for a fraction of the price.

You may also see ribbons for equestrian or marksmanship. There is just something cool about a really good antique award. As an added bonus, try to look for antique boxing gloves and other sporting equiptment.

Every luxurious European home would not be complete without a chandelier. However, before you rush out and buy one, keep a few things in mind. The height of the ceilings and the length of the chain will make a huge difference in the size of your chandelier.