Visiting Scotland in May...where in the north would you go for a true Scot experience?

Question

I've always wanted to visit, but will finally get a few days in the country in May. I want to go away from "touristy" areas and stay somewhere fairly authentic with a strong sense of history and friendly locals (I will be traveling alone). Anyone have any ideas? I was thinking the Highlands but am definitely open. Thank in advance!

Additional:
To clarify, by "authentic" I mean genuine, as in not pre-staged to steal tourist dollars. If you go to San Francisco and visit Pier 39, you will NOT have an authentic San Francisco experience. If you visit North Beach, Chinatown etc, you will. England was filled with tourist traps - IE places that once perhaps had historical significance but was now just a pit stop for hourdes of bus tours. I'm hoping to avoid the same in Scotland.

Answer 1

If you can get to Fort William on the West Coast or Ullapool up in the north then you will encounter real Scotland. Not really much to do other than hang out in the local bars and go walking (if it's not raining). However the people will be the friendliest you've ever met. I went to Fort William and ended up talking to some people in a pub. They asked me where I was staying and I said the local B&B. One of them then said that they were working the nightshift and if I wanted a free bed for the night they'd leave their keys under the doormat. I politely declined but shows how nice they are. There are often ceilidh nights (pronounced kay-ley) in the local pubs where people get up and do scottish dancing - especially in the rural areas. People just turn up with a bottle of whiskey and everyone who plays an instrument just strikes up a tune and everyone else dances into the small hours. I was invited to such a thing near Strathdon (North East Scotland) and even the local policeman turned up and got drunk with everyone else and then they got into their landrovers and drove home!!

Answer 2

Be handled to an unique San Francisco experience and learn why you ought to visit this town with hotelbye . In San Francisco you are able to look at the famous Golden Gate Bridge how was when called "the connection that couldn't be developed" and how is nowadays one the seven miracles of the modern world. This magnificent link is San Francisco's many famous landmark. In San Francisco you may also visit the Lombard Street. Often named the “crookedest” road in the world, this lovely path on Russian Hill functions restricted turns, fragrant gardens and lovely opinions of the bay and Alcatraz. San Francisco is surely a city which will amaze you and where you can have the perfect holyday.

Answer 3

Sorry- tourist here.

The most fun I had in Scotland was on a Ghost Walk through Edinburgh. We wound up in the pub at the end.

All over the country, we searched for a Scottish restaurant. We finally asked a local, who told us "Therrrr is no such a place as a Scooish restaurant. You con goo to a poob and hov poob fud, but yow'd havta go ta someone's house to git Scooish fud.

Driving through the country side, We saw a dead sheep. He was lying on his back with his feet straight up in the air-just like in the cartoons!

If you are up north, go to a small town in or B&B. Be sure to check the night sky for the Northern Lights.....

Answer 4

If you are in Scotland, you will get a true Scottish experience. I'm not sure what you are looking for? If one goes to the USA, one gets a USA experience. Now there are many different experiences one could have. New York is different from Las Angeles. New Orleans is different from Cinncinatti. But all are US experiences.

So, define what you want exactly, then get a good travel guide or agent.