“When the heart is full the tongue will speak.” 

— Scottish proverb

Please allow me to change just one word of the proverb, from tongue to camera. I have had the unbelievable luck to have visited Scotland three times in my adult life. And though I’ve written much about it in the past, this time, I’ll let my favorite photos do the tongue wagging. May Ye Banks and Braes O’ Bonnie Doon beckon you to wander here also.

On one of our last nights in Scotland, I managed to stick my iPhone a few inches out of my hotel window and snap this dramatic picture of the sun setting over Inverness, reflected in the hotel window.

Eilean Donan, my wife, daughters and granddaughter’s ancestral castle sits near the Isle of Skye. But this wasn’t the castle we stayed in…

…THIS is the castle we stayed in — Winton Castle — in East Lothian, south of Edinburgh, Scotland.

One of my favorite things about staying in Winton Castle were the fun stairways we took to get to our quarters.

The Scottish Flag is hoisted high above East Lothian, Scotland upon our departure.

LEFT: The Scots are such friendly folk, and hilarious, too! RIGHT: Some guy named William Wallace asked if I’d help defend Scotland as I strolled The Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Sure, and since the posing fees benefited leukemia research, I was definitely ready to brandish a sword. Alba gu bràth! photo by Marci Curtis

It was a beautiful, easy hike down to Bow Fiddle Rock on the North Sea. Though from this angle, it looks a little more like an elephant than a fiddle’s bow.

Because I saw a pretty door and roses, Marci and Avery posed with ‘em. That’s what happens when you’re on vacation with photographers! And then Avery flies over the North Sea with the help of her mommy.

My son-in-law lifts my granddaughter up to spy on us in a Leith (suburb of Edinburgh) pub.

Picturesque Portree Harbor awaits nightfall on the Isle of Skye.

An iconic Highland Cow ambles up to the fence as if just begging for a portrait as we drive off the Isle of Skye.

Rodney Curtis is a recovering journalist and author of four books.

Check out Rodney’s books here.