YourLifeIsATrip.com team members Ellen Barone, Judith Fein and Paul Ross are just back from an action-packed week at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Aviemore, Scotland. Below, they offer up an amuse bouche of words + photos from the trip. 

There are two Scotlands. One is the Scotland that people imagine and dream about: wind-swept landscapes, raging seas, rain, mist, then brilliant sun. People who have thick brogues, thin legs that stick out from under kilts, a wicked sense of humor, and a penchant for smooth, aged whisky. Bagpipes that are played to encourage the troops, terrify the enemy, or inspire tourists who have never heard their mighty power. A Robert Burns poem that is recited while a long knife is quickly inserted into a steaming haggis. Scottish-French-Asian fusion dishes that pop and surprise on the palate. On the remote isles of Skye and Mull, long-haired Highland cows roam and sometimes outnumber the inhabitants. Hikers, bikers and kayakers gear up, party down, and explore the fog-shrouded terrain. The drama of the Edinburgh castle and the deep history of the Royal Mile, with its medieval buildings, churches, closes, red phone booths, shops, and ghost tours.  

The second Scotland is the one that really exists: wind-swept landscapes, raging seas, rain, mist, then brilliant sun. People who have thick brogues, think legs that stick out from under kilts ...you see, the Scotland of your dreams is very much like the real one. Your Scottish dreams are real. Real Scotland is dreamy. Slainte! We lift a glass to toast Scotland. 

Photographers ELLEN BARONE and PAUL ROSS take you there with this just-back-from-Scotland slideshow....ENJOY. 

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To launch your own Scotland adventure visit www.VisitScotland.com.

Credits: Words by Judith Fein, photography by Paul Ross and Ellen Barone