Scrolling down leads you to my brief bio with links to a more in-depth About Me page and a quick link to my Scotland trip-planning services, and a wide banner inviting you to browse a map of Scotland seeded with 500+ posts I’ve written across the country.
My Planning a Trip to Scotland series is a great starting point for people considering a trip to Scotland, and the next section offers dedicated space on the homepage for accessing those venerable posts. This five-part toolbox provides the core considerations and parameters necessary to wrap your head around traveling to Scotland.
Some people move on to planning their trip from here while others seek out my help. The next section gives an overview of my trip-planning services and a rotating testimonial from my large database of reviews.
I’ve then wrapped in my Instagram stream so all my latest photos appear on the homepage to give you an idea of what I’ve been up to most recently.
Finally, the bottom of the homepage provides additional ways to stay in touch with Traveling Savage. The Scotland’s Calling section is an easy way to subscribe to my posts and a good way to get early-access notification of future offerings like e-books and new services.
The footer with the beautiful Glen Clova backdrop connects you to all of my social media networks.
Eagle-eyed readers will notice a Resources link in the footer, too. The Resources section is designed for future videos, documents, and posts reserved for those with login access, which might be a future addition here.
Scotland Articles
This is the meat of the site, what makes Traveling Savage arguably the best Scotland travel site in the world. For the relaunch of Traveling Savage I really wanted to make finding my older posts, which are mostly evergreen, easy and quick. I recategorized and retagged hundreds of posts for a more intuitive searching experience.
Now, posts are categorized by their region in Scotland (Argyll & The Isles, Orkney Islands, etc.) and tagged with their subject matter (distilleries, castles, etc.). You can also simply search the database here and browse through the pages which take you back through older posts chronologically.
When you click on a blog post you’ll notice a few new features. First, there’s now a mini-map of Scotland with a pin where the subject of the post is located! This was a common request and one I’ve wanted for some time, so I’m ecstatic that it’s now in place. Some posts don’t neatly pin to the map but in those cases I’ve done the best I can.
Second, there’s a progress bar that runs across the top of the screen showing how far into the article you’ve progressed, or how much you’ve got left to read, depending on your perspective. Time is money and knowing the length of the article ought to save you some.
Finally, I’ve got some new image options including wide-screen images. You’ll have seen one in this post!
Browsing the Map
Easily the biggest and coolest improvement of the revamp is the introduction of a browsable map of Scotland with posts pinned to their locations. This map works just like Google Maps (it is one). The numbers in the bubbles indicate the number of posts in that area — just click the bubble and the map zooms in and explodes the bubble into pinned posts. You may have to do this a number of times to drill down.
A red pin indicates a single post. Just click it and a window appears with a preview that leads to the full post. Red pins with plus signs indicate there’s more than one post pinned at this specific location. Click those and a scrollable window appears with a preview of each post. It’s as simple as that!
This map is a great way to get a feel for not only how much information you’ll find on Traveling Savage, but also how various subjects are related to Scotland’s regions. You might know only a little about the geography of Scotland, but with this map you’ll be able to easily find places you want to go.
Trip-Planning Services
The Plan Your Trip page provides an overview of the various trip-planning services I currently offer, access to more information and pricing, and testimonials from previous clients. I’m currently offering itinerary review, trip consultations, and bespoke itineraries. Speaking of that…
Enter to Win a Bespoke 10-Day Itinerary to Scotland!
I’m giving away a bespoke 10-day itinerary to Scotland to celebrate Traveling Savage’s redesign and in earnest thanks for supporting me. This give-away runs until September 1, 2018 when a random winner will be chosen (see full terms and conditions for more information). There are multiple ways to enter to increase your chances of winning.
I will work one-on-one with the winner to craft their bespoke itinerary following the same process as my bespoke itinerary service. I can’t wait to work with the winner!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I hope you enjoy the new-look Traveling Savage and that it makes your dreams of Scotland a little easier to attain!
A special thank you to the Powderkeg folks for their amazing work on the revamp.
Keith,
The site is beautiful and so easy to navigate! I’m having a blast discovering old posts, reading new posts, and learning more about Scotland. The large photos are breathtaking. They make me miss Scotland even more. The map is a wonderful feature and makes a huge difference. Friends ask me about Scotland often, and being able to quickly access answers for them is easy (though I keep encouraging them to check out Traveling Savage for themselves!) The site truly is user friendly. Congratulations.
Slainte Mhath!
Thanks, Joanie, for the positive feedback and your continued presence! I’m very happy to hear you’re finding the new layout pleasing. Thanks a million for referring your friends, too. Cheers!
Well done Keith! So nice to see your progress over the years! I remember when you first began your adventures (online) to Scotland and have enjoyed living vicariously through you ever since. Hoping to make it to the Highlands to stand on the Murray Clan’s ground one of these days.
Thanks for the continued support, Vivian! I hope you make that trip happen soon!
So pleased with the look and feel of the new site Keith! I’ve shared your site with a number of people interested in Scotland adventures, and told them you can’t go wrong with the info on Traveling Savage. The new site is more bold then before and will definitely whet the appetite for the roads less traveled.
Congratulations and slainte!
Alison
Thanks, Alison! I really appreciate you spreading the word!
So glad my friend shared your information! My daughter and I are planning a trip to Scotland and Ireland next summer, and didn’t know where to start.
Have a look around, Christine, and let me know if you’d like my personal help in planning your trip. Thanks for reading!
Keith, you are one of the best travel bloggers around, and I am enjoying your website update immensely. Even though not presently planning a trip to Scotland, I can look here and find something that speaks to my soul. Mom and Grandma were born in Glasgow, and we’ve visited many times. You always take me there, and it’s like visiting with relatives and finding something new each time. VERY nice job on the website – I love it. And your photos are amazing!
Hi Ailsa. Thank you for the kind comments! Writing here and helping others like you plan their trips is my passion. I can’t tell you how nice it is to hear these writings bring you back to wonderful memories. Thanks again!
I really love the new site, Keith!! It looks so good and it’s *so* functional!
Thanks Kirsten!
WOW, what a really beautiful website. I especially love the click on the map feature! I haven’t been to Scotland yet – can’t afford it. I”m in the US. But it’s on my bucket list and I can’t think of anywhere else I want to go. My ancestry is Scotland (Highlands). I am very envious of what you do! You are a lucky guy and we are very lucky to “live” our dreams through you!
Thanks Christal. Here’s hoping you make it to Scotland soon!
Hello Keith. I subscribed… really happy to explore Scotland through your amazing Blog. I plan to go to Inverness and the Isle of Skye in 2019, May for over a week – still busy in my head with the planning, etc. I come from far, Budapest, with my 9 year old Westie, whom I named Skye. I read the articles, and got the gist, so I opted for no events, going is the main event in our lives, climate, well May, thus shoulder season, nor car, so trains buses, and on foot will be fine. My days of doing too much, and backpacking, camping, etc are over, I now prefer slow easy comfy, a wee bit of luxury, safety, traveling alone, No 1 = pet friendly, with walking, exploring, experiencing and and sightseeing the main drivers. Seeing the beauty and hearing the accent. Bagpipes! Even visiting castles, we plan to do the grounds not actually go in. Good enough. I won’t be able to go again to this fair land, I seriously doubt it very much, due to cost, I retire in 5 years, so carpe diem. The landscapes, the vistas, the glens, and lochs, the cliffs, the verdant green, the blue of the sky and the waters, the livestock – perfect to breath in and celebrate, allowing Skye to roam free and have fun. I want to show the Scots my beautiful Poltalloch terrier, and in turn through her, experience this sacred and rugged land. I choose the Highlands, and the Isle. It will be a safari, but the best one ever I reckon. If the gods smile on us, perhaps we are fortunate to go again, together. But once in this lifetime, for sure. I must make it happen. Thank you, keep on doing … keep on travelling Savage (ly), how gorgeous is this country via your Blog. Thank you, Eniko and Skye
First of all, Eniko, thank you for subscribing and this glorious comment. It makes me so excited to know what lies in store for you. And given your mindset, I’ve no doubt you will have a life-changing experience. I wish you nothing but the best for your trip to Scotland!