My name is Keith Savage. I’m an American living in Wisconsin, but my heart calls Scotland home. Sure, my ancestry is half Scottish, but the love I have for Scotland doesn’t stem from random chromosomal chance. It stems from Scotland’s natural beauty, vibrant culture, fascinating history, and knowing a place so well it has helped me know myself.
Traveling Savage is my labor of love. What begin in 2009 has become one of the world’s most venerable and informative sites dedicated to Scotland. I’m lucky to visit Scotland multiple times each year to continue my quest to explore every last rill, burn, and glen. I’ve learned a lot along the way, and these days I’m helping loads of wonderful people from across the globe plan their own trips to Scotland’s mystical shores.
It wasn’t always this way.
The Dark Age
Everyone navigates murky waters of anxiety and uncertainty at some point in life. For me, it came to a head at a “justify your existence” moment one cold December night. What was my purpose in life? Why did I exist? What was I working toward?
Deep philosophical waters, I know.
I was in my late 20s making a good living but not really having one, and though I didn’t have answers to those questions I knew I couldn’t continue ticking off the years engaged in questionably enriching pursuits.
I’ve come to believe that each of us is here for a reason, that nothing feels worse than not finding and pursuing that thing. I didn’t have this wisdom back then, but I sensed something had to change.
The Renaissance
So I quit my job and looked inward. I wanted to pursue something meaningful, but it took me years to figure out what that might be and how to practically quit a wonderful job for no reason other than ennui.
I loved travel, or at least how travel shakes up the etch-a-sketch of everyday routine to provide new perspectives, insights, and growth, so I decided to marry my love of travel with my writing vocation and see where the winds would take me.
I initially went to Argentina but quickly settled on Scotland as a destination to focus on, cozy up to, and explore. What you’ll find here is a catalogue of all my experiences.
The Golden Age
I work on Traveling Savage writing articles, traveling around Scotland, and helping people plan their trips. I’m also an aspiring novelist intent on self-publishing works that are often inspired by the meaningful experiences Scotland consistently provides.
I’m still a work in progress. I haven’t found all the answers, but I have found some. The big one?
Passion pulls. It’s a magnetic and perceptible force that leads you to your thing and others to you. Welcome!
Thanks for checking out Traveling Savage. I look forward to inspiring your travels and helping you plan your trip to Scotland.
All the best,
Keith “Traveling Savage” Savage
P.S. If you’re curious, here’s the about me page from the first nine years of Traveling Savage.