My relocation scouting trip to Scotland
Here you can read about my practical research trip to understand life, work and design culture in Scotland. I went on February 27th and was there until March 17th.
Why I went
I didn’t go to Scotland as a tourist. This trip was about understanding what it would truly mean to live and work there. I wanted to experience daily life, design culture, pace, people and workplaces — so if I move, it’s based on reality, and not on fantasy.
What I did
I went to Scotland with the intention to explore, listen, observe and see whether this country could be my new home. So this trip was part research and part reality-check.
City and lifestyle research
I spent time in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Dunfermline — walking neighbourhoods, using public transport, visiting supermarkets, cafés and everyday places to understand the pace of life and atmosphere.
Observing the Scottish design culture
I paid attention to everyday design in Scotland — from signage, menus, posters and transport branding to advertising and public communication — to understand tone, visual style and how it differs from Danish design culture.
Networking and meeting people
I attended creative workshops to meet people, listen, and talk — not to pitch myself, but to see if and how I could connect with people in Scotland, in a foreign language as well.
Practical life research
I looked into housing, commuting options, cost of living and daily logistics — the practical realities of what it would mean to live and work in Scotland.
What I learned from my trip
The first thing I noticed about being in Scotland was how familiar it felt, and I was surprised by how at ease I felt there. It didn’t feel too foreign, as it carries many similarities to Denmark, while still being different—and that contrast is exactly what made me realise it has the potential to become my new home.
One of the reasons it felt this way was in the way people and environments differed from what I’m used to. People seemed more considerate of those around them and less in a rush than in Denmark. In general, things felt less controlled—there was more room for mistakes and inconsistencies, which added an expressive charm.
Being there made Scotland feel more real, tangible, and right—and even more so once I returned to Denmark. What surprised me most was how strongly the trip confirmed my initial sense of it.
