- Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott got engaged in my home country, Scotland.
- Scotland is an unpredictable choice for most, but I believe it's one of the most romantic places.
My Instagram feed is full of couples getting engaged at swoon-worthy spots across the globe, from Rome's Trevi Fountain to candlelit beaches in Mexico.
So when I read People's report that Jonathan Scott proposed to Zooey Deschanel in my home country, Scotland, I couldn't contain my excitement.
Deschanel showed off her engagement ring in a selfie with Scott that was posted to Instagram on Monday, alongside the caption: "Forever starts now!!!"
The proposal took place at an undisclosed castle in Scotland, according to the People report. The couple were vacationing with Deschanel's two children, Elsie, 8, and Charlie, 6, both who were present for the proposal, the outlet added.
As someone who was born and raised in Scotland, I completely approve of the choice of location, especially since it is sometimes overlooked as a romantic destination. In November 2022, Scotland didn't make Time Out's ranking of the top 20 most romantic places in the world; the publication's top spot went to Montreal, Canada, with known favorites such as Paris and Venice making the shortlist.
I hope Deschanel and Scott's engagement will help put Scotland on the map as a proposal or honeymoon spot for those looking to travel abroad.
The couple hasn't disclosed the exact location of their proposal, however, there are plenty of castles, beaches, and islands that you can visit to experience romance during your visit.
Representatives for Deschanel and Scott did not respond to a request for comment.
Scotland is an overlooked but unique choice
I understand that Scotland isn't the first choice for everyone. The weather is famously unpredictable. And while the scenery here is beautiful, it's not exactly Paris.
My boyfriend and I adore our home, but even we chose Paris for our one-year anniversary vacation in November 2021. It was a fantastic trip, and the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower at night were just as magical as I imagined.
But looking back, I can't help but feel like we made the predictable choice.
In Scotland, there are so many unique hidden gems that could have been plucked out of a romance novel, from the dreamy Inveraray Castle and Loch Fyne in Argyll to the fairy lights on Glasgow's Ashton Lane.
And when it comes to proposal and wedding spots, there are plenty of options. Some people opt to get engaged while hiking one of the country's 282 munros. Munros are mountains that are more than 3,000 feet high, according to the Collins Dictionary. Meanwhile, many Scottish castle-hotels host weddings.
Some of the most romantic trips I've been on with my boyfriend have been in Scotland, including our first-ever vacation together in St Andrews during the spring of 2021. The tiny seaside town is where Prince William and Kate Middleton famously fell in love, as both were students at the town's prestigious university in the early 2000s.
We took strolls along the beach, ate ice cream, and visited the botanic gardens. I could easily picture Kate and William enjoying the same kinds of dates back in the day.
There's also Port Ban, a camper van site on the west coast where my boyfriend's family vacations every year. It has one of the most beautiful beaches I've visited, and I've witnessed several seaside weddings take place while there.
But unlike Paris, it isn't splashed across my Instagram feed every summer.
If you're looking for a romantic spot that isn't predictable, I'd suggest you run — not walk — to your local travel agent and book a trip to Scotland.