Laurie I've liked nearly everywhere I've been - including Scotland, I'm surprised at the number of people saying they hated it
I'd say Norway (outside Oslo) and Scotland were kind of similar in that, if you encounter one rude, sullen person per day in a public facing role or randomly on the street, its bad luck. Two is maybe also bad luck, but 3 or more says something about that country. Both had equally poor transport infrastructure, and there was a sort of "tourist trap" mentality of treating tourists as a bit stupid and gullible.
I agree Finland is just quirky and efficient, a great combination.
South Africa I felt very comfortable as a single female traveller, although every South African I met was at pains to keep me safe by telling me what I should and should not do (hiring a car and driving myself outside certain areas wasn't a good idea). But I was invited to many things and it wasn't an issue that I was travelling and staying alone at all. Very welcoming.
Ireland was unique and sad that in when I did the above, I felt like I was looked on with suspicion in many places as a lone female travelling on her own and I drove all over the country. There are lots of b&b type places in private homes with room availability clearly advertised, but when I would drive up (in a nice, presentable car) and knock on the door, standing right next to a sign saying "room free or vacancies", the person answering the door would tell me there was no room. It happened so often that I can only assume they didn't want single females staying there for whatever reason that is considered unacceptable in modern day Ireland. I felt I would have to have been introduced by someone else to enjoy many of the things Ireland had to offer, otherwise it was inaccessible to me. I felt I was constantly being watched, and judged. Belfast is also the grimmest place I have ever visited.