You should know a couple of Scotland journey ideas earlier than you journey to Scotland. With two wonderful and historic cities in Glasgow and Edinburgh and extra alternatives for out of doors actions, there’s something for everybody after they journey to Scotland so long as some unpredictable cloud protection with an opportunity of rain isn’t minded.
We had greater than just a bit enjoyable in Scotland’s charismatic and beautiful highlands. Scotland has historical past, beautiful landscapes, nice meals, and charismatic locals. It doesn’t matter if you’re an everyday or first-time traveler. These are some things you need to know earlier than you journey to Scotland. The remaining I’m positive you’ll work out whenever you get there!
What to Know When You Journey to Scotland
The place is Scotland
Scotland is a part of the UK, masking the northern third of the island of Nice Britain. It shares a border with England to the Southeast and is surrounded by sea to the northeast, north, and west.
Most Scottish dwell on the mainland and within the heart of Scotland, although there are practically 800 islands off the coast! Scotland options wild coastlines, lovely white sand seashores, beautiful mountains, and rolling hills.
27 BEST Locations to Go to in Scotland
Attending to Scotland
Many worldwide flights are finest served by way of the Edinburgh Airport (EDI), although many European cities join nicely to Aberdeen Worldwide Airport, Glasgow Worldwide Airport, and Glasgow Prestwick Worldwide Airport.
Glasgow Prestwick is the one airport in Scotland linked to the rail community. These touring to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Glasgow Worldwide should use the bus service to the town heart or take a taxi. All airports have rental automobile facilities.
Vacationers from England can hook up with Scotland’s Railway System, so arriving in Scotland from London won’t be advanced.
Driving in Scotland
One of the best ways to journey round Scotland is with a rental automobile, particularly when you’re touring with a bunch. All with a world driving license can drive in Scotland. Driving in Scotland is not any joke, and it’s important to understand that earlier than renting a car. For starters, the Scots drive on the left facet of the highway, with the steering wheel on the best.
Second, as a substitute of stoplights, many of the roads in Scotland run easily due to roundabouts. Sure, roundabouts. These are the circle streets it’s possible you’ll get a wee bit nervous about driving on when you’re not used to them.
Third and most necessary – the roads in lots of elements of the nation, together with the highlands, are sometimes small single-track roads match for only one car at a time. Each 400 meters or so, there are passing factors to let oncoming visitors get by way of. The automobile closest to a passing level must be the one to yield.
In case you e book early sufficient, you’ll be able to rating a fantastic charge at one in all Scotland’s many automobile rental facilities! Renting a automobile in Scotland is without doubt one of the finest methods to discover. This lets you go the place you need, and all the time cease for a stupendous view everytime you need!
Search and Evaluate Costs for Rental Automobiles
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See Extra Our Ideas for Renting a Automotive in Scotland
Is Scotland Secure?
Scotland is an extremely protected and heat place to go to. The Scottish individuals are among the friendliest folks we have now met on our travels. This doesn’t imply to let free in main cities at night time, as petty crime and pickpockets are nonetheless an issue in city areas.
If you’re ever at risk, name 999 (or 112) and ask for the police, ambulance, and many others.
What’s the forex in Scotland?
Scotland is a part of the UK, and makes use of the Pound Sterling (£). Although all main bank cards can be used throughout Scotland, and we have now by no means had bother utilizing our bank card nearly wherever.
Lochs, Bens, and Munros
In case you’ll be spending plenty of time exterior and mountaineering in Scotland one in all my prime Scotland journey ideas is to familiarize your self with a couple of phrases. A loch is a lake, a munro is a mountain over 3000 ft, and you’ll often discover the phrase “Ben” in any mountain peak identify.
Climbing in Scotland: 15 BEST Hikes in Scotland
The place to Keep When You Journey to Scotland?
There are many locations to remain in Scotland. In main cities, you’ll discover internationally acknowledged resort chains like Marriott, IHG and Airbnbs. Whereas within the countryside, you’re staying at small boutique inns and b&bs.
Our favourite locations to remain in Scotland are in guesthouses run by native households, which you will discover throughout Airbnb and VRBO!
Tipping in Scotland
Tipping in Scotland isn’t like tipping in the USA, although when you exit to eat at a restaurant, it’s nonetheless frequent apply to go away a tip of round 10%. There isn’t a must tip in informal conditions like getting a beer at a hairstylist or nail salon.
What Plug Do They Use in Scotland?
Scotland makes use of the identical plugs as the remainder of the UK which is the plug sort is G (three rectangular pins in a triangular sample). That is totally different from the usual Europlug. We suggest buying an excellent journey adaptor earlier than your journey to Scotland.
Is the Faucet Water in Scotland Secure to Drink?
The faucet water round Scotland may be very protected to drink and scrumptious. There isn’t a want to purchase plastic bottles, so we suggest grabbing an superior journey water bottle to refill and keep hydrated.
A Few Enjoyable Information About Scotland
A Scottish Man Invented The Steam Engine: His identify? James Watt. He additionally provides his identify to a unit of power and is credited with developing with the measurement of horsepower.
There Are 790 Islands That Are Half Of Scottish Land: There are 4 important teams: the Internal Hebrides, the Outer Hebrides, Shetland, and Orkney.
Edinburgh Citadel is On An Extinct Volcano: To be exact, the fort sits on a volcanic plug known as Citadel Rock. It’s been the positioning of a royal fort ever because the twelfth century, however with fortresses present right here earlier than then, and was crucial to the Kingdom of Scotland. In its 1,100 12 months historical past, it’s had 26 recognized sieges.
34 Enjoyable Scotland Information You Can Impress Associates With
What to Eat in Scotland
Scottish meals, at its core, is all in regards to the ingredient and Scottish meals fluctuate by location. Although Scotland’s nationwide dish is haggis, a savory meat pudding, the nationwide drink is after all, whisky.
Different Scottish meals to strive are Scotch pie, Cullen skink, neeps and tatties, and recent salmon!
Once we journey Scotland we love all of the recent meals and might usually discover hand-dived scallops, smoked salmon, aged whisky, stilton, croquettes, cheddar, dry-aged beef, duck, wild mushrooms, venison, grouse, lamb, aubergines, hand-picked herbs, and craft distilled gin.
The Atlantic Ocean provides a copious quantity of wonderful seafood to Scotland. Fish and chips could also be a basic dish, however there may be much more to meals in Scotland as of late than a fried piece of cod.
Search for wonderful smoked salmon, recent oysters, langoustine, trout, scallops, and even sea urchins. We had some unbelievable meals on our Scotland journey. You may take a look at one of the best of our Scottish meals right here.
Typical Prices For Touring Scotland?
Scotland is way from the costliest vacation spot, however being within the UK it might be greater than you count on.
Common Two-Week Journey to Scotland Price (pp)
Widespread Actions/Excursions in Scotland
How you can Save Cash in Scotland?
Prepare dinner Your Personal Meals: In case your lodging has a kitchen, then our one in all our Scotland journey ideas is to make use of it. We lower your expenses this fashion when touring round Scotland. Grocery shops in Scotland are wonderful and well-stocked, and one can simply cook dinner an incredible meal for reasonable.
Drink Faucet Water: Faucet water in Scotland is completely advantageous to drink, so finest to not waste cash or plastic on one-time-use water bottles. Get your self a journey water bottle and hold refilling it!
Journey Throughout the Offseason: I feel touring in Scotland, notably shrines, within the offseason. I don’t like crowds or excessive costs, so I really like touring between September and Could. We spotlight one of the best time to go to Scotland on this put up.
How A lot Does a Journey to Scotland Price?
Only a Wee Drink
If you journey to Scotland, there are two issues you could know in regards to the folks of Scotland. They’re among the friendliest folks on earth and so they prefer to drink. Don’t be stunned whenever you hear the basic line “oh, it’s only a wee drink” or “how ’bout a wee dram o’ whisky.”
Though Scotch is of nationwide delight and a unbelievable spirit it isn’t what the Scottish drink each day. The preferred drink as of late is gin and beer. So, we acquired to make mates and relive our days of African safari with some gin & tonics.
In case you journey to Scotland, you higher strive a minimum of just a little of their nationwide drink simply as soon as. There are many wonderful Scottish distilleries to tour as nicely!
Needless to say ingesting and driving in Scotland is a giant no no. The present restrict is 22 microgrammes (mcg) of alcohol in 100 ml of breath, which is lower than a beer for some folks. Maintain this in thoughts when ingesting in Scotland.
Wow!
If you journey Scotland, you need to get used to saying wow if you’re planning a highway journey round Scotland! The rugged mountains that seem like older than time are cloaked in thick heather that washes throughout the panorama in a sea of inexperienced and purple. In all of the locations we have now traveled the Scottish Highlands is without doubt one of the most lovely areas we have now ever seen.
We weren’t ready for the great thing about the highlands or the Isle of Skye and knew nothing in regards to the panorama of Scotland earlier than arriving. It solely took an hour of driving out of Edinburgh earlier than we had been out of the automobile, snapping images.
Freedom to Roam
One factor to know whenever you journey Scotland is that there isn’t a trespassing. Everybody has the best to roam alongside the countryside, together with farms. The “freedom to roam” is the general public’s proper to entry public or privately owned land for recreation.
This doesn’t embrace homes, gardens, or army bases, so don’t go squatting on somebody’s porch, nevertheless it does enable folks to benefit from the land and inland water for his or her well-being. The one stipulation is that you will need to achieve this responsibly and safely and keep an affordable distance from dwelling. Usually, you will need to respect different folks’s pursuits, look after the setting, and take duty in your actions. You may learn extra about it right here.
So, thoughts the sheep and shut the gate!
Cloudy With a Probability of Solar
Regardless of what you might even see in numerous images and movies (we’re responsible), Scotland has some infamous climate. An necessary Scotland journey tip to know is that you need to count on clouds, rain, wind, sideways rain, fog, and the occasional solar even in the summertime.
In Scotland, the saying goes, “a dry day is an effective day.” In case you’re coming to Scotland for a suntan, it’s possible you’ll need to rebook your flights to Greece. It is best to come ready with a minimum of a light-weight rain jacket and waterproof boots.
Neglect the umbrella! Wind + Umbrella = Not Good If you wish to know extra, we’ve acquired a packing put up for Scotland!
Beware the Midges
You should know in regards to the midges earlier than you journey to Scotland. If there may be one horrible, horrible, horrible factor about Scotland, it’s the bloody midges – and the Scots will agree!
We’ve handled many bugs in our travels, however none as unhealthy as midges (which incorporates our 12 months in Africa). They’re tiny flying bugs which are drawn to your nostril, eyes, mouth, and each uncovered piece of pores and skin.
Oh, and so they fly in swarms, and so they chunk. You’ll know when you run throughout a patch of those flying demons.
One of the best protection is a few bug spray and garments that cowl your pores and skin. We noticed some photographers with fly nets over their face which may be worthwhile investments. You may also buy midge spray in lots of markets in Scotland.
Aye Lassie and Lads
Loch, hill, ben, and glen are just some names you’ll must be taught when touring to Scotland. These aren’t names of individuals however varied pure options you’ll discover all through the nation.
Lochs are what the remainder of the English-speaking world refers to as lakes. Hill or Ben can consult with a mountain, and glen means valley. Additionally, I’m satisfied all pirate discuss in motion pictures is only a bunch of Scots. Aye, lassie!
There are a Few Slender Roads
Questioning the right way to journey in Scotland? Properly, among the finest methods is to drive your self! In case you plan to drive by way of the Scottish Highlands or the North Coast 500, be ready for some single-track roads. The overwhelming majority of roads in Scotland are one lane with a small passing space to permit to oncoming automobiles to move.
These passing factors are roughly each 400 meters or so to let oncoming visitors get by way of. The automobile closest to a passing level must be the one to yield. That doesn’t imply crossing the trail of one other car into the passing level. If the passing place is in your facet of the highway you progress over, whether it is on their facet you await them to method you.
Driving in Scotland? Listed here are 13 Useful Ideas
Watch Out for Shaggy Cows and Black Sheep
There are extra sheep within the Scottish Highlands than there are folks. In different phrases, there may be plenty of sheep, like a ton; Scotland thanks for supplying the world with wool.
In addition they gave us an animal with most likely one of the best hairdo on the planet. The Highland Cow, ‘ighland coo,’ shaggy cow, or kyloe. In case you’re touring Scotland recognizing one in all these iconic animals is an absolute should.
The Greatest Locations to Go to in Scotland
You could possibly spend months touring round Scotland and by no means get bored. A number of of one of the best locations to go to are:
Edinburgh: The gorgeous capital of Scotland
Glasgow: Scotland’s enjoyable metropolis full of attention-grabbing structure and a novel tradition.
North Coast 500: A scenic 500 mile highway journey by way of the Scottish Highlands. A should when you love highway journeys.
Isle of Skye: Unreal surroundings on the west coast. E-book prematurely, that is the most well-liked trip vacation spot in Scotland.
Ben Nevis: The best peak within the UK, and a preferred Scotland hike you’ll be able to test off your listing.
Orkney Islands: Group of islands off the north coast.
Cairngorms Nationwide Park: Within the Scottish Highlands is the UK’s largest Nationwide Park, with loads of hikes, lochs, and even snowsports!
27 Greatest Locations to Go to in Scotland
Staying Related in Scotland
If you wish to keep linked whereas in Scotland, I like to recommend selecting up a Sim card and buying knowledge whenever you arrive. We bought 12 GB of information for £20 with Three.
Their protection prolonged into patches of the highlands and allowed us to on the very least test our emails, Instagram, and Fb every day. Different comparable telecom firms within the UK embrace O2 and Vodafone.
When is the Greatest Season to Journey Scotland?
Excessive season (July-September):
Like most European locations, Scotland’s excessive season runs from July to mid-September. That is when you will see that one of the best climate, as famous above, but additionally crowds. Days are longer, the climate is hotter, and resort and automobile rental costs are at their highest.
Shoulder Season (Could-June and Late September-November)
We’ve traveled to Scotland in the course of the shoulder season and liked it. The climate is cool, the leaves are orange and yellow, and the vibe within the air is great. That is additionally after we’ve discovered nice offers on automobile leases and guesthouses. Nevertheless, well-known locations like Glasgow and Skye had been hectic. We noticed sunny days but additionally had many wet Scotland overcast days.
Low Season (Late November-April)
The temperatures are cooler in the course of the off-season in Scotland, and also you stand a strong probability of getting caught within the rain (or snow) storm. In case you plan to journey to Scotland throughout this time you completely want a packable rain jacket, journey umbrella, and waterproof boots.
The upside is you’ll discover low costs and low numbers of vacationers. If you’re in Scotland over the vacations be sure to take part within the festivals across the cities!
Verify the Month By Month Breakdown Right here
What to Pack When You Journey to Scotland
Questioning what to put on whenever you journey to Scotland? The nation’s climate is fairly infamous so it’s solely pure that the query of what to pack for Scotland comes up lots.
With that in thoughts, you need to be ready as you’ll spend a lot of your time in Scotland exterior, having fun with its lovely cities and breathtaking landscapes.
READ MORE SCOTLAND TRAVEL TIPS