Home of the Jacobites, William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Irn Bru, Scotland has a long history of conflict and struggle (mostly thanks to the English). This is easy to forget when surrounded by Scotland’s majestic beauty and greeted by the famous Highland hospitality. Despite the historic battles, Scotland is a home to innovation, dramatic landscapes, and a resilient people.
Scotland is a pretty liberal country that is often on the front lines of issues like renewable energy and LGBTQIA+ rights. There is always more progress to be made, but Scotland has proven so far that its leaders are willing and able to put in the work.
Fast Facts
- Scotland uses a three pronged plug that I’ve only seen in the UK and uses 230 volts.
- Like the rest of the United Kingdom, Scotland uses the Great British Pound (or pound sterling). However, when withdrawing pounds in Scotland, you may notice some banknotes are different from their English counterparts. Scottish printed banknotes are legal currency – meaning they can be used for the payment of debts, but the only party obligated to accept them is their issuer (aka the bank that printed them). The banknotes printed in England are legal tender – meaning everyone is obliged to accept them for the payment of debts. Confused yet? Basically, if you take out money in Scotland, there’s a chance establishments outside of Scotland (like in England) will not accept the banknotes as legal tender. On the other hand, English printed banknotes must be accepted everywhere in the UK.
- Scotland is one of four countries that form the United Kingdom. Like the other two nations, it has a long standing and well earned rivalry with England.
Food
Perhaps you’ve heard of the little known Scottish delicacy haggis? This is just one of many Scottish foods you can try while here. New visitors may think Scottish cuisine is the same as English (never say this to a Scot). While there are some crossovers (fish and chips, anyone?), Scotland has its own culinary traditions and dishes that set it apart. In addition to haggis, you can try: Scottish blood pudding, cullen skink (fish soup), deep fried Mars bars, gin and whisky, shortbread, sticky toffee pudding, Irn Bru, and more!
For alcohol consumers out there, the Scottish law in restaurants and grocery stores is that they’ll check your ID if you look younger than 25. I only had my ID checked once in my time, and they accepted my US driver’s license as proof.
Restaurant Etiquette
When eating out, you must clearly ask the server for the check. Otherwise they’ll let you sit at your table for as long as you please. I’ve made that mistake of thinking I successfully implied I was ready for the check only to find myself stuck when the check didn’t arrive. Even while others who finished after me paid and left!
You’re expected to tip around 10%, or up to 15-20% for exceptionally good service. Servers will typically check in with you throughout your meal, but not nearly as much as servers in the US.
When to Visit
I’ve spent most of my time in Scotland during the winter to spring months (one day I’ll visit some time else!) which in itself offers quite a contrast. For the lowland areas, year round travel is relatively pain free if you’re used to a typical British winter. Once you start heading into the highlands and islands, the time of year becomes much more important.
Spring is probably the best time to visit Scotland because of the warmer days without the large crowds of tourists or midges. Midges are a small insect that comes out in Scottish summers and causes some itchy bites if you’re not careful. I’ve been lucky to avoid midges so far.
If you’re going farther out to the islands (Hebrides or Orkneys/Shetlands), it’s best to push farther into summer to visit. The islands are buffeted by the Atlantic winds, so the weather tends to be more hostile and changeable than other parts of Scotland. I also recommend taking a ferry to the islands and summertime brings calmer seas for the journey.
No matter when you visit, you can remember the Scottish saying: if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes. Many of my days in Scotland gave me peeks into all four seasons and kept me on my toes. Be flexible and prepared for all kinds of weather once you walk out your door!
Transportation
Scotland has two main international airports: Edinburgh Airport (EDI) and Glasgow Airport (GLA). Both are located in major cities in Scotland and have easy access to other parts of the country. In my experience, EDI has more flight options than GLA, but for the most part they’re pretty equivalent. The main deciding factor for which airport you’d prefer to fly to will depend on your itinerary. Even then, you can easily take a 40 minute train or hour and a half bus between these two cities.
There is at least one domestic Scottish airline that can take you beyond Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland, but I’ve personally never used it. Unless you’re short on time and want to visit farther destinations like the Orkneys quickly, I’d recommend sticking to the trains and buses. They save money and offer you breathtaking views of the highland countryside along the way.
Buses and Trains
When traveling within the country, there are plenty of public transportation options. The main two I’ve used are train and bus. ScotRail is decently well connected when you’re traveling within the lowland area and between larger cities. If you’re under 26, there’s a youth railcard you can purchase that will give you discounts on your ScotRail tickets. In my experience, I found this card worth the money as it paid back its cost in two or three trips.
Once you start going farther north or to less populated areas, the trains become less convenient and that’s where the buses step in. Citylink buses offer a wide range of destinations at decent prices and make travel into the highlands so much easier. I’ll often compare the two when looking for a day trip or planning my next move to see which offers a better schedule and price. If you’re a student, they offer student prices that will save you money as well.
Popular Destinations
Most visitors enter Scotland through the capital Edinburgh, which is a city I beg you not to miss! Read my Edinburgh City Guide next to get the best travel tips!
Isle of Skye
Probably one of the most iconic destinations in Scotland is the Isle of Skye. Basically every inch of this isle is breathtaking and worthy of visiting. Portree is the largest town on the Isle of Skye and therefore the spot you’re most likely to stay in overnight. Portree itself is cute and worth a bit of an exploration, but you definitely need to get out of town to make the most of the isle.
You could spend weeks here and still not feel like you’ve seen enough. A few of the big attractions are the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, Dunvegan Castle, Fairy Glen, and the Fairy Pools. Most of these require a bit of hiking, so dress appropriately! There’s plenty of view points and sites you can see without too much physical stress (like the Kilt Rocks) that have parking lots/pull offs to stop and enjoy. On my last visit, we stopped at the pub Seumas’ Bar in Sligachan. It had such beautiful scenery with a river, trailhead, and mountains right there.
Prepare for some narrow roads
Unfortunately, the easiest way to get around is by car or by participating in a tour group. Tour groups are a great option for those with limited time or want to put the burden of planning and travel to someone else. There are plenty leaving from Edinburgh and Glasgow that are good deals, but they do limit your flexibility in what exactly you see and do.
If you’re comfortable, I would recommend renting a car. There are rental options in Portree because they know they get a lot of visitors in need of cars. This does mean you may have limited options during peak season, so look into booking in advance if you’re traveling then. But be warned! Most roads in the Isle of Skye are single lane roads that require going slow and generously using the pull offs to let cars pass. Fortunately, the main road is a large circle so it’s pretty easy to navigate around the isle.
The Highlands
Admittedly a broad span of Scotland, the Highlands in some form will always be on my must-see Scotland list. Scotland is broken into several areas: the lowlands, the Highlands, and the Isles. The lowlands are home to Edinburgh and Glasgow and make up the southern half of Scotland. The Highlands are the northern half and are where you’ll find the quintessential Scottish landscape and cultural highlights.
Inverness acts as the gateway into the Highlands, which makes it a great, easily accessible point to stay and make trips further into the Highlands if you’re short on time. A must-visit in this area is the Culloden battlefield, which is now part memorial, part educational-center. This is the site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising and the end to Scottish independence (for now).
Loch Ness
Flowing south from Inverness lies the home of Nessie herself – Loch Ness. With Inverness to the north and Fort Augustus to the south, Loch Ness is surrounded on all sides with ideal spots to visit. If you’re here for the infamous Loch Ness monster, there are many boat tours that take you around the loch so you can do a little hunting on your own – or just to take in the gorgeous views.
There are several buses that run down the west side of the loch from Inverness operated by Stagecoach and Citylink, which makes it very easy to move up and down the loch to explore more if you don’t have a car.
Half way down the west side of Loch Ness is one of my favorite spots: Drumnadrochit. I’ve stayed at the hostel here a few times because it’s such a convenient location. A short walk (or bus ride) away are the stately ruins of Urquhart Castle which sits right on the shore of Loch Ness and provides a medieval drama to the area. Also in Drumnadrochit is the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition which provides an engaging history of Loch Ness and its monster. Invermoriston is a quick bus ride south from Drumnadrochit and provides some nice walking trails next to a stream with some beautiful bridges.
Loch Lomond
If you haven’t already, take a moment to listen to the beauty that is Peter Hollens singing Loch Lomond. I’ll wait.
Known for its beauty, Loch Lomond, in Trossachs National Park, is one of the most famous Scottish lochs. You can take boat tours around the loch, hike along the paths around the loch, or visit one of the quaint villages along its shore for a rest and refreshment. It’s a short journey away from Glasgow and makes a great stop if you’re traveling between Glasgow and another destination along the way.
I’ll admit, I haven’t visited Loch Lomond myself other than passing through on a bus, but it’s definitely on my list of next destinations next time I’m in the area. It does get very crowded in peak season, so if you’re there for a camping trip, make sure you’ve booked your spot or have nearby alternatives on hand.
Glencoe
Glencoe is well known for its iconic dual peaks and tragic history. In 1692, 30 members of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were massacred in their homes by soldiers they had hosted with Highland hospitality for a week. All because they did not pledge allegiance to King William III and Queen Mary II. Survivors escaped into the mountains, aided by their familiarity with the landscape, but the tragedy remains an important chapter in Scottish history and the struggle for independence.
Today, Glencoe is one leg of the West Highland Way hiking trail. The A82 runs directly through the heart of Glencoe which makes it relatively easy to access and view by car or bus. There are plenty of short and long trails in Glencoe so you can spend as short or as long there and make the experience your own. Because it is a popular area, you won’t be the only one on the trails, especially during peak seasons. This is great for new hikers or those wanting a bit of socialization, but it’s less ideal if you’re someone who enjoys a quiet and more isolated trail.
Gin and Whisky Distilleries
No matter where you go, I’m sure you’ll find a gin or whisky distillery nearby to get a (literal) taste of Scottish culture. Typically, distilleries do tours and tastings for visitors in addition to their bar. Even if you’re not a fan of these spirits, I’d still encourage everyone to at least take a tour of one of the distilleries to learn more about the process and hear an expert speak on something they’re passionate about. Most of these distilleries have been around for generations, so the history is built deeply into the business and location.
Orkney and Shetland Islands
Beyond the Scottish highlands, you’ll find the Orkney and Shetland Islands offering a peek into ancient civilizations and the Viking past. Both are archipelagos that have been inhabited since mesolithic times and were home to the Picts before Norse conquest. They were annexed Scotland after a dowry dispute with the King of Norway in the 1400s. Orkney and Shetland feel like the definition of living history. They still hold strong to their unique language and culture outside of higher political interest.
You can either take a ferry from a few different ports in Scotland, depending on how long you’d like to be at sea, or take a regional flight. Orkney is generally easier to get to because they’re closer to the mainland than Shetland. I was able to make a day trip from John O’Groats to Kirkwall on the Orkney mainland via ferry and saw a good bit of sites with a rental car. If you want to feel less rushed and get to the less traveled parts, plan for an overnight or two.
Where will you go when you visit Scotland next? Have I missed any of your favorite spots? Let me know in the comments below! Explore my other posts to dive deeper into what you can do in Scotland and beyond.
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