I know: ever since you saw Braveheart you've wanted to feel like William Wallace challenging the English. Or do you want to try your luck to see if the Loch Ness monster will rear its head when you're there? Maybe during the entire Game of Thrones saga you were with the Starks and would like to visit Winterfell in the United Kingdom? Whatever the reason, you won't regret it: a trip to Scotland is always a great idea. And if you don't know where to start... here I'm going to give you a few tips for traveling to Scotland (and not screwing it up) .
1. Scotland is one of the four territories that make up the United Kingdom . This country does not belong to the Schengen area and, therefore, upon arrival you must pass the corresponding border controls . However, the United Kingdom has free movement of people within the European Union. At least until we see what happens with Brexit, so if, for example, you are Spanish, you can enter simply with your ID .
Citizens of Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras… also do not need a visa if they are staying for less than 90 days. For other nationalities, it is best to check the immigration website .
2. The currency used in the country is the British pound , so unless you are arriving from other areas of the United Kingdom, you will have to exchange money . There are several options to do so:
- You can get pounds from a bank in your home country.
- Bring some cash and exchange it for pounds at a currency exchange office (look for those that apply the best exchange rates and commissions, which are usually those in the cities, and avoid those at the airport).
- For me, the best option is always to pay by card and/or withdraw money from local ATMs. And the ideal is to use one or more cards that don't charge you commissions. I carry the Revolut card (they have a €10 promo), with which I can withdraw money without commissions. And I have two others in the back room: the Revolut card (with a €10 promo) and the N26 card just in case. They are all free and complement each other perfectly.
3. As you probably know, the poor English don't have the best climate in the world. And this is where it is most noticeable in this part of the country. Keep in mind the different seasons :
– The peak season to visit Scotland is in July and August, when temperatures are milder and there are more hours of daylight. On the other hand, it is not the driest time of year and mosquitoes are rife in the Highlands, so don’t forget to bring a good repellent with you! And yes, it is obviously also the time of year when the country receives the most tourists.
– In the low season , during the months of October to April, it is usually colder, with rainy days and few hours of light, with nightfall reaching four in the afternoon -_- Visiting the north of Scotland at this time is only suitable for well-wrapped adventurers.
– In May, June or September , although temperatures drop a little compared to summer, it doesn't rain as much and the mosquitoes in the Highlands are less bothersome, in short: it's the best time to visit Scotland !
4. The sockets have three rectangular sockets, one at the top and two at the bottom. Adapters are sold in many grocery stores, supermarkets, etc. and are cheap. If you want to bring your own adapter, you can order it here .
5. In Scotland (and throughout the UK) people drive on the left , the opposite of most countries. You have to be careful with this, especially if you are a pedestrian crossing the road, as it is easy to get distracted and can be dangerous. When you are about to cross, look to your right first, you will see that in many tourist areas there is usually a sign painted on the ground reminding you of this.
And if you rent a car , as well as being careful not to go in the wrong direction, be careful with the speed limit : it is indicated in miles (and yes, distances are also in miles). You can drive safely with your country's license . Take a look at the restrictions on traffic restrictions in GB .
6. One of the things I wish I had known before landing in Edinburgh and for which I lost a few pounds was that… the bus is paid for with the fair price ! And if you don’t have change? Well, whatever is left over, they take it as a tip! But do everything politely, don’t forget to say “thank you” when you get off the bus.
7. The Scottish accent is not going to sound like that wonderful Oxford CD you listened to at school. They have some words that only they use and a pronunciation that is a bit difficult for unfamiliar ears. But don't be afraid, they make up for it with how friendly and good-natured they are 😉 Here you can see some typical Scottish words that drive more than one tourist crazy!
Here we tell you other interesting facts about Scotland and the Scots .
8. It is advisable to book accommodation well in advance to find cheap and quality accommodation, especially in the summer months and more so if you are travelling to Edinburgh: in August the city is packed with people due to its famous festival . Look and compare the best accommodation options .
9. As for what to wear … it can be sunny all day or it can be pouring down with rain. Don’t they say that in Scotland you can experience all 4 seasons in one day ? It’s important to bring warm clothes, but above all, to have waterproof clothing in your suitcase or backpack. Also, a small umbrella is never a bad idea. And the further north you go, the more prepared you are for the cold 😉
10. If you're visiting several castles, palaces and other historic sites , you'll probably want to consider getting the Explorer Pass , which allows you to enter over 70 attractions in the summer (and around 40 in the winter), including Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle. There's a 5-day pass for £35.00 and you can buy it on the official website or here .
Are we at 10 already?
There are still a few tips for traveling to Scotland and not screwing it up
11. It is always good to remember that health is also part of the trip. If you are a member of the EU, you can apply for the European Health Card and you will be treated in any medical centre without any problem. If you are from outside the EU, you must have insurance that covers your stay in any hospital.
Please note : It is important to know that the European Health Insurance Card does not work like a health insurance. Obviously, it does not cover anything against theft, flight delays, lost luggage or similar. If you want to be safe, it is best to take out a good travel insurance policy .
12. But let's touch wood, most likely everything will go smoothly and, at most, the most we will need is some remedy that we carry in a small first aid kit , with something for the throat, the cold or... the hangover headache after a good tasting of Scotch Whisky XD.
13. If you like to see animals in the wild, you should know that Scotland is a privileged place for this, so you can't forget to pack some binoculars . There are many species of birds, whales, dolphins and deer that you can enjoy in the wild. Not to mention the ever-present sheep and hairy cows that are so typical of Scotland.
- The best place to see seabirds is the Shetland Islands, where puffins can be seen in summer.
- On the west coast there are excursions to see whales and dolphins .
14. Even if you prefer the countryside, I recommend spending at least two or three days discovering the city of Edinburgh . The beautiful capital of the north is well worth your time. Here we tell you everything to see and do in Edinburgh.
15. Renting a car and taking a trip around the Highlands is a great plan and one of the most common ways to visit Scotland in a week . After Edinburgh you can go to Stirling where you can visit its castle, the monument to William Wallace and the land where this national hero defeated the English invaders! Then continue to Fort William , go up to Inverness passing by Loch Ness . And then go to the beautiful island of Skye (which you cross by a bridge) to enjoy some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
16. For those who dare to tour Scotland on wheels, it is worth noting that the secondary roads are the least travelled and usually have the best views. Some of the most spectacular scenic roads are:
- From Edinburgh to Glen Coe , almost 3 hours from Edinburgh and just over 2 hours from Glasgow. It is one of the most famous in Scotland and at the Glen Coe visitor centre they will give you maps of the area.
- From Glasgow to Inveraray , via the “Rest and Be Thankful Pass” stopping at the viewpoint of the same name to have a picnic and enjoy the views.
However, keep in mind that driving on less-travelled roads also poses a problem if you need help. You should always make sure that your mobile phone is charged , both when travelling by car and when trekking. By the way, roaming has also been eliminated for Scotland , so you can use your Spanish tariff without extra costs (use data, receive calls and call Spanish numbers, but NOT call Scottish numbers!).
17. And speaking of trekking , if you like to stretch your legs and get lost in nature, you've come to the right place. Scotland has loads of well-marked routes for all levels, with landscapes that will leave you breathless (and with slopes that may also take your breath away). On this website you have loads of information about all the routes. It's in English but it's very complete =)
18. If you also decide to take on a multi-day route , there are a number of important things to keep in mind:
- You can camp practically anywhere as long as you don't bother anyone and you do it with respect and preserving the environment.
- You need to be better prepared for this : carry a more complete first aid kit, food, water, suitable clothing and comfortable shoes, all waterproof. Also get official maps, have the most up-to-date information possible and pay particular attention to the weather forecast. It is also a good idea to let someone know your plans.
- If you ever do the legendary “ West Highland Way ”, 154 kilometres, 6 or 8 days between mountains and spectacular lakes… tell me about your experience! It’s been in my plans for a while 😉
19. If you finally decide to stop driving on the left and walk up a mountain where a downpour can soak you at any moment, don't worry! Then the train is for you . The main cities are connected by train and you can see fares, schedules, routes here .
If you want to take a really cool route, my advice is not to miss the West Highland Line , which goes from Glasgow to Oban/Fort William/Mallaig. At the end you will pass the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which if you are a Harry Potter fan , will be quite familiar to you. The only downside is that it doesn't go all the way to Hogwarts.
20. If you prefer, you can sign up for tours in Spanish that will take you to see, as a group, the main tourist sites in Scotland. Take a look here .
I hope you enjoyed these recommendations and that they help you enjoy an epic adventure. Do you have any other tips for travelling to Scotland ? Let us know in the comments.
