Visit Scotland – Year Round Guide
Looking for a simple introductory guide to Scotland?
Scotland is a small country but has so much to offer the traveller. We, of course, love our homeland and are really excited to share this guide with you built from years of living here and exploring highlands and Islands.
We have pulled our deep knowledge of Scotland into our Visit Scotland guide to give you a very local perspective to plan your trip. Where to go and what to see in Scotland’s cities, over 500 islands, castles and so much more!
Our main cities in Scotland are Edinburgh (Capital), Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Dundee. Discover your tartan, visit whisky distilleries, explore abandoned ancient castles, inspiration for Outlander. Take an Edinburgh Harry Potter tour. We also have some local secret trips to make your trip to Scotland amazing!
Bucket List Scotland
- Climb at least one mountain and bag your first Munro.
- Take a train ride on Jacobite Steam train to the Highlands or any train to Oban.
- Listen to fiddle music or even better dance to ancient tunes at a ceilidh.
- Climb Arthur’s Seat for an amazing view of Edinburgh.
- Take a castle tour and whisky tour in Aberdeenshire.
- Step inside the Scottish Highlands and create your own Outlander experience.
- Take a ferry to an island and immerse yourself in local culture.
- Get into the water around the coast to spy wildlife, paddleboard or kayak
- Play a round at the old course in St Andrews or any public golf course.
- Go to a festival, concert, or the Military Tattoo and get immersed in our Scottish culture.
When is the Best Time to Visit Scotland
Scotland is a year-round destination, but to be honest we’d recommend April to September as the best times to enjoy the incredible outdoors and islands of the western and northern coasts. The exception to this is Hogmanay, where every year, the celebrations to ring in the New Year, spring up across the country.
Edinburgh is famous for its street party and fireworks and to the north of the country the town of Stonehaven for its fire-balls.
If you come for Hogmanay and have the energy for more parties, head up to the Shetland Islands in the last week of January for Up Helly Aa Festival. This is the UK’s largest torchlight procession steeped in historic Viking legend.
Where to Stay in Scotland
Scotland has every type of accommodation on offer for every budget. If you want to splurge in the capital Edinburgh, The Balmoral is a favourite, with its traditional afternoon teas, whisky bar, and highly knowledgeable staff.
If you’re a camper, you’ll be thrilled to know that Scotland remains the only part of the UK where ‘wild camping’ is permitted. In between, there are countless Bed and Breakfasts, Air B&Bs, hotels, log cabins and more.
If you are travelling with kids, check for hotels with indoor pools and play facilities because it does rain here and it’s good to have an easy alternative. Here’s a reliable site to check out accommodation options across Scotland.
How to Get to Scotland
International flights arrive at the two main Scottish airports – Glasgow and Edinburgh – from across the world. Links are good from the USA East Coast, the Middle East, and Europe.
The airports are easy to get to with public transport and in Edinburgh, the tram is a good alternative to a taxi, taking you straight into the city center in around 30 minutes. Inverness and Aberdeen also have good airports for easier access directly into the Highlands.
If you’re driving from London, it’s a straight shot up the motorways with Google Maps as your guide. The trains from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow are frequent. Do book in advance during the summer as they get busy on the peak routes. It’s about 4 hours on the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Kings Cross in central London.
Do I Need a Visa To Visit Scotland?
Scotland doesn’t require any different visa entry requirements from the rest of the UK. There are new ‘ESTA” type regulations for visiting the UK, and your airline should advise of what is required.
Is Scotland Safe to Visit?
Yes! Having lived in Scotland for years we have never encountered any issues. If you are out late in bigger cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh at the weekend, take an Uber or taxi back to your hotel vs. wandering around. It’s 99% safe though.
The only health thing to look out for health wise are the ‘midgies’ on the west coast in July/August.
They swarm and bite (like no seem-ems) – they won’t seriously hurt you; they will just spoil the outdoors so be warned!
Top Attractions Of Scotland
From islands to highlands, wilderness to cities, Scotland offers a warm welcome to its guests.
We have detailed itineraries and guides for many parts of Scotland:
Discovering The Islands of Colonsay, Islay and Jura Itinerary
Is it Expensive to Visit Scotland?
The currency in Scotland is the British Pound (GBP). Check the exchange rates before you go so you have an idea of what you can buy and what is less or more expensive than at home.
If you go to the tourist spots it can be expensive, but if you take a back-road, get a local’s recommendation. You’ll find pubs and restaurants tucked away and better value.
Even in the cities if you’re on a budget, look for ethnic foods, often with a Scottish twist, for great value. Use our Guide to 17 Cheap Things to Do in Edinburgh for more details on how to make your money go further.
What to Pack For A Visit to Scotland?
Bring layers! During the summer months, a rain jacket, fleece, and good walking shoes/boots are essential if you’re going to explore the hills and glens that Scotland is so famous for.
In the winter, bring layers, a thick coat, hat and gloves, and sturdy boots. It can snow during the winter, although it never lasts too long.
The electric system is 240v. Many city hotels have room chargers these days but on the islands and remote spots, they may be less common.
How To Get Around Scotland
If you want to have your freedom then a car is the way to go. Book well in advance as during the summer months they can sell out. Shop around for cheaper rates. See our Tips on Snagging a Travel Deal for ideas.
Outside the major cities, roads can be narrow and slow, especially on the west coast. This is part of the charm. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility to get off the main routes.
If you are planning to head west or north and take a ferry to the islands, we suggest a car. This is because when you arrive, public transport can be minimal and distances are further than you think around the islands.
You can use your phone to navigate around and although distances may be short it can take a while to cover the miles.
Petrol/gasoline prices are high in the UK. So consider renting a car for part of your time and using public transport between main hubs or while in a city.
Consider Ferry Trips in Scotland
If you want to get away from the mainland, plan to see at least one of Scotland’s islands. Ferries are plentiful and cheap.
For example, There are regular ferries north from Aberdeen to Shetland and Orkney.
From Oban, you can head west to the Inner and Outer Hebrides, or closer to the mainland to Arran from Ardrossan. Just check with Calmac for ferry schedules and book ahead if you plan to take your car in peak months.
Eating and Drinking in Scotland
We have to bust a myth and say that Scots do not eat haggis regularly (at least not the ones we know!). That said, when in Rome! Do try the national dish at least once on your travels, together with a wee dram of Scottish whisky.
Seafood is abundant across Scotland as is fresh local produce, farm-to-table style. Our personal favourites are the Perthshire strawberries and Barra Berries in Aberdeenshire! Go pick your own.
If you make it to Aberdeen, try a buttery – a local bread specialty, and over this area the quality of beef and lamb is award-winning.
Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen offer up-scale restaurants for all budgets.
Our favourite cocktail bar in Edinburgh has to be The Raging Bull. They have the most amazing range of cocktails and their signature concoctions like Coffee Martinis! Definitely worth dropping by for one!
Distilleries to visit in Scotland
With so many whisky distilleries to choose from, it is a personal choice. Perhaps try to sample one from each – Highlands, the Lowlands, Speyside, Campbeltown and Islay.
Here are a few to choose from. They’re fun to go to and many offer tours with, of course, a sample at the end!
For more ideas on visiting some of the island distilleries read our Guide to Visiting Islay, Colonsay, and Jura. If you head to the Isle of Skye you will find Talisker on a beautiful remote part of the island. Up in Aberdeenshire and Moray, there are so many choices – the fairly new Mccallum Visitor Center is proving extremely popular.
Things to Do Month by Month in Scotland
January – Up Helia, Shetland Isles
February – Fort William Mountain Festival
March- Glasgow Film Festival
April – Speyside Whisky Event
May – Islay Festival
June – Moray Walking Festival
July – HebCelt Fest, Outer Hebrides
August – Fringe Festival, Edinburgh
September – Royal Braemar Gathering
October – Royal National Mod
November – Celebrate St Andrew’s Day (30th) Anywhere in Scotland
December – Edinburgh Hogmanay
What to Expect When You Visit Scotland
Ceud mile faitle – or translated ‘A hundred thousand welcomes’. You will find hospitality and friendliness right across this small nation.
Castles. From majestic Balmoral castle to the iconic Eilean Donan and rugged Dunnotter, castles dot the landscape of Scotland. Each reveals a rich history of life in past centuries.
Whisky – there are 140+ operating distilleries in Scotland, many with tours and tastings. For centuries the Scottish nation has produced and exported this barley based tipple. Whisky represents 75% of Scotland’s exports so it’s good to know its taste is loved across our planet!
Breathtaking scenery – Scotland has a hard to beat diversity of mountains, coasts, forests, wilderness, rivers, and wildlife. Photos don’t do places like The Trossachs and Loch Lomond justice!
Weather – look, it’s Scotland. It rains a lot! Don’t worry, just expect it to rain and keep going. Typically the rain doesn’t last long and the four seasons in one day description is very apt.
Tartan – we Scots don’t walk around in kilts and tartan every day! But we do love a little and you will find it showing up from wool blankets to designer purses!
What Might Surprise You About Scotland
Foodies – Scotland’s food scene has come a long way from stodge and bland to creative, and contemporary with an emphasis on sustainable local produce.
Island Life. Wow! 500+ islands off the coast of Scotland. The most popular is the Isle of Skye with its bridge from the mainland. The downside is that it’s busy. Try heading to Oban, and catch a ferry to quieter islands. A wonderful experience of the remoter parts of life here.
Bag a Munro. If you’re going mountain/hill climbing you may be bagging a Munro. There are over 280, classified as such if they are 3,000ft+ high.
Gin Distilling. The fastest growing spirits industry in Scotland with over 500 distilleries and a gin for every palate. Great tours at Pickerings, Edinburgh Gin in Edinburgh with a good sample thrown in.
Wild Swimming. Why not challenge yourself to swim in one of the many top-rated wild swimming locations in Scotland? Enjoy cool (cold!) fresh clear water – a popular challenge for locals and visitors.
Sandy Beaches. Scotland is blessed with stunning beaches which are completely empty. Go walk, enjoy the fresh clean air, and marvel at the beauty around you!
Festivals. From Celtic music festivals in Outer Hebrides to castle concerts in Edinburgh or major venues in Glasgow, find a live music event to enjoy:)
Does Scotland have good Beaches?
Don’t come to Scotland to sunbathe and splash around in our clear waters as the weather may not be on your side. But do make time to visit some of our stunning beaches and coastal spots because quite honestly the rugged beauty is hard to beat.
Some of our favorites from Aberdeenshire to the Outer Hebrides are below. There are some great surfing beaches in Scotland – a family favourite is Sandend, located between Portsoy and Cullen!
Wrap Up
Why not combine Edinburgh with a trip to the Scottish islands? If you love Scottish whisky then visit Islay, home of the Island malts. Here’s our guide to Colonsay and Islay, a short ferry ride from Oban, West Scotland!
We love our home country, its richness of personality and heritage. We hope that Scotland is now on your list to visit, whether for the first time or to return to.
