Scotland Travel Guide

A historic land that has a vibrant culture, expansive wild spaces, and an amazing food and drink scene, Scotland is the perfect place for your next escape. From the many gorgeous castles to the breathtaking islands of Barra and Islay to the bustling cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, you can easily spend 10 days in Scotland. With so many events including The Fringe festival, the Highland Games, and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo to name a few, there is always something exciting and new going on. Your holiday is bound to be great no matter how many days you decide to spend in Scotland.

In this Scotland travel guide, we will share the best time to visit Scotland, whether that is Scotland in May or Scotland in September, as well as all the best Scotland tours. Whether you are looking to roam across the Highlands, island hop in the Orkneys, get your fill of history and art in Dundee, or just bounce from one distillery to the next, there are a whole host of Scotland trips just waiting to be discovered.

Top Destinations in Scotland

Discover the highlights of Scotland.

Go Hiking in the Isle of Skye

With a landscape as breathtaking as the Isle of Skye, the best way to explore this part of Scotland is on foot. Strap on your hiking boots and wander through the measmerising coastline and thick bushes as you learn more about the ancient myths and legends of the island.

Explore the Best of Glasgow

Experience the magic of Scotland in its beating heart, Glasgow. Feel the electric atmosphere of the Barras Market, revel in the artistic wonders of Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and lose yourself in the enchanting beauty of Glasgow Cathedral. Ignite your soul on your trip and leave spellbound.

Admire the Art & Architecture of Edinburgh

Edinburgh beckons with its blend of history, culture, and architecture. Explore the mesmerizing Edinburgh Castle, stroll along the Royal Mile, uncover the secrets of the Royal Yacht Britannia, then indulge in the haunting beauty of Arthur's Seat. Make the most out of your Scottish retreat!

Scotland at a Glance

Quick facts about Scotland.

CAPITAL CITY

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. This historic city is split into the Old Town and New Town. In the summer, the city plays host to the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts and media festival that draws crowds and acts from all around the globe.

SIZE

77,910 km². Much of Scotland is dedicated to wild spaces and estates. This means that although the trains do connect the main cities and towns, road-tripping is a popular way to travel. Ferries are also essential for getting around Scotland’s outstanding islands.

COUNTRY CODE

+44. As Scotland is still currently a part of the UK, it shares a dialing code with England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

CURRENCY

Scotland uses the British Pound like the rest of the UK. The majority of the cities are card-friendly and you may find that some of the bus services use contactless cards. If you are in rural areas or remote islands, having cash on hand is a good idea.

MAIN AIRPORT

The main airport of Scotland is Edinburgh Airport. It is located around 10.6km from Edinburgh city center. CODE: EDI CLOSEST CITY: EDINBURGH

VISAS

US travelers can visit Scotland without a visa for up to six months. It is a UK-wide policy so you can travel around the whole country for up to 180 days. However, as always, we recommend checking your country's travel advisories before booking a trip.

LANGUAGE

The official language is technically English, but Scots and Gaelic Scottish are also having a resurgence. There are a lot of regional variations, dialects, and heavy accents depending where you are in the UK. For example, Glaswegian accents and slang, combined with some aspects of Scots, can seem like a completely different language, despite being predominantly English.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

The local emergency contact number for police, fire, and ambulance is 999. From here you will be directed to a switchboard to reroute your call to the right emergency service.

WHAT'S UNIQUE

While kilts are commonly associated with Scotland, they only tend to come out on special events, and each tartan is specific to a different clan. The Scottish clans famously had a lot of battles and grudges, so family and clan pride are still a big deal.

When to visit Scotland

Read the below travel guides to find the best time to visit Scotland.

°C°F

Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor

JanAvg Daily: 5 ° CAvg Nightly: 1 ° C
FebAvg Daily: 6 ° CAvg Nightly: 1 ° C
MarAvg Daily: 9 ° CAvg Nightly: 2 ° C
AprAvg Daily: 11 ° CAvg Nightly: 3 ° C
MayAvg Daily: 14 ° CAvg Nightly: 6 ° C
JunAvg Daily: 17 ° CAvg Nightly: 9 ° C
JulAvg Daily: 19 ° CAvg Nightly: 11 ° C
AugAvg Daily: 19 ° CAvg Nightly: 11 ° C
SepAvg Daily: 16 ° CAvg Nightly: 9 ° C
OctAvg Daily: 13 ° CAvg Nightly: 7 ° C
NovAvg Daily: 9 ° CAvg Nightly: 3 ° C
DecAvg Daily: 7 ° CAvg Nightly: 2 ° C

Best Time to Visit:

Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor

Best Time To Visit Scotland

Scotland is on most people’s travel bucket list and for a good reason. When you get to Scotland, you will notice how the country both eschews and completely forgoes the clichés that surround its popularity—there are numerous ruined cast...Read more

Scotland in January: Weather, Tips & Winter Sports

Despite being a cold month, you'd be surprised by the vast number of activities you can enjoy when you visit Scotland in January. The Scottish Highlands are enchanting, with snow-capped mountains, white-dusted forests, and frozen lochs. If you...Read more

Scotland in February: Weather and Travel Tips

Anyone who has traveled to Scotland in February will tell you that the country is calm and quiet during this month. It is one of the winter months, so there are few visitors in the country, unlike in summer. February means cooler weather and shorter dayli...Read more

Scotland in March: Highlights and Travel Tips

Although March is a cold month in Scotland, it is a transition period, with chilly winter temperatures giving way to milder weather conditions. Days also start getting longer from this month. Wondering what are the top things to do in Scotland in March? F...Read more

Scotland in April: Weather, Tips & Spring Festivals

Fair weather conditions and longer daylight hours make April a great month to explore Scotland. This is not the peak tourist season, which means you can see the country’s attractions more freely and find great deals on travel and accommodation. Apri...Read more

Scotland in May: Weather, Tips & More

Midges or not, Scotland in May is a fairy tale destination for a springtime break. The weather is pleasantly cool, and the month is almost rain-free. From charming countryside for a perfect cottage holiday to cities laced with history and culture, Scotlan...Read more

How long to stay in Scotland

Read about the ideal duration to stay in Scotland.

Great Scotland Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend?

The land of magnificent castles, exquisite modern designs, and maybe, just maybe, a certain mythical monster in Loch Ness, Scotland has an incredible array of attractions. Where else in the world can you absorb the rich cultural highlights of Edinburgh or...Read more

10 Days in Scotland: Top 3 Recommendations

With historic cities, a vast wilderness comprising lochs and mountains, and fascinating legends waiting to be unraveled, a trip to Scotland is always an unforgettable travel experience. To ensure you do not miss out on any of the country’s gems, pla...Read more

7 days in Scotland: Top 3 Recommendations

With 7 days in Scotland, you can easily see a couple of great cities like Edinburgh, Fort William or Glasgow, before heading out to amazing islands like the Isle of Lewis or the Shetland Islands, and maybe even spend a day hiking in the Cairngorms Nationa...Read more

5 days in Scotland: Top 3 Recommendations

If you’re short on time and have, say, only 5 days in Scotland, you’re going to need to be deliberate with your itinerary. Focus your trip on specific destinations like Glasgow, Loch Lomond, or the Scottish Highlands. The secret to having a fu...Read more

Scotland Tour and Holiday Packages

Select the tour type that you are looking for.

FAQs for Scotland

Read the most frequently asked questions and answers about traveling to Scotland below.

How many days do I need in Scotland?
What is the best way to travel to Scotland?
Is Scotland expensive to visit?
Which Scottish tours should I go on?

Sustainable travel — How to travel through Scotland Responsibly

In line with Bookmundi’s vision, we wish to provide our travelers with a sustainable travel experience through Scotland. As part of this effort, we carbon-offset any Scotland tour that you purchase through us. You can read more details about our carbon offsetting efforts.

Here is what you can do to travel Scotland more responsibly:

Carbon-offset your transport to and around Scotland via Loganair. The moment your tour starts in Scotland, and provided that you have purchased your tour through Bookmundi, we will carbon-offset your tour from its starting point to its ending point.
If you are looking for a way to limit your carbon footprint on your trip to Scotland, check out Visit Scotland which outlines ways to ensure a sustainable and responsible trip to the country, as well as some tips you can take on an individual level to limit your carbon footprint.
With so many wild and beautiful spaces in Scotland, conservation and environmental protection should be high on any traveler’s list. Help keep the national parks, wild spaces, and ecosystems protected for future visitors by donating to the John Muir Trust which helps protect and repair wild spaces across the UK.

Scotland travel tips and insights

Do not refer to a Scottish person as English because of the complicated history between the two countries.
Learning some basic Scottish words before your holiday can be useful if you ever need to ask for directions.
Make sure you try haggis, Irn-Bru, and at least one deep-fried Mars bar.
Do not ask a Scotsman what is underneath his kilt unless you really want to know.

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Stephen MolloyTravel Expert in Scotland & Wales

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Scotland Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips