Visiting Scotland is something I recommend for everyone. It’s incredible nature and history are two of my favorite things about Scotland. These essential tips for visiting Scotland will help you have an epic and memorable trip. Whether it’s strolling down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, feeding wild reindeer, visiting castles, or just taking in the beautiful scenery, Scotland should be on everyone’s list to visit.
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1. Pack for every type of weather
Doesn’t matter if you’re going in April, July or October- the weather throughout the United Kingdom is unpredictable. The only thing that IS predictable though, is rain. It will rain at some point. Except maybe in winter, then it’ll snow. Pack a variety of clothes to be prepared for the weather and dress in layers. We made a road trip to the Isle of Skye and it was downpouring – then when we got to Mealt Falls the sun decided to come out and blind us all. Don’t get me wrong, the view was totally worth it, but I am glad I could take off my wet jacket and still be comfortable in the warm July sun. A hoody or jacket is needed to combat the wind and chill.
If you’re not sure what to pack, here is some inspiration.
2. Look to the right when crossing the street.
While this one seems simple, it’s hard to remember when you’re so used to looking left. In some of the larger cities, they so kindly write on the group look right, but it’s not guaranteed. If you’re like me, it may take you longer to cross the street because of the paranoia of being hit so I’m constantly checking both ways, just in case.
3. Rent a car.
You don’t need a car in the cities, they’re walkable and easy to get around. However, there is so much to see in Scotland other than the cities. To really get a feel for the countryside and the Highlands, your best bet is to rent a car. Driving is easy, since the signs are in English, but they do drive on the left side of the road, which takes a little getting used to. Also, if you’re in the countryside you may be on a one-lane road, please obey speed limits. There are often blind spots, curves, and sheep. These roads also have pull-offs to let other cars go through.
Fun fact: Scotland has more sheep than people!
4. Don’t speed.
Scotland does something I wish America would do – use cameras for speeding. They have cameras on the highway that use technology to see how long it took you to get from camera 1 to camera 2. If it’s too fast, they run your plate and send you a ticket. This prevents people from just slowing down whenever they see a cop. Instead, they want you to maintain a normal speed for the entire trip.
5. Don’t skip the beaches.
Scotland is known for its beautiful castles and scenery, but don’t skip the beaches! While you may not sunbathe all day on the beach, the beaches are very peaceful and beautiful. There are a lot of beaches around the island. One of my favorite places in the world is on a small beach near Nairn, Scotland. See my outfit? It’s because it was cold that night, in July! (see #1)
6. Don’t assume that just because they speak English you’ll understand them.
There’s no hiding that the Scottish accent is a heavy one. Usually, if you ask someone to slow down or repeat what they said, they’ll happily oblige. However, they have their own words as well – wee (little) and dram (drink) being two very common ones. Also, some Scots speak Gaelic, the old language, and you may see this language on road signs in the Highlands.
7. Do not. I repeat, DO NOT, call it England.
One of my most important tips for visiting Scotland is to remember to NOT call it England! Scotland is a sovereign nation of the United Kingdom on the island of Britain. The people that live there are Scottish or British, but not English. Scotland and England are their own countries and should be respected as so. There’s a long history between the two countries and locals will most likely get offended if you mix them up.
8. Try the whiskey the local way.
There’s a lot of types of whiskey – Irish, American (Bourbon) and Scotch. Within those are different flavors, levels of smokiness, and tastes. Typically, the Scottish won’t serve your whiskey with ice. They’d rather you try it first, then they’ll add a little water if you don’t like it, then if it’s still a no, they’ll begrudgingly give you an ice cube or two for it. Try different types of whiskey, just because you don’t like one type doesn’t mean you won’t like another. There are plenty of whiskey distilleries to try. *If you don’t drink, you can still tour a distillery to learn about the craft.
Fun Fact: Scotch whiskey can only be called Scotch if it ages for (a minimum of) three years in casks AND comes from Scotland.
9. Embrace the Scottish food scene.
Before visiting Scotland, I never heard myself saying “I’m really craving Scottish food” like I’ve said about other countries. However, the food is delicious. If you’re a meat-eater – the steak and seafood are spot on. While haggis and black pudding weren’t my cups of tea, I do suggest you try it (after all, when in Scotland). If you don’t eat meat, they have a vegetarian haggis which I’ve heard is pretty good. If you’re vegan, be sure to explain that to the wait staff before you order. Don’t skip out on fruit either- Scottish strawberries are heavenly.
Find more things to see on The Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
10. Enjoy a festival.
We were lucky enough to be in Scotland during a small town’s Highland games. The locals were friendly, loud, and a little competitive. There are plenty of festivals in the cities as well – celebrating Scotland’s history and culture – be sure to take part in one.
11. Take a hike.
Scotland is well known for its breathtaking scenery. (Don’t believe me, just watch 1 season of Outlander). Whether you decide to hike Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh or Ben Nevis (tallest mountain in the United Kingdom) in the highlands you will not be disappointed in the views. While we weren’t able to climb all the way to the top of Ben Nevis on our trip due to time, it was an awesome way to feel like a local.
Fun Fact: Ben Nevis was once a massive volcano that exploded and then collapsed inwards. You can see evidence of this at the summit in the form of light-colored granite.
12. Take lots of pictures!
The beautiful thing about digital cameras is that you can always delete bad photos later – so snap away! There are plenty of things to photograph in Scotland – from highland cows to epic landscapes. Check out these amazing pictures of Scotland to get inspired & learn how to take better travel photos.
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