Welcome to Scotland!
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About Scotland
Scotland is a country, part of the United Kingdom that covers the northern third of the mainland. on the southern border, Scotland has a 96-mile border with England. The other sides are coastline bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast and the Irish Sea to the south. The country also contains more than 790 islands, which include the Hebrides and the Northern Isles. Most of the population, including the capital Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
Scotland is divided into 32 administrative subdivisions known as council areas. Scotland is the second largest country in the United Kingdom,.The Kingdom of Scotland emerged as an independent sovereign state in the Early Middle Ages and continued to exist until 1707. By inheritance in 1603, James VI of Scotland became king of England and Ireland, thus forming a personal union of the three kingdoms. Scotland subsequently entered into a political union with the Kingdom of England on 1 May 1707 to create the new Kingdom of Great Britain.
Through the years, Scotland has entertained the idea of breaking free from Great Britain but even in the most recent vote in 2014, the people of Scotland voted to continue the sovereign relationship. Scotland does have it’s own identity and great pride in its history. The Outlander series has really brought attention to the many historical and awe-inspiring sites in Scotland. (Wikipedia: Scotland)
A special thank you to Drone Pro Academy for and magical view of Scotland. The views of the highlands are breathtaking. Check out the button below for the Official Travel Site of Scotland.
Country Planning Guide
Map of Scotland
Regions of Scotland
- Aberdeenshire & Moray – off the beaten path, northeast,Cairngorms National Park
- Argyll & the Isles – Southwest, known as inner Hebrides, city of Oban, Loch Lomand
- Ayreshire & Arran – lower southeast, Culzean castle on the coast,Isle of Arran
- Dumfries & Galloway – most southern region, dense forest, Dark Sky Park
- Dundee & Angus – mid eastern region,Arbroath Abbey, where the Declaration of Arbroath was signed- which sealed Scotland’s independence
- Edinburgh & Lothians – captital city, famous castle, West Lothian-Linlithgow Palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born
- Glasgow & Clyde Valley – located West of Edinburgh, Glasgow a vibrant town, historical buildings, hiking falls of Clyde
- The Highlands – Northwest region includes Isle of Skye to the west, beautiful rolling hills, lochs, wilderness, North coast 500 driving route, Inverness, Loch Ness
- Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park & Stirlingshire – beautiful Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle
- Orkney, Shetland & Ourter Hebrides – many of the islands of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland close to Norway, Outer Hebrides islands to the northwest include Harris, known for tweed & strong Gaelic tradition
What to Know Before You Go
Check out the content in each slider to help you prepare for your trip to Scotland! We will share with you information on the best time to go, culture, language & currency. We also give suggestions on transportation and cost saving ideas. Learn more about the culture and food so you are ready of the best trip ever!
*Be sure to click on the slider to stop and read, and click again to move forward or the button at the top right.
The best time to visit Scotland, like many other European countries is to travel in May, June or after summer in September and October. Summer is very nice as it never gets extremely hot, but do keep in mind there are more tourists in summer. Autumn is nice as the colors of the leaves and changing colors paint a beautiful picture in the countryside.
English is, of course, spoken widely althouth the ancient Celtic language of Gaelic is still spoken throughout Scotland . Gaelic has been part of the Scottish consciousness for centuries and is considered to be the founding language of the country.Scotland has succeeded in retaining its own distinct culture and traditions even though it has been part of the United Kingdom. The Great Highland Bagpipe is perhaps the first kind of music people typically associate with Scotland. Scottish holidays and festivals include the traditional Burns Supper, Hogmanay and St Andrews Day celebrations, while the 'Auld Lang Syne', immortalized by national poet Robert Burns, is the second most popular song in the world. Scotland is considered the birthplace of golf, and is of course famous for its golf-courses. It is also the home of Highland Games, curling, and shinty (a stick game similar to Ireland's hurling).
As other countries of the UK, people drive on the left hand side of the road. If you are not familar, it is not that difficult to do but if planning to rent a car consider an automatic over manual as that may be a lot to manage as you are focusing on travel. Guides area available for hire and we recommend Exclusive Scottish Vistis by John Harbour. Check outhttps://exclusivescottishvisits.co.uk/. It is easist to fly into Edinburgh or Glasgow and go from there. If planning on a trip to the highlands, add extra days to accomodate travel. It is worth venturing out from the main cities to find the breathtaking beauty of the hills, fields and lakes. Isle of Skye is worth a visit as well.
There are always ways to save money in Scotland. Many of the natural sites are no charge at all. Others like the Jacobite Train (of Harry Potter fame) or Edinburgh Castle are not expensive at all. Also find a pub for some great food and beer. Distillery tours are also a fun and inexpensive way to spend time. There is so much to see and do without spending a fortune. Airbnbs aand Bed & Breakfasts re so affordable and there are many wonderful options. Look for opportunities to learn from hosts while having an authentic experience.
There are so many historic and natural landmarks. When planning, it is important to give the appropriate amount of days to the various regions you want to visit. The highlands are so worth a visit and it is easy to get an itinerary including the highlands as well as cities like Edinburgh and/or Glasgow. Edinburgh has the famous Edinburgh Castle. There are so many castles to see in Scotland. Stirling Castle, not far from Edinburgh, is steeped in history. The most iconic castle is Eilean Donan castle, just on the way to the Isle of Skye. There are numerous whiiskey distilleries scattered throughout. The Cairgorms National Park is an incredible park. Glenfinan Viaduct is another amazing site as the famous Harry Potter runs on the tracks just at the edge of the highlands. And don't forget the Isle of Skye which is a breathaking area with many natural landmarks including Kilt Rock at Meat Falls, the Fairy Pools and the Old Man of Storr Rocks.
People may not think of Scotland as being known for its cuisine, but the fresh ingredients do make the difference. Taverns and Pubs have some of the best chefs around. The salmon here is amazing. It is about as fresh as it gets. Bangors and Mash sausages and potatoes) go down great with a beer in a local pub. Like their Irish cousins, the Scottish breakfast is not to be missed. YOu may have heard of Haggis. The locals seem to like it but not sure I could be that brave to try. Of course the whisky is some of the best in the world as they pride themselves on the quality.
SInce Scotland is part of the UK, they use the English Sterling Pound. In the cities you will have no trouble finding an ATM. Credit Cards are widely accepted. As for tipping, it is suggested to tip 10-15% in a restaurant, and taxis about. 10% as well. The tip will not be added to the bill, so it is your descretion.
We always suggest checking with you mobile provider on an internatonal plan. It is usually only charged based on the days you use your phone. You can definitely save a lot by using Facetime, or Skype with local wifi. We also suggest downloading What's Ap as many in Europe correspond with this. With Wifi it is easy to communicate but you have to find it. Also make sure roaming is turned off. Make sure you get the fees in writing wiht your mobile provider before leaving as we learned the hard way when somethign was offered over the phone but was not sent in writing. Hundreds of dollars later, it could have been avoided.
Top Destinations
Get Inspired - Podcasts, Blogs & Video
Top 10 in Scotland
Ryan Shirley always manages to bring life to these amazing places. His photography and video work is some of the best I have seen. He takes you to the most awe-inspiring sites. Be sure to check out his website and YouTube Channel. by clicking Explore More, to see his other fantastic videos.
We are so intrigued by John Harbour who has built a travel business, after serving as a Commander in the Royal Navy. His podcast takes you as if you were traveling in him all over Scotland. His descriptions of the many amazing sites along the way, make you want to book a ticket and jump in his van. Be sure to check out his website and look for his podcast on many platforms.
Those that are fans of Outlander will be happy to know that Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish, both native Scots, take us on an excursion throughout their beloved country.In 8 episodes, Men in Kilts share Scottish history and culture from a great perspective. The series is available on Starz or with Hulu premium. Click on the title or image to see the promo.
As always, Rick Steves is our go to. We especially like catching his podcast. On Youtube you can catch a lot of great, short videos that take you all over the country. His website will direct you to what to read, watch or listen to in preparation for a great trip to Scotland. Be sure to look for his podcasts, available on many platforms. Click on the title or image for more.
Outlander is a very successful time period series that takes place in Scotland and uses many historic sites for filming locations. The series is season 6 is in the works. It is a story about Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is thrown into an unknown world. Click on the image or title for more.
Top 10 Places
Touropa shares the top places to visit in this magical country. Check out Explore More for one of the most detailed travel guides on Scotland!
Get Inspired - Scottish Recipes!
