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Scotland Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 1, 2024

Partially conquered by the Romans, Scotland is a land with a turbulent past. It was invaded countless times by the English during the Middle Ages before the Treaty of Union in 1707 united the continent (an unpopular move at the time). Since then, it’s been a part of the United Kingdom (though there is a growing movement for independence).

While Scotland may be a small country (only 5.4 million people call it home), it’s had a huge impact on the direction of the world. Economist Adam Smith, inventor of the telephone Alexander Graham Bell, novelist Robert Louis Stevenson (he wrote Treasure Island ), philosopher David Hume, ecologist John Muir — the list of famous Scots goes on.

I love visiting Scotland. The people, the jovial spirit, the landscape, the booze — Scotland never disappoints (ok, maybe a little with the food). It’s an incredible destination for road trips so make sure you get out of the cities and into the highlands with their rich jagged landscapes. And be sure to head west to the islands of Islay, Jura, and Mull.

This travel guide to Scotland can help you plan where to go, what to see, how to save money, and everything in between!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Scotland

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Top 5 things to see and do in scotland.

1. Explore the Scottish Highlands

Visit the highlands of Scotland for moody mountains, rugged terrain, glaciers, lochs, and kilt-clad Scotsmen. While the land may be harsh and unforgiving, you haven’t really seen Scotland until you’ve been here. Don’t miss Glencoe, Cairngorms National Park, Inverness, and the Isle of Skye.

2. Visit Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a glorious city filled with medieval cobblestone streets, lots of green space, free museums, a huge castle, and maybe even some ghosts. There’s a lot to do here so be sure to spend a few days. It’s an amazing place.

3. Celebrate Hogmanay

Hogmanay is one of the largest New Year’s celebrations in the world, attracting over 100,000 people for the two-day festival. The modern iteration has musical acts, a torchlight procession, multiple fireworks displays, and a large street party.

4. Drink whisky in Islay

Whisky has a long history on Islay . It’s been made there since the 16th–century — first in backyards and then, starting in the 19th-century, in big distilleries. Over the years, whisky from the island came to be considered a specialty and is famous around the world.

5. Visit Inverness

Besides the historic buildings in the Old Town, there is a great selection of places to eat and drink, Inverness Castle, the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, and a Victorian Market. Plus, it is close to Loch Ness (it’s less than a 30-minute drive away), a bunch of distilleries, and a few golf courses.

Other Things to See and Do in Scotland

1. try to find nessie.

Loch Ness is one of the most famous lochs (lakes) in Scotland. It’s the alleged home to Nessie, aka the Loch Ness Monster, a creature said to live in the loch. The first “sightings” date back to the 1870s, though there is no definitive proof that any such creature exists. Nonetheless, the myth perseveres, making Loch Ness a popular destination to visit. While here, you can take a cruise, hike in the nearby hills, and enjoy some of the smaller nearby towns and villages like Dores or the nearby ruins of Urquhart Castle. The best way to get here is to travel to Inverness, from which Loch Ness is close enough to take a day trip to (it’s just a 25-minute drive from Inverness to Lochend, the top of Loch Ness).

2. Wander around Glasgow

Glasgow is a busy and bustling city, home to a youthful population (there is a university here) and a picturesque downtown. With plenty of parks, historical monuments, and museums, there is plenty to do here if you’re on a budget. It’s also a vegan and vegetarian hotspot too! Don’t miss the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, relaxing in Glasgow Green, seeing the cathedral, and day-tripping to the nearby Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

3. See the cathedrals

The cathedrals in Scotland are marvelous with their unique Gothic architecture and imposing heights. A few of the top cathedrals to visit are Dunfermline Abbey and Palace in Fife, St. Magnus Cathedral in the Orkney Islands, St Giles in Edinburgh, and Melrose Abbey in the Borders. Also, don’t miss the Glasgow Cathedral, which was built in 1136 and is the oldest building in Glasgow. Admission is free though donations are encouraged.

4. Puzzle over Rosslyn Chapel

This historic chapel near Edinburgh is ripe with intricate artwork and symbolism that has spawned many conspiracy theories (not to mention books). (Like why is there corn on the wall if corn wasn’t discovered until centuries later?). it was featured heavily in The Da Vinci Code and is located just an hour outside Edinburgh. Admission costs 9.5 GBP.

5. Play golf

The Scottish invented golf in the 15th century. If you’re not lucky enough to play a round at St. Andrews (the most famous course in the country) there are plenty of other immaculate and challenging courses to keep any golf player happy. Try to play during the low season (between November and March) if you want the lowest prices (St. Andrews, for example, costs 220 GBP to play in high season, versus 98 GBP in low season). Castle Stuart (Inverness), Royal Dornoch (Dornoch) , and Muirfield (Gullane) are some other great courses worth playing.

6. See the Cuillin

This dramatic mountain range dominates the Isle of Skye. There are two main ridges (the red and the black), which can be visited as a day trip or a longer two-day hike. Much of the mountain range, which stretches 14 kilometers (8.6 miles), can be hiked, though some peaks require more technical climbing skills. There are campgrounds and a hostel nearby in Glenbrittle as well. Some of the most popular trails are Rubh’ an Dùnain (3-5 hours, easy), Coire Lagan (2 hours, moderate), and Sgùrr Alasdair (6-8 hours, hard).

7. Visit Ruins of Melrose Abbey

Robert I (also known as Robert the Bruce) was the King of Scotland from 1306 until his death in 1329. Legend has it that his heart is buried in the ruins of Melrose Abbey. The abbey, founded in the 12th century and located in Melrose, was repeatedly destroyed by the English in the 14th century. You can still see marks on the surviving walls from cannonballs during the English Civil War. The abbey ruins (which is only a ruin of its former self, composed of several standing walls and arches) are decorated with intricate artwork carved into the remaining stone walls. Admission is 6 GBP.

8. Explore Dundee

Dundee is a lively student city along the coast with a lot of interesting museums. It’s a UNESCO City of Design and is the sunniest spot in the country too. Don’t miss a visit to Discovery Point to learn about the famous Antarctic expedition that launched from here in 1902 on the RSS Discovery (which you can board at the visitor center). Also, be sure to take in the great street art, the Vaults (a series of underground tunnels that date back to the 1750s), and The McManus Art Gallery as well.

9. Visit the Mystical Smoo Cave

The sleepy town of Durness, located 193 kilometers (120 miles) north of Inverness, is the access point for Smoo Cave , a coastline cave complex that can be explored independently or on a tour. Evidence from charcoal samples shows that it may have been inhabited over 4,000 years ago. The cave is free to enter but guided tours, which take you deeper into the cave, are 10 GBP. You get to see a lot more on the tour than you would if you just visit independently. Tours last around 20 minutes.

10. Head to the Isle of Arran

Located 2.5 hours west of Glasgow, this isle is a popular tourist destination for its charming scenery of jagged hills and rugged coasts, walking trails, and historic villages. Visit Brodick Castle, go for a hike, keep a lookout for seals and golden eagles, and enjoy the remote scenery. Don’t miss the Machrie Moor Stone Circles (which are sort of like Stonehenge) — they date back almost 5,000 years!

11. Explore the Cairngorms

Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the UK, spanning 4,528 square kilometers (1,748 square miles). Located two hours from Edinburgh by car, it makes for a great getaway for anyone looking to get out and see the highlands. The park is dotted with beautiful B&Bs in historic stone buildings and there are several campgrounds available for anyone traveling in a camper van or with a tent. Wild camping is also permitted, providing you do so responsibly. The park offers lots of hiking trails too. Don’t miss Ryvoan Pass (easy), Dalraddy to Ruthven (moderate), and Ben Macdui (difficult). If you visit in the winter, you can also go skiing on Cairn Gorm Mountain. If you’re lucky, you may spot some of the reindeer that call the park home (it’s the only herd in the British Isles). Admission to the park is free.

12. Attend the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival. It usually lasts three weeks and takes over the entire city of Edinburgh. There are tens of thousands of performances including plays, musicals, live music, puppet shows, and much more! There are literally thousands of different shows held and hundreds of venues around the city. It’s a massive festival and brings in upwards of 3 million visitors. It’s a zany, inspiring, and entertaining festival and one that shouldn’t be missed. Just make sure you book your tickets and accommodation in advance as things fill up fast.

13. Tour the Isle of Skye

This popular island off the northwestern tip of the country is a scenic place to take a road trip. The island offers sweeping views over the rugged coastline, hiking trails, castles, waterfalls, and quaint villages and B&Bs. While most people just visit for a day, I suggest spending a few days driving around and getting off the beaten path. You can visit by bus if you don’t have a car, however, having your own vehicle will give you much more freedom. Don’t miss Dunvegan Castle, the Old Man of Storr rock formation, and brother’s point.

  For more information on cities in Scotland, check out these guides:

• Edinburgh Travel Guide
• Glasgow Travel Guide

Scotland Travel Costs

Accommodation – Most 6-8-bed dorms in Scotland cost 18-22 GBP per night, though prices rise a few pounds in the summer and drop a few in the winter (you can find hostels for as little as 12 GBP in the off-season). Free Wi-Fi and lockers are standard, and most hostels also have self-catering facilities. Private rooms in a hostel cost around 40-65 GBP per night.

Budget hotels cost around 55-75 GBP per night with standard amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, and coffee/tea makers. Some include free breakfast.

Airbnb is widely available in Scotland and is especially useful in the smaller towns and villages where there are fewer traditional hotels and hostels. A private room generally costs 25-30 GBP per night while entire homes/apartments start at 55 GBP per night, though most options are 70 GBP and above.

If you want to camp, expect to pay around 17 GBP per night for a basic plot (a small flat space for a tent without electricity). Most campgrounds close for the winter so availability is limited come late October/early November. If you’re in a car or campervan, you can use the app “park4night” to find paid overnight parking, free overnight parking, and campgrounds.

Food – Scottish food is hearty, heavy, and filling. Seafood is abundant, and popular traditional dishes include blood pudding, minced beef, fish and chips, smoked herring, neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes), and of course haggis (a dish composed of minced sheep’s organs and spices inside a sheep’s stomach casing). Porridge is a common breakfast choice, though a larger breakfast of sausage, eggs, beans, and bread is not uncommon either. Sticky toffee pudding is a favorite dessert, and of course, you can’t visit Scotland without sampling some scotch.

Expect to pay around 10-12 GBP for a basic meal (like a Scottish breakfast). For pub food like a burger or fish and chips, prices are usually between 12-20 GBP for a meal. For a full three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant, prices begin around 27 GBP.

A pint of beer is around 4 GBP while a glass of wine is around 5.50 GBP. A latte or cappuccino is around 2.70 GBP.

If you’re looking for fast food (think McDonald’s), expect a combo meal to cost around 6 GBP. A classic fish and chips from a no-frills takeaway spot is around 6 GBP, while Chinese takeaway is around 8-10 GBP. Street food (like from a food truck) costs around 6-8 GBP. Eat near the universities for the cheapest food options.

A week’s worth of groceries costs around 40-60 GBP. This covers basic staples like pasta, rice, seasonal produce, and some meat. The cheapest supermarkets to look out for are Aldi, Lidl, Asda, and Tesco.

Backpacking Scotland Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget, you can visit Scotland for around 55 GBP per day. On this budget, you’re staying in a dorm room or camping, cooking all of your meals, using local transportation, sticking to mostly free activities (like hiking, museums, or free walking tours), and limiting your drinking.

On a mid-range budget of about 105 GBP, you can stay in a private Airbnb room, eat out at cheap local restaurants for a few meals, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting castles or doing a whisky tasting.

On a “luxury” budget of 210 GBP or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for every meal, drink what you want, take the train between cities or rent a car, and visit as many museums and attractions as you’d like. This is just the ground floor for luxury though — you can easily spend more if you want to splash out!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in GBP.

Scotland Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

While Scotland is expensive, there are lots of ways to lower your costs. Here are some tips to help you save money in Scotland:

• Get the Edinburgh City Pass – If you’re planning to explore Edinburgh, get the City Pass. For 45 GBP, you get access to 22 attractions as well as free transportation to and from the airport. There is also a two-day pass for 55 GBP and a three-day pass for 65 GBP.
• Eat in a pub – The best food is often in the pubs at a fraction of the price compared to a proper restaurant. Also, pubs generally give you a true taste of Scottish culture. Scotland is pub-land – they’re everywhere.
• Eat during lunch – Many cafes, bakeries, and chains offer lunch deals for as little as 3-5 GBP.
• Visit the free museums – The public museums in Scotland are free so take advantage! Free museums include The National Museum of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
• Use buses – If you need to go anywhere, buses are by far the cheapest way to reach the widest range of places on a regular schedule. You can even find tickets for just 1 GBP from Megabus if you book far enough in advance.
• Avoid eating and shopping in the city centers – Both Glasgow and Edinburgh get significantly more expensive the closer you get to the city center. There are plenty of good restaurants and quirky shops outside of the center, so go for those. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
• Use apps to get food deals – On the app Too Good to Go, participating eateries sell severely discounted meals/groceries/baked goods at the end of the day. You just sign up, see what is being offered near you, and pick up your cheap food at the end of the day. It has good coverage all across Scotland, particularly in Edinburgh. For discounts on takeout try the app Secret Takeaways which supports local restaurants in Edinburgh and Glasgow by cutting out the delivery app middleman (and their high fees).
• Stay with a local – Couchsurfing is the best way to save on accommodation in Scotland. You’ll not only save some money but get access to a knowledgeable local who can help point you to some of the country’s hidden gems. It may not be fancy, but you’ll get a unique experience and learn far more about the destination than if you stayed in a hotel!
• Take a free walking tour – If you want to understand more about the history, architecture, and people of Scotland then be sure to take a free walking tour. They usually last a couple of hours and are a great introduction to the city. New Europe has a great free tour in Edinburgh and Visit Scotland offers one in Glasgow.
• Cook your own meals – Eating out in the UK isn’t cheap. Save yourself some money and cook a few meals for yourself. It may not be as fancy as eating out, but your wallet will thank you!
• Rent a campervan – If you’re planning to get out of the city, rent a camper van. You can get them for as little as 30 GBP per day. They come with basic self-catering facilities so you can cook your food and have somewhere cheap to stay. There are lots of free places to park around the country. Just use the app park4night to find them.
• Use BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing app you can use to travel in between cities. It’s faster than the bus and usually just as cheap. You have to find a ride, which can sometimes be hit or miss, but the profiles are verified and reviewed so it’s quite safe. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with other locals/travelers.
• Use discount websites – Groupon, Wowcher and Living Social have good deals on accommodation, attractions, and dining out.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Scotland

Accommodation in Scotland isn’t cheap, but there are nevertheless lots of great hostels to stay at to help you meet people and save money. Here are my favorite hostels in Scotland:

• Castle Rock (Edinburgh)
• Edinburgh Backpackers (Edinburgh)
• Kick Ass Grassmarket (Edinburgh)
• Glasgow Youth Hostel (Glasgow)
• Euro Hostel Glasgow (Glasgow)
• Broadford backpackers (Isle of Skye)
• Stirling Youth Hostel (Stirling)

How to Get Around Scotland

Public Transportation – Public buses and trams cost around 1.50-2 GBP for one-way ride. For a single-day pass, expect prices to start at 4 GBP per person. In Glasgow, a 7-day public transportation pass costs 17 GBP.

Only Glasgow has a subway system and the tickets for the bus and metro are not interchangeable as they are operated by two different companies (though prices between the two are comparable).

Airport shuttles cost around 6-8 GBP each way.

Flying – Flying around Scotland is both inconvenient and expensive. There are very few direct flights, making it slower to fly than to take the bus. I would avoid flying and just take the bus or train.

Bus – Buses are a popular and affordable way to get around the country as they link most destinations in the country. Scottish Citylink, Stagecoach, Megabus, and National Express are the four main companies that operate here. Tickets can be found for as little as 1 GBP via Megabus, though they’re usually around 10-25 GBP.

Edinburgh to Glasgow, for example, is a one-hour bus ride that costs 8 GBP while the three-hour journey from Glasgow to Inverness costs around 20-30 GBP. The sooner you book your ticket, the lower the price, so always try to book in advance. The coaches here are modern and comfortable with bathrooms and Wi-Fi as well.

Train – Trains connect all the major cities in Scotland (as well as the towns and villages they pass through). When purchased in advance (12 weeks out is the sweet spot), tickets are only a little more expensive than the bus. For example, Inverness to Glasgow takes about as long as the bus and is only 30 GBP while Edinburgh-Glasgow is 30 minutes faster than the bus for just 1-2 GBP more. Just be sure to book early to get the best prices. Last-minute tickets can be expensive!

Car rental – Scotland is a great road trip destination. You can get cars for 20 GBP per day and campers for 30 GBP per day. Just remember that traffic flows on the left. Most vehicles are manual transmissions as well. Renters need to be at least 21 years of age.

Rideshare – Ridesharing apps like Uber are a reliable but expensive way to get around in cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. Skip them if you can.

For longer distances, use BlaBlaCar. It’s a ridesharing app that pairs you with drivers who are traveling to other cities. They have profiles and reviews (similar to Airbnb) so it’s quite safe. It’s usually not as cheap as the bus, but it’s faster and more comfortable.

When to Go to Scotland

Summer is the most popular time to visit Scotland. In July and August, there’s warm weather and minimal rain, with temperatures reaching highs of around 20°C (68°F). This is also the busiest time of the year, so expect crowds in the cities and lots of people out enjoying the national parks. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes place in August, which is a huge multi-week festival. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance if you’re visiting during this time.

September is a rather wet month, though in October there’s incredible fall foliage. Overall, October is a great time to visit — especially if you plan on renting a car or camper and heading into the Cairngorms (Scotland’s biggest national park). Seasonal businesses and accommodations start to close in mid-October so be sure to keep that in mind when planning. Expect October temperatures to hover around 12°C (55°F) during the day.

The spring is a great time to visit, with April and May offering minimal rain and no crowds. There’s still snow and cool temperatures in the highlands, but the cities are lively without being crowded.

Winters in Scotland are cold and dark. December is relatively dry, with temperatures dipping below 0°C (32°F). It’s nevertheless a popular time to visit, with many tourists coming to Edinburgh for the huge Hogmanay New Year’s Eve celebration (one of the biggest New Year’s festivals in the world). Book your accommodation well in advance if you plan to attend.

By February, snow is common so keep that in mind if you plan on renting a vehicle. Unless you’re coming to engage in winter sports, I’d avoid a winter visit unless you don’t mind the grim and grey atmosphere of the country.

How to Stay Safe in Scotland

Scotland is a safe country, even for solo travelers, and even for solo female travelers. Like in all cities, stay vigilant when you’re in crowded tourist areas or on public transportation as that is when pickpockets usually strike. If you keep your valuable secure, however, you shouldn’t have any issues.

Additionally, solo female travelers don’t need to worry in Scotland, however, women should take the standard precautions when traveling alone at night (don’t travel alone intoxicated, keep an eye on your drink, etc.).

Keep in mind that traffic flows on the left here. Most vehicles are manual transmissions and have the gear shift on the left (which is opposite to most other countries). Driving might take some getting used to so drive carefully — especially in cities and when going through roundabouts.

If you are hiking, make sure you have the appropriate equipment and notify your accommodation of your plans just in case as the weather can change quickly in the highlands.

While scams here are rare, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here if you’re concerned.

If you experience an emergency, dial 999 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Avoid isolated areas at night and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

If you don’t do it at home, don’t do it in Scotland!

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Scotland Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Edinburgh Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Scotland and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Edinburgh

The Best Walking Tours in Edinburgh

Where to Stay in Edinburgh: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The Best Ghost Tours in Edinburgh

A Complete Visitor’s Guide to Rosslyn Chapel

Searching for the Perfect Dram on Islay

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Scotland Travel Blogs (Top Scotland Travel Guides)

Ready to travel around Scotland?

Whether you’re simply looking for inspiration on where to travel to or you’ve already started planning your trip, these Scotland travel blogs will help you kickstart your Scottish adventure.

If you’re wondering why it’s a great place to travel, here are 32 reasons to visit Scotland .

If you can’t decide when to visit, take a look at our guide to the best time to visit Scotland . It gives you suggestions based on the different seasons, weather and special events across the country.

Scotland is an amazing destination when it comes to accommodation. From airships and treehouses to stunning castles, you’ll love these unusual places to stay in Scotland .

Love a tipple? Check out the best gin distilleries in Scotland . Keen to get out and explore? How about planning a trip to the Ben Nevis .

Or if you just fancy a bit of fun, take our Scotland quiz and see how much you know about the country.

We hope you have a great time exploring Scotland.

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Slains Castle

© VisitAberdeenshire

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© Visit South West Scotland / Ben Bush

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May 20, 2020 by Aelyth Savage

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About the Traveling Savage

I’m an American driven to explore every corner of Scotland, from the highlands and islands to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the lowlands with my trusty camera, pen, and a whisky-fueled fire in my belly. Have a look around, read my story, and learn how I help people plan their trips to Scotland.

Explore Scotland

Browse the map to find adventures across Scotland, from the highlands to the lowlands and the islands to the cities!

Learn How to Plan a Scotland Trip

Planning a trip to Scotland is deceptively difficult . When you crack open a map of Scotland everywhere looks appealing, and with the Right to Roam nothing is off limits . Do you focus on the highlands? Dedicate a trip to the islands? Relax and party in the cities? All of the above? Every trip has different constraints, from timelines to interests. What’s the best time of year to visit? How much will it cost? What’s realistic? These are just a few of the questions to ask yourself and find answers to  know before you go .

These links will give you a leg up as you start planning your trip to Scotland.

When to Start?

When to go, where to go, trip length, need help planning your trip.

I’ve spent more than a decade ranging across Scotland as an explorer and hunter of fine experiences, and I’m using that knowledge as a Scotland trip planner to craft wonderful trips to Scotland. Why not let me, a detail-oriented travel consultant focused solely on Scotland, share my first-hand experience, deep knowledge, and unshakeable passion with you to help ensure your trip to Scotland is one you’ll never forget? I’ve helped people from around the world who believed in the comparatively small cost of this “great trip insurance.”

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Every time i performed a search for itineraries and guides for scotland, keith’s site came up. finally i took the leap and reached out to keith. not because i couldn’t come up with an itinerary–i had three we all know what we know, but we don’t know what we don’t know. and therein lies keith’s magic. you have provided me what i needed most—confidence in making decisions. within ..., – laura wilson, latest photos #travelingsavage, scotland's calling.

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My Love Affair with Scotland

Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

The question I get more often than any other is, “So what’s your favorite place?”

Truth? I understand why people ask me this question, but I hate this question. Most other travel bloggers hate it, too. It’s not just that we get asked it constantly, it’s that it’s impossible to boil down years of travel and hundreds of destinations into just one place and to cap it at one is a disservice to your travels and life.

But if you tell people that, they get disappointed. They just want to hear a place.

So I’ve come up with a scripted answer that is both truthful and satisfying for the listener: “Well, my favorite countries are Croatia, Italy, South Africa, Japan, and Thailand. And one place that is very special to me is the island of Koh Lanta in Thailand.”

But that answer is incomplete. It leaves out how much I love the food of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It overlooks the joy of summer in Finland, the quiet paradise of Little Corn Island in Nicaragua, the outstanding natural beauty of Montenegro, the feeling when you watch a sunset from Boracay in the Philippines. It even omits mentions of my favorite city in the world for 16 years running: Paris.

Worst of all, it overlooks Scotland.

Oh, I love Scotland. I love it FIERCELY. It is a destination that brings me endless joy, no matter where I’m going. And I really need to talk about it more for that reason.

I love the cities. Edinburgh looks like a fairy tale and it’s one of my favorite cities on the planet, and Glasgow is a lot of fun, too.

I love the natural beauty. The mountains, the lakes, even the beaches.

I love the people. Scots are so warm and friendly and welcoming. And the accents are out of this world!

I love the castles. They’re everywhere and they vary so much! My favorite ruined castle to photograph is Dunnottar Castle on the East Coast, not too far north from St. Andrews.

I love the food. Haggis is great. Fried Mars bars are…an indulgence. But go to a nice pub that uses local ingredients and you’ll delight in a real Scottish meal. The single best thing I ate in Scotland was an Arbroath smokie (smoked fish) that came right off the smoker. I ate it like an ice cream cone.

There’s only one thing that I don’t love — the whisky. Sorry, guys. I’ve tried whisky (as the Scots spell it) dozens of times, sometimes at outstanding distilleries in the Scottish countryside. And it always tastes like feet to me. I’m a gin girl , I’m afraid.

(My friend Peter even brought a bottle of whisky to Leipzig last week for the Video Summit and had me take a sip. Nope, still tasted like feet.)

The First Trip: An Introduction to Edinburgh

I first set foot in Scotland in September 2011 — a weekend in Edinburgh to visit my friends Kash and Anthony  and check out  Haggis Hostels , which had just opened back then (and is still going strong — congrats, guys!).

Turns out this was somewhat of an atypical visit. Temperatures were around 30 degrees celsius — 86 fahrenheit — an almost unheard of heat wave. Everyone was lying out in the sunshine! It was crazy — on Anthony’s advice I had packed warm clothing, including tall leather boots, and I went to H&M and Zara to buy sunglasses, only to find out that they sold none!

But I fell for Edinburgh SO hard. The beauty, the friendliness, the walkability, the castle perched on a hill. This was my place.

There were a few late nights at clubs. There were haggis quesadillas (at a place that has sadly closed since). There was a crazy dancing man on the Royal Mile. But above all, this visit lit the spark for everything that came after. I look back at this weekend as a truly happy time in my life.

Quintessential Scotland Experience: Trying haggis for the first time and realizing that it’s delicious as long as you don’t think about what you’re eating!

The Second Trip: Shetland, Up Helly Aa, and the East Coast

The second trip to Scotland was one of the greatest things I have ever done: Up Helly Aa. This Viking fire festival takes place in the remote Shetland Islands, adrift between Scotland and Norway.

I did the Haggis Adventures Up Helly Aa tour  — it was so good, three of my readers booked the same tour the following year! (Worth noting: the tour they run today includes an extra day in Shetland. Excellent!)

After traveling up the coast, we took an overnight ferry to the islands and explored the ruins and the landscape. Shetland is phenomenally beautiful and even has a double beach!

The next day, the Up Helly Aa celebrations began with a parade and Vikings yelling, “Yarrr!” before breaking into the Broadway standard “Enjoy Yourself, It’s Later Than You Think.” We posed for photos with the Vikings and I was even filmed for BBC Scotland!

That night began the burning. Men and boys dressed up in fancy Viking costumes were paraded down the street in a beautifully lacquered Viking boat made for the occasion. Following them were lines and lines of Shetland dressed in various costumes — drag! Marvel villains! Chicken suits! — and holding flaming torches.

The boat was pushed to a field, the Vikings got out…and then EVERYONE THREW THEIR TORCHES INTO THE BOAT AND LIT IT ON FIRE. That beautiful boat had served its purpose.

Next, everyone moved to parties and danced all night long to traditional Shetland music in between performances from the various squads of Shetlanders. They had costumed routines to “Moves Like Jagger” and “Party Rock Anthem.” (I still think of Shetland whenever I hear those songs.)

Our guides taught us all the dances and soon we were whirling around with the kilted locals. And the best part of Up Helly Aa? It goes ALL NIGHT LONG. Seriously. We danced until 8:06 AM and just skipped sleeping that night, falling into bed at around 9:00 PM on the ferry home.

It’s been more than four years and I still consider Up Helly Aa one of the best things I have ever done on my travels. You can read all my posts about it here. Bonus: I’ve stayed close with many of my Up Helly Aa friends and we’ve had reunions in London, New York, Sydney, and even Hvar, Croatia!

Quintessential Scotland Experience: Dancing to traditional music until delirious at 8:06 AM. I will never forget it.

The Third Trip: A Luxurious Return to Edinburgh

I was delighted to return to Edinburgh at the invitation of the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa to check out their new offerings. While this isn’t the kind of trip that I’d do today, at the time I had a wonderful overnight with several of my blogger friends.

And finally I got to experience typical Scottish weather — lots of gray rain!

Quintessential Scotland Experience: Swimming in the outdoor spa at the Sheraton as fierce rain pelted down.

The Fourth Trip: Yet Another Edinburgh Trip

Can you tell how in love with Edinburgh I am yet? With another opportunity to return for a blogger meet up, another opportunity to hang out in Edinburgh with my friends, of course I took it!

This time I got to overturn a new stone: exploring the Water of Leith, a path winding through quiet parts of Edinburgh. Kash and I explored it through the rain, getting soaked before the sun came back out once again — it’s the Scottish way!

Also memorable from this trip is the meetup. It was mayhem, in a nutshell, and I still laugh over the resulting pictures.

Quintessential Scotland Experience: Taking a long, rainy walk along the Water of Leith and warming up with a cup of tea at a cafe afterward.

The Fifth Trip: Glasgow 

Because I can’t keep going back to Edinburgh every time, on my next trip I went to spend a few days in Scotland’s largest city: Glasgow.

One of my favorite ways to travel is to go to a new city for a few days and pretend I live there. I do my thing: I take long walks, I go to cafes, I people-watch. Whether it’s Helsinki or Bogotá, I like to carve a Kate-sized shape in the city. And I think that was the best way to explore Glasgow.

Glasgow may not have the overwhelming beauty of Edinburgh, but you know what it has? Beauty all its own. Lots of culture. Cool small shops and businesses. Incredibly friendly people. And it has several friends of mine, including Emma , who is an authority on all things Scotland travel.

Quintessential Scotland Experience: finally getting to love Irn Bru, the bubblegum-esque bright orange soft drink, and trying my first-ever deep fried Mars bar.

The Sixth Trip: Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and the Highlands

Scotland is world-famous for its New Year’s celebrations: Hogmanay! I was invited to cover the festival for New Year’s Eve 2012, and I was happy to take part in the traditions.

My favorite part was the torchlight procession the night before New Year’s, joining Scots and visitors from all over in marching up the hill, flaming torches in hand. (Yet another moment in Scotland where I thought, “This could never happen in America.”)

New Year’s itself was a giant party with a concert and much revelry. Personally, I preferred the calm torchlight procession to the party night itself — it gets WILD! Also, I saw a girl walking home in bare feet. In Scotland. IN WINTER.

After the trip, our group went on a Haggis Adventures tour of the Highlands , and this is where I felt a connection to Scotland like never before. My Scottish roots on my mother’s side come from Inverness and the Isle of Skye.

What really affected me was hearing about all the tragedies of the Highlands and how difficult life was here. So many wars, deaths, betrayals, massacres. Thinking of my long-lost relatives and how they could have been victims was deeply moving.

The Isle of Skye was the true highlight of the Highlands for me, and I’d love to go back and explore it more.

Quintessential Scotland Experience: Learning that there’s no colder winter than a Scottish winter. It’s the dampness that gets you. Even after a scaldingly hot shower, the chill remained within me.

The Seventh Trip: Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival with Mom

Traveling with my mom, we went to Edinburgh as part of our genealogy trip . The timing was perfect: August was the time of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!

This festival features nonstop performances, both paid and free, in the street and in theaters. The Royal Mile in particular is chock full of these performances. I ended up seeing several terrific shows and one truly bad show, roughly half of them paid and half of them free.

The most memorable show, Sing For Your Life! , was a puppet show musical using taxidermied animals for puppets. It was weird and wonderful and hilarious.

During this trip, we stayed with my mom’s friend Sandra, and the two of them often went off while I did my own thing, including hosting my first Edinburgh meetup. I love having alone time in Edinburgh — it gives me time to revisit my favorite places, like The World’s End for a bowl of cullin skink (smokey fish chowder) and a dark beer.

Quintessential Scotland Experience: Waiting in line for a taxi next to a thickly brogued, kilt-wearing Edinburgh tour guide as he told me about guiding: “The German tourists, they look angry. They look like a constipated Woody Harrelson. As the tour continues, you think they’re not enjoying it. Then at the end, they come up, shake your hand and say, “That tour was the greatest experience of my life. I will name my grandchildren after you.”

The Eighth Trip: Inverness and Loch Ness

Finally, last month I returned to Scotland for the Social Travel Summit and hit up a new destination: Inverness, the gateway to the Highlands.

Unfortunately, between a late arrival, being busy with the conference, and being worried over lost luggage, I didn’t get to enjoy the region as much as I could have — but I still had a great time. And just like my first trip, we had some very un-Scotland-like weather: clear blue skies!

I did get to experience a lovely cruise on Loch Ness past Urqhardt Castle, a dressed up soirée at nearby Achnagairn Castle , and the local Inverness nightlife: and by that, I mean some crazy nights at Hootenanny , capped off by some locals asking me to dance.

Quintessential Scotland Experience: Becoming fast friends with the taxi driver who took me to the airport to pick up my luggage. And then I find out he has the same last name as my relatives from Inverness! We posed for a selfie that I sent my mom. (Her response: “He doesn’t look like a [name] but he looks very nice.” LOL!)

Image: iknow-uk

What’s Next? My Scotland Travel Goals

I know a lot of Scotland travel experts will look at this list and say, “Psssh, you didn’t even go to the best spots!” Oh, believe me, I know that! There’s so much more to see.

The following destinations are particularly high on my list:

St. Kilda. This remote archipelago on the far northwest of the Outer Hebrides has some of the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland.

Lewis and Harris. People say that the further north you go in Scotland, the more beautiful it gets. These islands in the Outer Hebrides are home to long, white-sand beaches with crystal-clear water. That picture above is Harris! How crazy is that?!

Loch Lomond. This lake is great for adventure activities and one of the most popular destinations in the country, yet I’ve always missed it.

Orkney. Whenever I mention that I’ve been to Shetland but not Orkney, Scotland lovers lose their minds. Ornkey is home to some incredible archaeological wonders.

Shetland Folk Festival.  I’ve got Shetland fever! If the traditional music I heard at Up Helly Aa was any indication, this festival will be a rollicking good time.

Choose Scotland

I feel like Scotland is one of the best all-around destinations in the world. Here’s what makes it great:

It’s perfect for solo female travelers. Scotland is one of my top choices for solo female travelers because of the ease of travel, the variety of things to do, the friendly people, the relative safety, the pub culture (great for dining alone), and the lack of language barrier for English speakers, on top of being an overall wonderful destination.

There’s enough variety to customize your trip.  Do you want to be in the throes of a festival or have an isolated getaway? Do you want to have an active hiking, biking, and canoeing trip or would you rather visit historical sites? Do you want to drive or take the train? Go solo or with a group? Do you want a foodie adventure or do you have a limited palate? There are endless options.

It’s much cheaper now. The fallout of the pound has caused lots of financial damage to my friends and me (as some of my clients pay me in GBP), which is no laughing matter. But this is good news for tourists to the UK, who now get more for their money than ever before.

The only place where Scotland falls short is the weather. One of my Scottish friends likes to say, “Scotland would be the best country in the world if it had better weather.” Nope, you’re not going to lie around in a bikini here, but if you make peace with that, you’re going to have a great time. I guarantee it.

Have you been to Scotland? What do you love about it?

65 thoughts on “my love affair with scotland”.

Scotland is the most beautiful place in the world (biased, I know!)

It’s true that the further North you go, the more beautiful it becomes..if you are lucky enough to see some Sunshine!

I am from Lewis but can definitely vouch for the above picture – If you go to Lewis and Harris – Luskentyre is the beach you want to visit!!!

Lovely to see someone in love with Scotland as much as me. You have so much more to explore. Give me a shout if you want some off beat recommendations next time you are here 🙂

Love this post! I went to Edinburgh earlier this year and really enjoyed it. I thought haggis was great, the Scottish people were so friendly, and the city itself was awesome. It definitely piqued my interest to return again for a Highlands trip.

I’ve actually never been to Scotland, but your photos and posts always make me think that it needs to get higher on my list! I’m totally in love with the nature photos (those beaches!), and Edinburgh sounds like such a fun photo. David LOVES whiskey, so that might be reason enough to go for him 🙂

Wow! So much of Scotland in one post! I simply cannot contain my excitement. Shetland seems incredibly beautiful. Thanks for the information. Happy travels 🙂

I’m hoping to get to Scotland for the first time in the spring. I really want to walk the West Highland Way, get to the Isle of Skye and the far northwest of the mainland. I love that you’ve been to the Shetlands. I’d love to get there too, but something tells me that like you, Kate, I’ll make that first visit but it won’t be my last! Thanks for sharing this. I’m inspired!!

I went to Scotland for the first time in April and it was absolutely magical. I only had three days in Edinburgh but I just remember being deliriously happy the entire time I was there, even though the weather was crap (it somehow managed to be brilliantly sunny and snow at the same time). I really want to go back and explore it properly, especially the Highlands, Shetlands, and Hebrides!

I went to scotland several times for Workaway and Woofing and must admit that I did not have the best time over there (it’s incredible how one or two persons can spoil a whole region….). Your post and the pictures are beautiful though. I will definitely return and look at Scotland with new eyes 🙂

Scotland is one of my favourite places. After my studies in 2010 I decided to travel around the world. Instead I got stuck at my first destinations: Edinburgh. I’ve lived there happy for three years and never regretted it! It’s been more than a year since I’ve been back for a visit and I miss it!

I totally agree with you, I’ve been living in Glasgow for the past year and although it is soooo beautiful the weather can sometimes get to me! However, the people, the environment and the outdoors is well worth it. I can’t believe you don’t like whisky though! ;D

I have never been to Scotland but it somewhere I have dreamed of going for as long as I can remember. Everything looks so beautiful and I LOVE grey rainy weather. I think I would fit right in 🙂

Also, that cat picture! Love it

My husband and I go every almost year since he’s from there and his family still lives near Edinburgh. It’s become a second home to me. Your pictures inspire me want to book a flight (and I just went in June!). Next year we’re planning a birthday trip to the highlands…your description of Shetland, along with the TV show with the same name, makes me want to include it on the itinerary. Thanks for posting!!

My family is from the Loch Lomond area and yet I’ve never been! It’s on my (increasingly long) list of places to visit and this post makes me want to go explore Scotland even more.

Hi Adventurous Kate,

I found your blog on Scotland very interesting. Edinburgh is without a doubt the best city in Scotland. The costal towns & cities can also offer their wonderful seafood etc but for me it has to be the areas of Highland Perthshire & Cairngorm National Park. It is here where my heart is. Have you ever tried the small town of Pitlochry. Check it out, you will not be dissappointed. The town has everything to offer (even a gin distillery). Have a look at http://www.pitlochry.org & http://www.torrdarach.co.uk This has to be one of the best small towns in Scotland. Try it out for yourself, G

Wow! Looks amazing!

How do you decide when to return to a place you love versus go somewhere new?

You know, that’s always tough! I think it’s best to play it by ear and do what feels right at the time.

My daughter, who is a surgeon, will soon work in Edinburgh. So, I’m really excited to visit Scotland. And with all your enthusiasm, I’m really looking forward to be there soon. And I have a great excuse – I want to visit my daughter!

I did a two week trip to Scotland last spring- Edinburgh, Inverness/highlands, and the Isle of Skye. If you haven’t been to Skye, I HIGHLY recommend it- GREAT hiking (and I am not even a huge hiker) and spectacular views. I did some water trips as well (canoeing, kayaking) and hung out in portree. There are also a lot of castles around there as well for rainy days.

I have also been to Scotland quite a few times by now, and actually share a lot of your Scotland bucket-list goals! I have been to concerts in Glasgow and Inverness, went for a drive with a local guide around Skye and been to Edinburgh, Aberdeen and St. Andrews and I still want more! Scotland is truly addictive 😛

Some of these photos are absolutely breathtaking! The closest I’ve been to Scotland is London. I loved it, and am looking forward to exploring more of the British Isles in the future (hopefully sooner rather than later!).

I have only ever been to Glasgow and Loch Lomond, but I absolutely adore Scotland too! It must be said how fierce Glaswegians are. While there, I stayed at an inner city airbnb with three other female friends, and upon arrival our 6ft burly man of a host told us that if we had any problems in the city AT ALL, to call him. He would take care of it, no questions asked. It was like the Scotland Sopranos.

Oh, I LOVE Glaswegians, but I wouldn’t want to get on their bad side! 😛

Well, I’ve always wanted to travel to Scotland, but now, this makes me even more eager to go there!! It looks so beautiful and fun! My boyfriend has Scottish ancestors from his father’s side, maybe it’s time to look that up?

Scotland was the place that made me fall in love with travelling over 6 years ago. It’s still one of my favourite places in the whole world.

I can’t wait to go back some day and explore the highlands more.

Am planning a trip to Scotland next September. Great article and stories about your travels. As always, thanks so much for sharing. Love your blog and especially your snaps!!

Ahh, Scotland! 🙂 My ultimate goal is to move to Edinburgh eventually. I have so much more to explore in the country though, and I grew up here! In fact, I grew up in Orkney but I’ve never even been to Shetland – funnily enough your adventure at Up Helly Aa has really made me want to go for that. 🙂

P.S. I’m trying to figure out what the hell is going on with that cat HAHA!

I’ve only been to Scotland once (Edinburgh), and that was waaaay back in 2003. But my colleague recently went to the Shetland Islands and couldn’t stop raving about it. After seeing all her pictures, it’s definitely on my travel wish list now too!

Love Scotland! I went first back in 2009 during a study abroad trip to Oxford. Just went back again last year and drove up through the Isle of Skye and Highlands. Amazingly beautiful and definitely a place I can’t wait to get back to again. Thanks for sharing your experiences there!

I’ve been dying to go to Scotland ever since I finished the Outlander series earlier this year! I know I want to the hit the Highlands but this post has given me so many more destinations to add to my list! Thanks for always sparking my wanderlust 🙂

With that dread of whisky, you’ll be very glad to know about the amazing craft gin revival going on in Scotland. So many to try. You can tour the country tasting gin from Harris to Edinburgh and lots more.

Yes! I actually did a trip on that last year — gin distilleries are popping up throughout the UK. Scotland has the most, of course, but my colleagues and I split up and covered different regions. I covered northwest and central England.

I just returned from a short trip to Scotland and I am already thinking of when I can go back. Enjoyed reading your post!

Love, love, love Scotland and glad to see you do as well Kate!

Brilliant post, Kate! It was very nice to learn a few previously unknown facts. Thanks for sharing! I look forward to reading more posts like these! Cheers

Scotland looks quite before and is on my list in the near future. It reminds me of Ireland quite a bit and i loved that!

The fire festival, Up Helly Aa, looked immensely fun as well. In my opinion, festivals and nation wide celebrations (i.e the Thai New Year) are some of the most fun events you can attend while traveling. Although it is pricier to be there during that time, you will not regret it.

Cheers to the great post.

Scotland’s nature looks really impressive and majestic. Finally got my visa going so its definetely our next destination on the bucket list! Great article, thanks!

I still haven’t made it to Scotland, even though I have been so close to it in England. I would really like to visit someday, particularly the stunning scenery of the highlands. Also, those accents! 😉

Maybe most people dying to get there, Scotland is really a sophisticated country. Its remind me to Sherlock, Lochness and the Train of Jacobite. The nature is so wonderful so people will be mesmerize if ever visited it. That Viking festival is totally awesome Kate, Thanks for sharing

I so much love Scotland as well! It’s a great country, I had a great time there! I’m like you, I hate the question “what’s your favorite country?” I usually answer “All of them, for different reasons” 🙂

Thank you for this post. Scotland is a great place to visit – I often find you don’t actually have to travel to the other side of the world, to find new experiences. Edinburgh is a beautiful city, and I’d recommend visiting when there’s an event on – like the fringe festival for example.Over the summer, the Edinburgh festivals bring a wave of colour and soaring excitement to the city. Eight spectacular festivals proudly serve up the most incredible smorgasbord of culture you could ever imagine, filling the city’s performance venues and event spaces in late June, July and August. Attend a star-studded film premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and listen to top class live music when incredible musicians from all over the world roll into town for the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.

Yes, I totally agree! Scotland stole my heart as well. I just spent 3 months living in Edinburgh this summer and have fallen for the city. Also the highlands and lowlands are incredible as well. I am both a gin and whisky girl but I get what you mean, some whisky’s can be really pungent!

Your photos looks amazing ! I live in London so don’t really have any excuse not to go there! Hopefully I can plan something soon ! Thanks for sharing your story! love It

I love Scotland! Been to many places far, far away, but still Scotland is my nr. 1!

Scotland is soooooo pretty! Definately on my bucketlist, pity its so darn far away! Where woudl you recommend to stay eg: a nice luxury hotel thasts central? Haha! Love the viking shots.

I like the post. If you are lucky with the weather then Scotland has some of the best coastline and beaches in the world.

Thank you for sharing your story! Love it. I’ve been to Scotland but it was just one day trip, so I didn’t really get to explore this beautiful place. I am definitely planning another trip to Scotland now!

Scotland is #1 on my travel wish list – a dream I hope to realize with a week-long getaway in 2017. I am already excited about a food tour in Edinburg, castles and cliffs, and horseback riding in the highlands.

Scotland is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in the world. The architecture is unbelievable – you’re right, it looks like something out of a fairy tale book!

I love Scotland! Lots of fond memories from two very formative years living there. I would’ve stayed longer if my visa hadn’t run out.

Ah, Kate! Your photos take me on a journey of my own love affair with Scotland. It’s funny, my first visit was just after yours (October 2011). I stayed in the cheapest hostel I could find (the Belford) and met my future husband just a few dorm beds away lol. Then I came back for a year to study. I went to Glasgow and saw that exact same canopy of lights. Incredible!

It is such a gorgeous place with wonderful people. What can I say, I’m here now and staying with my friend’s parents—such a hospitable folk! I love haggis. I love the highlands. I even love the rain. Scotland is amazing, and I hope your post inspires more people to visit this magical land!!

I also loved Scotland when I visited. If you love castles though, northern England also has some amazingly beautiful ones. I actually lived in Alnwick Castle when I studied abroad in college!! The Northumberland area has so many great things to see.

I got to do a trip with my cousin to Scotland in April of 2015. We did a 6 day Rabbie’s tour of Lewis, Harris and Skye. By far my favorite part of our trip. Everyday I would think that it couldn’t get any more beautiful and everyday it did! Would love to go back in the summer when it’s a little warmer, but really worth seeing anytime.

Hey Kate, Thanks for sharing this! Scotland is a great country. We went on a road trip there and we absolutely loved EVERYTHING. Yes, even the weather 🙂 Do you believe that it was sunny for 3 days in a row? The Isle of Skye is one of our favorite places in the entire world.

Happy traveling! Enri & Zuz

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From historic castles and luxury mansions, to ultra-modern boutique hotels in converted churches and chic apartments, if you’re trying to decide where to stay in Glasgow, you’ll be spoilt for choice!  

Where to stay in edinburgh, scotland – hotels for every budget.

From luxurious hotels with views of the castle, to chic, modern options, this accommodation guide will help you decide where to stay in Edinburgh.  

Oh Edinburgh – what a beautiful city you are! Most first-time visitors fall in love with the city’s old-world charm. With ancient castles, quaint alleyways and world class festivals, it’s no wonder that this stunning city attracts tourists from across the globe.

Things To Do On The Isle Of Skye

From the beautiful Fairy Glens and Pools to the incredible lochs, find out the best things to do on the Isle of Skye.  Read more

The Ultimate Scotland Road Trip Itinerary: 9 Days in Isle of Skye, Edinburgh, Loch Ness & More.

Scotland has long lingered on my travel bucket list. Its grassy carpet-like fields, uncounted cascading waterfalls, stirring mountains, and craggy coastlines are pure fantasy for the landscape lover. Or really for anyone who yearns for long scenic drives, surrounded by raw nature at its finest.

Scotland’s most worthwhile spectacles tend to be concealed down winding, narrow roads, unruffled by the trivial hustle and bustle of civilisation.

The best way to experience the unforgiving land known by ancient Romans as  Caledonia  is by jumping behind the wheel for a wee road trip.

My circular 9-day Scotland road trip itinerary involves  hiring a car in the capital, Edinburgh , and driving north to Inverness, then delving deep into rugged highlands before climaxing with the fanciful Isle of Skye. Of course, we’ll stop along the way to glimpse cute highland coos and sip authentic Scotch whisky.  

Throw a few  bagpipe anthems  to your road trip playlist, grab yer kilt, crank up  Scotland The Brave , and let’s hit the road!

If you’re Scottish, I apologise in advance if I offend with my sense of humour. I really do love your country!

Phew! That got them gingers off my tail.

Essential Scotland Road Trip Tips

1. pack for cold weather and never believe the weather forecast.

Scotland’s lush green landscapes have one little catch – rain. Lots of rain. The driest and warmest time to visit is during the summer months of July and August. But even then, don’t take the weather forecast too seriously as it seems to change by the hour!

My Scotland road trip was in early September, which seemed to be the sweet spot. Popular stops weren’t too crowded and we only had one day of heavy, non-stop rain towards the end of our trip.

Weather in the highlands ranged from 10°C to 17°C (50°F to 63°F) in September, so remember to pack a warm jacket, scarf, beanie, and umbrella.

2. Stay in local B&Bs and book in advance

I stayed in small B&Bs in the highlands for the cosy, home-away-from-home feeling. All of my hosts were extremely welcoming and treated me to delicious traditional Scottish breakfasts each morning.

Most B&Bs tend to fill up fast, so I suggest booking a few weeks in advance - a couple of months would be better. Alternatively, look for staycation hotels for short trips, as you can find bargains when travelling in shoulder season.

3. Use caution with Google Maps

This app is a life-saver, an essential tool on any road trip. However, some minor “roads” in Scotland that Google Maps sends you down really aren’t roads. They’d barely rate as footpaths in other countries, and you may not always be able to drive on them. Other times they could be a private farm road. So, take directions with a large grain of salt and study your route ahead of time. And remember to download your offline maps while on Wi-Fi.

Day 1 – Edinburgh

Edinburgh is jam-packed full of Scottish history and culture, from the 12 th century Edinburgh Castle, to elegant streets lined with colourful Georgian townhouses, to bagpipes playing traditional melodies in the background.

Although this road trip is all about Scotland’s natural beauty, the first day is dedicated to Edinburgh getting a feel for the all things Scottish. My favourite things to do in Edinburgh include:

Soak up Scottish history at Edinburgh Castle

The history of Edinburgh Castle dates back to the 12 th century when it was a royal residence. From the 14 th century, it became heavily involved in the Wars of Scottish Independence, earning its reputation as the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked structures in the world.

The castle now offers spectacular views over Edinburgh for visitors from all over the world. Be sure to check out St Margaret’s Chapel , the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh; the Royal Palace , where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI and where the Crown Jewels and Stone of Scone now reside; the National War Museum ; and, of course, the whiskey shop .

I recommend buying skip-the-line tickets online and visiting early in the morning to avoid crowds. Free guided tours run every 15 minutes (starting under a red clock near Mill’s Mount Battery ), so I suggest starting with a tour then returning to your favourite spots. Our guide summarised the castle’s turbulent history and shared handy tips, from the least slippery parts of the medieval pavement to the best place to watch the one o’clock gun fire at, you guessed it, one o’clock.

Hours: 9:30am – 6pm, daily (summer hours)

Visit length: 1.5 - 2 hours.

Marvel at the beauty of St Giles’ Cathedral

St Giles’ Cathedral started its life as a catholic cathedral in the 12 th century. After being involved in the Scottish Reformation and independence from Catholicism, it came to be known as the Mother Church of World Presbyterianism. St Giles is both fascinating and gorgeous, with grand stained-glass windows and several military and religious monuments.

Entry is free but photography permits are £2 and must be purchased before taking photos inside the cathedral, even on your smartphone.

Hours: 9am – 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm Saturday, 1pm – 5pm Sunday (summer hours)

Visit length: 30 minutes

Introduce yourself to Scotch whisky at Whiski Rooms

Whiski Rooms is my favourite place to taste single malt whisky in Edinburgh. While you can pre-book an official Whiskey tasting at a set time, you can also simply walk up to the bar at any time and order a whisky flight to taste.

Each flight comes with 4 small glasses of whiskey selected from a menu, from staff favourites to aged classics. I played it safe with the Introduction to Whisky flight and sampled 4 varieties from different regions around Scotland. Hold on to your whiskey menus as they include instructions on how to taste whisky like a pro.

Hours: 10am to 1am, daily

Visit length: 1 hour

Walk in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots at Holyrood Palace

The Palace of Holyroodhouse , or Holyrood Palace, is located at the opposite end of The Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle. Tickets include an interactive audio guide which leads you on a journey through the palace, exploring its history from construction in 1528 to modern use by Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family.

Highlights include Mary Queen of Scots’ bedchamber and stories from her life in the palace; the ruins of Holyrood Abbey; and a walk through the palace gardens where the Queen hosts a garden party every July.

Hours: 9:30am – 6pm (summer hours)

Visit length: 1.5 hours

Watch the sunset from Arthur’s Seat

If you’re feeling fit, climb the dormant volcano, Arthur’s Seat , to watch the sun set over the city. Climbing to the top takes about an hour, although there are lower, easier-to-reach lookout points too. Wear suitable shoes as some parts of the climb are quite slippery and bring lots of water.

Visit length: 2 - 2.5 hours

Have a picnic at Calton Hill

For a less exerting lookout point, visit Calton Hill which just has 2-3 minutes’ worth of stairs to climb.  Calton Hill is home to several significant Neoclassical monuments, including the National Monument of Scotland and the Nelson Monument . There’s also a large grassed area, which is the perfect place to relax with a book or have a little picnic and admire the views.

Where to Stay in Edinburgh

I spent 2 nights in sophisticated style at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh , conveniently located within walking distance of all attractions listed above.  

I stayed in a spacious Designer Suite with an elegant watercolour theme continued throughout the room from the furniture to the wallpaper. Each Designer Suite is decorated with unique artwork, so you’ll feel like a celebrity with the tailor-made interior.

Celebrity treatment continues at breakfast, with a generous buffet of pastries, cereals, and fruit as well as a cooked-to-order hot breakfast. I ordered the vegetarian breakfast which came with vegan haggis (yum!), sausages and grilled vegetables.

If you’ve already collected your rental car, parking is available at sister hotel, Radisson Blu Edinburgh (5 minutes walk) for £12.50 per night. Otherwise, find a rental car on Rentalcars.com .

Day 2 – Edinburgh to Inverness

Driving time: 3.5 hours

The first actual road trip day involves driving from Edinburgh to Inverness. Inverness is the last major city on the trip so stock up on road trip snacks and anything else you might need, like car chargers and aux cables, as they’ll become increasingly harder to find.

I left Edinburgh at 10am, had lunch in Dunkeld at 12:30pm, and arrived in Inverness at 5:30pm.

See the UNESCO heritage listed Forth Bridge at Queensferry

Navigate to the Binks Carpark at South Queensferry Harbour, a 30-minute drive west from Edinburgh. Most carparks in Queensferry tend to be pretty busy, especially on weekends, so you may need to drive around for a few minutes or wait for someone to leave.

After parking, we walked along the foreshore to the pier , admired the red Forth Bridge , and stopped for coffee at a waterfront café.

Grab lunch by the river in Dunkeld

Next, set navigate to the Tay Terrace Carpark in Dunkeld, a 1-hour drive from Queensferry. Parking is free on Sundays, but otherwise paid so make sure you have a few coins.

We had lunch in the riverfront garden of the Atholl Arms , a tavern serving traditional pub food with a few vegetarian and vegan options.

After lunch, we walked along Atholl Street to explore the town, stopping at the Ell Shop to buy locally made souvenirs. Items for sale include mugs, ceramics, books, cashmere scarfs, and even pet accessories. We then visited the restored, 14 th century Dunkeld Cathedral , located on the riverbank, surrounded by beautiful parklands. Inside the small church is an even smaller museum with ruins of standing stones and informative posters on the history of the cathedral and town.

Visit length: 2 hours

See your first Scottish waterfall at the Falls of Bruar

The last stop is a 30-minute drive northwest from Dunkeld. Navigate to the House of Bruar which has a large carpark and a complex of shops selling clothing, homewares, and local produce like nuts, chocolate, jams, biscuits, cheeses, olives, and of course, whisky. There’s also a café and buffet restaurant. Have a wander around the somewhat overpriced shops, but the real treat is the nearby waterfall.

Around the back of the buildings is a quaint walking trail that leads to the Falls of Bruar and a small stone bridge. The waterfall viewing platforms are a 15-minute stroll north from the shops and carpark.

Check into your B&B in Inverness

The last leg of the day is a 90-minute drive north to Inverness to check into your B&B for the next 2 nights. I stayed in Riverview Guesthouse which I highly recommend for the modern yet cosy rooms, delicious breakfasts, and super friendly staff.

Bubbly owner, Eilidh, recommended the best restaurants in town for our dinner and kindly offered to make reservations for us. Tip: Zizzi have a few delicious Italian-themed vegan options.

Day 3 – Loch Ness

Driving time: 2 hours

Day 3 is spent exploring the region around Loch Ness, the largest water body in the UK by volume. Loch Ness is famous for its fabled elusive sea monster, but it’s also one of the most beautiful and serene places in Scotland.

I left Inverness at 9am, had lunch in Fort Augustus at 2pm, and arrived back at Inverness at 5.30pm.

Learn the legend behind the Loch Ness Monster at Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition

Drive 25-minutes southwest from Inverness to Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition to walk through a series of interactive videos about the history of Loch Ness and the search for the famous Loch Ness Monster, Nessie. Tickets are available at the door for £8.45 per adult.

According to the videos, there’s been over 1,000 sightings of a ‘monster’ in Loch Ness since 1868, sparking scientific studies into lifeforms inside the loch. The videos present the studies’ findings, including possible explanations for each ‘monster’ sighting, but ultimately leave it up to you to decide whether or not Nessie is hiding in the deep, dark waters.

The exhibition ends in a gift shop selling Nessie toys and souvenirs, books, and clothing. I couldn’t help but buy a somewhat-traditional Scottish hat.

Semi-true story: Apparently 40% of people in Scotland have a recessive gene for ginger hair. Mine spontaneously activated.

Visit length: 80 minutes

Explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle

The next stop, Urquhart Castle , is a 7-minute drive southeast from Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. Tickets can be purchased at the door for £12 per adult. The visit starts with an 8-minute introductory video on the castle’s history, covering its construction, involvement in clan disputes and the Wars of Scottish Independence, and its abandonment and destruction in 1692.

After the video, wander through the castle ruins for some of the best views over Loch Ness and to see the interesting rock wall remnants of buildings like the guard house and stables.

Cruise along Loch Ness from Fort Augustus

Navigate to the Fort Augustus Pay & Display Carpark , a 30-minute drive southwest from Urquhart Castle towards the southern tip of Loch Ness. Once you’ve paid for parking, walk 5 minutes to Cruise Loch Ness for a 45-minute boat ride on the loch. I recommend catching the 1pm boat and arriving 15 minutes early to be one of the first in line for the best seats on the top deck. Tickets can be booked online in advance. During the cruise, humorous staff explain the habitats alongside Loch Ness and point out deer, goats, and waterfalls on the water’s edge. The lower deck bar sells snacks, beer, and whisky (of course!) to enjoy while taking in the views.

After the boat ride, grab some lunch at a nearby pub like the Richmond House Hotel then enjoy a quiet walk along the Fort Augustus Locks or pick up a souvenir at the Clansman Centre or the Millshop.

Visit length: 3 hours

Wander alongside the Falls of Foyers

Drive 26 minutes northeast to the free Falls of Foyers carpark , located across the road from the waterfalls. There are 2 viewing points, one for the upper falls and one for the lower falls. I suggest only going to the upper falls which is a 10-minute walk along a fairly easy, but narrow, path to see the dramatic, roaring waterfall. The path to the lower falls is much longer and steeper and leads to a shallow cascading waterfall.

Return to Inverness for dinner and drinks

Drive 35 minutes northeast back to Inverness for your last night at Riverview Guesthouse . I suggest wandering around the city or enjoying a cocktail at Contrast before dinner. We were lucky enough to have Eilidh make dinner reservations for us again. Tip: try The Alleycat for the only dedicated vegan restaurant in town.

Day 4 – Inverness to Ullapool 

Driving time: 3 hours

Day 4 is one of the most scenic driving days of this road trip. Expect a few spur-of-the-moment stops on the side of the road to admire scenery or grazing livestock that will undoubtedly catch your attention.

I left Inverness at 9:30am, had lunch in Achiltibuie at 1pm, and arrived in Ullapool at 5pm.

Walk along the pebbly Ardmair Beach

Navigate to Ardmair Beach , a 1-hour 20-minute drive northwest from Inverness. There’s no official car park here so just pull over on the side of the road and walk down to the serene, pebbly beach for a gentle walk or to practice stone skipping.

Admire the soaring Stac Pollaidh

Next, drive 20-minutes north to the Stac Pollaidh , a soaring rocky mountain with sandstone pinnacles. I suggest navigating to the main carpark which is a short walk from the mountain’s base and primarily used by mountain climbing enthusiasts. This region is where you’ll find yourself pulling over every few minutes to take photos of lakes, spectacular views of the mountain, or herds of cute fluffy sheep.

I didn’t venture too far from the carpark but spent a few minutes admiring the serene Stac Pollaidh, and took a quick drone flight, before continuing on.

Have lunch at the only restaurant in Achiltibuie

Next, drive 20 minutes west to the Achiltibuie Piping School Café , a small, basic restaurant overlooking green fields stretching towards the sea. The restaurant’s veggie burger is delicious and they have free Wi-Fi… not bad for such a remote location!

Stretch your legs at Achmelvich Beach

The next leg is one of the most beautiful and also one of the most nerve-wracking with narrow roads winding around sharp corners and up steep hills. You’ll find yourself pulling over to let people pass as you drive under lush canopies and beside trickling creeks that seem to have leapt out of the pages of a whimsical fairy tale.

Navigate to Achmelvich Beach Car Park , a 1-hour drive north from Achiltibuie, and walk 2 minutes down to the white, sandy beach flanked by rocky outcrops. It was fairly cold and windy on the day of our visit, but we still enjoyed a short walk along the paradisiac shore.

Walk out to the ruins of Advreck Castle

Next, navigate to the Advreck Castle Parking lot to visit the ruins of this 16 th century castle, a 22-minute drive east from Achmelvich Beach. The ‘parking lot’ is more of a shoulder on the side of the road, but don’t worry if it’s full as there are a few other wide shoulders nearby. The castle ruins are located at the end of a sandbar and across a large field with no real footpath. The ruins are exquisite to see up close but make sure you bring waterproof shoes as the field can be quite muddy. Or just do it “Josh style” and dance across the water-logged grass on your tippy toes like a sugar plum fairy . On the opposite side of the road is another waterfall .

Check into your B&B in Ullapool

Drive 35 minutes south to check into your B&B in Ullapool. I recommend staying at Riverside because of its central location within walking distance of several restaurants, friendly staff, and traditional Scottish breakfasts, including a vegetarian option.

I suggest either Ceilidh Place or the Arch Inn for dinner. Ceilidh Place requires an advanced booking while the Arch Inn asks guests to enjoy a drink in the bar until a table is free.

Day 5 – Ullapool to Isle of Skye

Driving time: 5 hours, 45 minutes

Day 5 requires navigating to a few stops along the famous North Coast 500 route to keep Google Maps on the scenic road. If you navigate straight to the Isle of Skye, Google Maps will take you on the most direct route, which involves less driving, but misses the jaw-dropping gorges, rivers, and waterfalls along Scotland’s exquisite north-west coastline.

I left Ullapool at 9am, had lunch in Torridon at 1.30pm, dinner on the Isle of Skye at 6pm, and arrived at my B&B on the Isle of Skye at 7:30pm.

Marvel at lush gardens thriving on a seaside clifftop at Inverewe Garden

Before leaving Ullapool, make a quick stop at Tesco to refill your road trip snack supply. Then navigate to Inverewe Garden , a 1-hour 15-minute drive southwest from Ullapool.  

Inverewe Garden is a lush botanical garden remarkably thriving on a harsh windy, rocky coastline. The garden includes plants from various climates and regions, including a vegetable garden, bamboo forest, South American garden, and succulent garden. The lookout point offers panoramic views over the sea and an old hunting lodge has been transformed into a small museum. Tickets are available at the door for £12.50 per adult. Tip: Keep a lookout for the teeny Venus flytrap!

Visit length:1 hour

Wander through church ruins before lunch in Torridon

Next, navigate to the Torridon Stores & Cafe , a 1-hour drive from Inverewe Garden, and park in the small carpark across the road. Walk about 5 minutes down a gravel path to the Am Ploc Open Air Church Ruins , dramatically located on the water’s edge.

After a peaceful stroll through the ruins, have some lunch either at Torridon Stores & Café or the Torridon Inn , a 6-minute drive away.

Try to spot highland coos on the road to Applecross

Navigate to the Applecross Inn , a 1-hour drive southeast from Torridon via Fernmore . You may see some highland coos grazing alongside the road to Applecross if you’re lucky.

Stop at the Applecross Inn for a coffee break before continuing to possibly one of the most stunning scenic mountain passes in the world… “Bealach na Ba”. Sorry, you can’t buy a vowel. It means “pass of the cattle” in Scottish. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Check into your B&B on the Isle of Skye

Next, navigate to the vegan-friendly Café Sia on Isle of Skye where I stopped for dinner at about 6pm. Café Sia is a winding 1-hour 25-minute drive from Bealach na Ba Viewpoint. The route will take you across the Skye Bridge for your first view of the Isle of Skye’s cloud-tipped cliffs and verdant fields. It could only be described as a love child of Middle Earth and Hawaii.

After dinner drive another 50 minutes northwest to Portree to check into your B&B for the next 3 nights. I stayed at Kiloran Bed and Breakfast , a 10-minute drive northwest of Portree and the perfect location for a little peace and quiet with waterfront views. Our host, Neil, made continental breakfast each morning with fruit, cereals, toast, and porridge, and kindly shared expert local tips on each location we planned to visit with the aid of his wall-sized map of the island.

Day 6 – Isle of Skye

Driving time: 2.5 hours

The first day on the Isle of Skye is spent exploring the Trotternish peninsular, home to some of the isle’s most beautiful landscapes.

I left my B&B at 10am, had lunch in Staffin at 1pm, dinner in Portree at 6:30pm, and returned to the B&B at 7.30pm.

Drive along Loch Fada to the Old Man of Storr

Navigate to the Old Man of Storr parking lot to see the rocky mountain face resembling a pointed finger. In fact, from a certain angle it looks like a middle finger. This is Scotland, after all. The carpark tends to be quite busy so you may have to wait for someone to leave or park in a shoulder further up the road. The 30-minute drive from Kiloran Bed and Breakfast will take you along the serene Loch Fada , which I couldn’t resist pulling over to photograph.

If you enjoy hiking, follow the dirt track uphill to see the Old Man of Storr up close, which will take a little under 2 hours. Otherwise, follow the path for 15-20 minutes for slightly better views, then return to the carpark. I chose the second option to fit more into the day.

Look out over Brothers Point

Next, drive 12 minutes north to park at Brothers point (Rubha nam Brathairean) and wander over to the 2 lookout points. One lookout point has views of a waterfall while the other has views of dramatic cliffs soaring up from the sea. If you’re not afraid of heights, follow the dirt path to the edge of the cliffs for a closer look, just don’t get too close!

Quickly admire Kilt Rock

Next, drive 6 minutes north to the Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls Viewpoint for the best views of a large rock that remarkably resembles a Scottish kilt. You’ll also see a man-made waterfall teeming down the side of a cliff into the sea and informative plaques on dinosaur footprints found in the area.

Lunch in Staffin

When you’re ready for lunch, drive 5-minutes north to the small town of Staffin. I chose to eat at Columba 1400 Café which has several vegetarian and vegan options.

Walk among dinosaur footprints at An Corran Beach 

After lunch, drive 5 minutes north to the rocky An Corran Beach to see fossilized dinosaur footprints . There’s a plaque highlighting where on the rocky shore the footprints are located, but I personally couldn’t spot them. Can you see them in the picture below? Squint harder!

Dinosaur footprints or not, the beach makes for a relaxing stroll to admire gently lapping waves and small rock pools.

Marvel at the Quiraing

Navigate 10 minutes west up a steep, winding road to the Quiraing . There are 2 carparks at the top of the mountain, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to pull over along the way for photos.

I recommend spending at least 30 minutes wandering around the iconic landscapes of the Quiraing to appreciate the views. Be careful to avoid muddy patches or wear waterproof shoes.

Stop for a coffee break

We felt like a hot drink after walking around in the beautiful yet chilly landscapes of the Quiraing and drove 17 minutes north to the Single Track Art Gallery & Espresso Bar - one of Neil’s recommendations. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this tiny coffee shop sold vegan hot chocolate (with oat milk) and even had a few vegan cakes.

Saunter among the ruins of Duntlum Castle

Next, drive 5 minutes west to see the ruins of Duntlum Castle , located on the northern tip of the Isle of Skye. Park along the side of the road and walk about 5 minutes north along a somewhat muddy dirt track through a field of grazing sheep to view the crumbly cliffside castle.

Wander through the Fairy Glen

Navigate 25 minutes south to The Fairy Glen and park in a shoulder on the side of the road. The Fairy Glen has some of the most otherworldly landscapes on Skye, bearing an eerily close resemblance to The Shire of Middle Earth. I half-expected to spot hobbits. I suggest spending at least an hour to wander up and down the small hills, admiring the scenery from every possible angle.

Dinner in Portree

Drive 30 minutes southeast back to Portree for dinner and park in the short-term carpark , which is free after 6pm. I had dinner at Caroy House , which doesn’t take bookings but asks guests to enjoy a drink in the bar until a table is free. We only had to wait about 20 minutes. I recommend the millionaires log with vegan ice-cream for desert.

Day 7 – Isle of Skye

Driving time: 2 hours 45 minutes

I started day 7 by venturing to the lesser-known Waternish peninsula then visiting more popular sites at Dunvegan and Neist Point on the Duirinish peninsula.

I left my B&B at 10:30am, had lunch in Dunvegan at 1:30pm, dinner in Portree at 6pm, and returned to my B&B at 7:30pm.

See the ruins of Trumpan Church involved in clan disputes

Navigate to Trumpan Church , a 35-minute drive northwest from Kiloran Bed and Breakfast past several farming fields, a few art galleries, and exquisite views over the sea. There’s a small carpark opposite the ruins with informative plaques on bird watching in the area and the history of the church, which was involved in hideously bloody disputes between the MacDonald and MacLeod clans.

This part of the Isle of Skye is less popular with tourists and the perfect place to enjoy beautiful scenery away from the crowds.

Visit a seal colony from Dunvegan Castle

Drive 26 minutes south from Trumpan Church to Dunvegan Castle and Gardens and park in the carpark across the road. Tickets to visit the castle and surrounding gardens can be bought at the door for £14 per adult.

Before visiting Dunvegan Castle, the traditional home of the MacLeod clan, I recommend walking straight to the jetty to book a boat visit to a nearby seal colony. Boats run every 20 minutes on a first-come-first-served basis and tickets cost £9.50 per adult. Our boat captain shared a few Scottish folk tales and interesting facts about seals, like the markings on their skin being as unique as our fingerprints, as he guided us around small islands to see a colony of common seals. Bring a waterproof jacket as its difficult to avoid getting splashed by the chilly seawater.

After the boat tour, we wandered around the beautiful landscaped gardens and then visited inside the castle, following the set route to see exquisite antique furniture, portraits of former MacLeod clan chiefs, and prized possessions like the Fairy Flag which is said to have brought good luck to the MacLeod clan.

Visit length: 90 minutes

Lunch at The Dunvegan

Drive 2 minutes south to The Dunvegan Deli Cafe for lunch. I recommend the vegan charcuterie board. Yum!

After lunch, walk 2 minutes north along the road to see some locally made jewellery, clothing, art, and notepads at the Makers Market .

Visit the westernmost point of the Isle of Skye at Neist Point

Navigate 32 minutes west to the Neist Point carpark for climactic cliff oceanfront landscapes and the charming Neist Point Lighthouse . It takes about 30 minutes to climb down the steep stairs and follow the dirt path to the lighthouse. Bring a bottle of water as the climb back up to the car park is quite breathtaking – in the un-fit kind of way.

Before heading back to the car, I walked over to the top of the cliffs north from the carpark for the most iconic views over Neist Point and the lighthouse.

Drive 1 hour from Neist Point to the familiar-looking Portree short-term carpark for dinner. I recommend the Taste of India for delicious curries and a cocktail bar.

Day 8 – Isle of Skye to Kyle of Lochalsh

Driving Time: 2.5 hours

Day 8 involves visiting the southeast of the Isle of Skye on the way to Kyle of Lochalsh, where I spent the night to reduce driving time back to Edinburgh the following day.

I checked out of Kiloran Bed and Breakfast at 9:30am, had lunch in Silgachen at 1pm, and checked into my B&B at Kyle of Lochalsh at 5pm.

Walk alongside cascading waterfalls at the Fairy Pools

Drive 1 hour south from Kiloran Bed and Breakfast to the to the Fairy Pools Carpark and walk about 30 minutes down a long rocky path to reach the Fairy Pools . Spend at least 30 minutes walking alongside the cascading waterfalls and admiring the turquoise pools from every angle. Wear suitable shoes as some of the path involves navigating stepping stones across a creek as well as a muddy patch or two.

See more waterfalls at Silgachan

Navigate 25 minutes east to the Silgachan Waterfalls and park in a shoulder on the side of the road. You’ll only need to walk about 5 minutes to reach these waterfalls, which are just as impressive as the Fairy Pools in my opinion.

Visit length: 30 minutes  

Lunch at the Silgachan Hotel

Drive 2 minutes to Seumas’ Bar at the Silgachan Hotel for lunch. I recommend the Mexican 5 bean chilli and a glass of water fresh from the hotel’s natural spring. If the weather is cooperating, you could also wander across the road to quickly visit the Silgachan Old Bridge .

Tour the Talisker Whisky Distillery

After lunch, drive 15 minutes west from Silgachan to Talisker Whisky Distillery to join the 2pm tour. Tours tend to fill up fast so I suggest booking online or by phone at least 48 hours in advance to avoid disappointment. Tickets cost £10 per adult.

Our cheerful guide, Gordon, explained the history of Talisker, which dates back to 1830, as well as the history of crafting single malt whisky. He walked us through the modern process of making whisky, showing us the raw ingredient, barley, and the distillery’s mashing, fermentation, and distilling machines. The best part of the tour was saved for last when we got to taste their most popular whisky, Talisker Storm.

After the tour, you can wander around the gift shop and perhaps pick up a bottle or two of whisky to take home.

Find cute highland coos

Navigate 20 minutes east to this super-secret Coo view point to hopefully spot highland coos up close. I drove past to see where the coos were then turned around to pull into the nearest shoulder. It was pouring with sideways rain on the day of my visit, but the coos didn’t seem to mind!

Visit length: 15 minutes

Visit one last waterfall before leaving the Isle of Skye

Drive 3 minutes south to Blackhill Waterfall and pull over into a shoulder on the side of the road. The waterfall is visible from the road, but you can walk over for a closer look if you prefer.

Check into your last B&B

Drive 27 minutes east to check into your last B&B in the Scottish Highlands. I stayed at Seawinds , a simple, yet comfortable accommodation with everything you need for 1 night.

I recommend having dinner at Hector’s Bothy , an 8-minute walk or a 3-minute drive from Seawinds.

Day 9 – Kyle of Lochalsh to Edinburgh

Driving time: 6 hours 15 minutes

Day 9 is the longest driving day with a handful of scenic stops to stretch your legs.

I left Kyle of Lochalsh at 9:30am, had lunch in Fort William at 12pm, and arrived in Edinburgh at 6pm.

Explore Eilean Donan Castle

Drive 13 minutes east from Seawinds to Eilean Donan Castle , a restored 13 th century castle located on a small island at the meeting point of 3 lochs. Tickets can be bought at the door for £10 per adult and includes an audio guide, which leads you on a route through the castle, explaining its 700-year-long history. Highlights include spectacular views over the sea and mountains, a grand hall, and a replica 13 th century kitchen.

Lunch in Fort William

Navigate to the Viewforth Carpark in Fort William, a 90-minute drive southeast from Eilean Donan. Ignore map directions that lead you along the north side of Loch Lochy which is impassable – I found out the hard way.

Once you’ve paid for parking walk along Fort William’s pedestrian street to find a spot for lunch. I recommend the town’s only vegan restaurant, The Wildcat . Tip: try the chocolate cake.

After lunch, drive 10 minutes northeast to Inverlochy Castle to walk through the ruins of a 13th-century castle for free. A 10-minute stop should be plenty.

Stop at the Glencoe Visitors Centre

Drive 32 minutes south to the Glencoe Visitor Centre which has a well-stocked gift shop, several walking trails, and an amazing view of soaring mountain peaks. Parking costs £4 but is worth it for the decent rest stop.

Visit the roaring Falls of Falloch

Stop for a few minutes just east of the visitor centre at the Loch Achtriochtan viewpoint on the side of the road.

Navigate 50 minutes south, leaving the mountainous terrain behind, for the Falls of Falloch and make use of the free carpark.

Follow the footpath all the way to the end for the best views of the waterfall. Don’t abandon the footpath to follow the sound of rushing water via dirt tracks as this will lead you up the garden path. Literally. Trust me, I tried it, stick to the footpath.

Drive to Edinburgh

Drive 2 hours 6 minutes back to Edinburgh to return the hire car. I recommend spending another night at the Radisson Collection to recover from the long drive before returning home the following day.

If you had another day or two up your sleeve you could spend the time in Glasgow, exploring the city, before returning to Edinburgh. I did a fascinating tour of The Clydesdale Distillery (for more free whisky samples!) and devoured a mouth-watering Durty Vegan Burger – the ultimate way to end an epic road trip.

The Bottom Line

Wow! What a whirlwind adventure around the Scottish Highlands! I don’t think I could call this a “wee road trip” anymore. There were just too many memorable moments. We crammed in bagpipes, castles, haggis (the vegan version in my case), seals, coos, sheep, fairies, churches, museums, waterfalls, whisky, and even a mountain that gave me the finger.

My 9-day Scotland road trip itinerary required over 23 hours of driving , but every minute was divine. While each tantalising location begged for more exploration, I gained a tangible taste for their unique personalities. And with this itinerary, so will you.

There’s really only 1 thing that could make this trip even better, laddie… and that’s wearing an orange wig and sporting a harsh Scoooootish accent the entire time.

Oh wait, nah, I’ve already done that.

True story.

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Reader Comments...

Loved your whirlwind trip account! You hit a lot of my favourite places from a small bus trip I took a few years ago but now I am inspired to go back and do a car trip! Thank you!

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Travelling to scotland for the first time: 20 things to taste, feel, do & see.

Are you travelling to Scotland for the first time and want to make sure that you do everything a first-timer can’t leave without? Scotland is full of experiences that can make your trip an unforgettable one, and if you’ve long dreamt about visiting Scotland, I’m sure that you have a long bucket list of things to see and do. This post suggests 20 things to taste, feel, do and see, if you’re planning a trip to Scotland and it’s your first time in the country.

This post contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission. Find out more here . All opinions are my own.

I love thinking back to when I arrived in Scotland. I moved here on a whim without ever visiting before. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew Scotland was famous for things like whisky, rain and men in skirts kilts. Within my first year in Glasgow I made a lot of wonderful experiences, tasted what the country’s larder has to offer, saw the wilderness and beauty of the Highlands and felt what it means to be at mercy of the Scottish weather.

Having guided many of my friends, family members and lately clients through their first visit to Scotland, I thought it was time to make it easier for you to prepare a bucket list of must have first timer experiences in this country!

Need help with your trip? Hire me to review your itinerary or to plan a custom route for your trip!

You can find a printable first timer’s checklist & many more planning resources in my Scotland Travel Resource Library – get it here !

Need help finding cheap airfare to Scotland? Check out my tips for booking flights to Scotland .

Top tip: Book approx. 9 months in advance with Aer Lingus US or Aer Lingus Canada .

Table of Contents

TASTE Scotland

  A whisky from each region

There are five whisky regions in Scotland (Lowlands, Highlands & Islands, Islay, Speyside and Campbelltown) and each offers its own bouquet of fragrance and taste. I’ve only started enjoying whisky a couple of years into living in Scotland, but if you appreciate your whisky, then try at least one from each region and taste the difference.

You might also like: My essential guide to trying Scottish whisky

  Traditional (veggie) haggis

Haggis is the national dish of Scotland and no trip to Scotland would be complete without at least trying a little bit. If you’re a little squeamish, don’t make the mistake to ask what’s in it before you tasted it, though. Personally, I prefer the veggie version (some veggie Haggis brands are even vegan!), which is a good alternative if you don’t eat meat or want to take it slowly.

  Liquid Gold: Irn Bru

The in-official national drink of Scotland is not whisky or beer, but a bright orange soft drink that tastes sweeter than any other you’ve ever tried; Irn Bru. To an outsider like myself, Irn Bru might be an acquired taste, but if you visit Scotland for the first time, you should at least try it. If soft drinks aren’t your cup of tea, try Irn Bru sweeties, sorbet or cakes – personally, I much prefer those!

  A flight of Scottish craft beers

Back to alcoholic drinks though. While Scotland’s largest beer producers focus on easy-to-drink lager, there is a budding craft beer scene emerging in unexpected places all over the country. In many pubs you will find a variety of craft beers from around Scotland, and if you fancy trying a couple different ones, you should ask if you can order a flight of beers. This flight usually contains several small glasses of different ales, stouts and lagers from various breweries and should give you an idea of what brewing in Scotland tastes like.

  The Vegan Scene in Glasgow & Edinburgh

The creativity and dedication chefs in Glasgow and Edinburgh put into providing vegan options is incredible. I mostly enjoy how some of them re-invent Scottish classics without the use of animal products, but also love how the more healthy options in the cities change the face of typical Scottish cuisine. Whether you are vegan or not, you should definitely try at least one vegan dish while you’re here.

A few more things to TASTE: Scottish strawberries when they’re in season. If you eat meat & seafood, try some traditional Scottish dishes , like Cullen Skink, Black Pudding, Steak Pie or seafood from Loch Fyne. Scottish gin is catching up to the whisky industry, and there are many variations to try.

Keep track of your travel memories with my Scotland Travel Journal !

FEEL Scotland

  The chilling water of a Scottish Loch

Dreaming of diving into a Scottish loch? Or maybe more like dipping your toe in… Even though Scottish lochs can be unpleasantly cold, I recommend taking your shoes and socks off at least once, to feel the water play around your ankle. A lot of the water you see in Scotland comes straight from the mountains (and from the rain of course), and it is very special to connect with nature in this way. If you want a ‘warmer’ Loch, try Loch Ard – it is shallower than many other lochs and thus one of the best places for wild swimming in Scotland .

  The rhythm of (traditional) Scottish Music

When I think of traditional Scottish instruments, I can already hear the majestic bagpipes, or a fiddle accompanied by a small flute. The best way to feel the rhythm of traditional Scottish music is by attending a ceilidh, a traditional Scottish dance event where you dance in couples or small groups – but don’t worry the band leader always explains how each dance works! But Scotland isn’t just about traditional music, and going to a gig at one of the iconic Glasgow music venues  or during the Edinburgh festivals is an absolute must!

5 different kinds of rain

Rumour has it that the Scots have more words for rain, than the Inuit for snow… Indeed, just saying that it’s raining is far from precise enough in this country – is it just lightly drizzling or is it lashing down? Is the sun still shining or are the clouds hanging low above your head? When you visit Scotland, experiencing some rain is almost inevitable (that’s why it’s so green here after all), and by the time you leave you will have probably experienced at least 5 different kinds of rain!

Do you know  what to expect from Scottish weather & how to pack to deal with it ?

  A warm welcome

The Scots are an incredible warm and welcoming people, and I’m almost certain that cannot even make it out of the country without feeling this. Talk to your B&B hosts, chat to show owners and restaurant staff, ask for local’s advice and tell them what you’ve loved about their country so far. If you can’t understand someone – just ask them to talk a bit slower or repeat; or maybe they’ve used a typical Scottish word you don’t know? Ask them to explain and you’ll make a friend for life!

Glasgow is particularly known for it’s friendly locals – here are some tips on how to meet them .

You might also like: 20 Beautiful Towns to Visit in Scotland

  The thrill of surviving a single track road

Road trips are the best way to explore Scotland beyond the tourist attractions; however, driving in Scotland can also be quite intimidating. Even if driving on the left is not an issue – either because you’re used to it or you’re just badass – it’s the narrow roads, especially single-track roads that are the most thrilling to drive. Make sure include at least one on your road trip – but drive safely !

Find the most scenic road trips in Scotland & how to navigate them .

A few more things to FEEL: The sense of accomplishment when driving on the left side of the road. The scent of blooming flowers in your nose – whether you come for bluebells, rhododendron or heather. A sense of disconnecting from civilisation as your phone signal fades away in the Highlands.

DO Scotland

  Visit a whisky distillery

Now that you’ve tried a few different whiskies, it’s time to learn more about how it’s made! There are many whisky distilleries in Scotland and no matter which region you chose to spend most of your time in, I guarantee you, the next distillery won’t be far! Most distilleries offer tours for £10-15 which usually last around an hour and include a wee dram – one serving of whisky per person. Not only will your guide explain the correct way of tasting and drinking whisky in a pub, but you also see the whole process from grain to bottle!

A great distillery near Glasgow for example is Glengoyne Distillery in the Trossachs. You can visit it on a Rabbie’s tour  (there’s a half-day tour from Glasgow, but various day tours from Glasgow and Edinburgh also stop here) – it saves you driving yourself!

You might also like: My Top 20 Places to Visit in Scotland

  Climb a Munro (or a smaller hill)

To get up close with the Scottish Highlands, you’ll have to hike in them! Real hiking junkies can come to Scotland for munro-bagging. A munro is a Scottish mountain higher than 3,000 feet and there are 282 of them. While you might not fit all of them into your trip, it is worth including at least one in your itinerary to get a bird’s eye view of the mountains and glens. If you’re not experienced enough to tackle such a giant, there are also lots of beautiful hikes up smaller hills that are nowhere short of gorgeous views.

Why not plan a hike up Ben A’an  (Trossachs), Goatfell  (Isle of Arran), Kilpatrick Hills (Glasgow) or Grey Mare’s Tail  (Dumfries & Galloway)?

If you’d like to hike a few days in a row, consider walking the West Highland Way – or at least part of it!

Wonder how I plan my long-distance hikes? Check out my step-by-step guide for  planning a self-guided walking holiday in Scotland  for more tips.

  Take a ferry or a scenic train ride

Scotland is not only beautiful from the roadside or the hiking trails. Some of the best views can only be seen from aboard a ferry or a train! Iconic train lines, like the West Highland Line which runs through the isolated landscape of Rannoch Moor and crosses the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct between Fort William and Mallaig, are joined by leisurely ferry journeys across to the islands of the Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland.

A particularly special journey is the ride from Fort William to Mallaig aboard the Jacobite Steam Train .

Visit a Castle

There really is no shortage of Castles in Scotland – there even is a Castle Trail in Aberdeenshire , the region in Scotland with the highest density of castles! Visiting at least one castle while you’re in Scotland is a no-brainer and your options are basically endless, whether you tour the highlights or explore off the beaten path. I highly recommend visiting two different kinds of castles – first, a ruined castle, like Kilchurn (in Argyll), Dunnottar (near Aberdeen) or Urquhart (by Loch Ness); and second a well-maintained or restored castle, like Stirling , Inveraray  (near Oban) or Culzean  (in Ayrshire).

  Do some city sightseeing

Admittedly, most people come to Scotland to see the wild countryside, but the Scottish cities are definitely worth a visit too! When you put your itinerary together plan at least one day in Edinburgh and Glasgow – they’re so close, but world’s apart – and consider going off the beaten track by spending more time in Aberdeen, Dundee or Stirling – there is more than the castle, you must know!

Find out how to choose the best Scotland itinerary for you!

A few more things to DO : Sea kayaking in some of Scotland’s best kayaking territories around Oban . Attend a festival , for example the Edinburgh Fringe or one of the viking festivals in Shetland .

SEE Scotland

  Spot Scottish wildlife

Like on any Africa safari, you should come to Scotland with a lost of local wildlife you want to see here. Scottish Highland Cows and sheep are a no-brainer and fairly easy to tick off; red squirrels and majestic stags are a bit harder to spot. If you come during the summer, make sure you visit one of the nesting colonies of puffins , along the West Coast or on the islands. And most importantly, bonus points if you manage to stroke a little  haggis !

You might also like: The best places to see wild animals in Scotland

  A white sandy beach

Not all of Scotland is lush green – the coastline is lined with beautiful white sandy beaches where you can dig your toes in the sand and listen to the roaring waves crashing onto the land. Some of the best beaches lie far off the beaten track on the Outer Hebrides , but even on the mainland – along the coasts of Aberdeenshire and Moray, but also around the NC500, there are many beaches just waiting for you!

  Vibrant street art

Glasgow is without a doubt Scotland’s most colourful city when it comes to street art and a self-guided tour is one of the many fun and free things to do in Glasgow if you’re interested in some urban culture. However, other places are catching up too! New murals are popping up all over Fife , and in Dundee you can go for street art tours with Open/Close .

  A lighthouse

There are over 80 lighthouses along the coastline of Scotland (even more if you also count the smaller lights), so it should not be too hard to fit one into your itinerary. Most of them where built by four generations of the Stevenson family, often under the most horrible conditions – which luckily, you can’t see when you look at the lighthouses today!

  A Scotsman in a kilt

Last, but not least, your Scotland trip would not be complete without seeing at least one Scotsman in a kilt. You might just have to make do with the bagpipe buskers in Glasgow or Edinburgh, but you might be lucky and stumble across a wedding party (kilts are men’s traditional wedding attire) or even a real Highlander on your journeys into the mountains! Just promise me one thing – don’t lift their kilts!

You might also like: Binge-worthy podcasts from Scotland to fuel your wanderlust

A few more things to SEE: Masterpieces of Scottish engineering such as the Forth bridges, the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies . Endless miles of uninhabited coastline and lonely islands  – far away from the bustle of the cities. One of Scotland’s historical University campuses in Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews or Aberdeen.

Of course, you will make much more than just these 20 experiences in Scotland – but they are a start and will hopefully help you plan a diverse trip that covers a little bit of everything Scotland has to offer!

To make it easier for you to keep track of your progress, I’ve designed a freebie to print off and bring to Scotland with you. You can find the First Timer’s Checklist printable in my Scotland Resource Library .

Pin this post for later:

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22 thoughts on “ Travelling to Scotland for the First Time: 20 Things to Taste, Feel, Do & See ”

This post is very helpful and I can tell full of honesty. Thank you for your info and great ideas! I’m planning a graduation/welcome to adulthood trip for my sister and I summer of 2022. I’m looking forward to it so much.

Glad you’re finding it useful! Happy trip planning! 🙂

Cool, thanks for sharing Kathi, really a very comprehensive guide with many useful tips! if we may add some for tourists from a safety perspective, watch out for fraudulent online tour operators, shady vacation apartment listings/sites and fake ticket sites.

Otherwise, have a whale of time in Scotland 🙂

Amazing post. I am glad that my husband has planned our honeymoon trip to Scotland and this guide is very helpful to us so that we can explore everything over there and create great memories. Keep sharing such interesting places.

I am Planning a family experience in June and July 2022 with up to nine adults and teens. I have ordered one of your travel packages. We are interested in music, science. Museum of Scotland, the kelpies, canal boats between Edinboro and Glasgow, staying in B And B, etc. At least one chuch service etc. What are your services. Charges . Etc. We want to travel together in a small “bus”. Judy P. Ohio. USA

Hi Judy, you can find out more about my services here: https://watchmesee.com/watch-me-see-scotland-travel-consultation/ – I offer itinerary reviews as well as more support through itinerary planning and accommodation research. Feel free to send me an email to [email protected] it you have any questions or book a free 20-minute call with me to discuss your options: https://calendly.com/kathi-kamleitner/watch-me-see-itinerary-enquiry Cheers, Kathi

I was once in Aberdeen, visiting some friends. I loved it. One remarkable thing was that couldn’t usually tell the difference between the colours of the walls and that of the sky…

Did you have the chance of listening bagpipes music in Scotland?

That sounds like Aberdeen – it’s not called the Granite City for nothing! I’m glad you still enjoyed it!!

Awesome post. This post is very helpful to me as I planned a trip to Scotland and I am glad that I have planned it as there is so much places to visit and so much exciting things to do, After reading your post I can’t wait to explore the beautiful Scotland. Keep sharing such interesting posts.

I’m happy to hear you find it useful! I hope you get to experience as many of these on your first trip here as possible 🙂 Enjoy your journey!!

My husband’s family came from Scotland, and he has been wanting to go on a trip to see everything. Thank you for listing all the things we could do when we go. I’m glad you mentioned that road trips are the best way to explore Scotland. We will have to make sure that we include a road trip around the place.

Thanks for your comment – how exciting to come to Scotland and trace your husband’s heritage! I honestly believe road trips are the best; there are beautiful train lines as well, and lots of great tour companies, but driving yourself simply gives you most freedom to go off the beaten track and explore. I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

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Scotland seems so stunning and picturesque, Kathi. And, your pictures just prove the essence and the real beauty of it. I really hope to cross it off my bucket list and use your post as the ultimate guide for there!

Thank you!! I really don’t have to do so much for the photos to be stunning though – Scotland really does the bulk of the work 😀 Hope you get to visit one day!!

Ha ha definitely single track roads were the most thrilling thing on my first travel to Scotland (when I was still living in Spain). And I thank God for veggie haggis ? Great article!!

Thanks! Driving in Scotland really is a bit like a rollercoaster ride 😀

Haven’t hit up Scotland yet (or the scotch someone gave me for my birthday…2 years ago) but this makes me want to get there faster. Thanks for sharing!

Being Scottish myself I feel you’ve created the perfect Bucket list here for first timers! After travelling for so long I always love to read about home…though it makes me miss irn bru even more!!

Aw, thanks Lauren!! If it was up to me, they could export the entire product to on of irn bru to your door step 😀 *notafan*

I would love to go for the scenic train ride and the whiskey distillery for sure! Bookmarked this post for a later time!

For a small county Scotland offers up so much choice. This guide helps cuts through That!

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Scotland with Sam

A Scotland travel blog showcasing the best of Scotland

Scotland with The Wee White Dug – a Scottish travel blog

Introducing a scottish travel blog with an adorable usp.

Writing a Scottish travel blog – hmm where to begin?  Ok, here goes – I’m Samantha but I usually go by the name of Sam, Mrs G or Mum.  I have a passion for exploring Scotland with my hubby Mr G.  Our trusty, four-legged friend is rarely far from our side.  He’s The Wee White Dug aka Casper, or Merrylegs Lord Toby to give him his posh name!  But, shh don’t let him know I’ve shared that hilarious little nugget with you. When our activities or destinations are deemed sufficiently interesting we’re also joined by our Daughter, The Teen.

But back to the namesake of this Scottish travel blog – Casper the Wee White Dug. He’s a typical Westie – naughty, loving, bolshy, funny, loud and fearsome – sometimes all at once. He makes my heart melt and I absolutely adore him.

Why a Scotland blog?  Well, my friends joke that Casper has a better social life than they do, as he’s always on the road exploring, exciting new places. I’ve been encouraged to document our travels and share our stories.  So here I am dipping my toe tentatively into the water, and setting up this blog thingy so I can start sharing our 2016 Scottish adventures with you – whoever you may be.

A busy year ahead

If you love Scotland and wee dugs then buckle up and join us, as 2016 looks like it’s going to be a wonderful year.  Here’s a sneak peek of some of the gems we’ll be sharing:

• We’ll be visiting the Moray coast, which is a great place to spot dolphins and watch the Aurora Borealis dance
• The stunning Isle of Mull, a wildlife lovers dream and home to the insanely pretty town of Tobermory with its brightly painted houses
• After a trip to NYC, the city that never sleeps we’ll recharge our batteries and unwind in Assynt, famed for its magical mountains
• In Ardnamurchan we’ll explore long winding roads and remote lighthouses
• Using the harbour town of Mallaig as a base, we’ll stroll on some of Scotland’s finest beaches and go in search of a loch monster named Morag

Why a Scottish travel blog?

So what drives me (other than my lovely hubby Mr G, in his car which now has more mileage than a space shuttle thanks to my wanderlust) to spend all of my spare time on the road exploring Scotland?

I’m passionate about all things Scottish and am fascinated by the language, customs, myths, literature and history of my country.  I think it’s vitally important that they’re shared in order to protect and preserve them for future generations to enjoy.  My blog will be peppered with all of the above but with a generous dollop of history, as I’m a history geek and proud.

38 thoughts on “Scotland with The Wee White Dug – a Scottish travel blog”

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I’m enjoying your blog very much–as a dog lover and new enthusiast of Scotland, both. From Ohio, USA, my husband and I are planning a trip to Scotland for this fall, and we greatly appreciate the insights you’re providing in your travels with Casper and co.! Keep it up. 🙂

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the blog and for your kind comment. You’ll love Scotland. Please let me know if you need any hints or tips for your visit.

Caspar is gorgeous! I have a Westie too who also matches your description.

Loving this. Brilliant pictures of some of my favourite places and that wee dug makes them look all the more special.

Thanks – he’s no a bad wee dug at all. 😊🐶

I was SO happy to find this blog! Wonderfully written by someone who is experienced in and loves Scottish travel and history, lovely photography, AND a wee white Westie?! I will gladly stalk this blog for as long as it exsists. I absolutely adore Sdotland and the rich history it holds. I am quite excited to see what the next year holds for you and Casper!

Thank you for stopping by. We look forward to you joining us on our travels.

Sam, I’ve been following you on Instagram for a while and so happy about your blog. My heritage is Scottish (Aberfeldy) and I plan a long trip to Scotland for my 50th birthday in 2019. I’m using your feed as inspiration and now your blog as well. My name is also Samantha and I have a wee Morkie named Charlie. Happy New Year! My instagram is @kaisersamantha. It’s not nearly as nice as yours!!

Hi Samantha – thanks for stopping by. So glad you like the new blog. How exciting planning a Scottish adventure for your 50th. I’ll be more than happy to give you advice on some not to be missed locations. Happy New Year to you too. 😘

What a fine idea, Sam, and looking forward to following your adventures! Also, very nice blog format, with a good balance of words and pictures.

So glad you like it – couple more ideas up my sleeve that I’m tinkering with and we’re out wandering over the next couple of days. 😊Thanks for stopping by. X

Hey Sam, I like it! My family back is Oz will love it. My mum likes anything to do with a Westie so I’ll forward to her and on FB. Think you might be the source of my Scottish questions from now on! Kristy x

Aww thanks Kristy so glad you like it. More than happy to answer your Scottish related questions. X

Sam, glad to share your blog on our page https://www.facebook.com/JTB47/ and I am sure it will go from success to success.

Thomson Bruce

Thanks Thomson much appreciated. X

How fun that Casper has his own blog (sort of) now, Sam!! Will be fun to follow your adventures both here and on Instagram.

Thanks Susan – you know how Casper loves an adventure so it’s about time he started blogging. 🐶

Super beginning Sam. You know I’m already fond of you and your travels with the 2 young men, so very much looking forward to more. Best of luck for success with your new blog!

Thanks for reading Tom. Much appreciated. X

Sam I look forward to your adventures with Casper. I just started watching the Outlander series. I’m in love with Scotland’s rugged beauty, and hopefully I can venture one day and see it in person. Michele from Toronto

Thanks for reading Michele – I watched the series recently and loved it. I’ll be visiting some of the film and book locations soon so watch this space.

A brilliant start. I’m impressed. Congrats.

Thanks Alison

We are looking forward to your 2016 adventures, especially with Casper! Both my kids live animals alas we have none of our own yet so we will make do with your cheeky boy for now!

Thanks for reading Kirsty. Hope you enjoy the adventures of the cheeky wee boy. X

Yea! Great start to your blog, Sam. Maybe a book is in your future. Casper is a great model! The Machrie Moor was my favorite spot on Arran in fact I have a canvas print enlargement on my living room wall of a shot I took there. Thanks for sharing your travels with us!

Thanks Eileen. Appreciate you taking the time to read. It’s such a beautiful spot isn’t it.

Looking forward to your adventures!

Thank you Susan – glad you can join us. X

Great blog and Casper is adorable 🙂 x

Awww thank you Rebecca. X

Hi there, Sam, Looking forward to lots of pictures and history! As you know, I have an interest in your country. 😄

Thanks Dusti – I’ll be sure to track you down lots of Outlander themed snippets. We’ll be visiting Culloden soon and the split standing stone nearby. X

Sam, I look forward to following your Scottish adventures with Casper. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for taking the time to read. We look forward to you joining us.

Loved reading your blog look forward to reading more on your travels around Scotland with the wee white dug and of course Alex as well

Thanks Mo – Alex may just get a wee mention. X

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Scotland's Stories

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Why You Need To Visit The New Perth Museum!

The wait is finally over and the doors are open to the amazing new Perth Museum! As one of Scotland’s most historic cities, Perth deserves more people exploring its streets and discovering its story. There’s Read more…

Fascinating Stories From The Calanais Standing Stones

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How to Plan the Perfect Scotland Vacation

From fairy-tale castles to charming small towns, the Scottish countryside is every bit as spectacular as you've heard.

Best Times to Go to Scotland

Best things to do in scotland.

• Getting to the Scottish Highlands

Where to Stay in Scotland

With its stately castles , glass-like lochs, and voluptuous glens, Scotland has always been a showstopper. The country's magic extends from its quaint small towns to the snow-capped peaks of its romantic, rugged Highlands to its dynamic modern cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. It's home to some of the best national parks in the U.K. and more than 900 offshore islands with extraordinary wildlife like regal red stags, majestic golden eagles, humpback whales, and massive salmon (not to mention the fabled inhabitant of Loch Ness, too).

The raw, poetic beauty of this ancient land — formerly known as Caledonia — is difficult to overstate. If you're hoping to head to the U.K.'s ravishing northern nation, read on for our guide to planning the perfect Scotland vacation.

The bad news is that, like the rest of the U.K., Scotland's weather is far from reliable, even at the height of summer. But as long as you're prepared to accept that and pack a raincoat for the odd shower or two, then you'll be fine from May to September. The smart money is on visiting in June and the first two weeks of July, when Scotland basks in seemingly endless summer evenings (the sun doesn't set until 11 p.m. in some parts of the Highlands) and the British school holidays have not yet begun, so prices remain low.

For winter travelers, Scotland has the U.K.'s best ski resort at Cairngorm Mountain , while the capital, Edinburgh, hosts one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve parties, Hogmanay .

If you like the great outdoors, you'll love Scotland. It's an ideal place for hiking, biking, and generally embracing the wildly beautiful landscape. You can summit magnificent Ben Nevis in a day (the tallest mountain in the U.K., at 4,413 feet), take a ferry out to explore the Hebrides archipelago and its stunning white-sand beaches, tour scores of castles, including the Queen's favorite holiday home, Balmoral (open to the public every April through July), and dive into a quirky food scene encompassing dishes like haggis (an offal and oatmeal combo, which tastes significantly better than it sounds), deep-fried mars bars, and juicy scallops, langoustines, and mussels.

Scotland is also a mecca for both golfers ( St. Andrews Old Course is the headline act) and whisky lovers , with some of the world's best distilleries available to tour, including Johnnie Walker on Edinburgh's lively Princes Street, Glenlivet near pretty Ballindalloch, and the legendary Macallan on a sprawling country estate in nearby Aberlour.

If you enjoy driving, you'll find some of the U.K.'s emptiest, most dramatic roads here, too, (as driven by James Bond in "Skyfall"), including the latest official addition, the North Coast 500 , an action-packed 500-mile route (516 to be exact) featuring mind-boggling coastal scenery, jaw-dropping beaches, rolling hillside, quaint fishing villages, and multiple hidden gems.

And if you prefer your challenges on foot, check out the magnificent West Highland Way , the country's best-loved long-distance walking route. Snaking its way from Milngavie to Fort William, it covers some of Scotland's finest scenery over 96 miles and is normally completed from south to north.

Meanwhile, history buffs will also be agog on any visit to Scotland, thanks to its 3,000-plus castles ( Castle Sween in Argyll is the oldest, dating back to the 1100s), as well as plenty to check out in the winding wynds (narrow lanes) and twisted staircases of Edinburgh's enchanting Old Town. ( Edinburgh Castle , towering over the city, is arguably the grandest in the country, too.)

If you can, make time to visit Perth, the former Scottish capital where kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny and infamous Glen Coe, a beautiful valley full of waterfalls and deer, also known for the brutal clan massacre of 1692 (which inspired the Red Wedding in George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones ).

Where are the Scottish Highlands — and what is the best way to get there?

Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure

The clue is in its name: the Highlands are the mountainous upper half of Scotland, covering 10,000 square miles of picturesque scenery. The region's lively capital is Inverness , which sits centrally and is a superb base from which to explore, while other highlights include mysterious, misty Loch Ness, majestic Cairngorms National Park , and idyllic Isle of Skye , which has been connected to the mainland via a road bridge since 1995.

The easiest way to reach the Highlands is to fly into Inverness Airport from London or elsewhere in the U.K., or rent a car and drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. However, the way to arrive in style is on the Caledonian Sleeper train from London Euston, a chugging time machine where you can fall asleep to the sounds of black cabs and bustle of the British capital and wake up among the red deer and magical glens of the Highlands. Regularly nominated as one of the world's best train journeys , the scenery gets truly spectacular after Fort William, as the route skirts a dramatic chain of lochs before descending into lush glens and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. For the ultimate Hogwarts experience, steam locomotives work this route during the summer months, so check in advance for these special departures.

The major cities have an abundance of hotels for every budget, headlined by Glasgow's Kimpton Blythswood Square , a boutique property in the former headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, and The Dunstane Houses in Edinburgh, a pair of beautifully renovated 19th-century townhouses.

Scotland arguably does traditional country house hotels and rustic lodges better than anywhere else in the world, with Fife Arms in Braemar and Gleneagles in Perthshire being particular treats (the latter, nicknamed the "Glorious Playground" boasts three championship golf courses, its own dedicated train station, and the only restaurant in the country with two Michelin stars).

Scotland is, of course, peppered with castles, and many have been converted into hotels and B&Bs in recent years, with some of the better fortified accommodation options including Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Inverlochy Castle in Fort William, Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry, and Stonefield Castle Hotel on Loch Fyne.

Wherever you stay, you'll get a warm welcome — not to mention a hot bowl of Scottish porridge or a plate of bacon, eggs, and haggis to start the day in a spectacularly scenic country.

The solo traveler’s guide to the best things to do in Scotland

There’s an undeniable magic to Scotland. Whether you’re looking to explore winding cobblestone streets, mist-covered Highland hills, or the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, any tour of Scotland will deliver spectacular moments in spades. One of our favorite ways to traverse Scotland, though? It’s as a solo traveler.

Nicknamed “The Land of the Brave,” Scotland is the dream destination for that courageous solo trip you’ve been contemplating. The good news? Our Scotland for Solo Travelers: Highlands, Aberdeen & Edinburgh tour makes it easier than ever to travel solo (not alone) to Scotland.

Still, even a brave solo traveler needs to consider the facts, so we have you covered. We’re offering a breakdown of why you should choose Scotland for your solo travels, as well as everything you need to know to make your memories just as magical as Scotland’s stunning scenery and mystical energy.

Explore our solo tours

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Edinburgh travel blog — the fullest edinburgh travel guide for first-timers.

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, a city as beautiful, peaceful, ancient and quaint as a jewel. If you want a different, meaningful and unexpected trip, you should plan a trip to visit this city to experience an artistic and marvelous beauty. The charming capital but also extremely crowded is located in the southeast of Scotland. Edinburgh is always crowded with tourists because of its bustling festivals, haunted castles, Victorian villas and houses and the place of men in skirts and it is also one of the Europe’s most haunted cities. Here is the most detailed and useful Edinburgh travel guide for your upcoming trip.

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So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Edinburgh, Scotland for the first-time? Let’s check out our Edinburgh travel blog (Edinburgh blog, Edinburgh blog travel) with the fullest Edinburgh travel guide (Edinburgh guide, Edinburgh tourist guide, Edinburgh city guide, Edinburgh scotland travel guide, Edinburgh visitor guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

Edinburgh is considered as one of the few cities in the world that has a harmonious combination of economic prosperity with culture, history and art. Visiting Edinburgh, visitors will be amazed at the bustle of a shopping center located right next to a 12th-century citadel, in the medieval old town and admire the architecture of the 18th century…

Edinburgh travel blog: Overview of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a city halfway up the mountainside. Standing from the top of the mountain, visitors can have a panoramic view of the city. On the contrary, if you stand at the foot of the mountain, you can see the whole city. Edinburgh has very characteristic streets, steep and multi-layered. From the peaceful and beautiful small streets which when going to the main streets, visitors will immediately encounter the noise and vitality of a big city. Edinburgh is also one of the major financial centers of Europe, with many large banks, controlling almost entire banking system in Hong Kong, Australia and especially in the United Kingdom and once dubbed “the City of Money”.

This city is also known as the “Athens of the North”, has mountainous terrain and medieval architecture that makes a deep impression on visitors. Coming here, visitores will be immersed themself in an atmosphere full of nostalgia and full of art like in fairy tales.

Language: Because the United Kingdom lacks a codified constitution, there is no official language. However, Scotland has 3 officially recognized languages: English, Scottish Gaelic and Scottish. Temporarily called officially, English is the main language and almost all Scots can speak standard English with a Scottish accent.

Culture: Due to its location on a hilly terrain and numerous George and Medieval houses, Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most impressive cities. Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since 1437 (replacing Scone) and is the seat of the Scottish Parliament. It was one of the great centers of the Enlightenment, led by the University of Edinburgh, hence its nickname the “Athens of the North”. Old Town and New Town of Edinburgh were recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1995.

Currency: Scotland uses the British Pound Sterling (GBP) currency for transactions, with an exchange rate of about: GBP 1 ~ USD 1.85.

Edinburgh blog: When is the best time to visit?

Due to its geography located in the north of England, the Scottish climate is often colder than elsewhere in the British Isles. It has primarily oceanic climate, with often cool, rainy, and windy. Especially in winter, Scotland is very cold and often snows and fogs appear all year round, that’s why this place is also known as “the island of fog”.

However, the best time to visit this city is from June to August every year. This is the time when the climate in Edinburgh is extremely wonderful, the sky is clear and the weather is warm which is suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities. This is also the time when the biggest festivals of the year take place in this city, so it is very vibrant, bustling and crowded with tourists.

Spring and summer, the weather begins to warm up, but not too hot, the temperature fluctuates around 18 degrees Celsius, quite cool, so this is considered the best time to visit Scotland.

The rest of the year the weather is colder but can also bring interesting experiences. If you come to Edinburgh in winter, you will be surprised to see the city covered in white snow and more beautiful than any European city on Christmas cards.

Edinburgh travel guide: How to get to Edinburgh?

Scotland, although a sovereign state, is still part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, part of the British constitutional monarchy. Therefore, to come to Edinburgh, Scotland, visitors need to apply for a UK tourist visa. You need to apply for a visa to travel to Scotland at the UK Embassy. To ensure a high visa approval rate, you need to prepare a strong enough profile or via visa travel agencies.

In Scotland, there are 4 international airports: Aberdeen International Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Airlines operating flights from Vietnam to Edinburgh are: Vietnam Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific and Etihad Airways. Airfares for Vietnam – Scotland flights ranging from 630 to 880 USD/trip.

In addition, there are many other airlines which offer connecting or direct flights to Endinburgh from many worldwide cities such as American Airlines, United Airlines, KLM, Air France, Emirates, Singapore Airlines… To find the most suitable routes depend your location, you can access Google Flights or SkyScanner to find and hunting cheap airfares as well.

You can fly direct to Edinburgh with many different airlines to choose from that we mentioned above. Otherwise, you can fly to London and then traveling to Edinburgh by other means of transport such as plane, bus or train. Thus, you can combine visit London and Edinburgh in one journey. Flight time from London to here takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, this way is better than flying directly to Edinburgh because you can visit many places and not get tired. However, you should note that the airports are often quite far from the city center, so it is necessary to arrange the time accurately, to avoid miss the flight.

If you depart from London, you can also take a train or bus. If you take the train, it will take you about 4 and a half hours with prices ranging from 100-130 Euros for a round trip ticket. You can enjoy the scenery along the way, but because the seats on the train are also quite small, not being able to carry a lot of luggage, it will be quite inconvenient. Refer here .

If you take the bus, it costs about 40 Euros, the travel time will be longer, from 8-10 hours, although it is more saving, but travelinng for a long time can make you tired if you are not used to it.

• Edinburgh Airport to City Train Ticket

Edinburgh travel blog: Getting around Edinburgh

The public transport system in the city of Edinburgh is very developed. Therefore, when arriving at Edinburgh airport, visitors can easily getting into the city center thanks to public transport such as taxi, train or bus.

Edinburgh’s bus system is very developed and operates 24 hours a day. Therefore, this is the means chosen by many tourists when traveling between attractions. You should buy a double-decker bus tour ticket (Hop-on hop-off tour bus) valid for 24 hours, you can comfortably traveling and stop at any place to visit on its route, on the bus there will be a guide to guide and introduce you along the way.

• Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Bus Tour

Edinburgh’s tram system with 15 stops can easily connect Edinburgh Airport with its New Town. In addition, you can travel by taxi which is also very convenient. It’s very popular in Scotland, regarding its advantages, it moves quite quickly, conveniently, initiative and saves time. However, the cost of taxi here is quite expensive, so it is only suitable for short trips.

Edinburgh is also a very cyclist-friendly capital. There are dedicated bike lanes, green parks and suburbs that are ideal for exploring by bike. You should not drive on the streets of Edinburgh, because finding a parking space is a very difficult thing especially during festival season and peak tourist season.

In addition, visitors can rent a car to getting around Edinburgh and surrouding areas to be more active in exploring. However, you need to have an international driver’s license to participate in traffic here.

Edinburgh blog: Where to go and what to do

Edinburgh is famous for its beautiful old town like a fairy tale, impressive architectural works, buildings and houses with full of nostalgia and not to mention the tourist attractions that have made a name for this city as follows.

Edinburgh Castle

Address: Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, United Kingdom Hours: 9:30AM–5PM

When traveling to Edinburgh, you should explore this must-visit castle first. Not only is it a unique architectural building, but the castle is also built on top of a long-dormant volcano. Also because of this feature, the castle became a famous tourist centrepoint of Edinburgh in particular and whole Scotland in general. The castle is so majestic and prominent that you can see it from any corner of the city. Inside the castle, you will learn more about the history of this place as well as visit a small military museum inside with a display of the crown, scepter staff and sword of the former Scottish queen.

The castle is also the symbol of Scotland’s kingship, located on a steep hill in the center of the city and is a must-see on your itinerary. Once playing a major role in Scotland’s history, as a royal residence and at the same time a military fortress, so it also keeps a lot of military equipment, weapons including Mons Meg, one of the oldest cannons in the world and once seen as cutting edge military technology. Inside the castle there is a museum, a small village with traditional Scottish houses…

This castle is located on a large volcanic rock at Castle Rock and from here you can have a great view of the entire city. Having the opportunity to set foot here, visitors will learn about the museum and military prison inside this castle and the display area of ​​the crown of the Queen of Scotland.

At the entrance of the castle gate is a row of cannons used for military purposes in the past. Now they are used to fire every day, except Sunday, at 1pm. If you want to see the whole view of the city, you can go up to its loopholes. It takes more than 2 hours to visit all the parts of the castle. Admission is 16 Euros per person.

Standing by the loopholes here, you will easily admire the panoramic view of the city below. To visit and explore the entire castle, you can spend more than 2 hours wandering through the rooms, museums…

National Museum of Scotland

Address: Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, United Kingdom Hours: 10AM–5PM

The museum in Romanesque Revival architectural style was found in 2006 is a place for you to explore and learn more about Scottish culture, history and people. The museum has a total of 5 floors that show the history of this land from the beginning to the 1990s through various interesting exhibitions. This place is also often the site of major festivals and exhibitions. The museum daily opens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is completely free admission and audio guides for tourists in different languages.

The National Museum of Scotland covers the entire history of this country through a multitude of exhibitions and impressive events. This is considered a remarkable site of this city and a tourist atraction not to be missed. The national museum with its facade extending all the way to Chambers Street. One of two museum buildings with modern architecture was inaugurated in 1998, is one of the landmark works of the city.

Scottish Parliament Building

Address: Edinburgh EH99 1SP, United Kingdom Hours: Monday: 10AM–5PM/9AM–6:30PM/Friday, Saturday: 10AM–5PM/Sunday: Closed

One of the prominent architectures of Edinburgh that makes you admire is the Scottish Parliament Building, which was built on the foundation of an old brewery, and was inaugurated in 2005 with the architectural styles of Deconstructivism, Postmodern Architecture. This building is truly a masterpiece by architect Enric Miralles.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Address: 75 Belford Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3DR, United Kingdom Hours: 10AM–5PM

This is also a tourist attraction. Inside the two impressive neoclassical buildings, surrounded by many ornamental gardens, are collections of 20th-century art of the world’s greatest artists such as Henri Matisse and Picasso besides other famous Scottish painters.

Address: 109 The Royal Mile Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1SG, United Kingdom

The Royal Miles is a street connecting the east and west of the city of Edinburgh. This road leads to Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Royal Palace of Holyrood) with a length of 1.6km. Royal Mile is home to many ancient architectural buildings and houses and countless restaurants, shops… extremely bustling. When exploring this street, visitors can easily shop a lot of Scottish souvenirs or enjoy a hot cup of tea with delicious butter cookies in British style, it will be a very wonderful experience.

Royal Mile brings many values ​​and historical imprints of the city. Coming here, you can walk around the shops selling souvenirs, gifts, clothes, coffee shops… At the beginning of this street is the Whiskey museum displaying hundreds of different types of whiskies, going down a little further is the St Giles’ Cathedral with outstanding ancient architecture from the 9th century and high pipe organ system.

Palace of Holyroodhouse (Holyrood Palace)

Palace of Holyroodhouse Ticket in Edinburgh

Address: Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom Hours: 9:30AM–4:30PM/Tuesday; Wednesday: Closed

At the end of the Royal Mile is the magnificent Palace of Holyrood, built in 1128 and opened in 1678, next to the ancient Holyrood Abbey. This palace is closely related to Scotland’s tumultuous history, today it is also the residence of the Queen and members of the royal family during public holidays…

The Elephant House

Address: 21 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EN, United Kingdom

This is a famous cafe known as the place where writer J.K. Rowling wrote the famous Harry Potter series. The cafe serves a variety of drinks, in addition it also selling Harry Potter-related products such as shirts, badges, water glasses, etc. The Elephant House is decorated with many articles and pictures about the writer J.K. Rowling. If you have the opportunity to come to Edinburgh, do not miss the Elephant House!

Saint Andrew Square

One of the extremely interesting places of this city is Saint Andrew Square – an extremely important public area of this city. This is also a comfortable place to visit and shopping area for tourists thanks to many restaurants, bars and luxury fashion stores. In addition, when visiting the Square, visitors will have many opportunities to enjoy street performances and contemporary art performances.

Calton Hill

Calton Hill is one of Edinburgh’s highest natural landmarks. The hill is located in the center of the city, from here visitors can admire the whole city. This is the ideal place if you want to watch the sunrise and sunset in Edinburgh. Calton Hill is home to important works of Scotland such as: Main offices of the Scottish government, Nelson Monument, National Monument.

Sunrise in Scotland will become extremely beautiful if viewed from the top of Calton Hill. The city of Edinburgh that is both shy and beautiful, both ancient and magnificent appearing in the first hours of a new day will certainly be the most memorable experience of visitors.

Princes Street

This street located in the New Town of Edinburgh, Princes Street was built in the early 18th century, with the countless large and small galleries. In addition, there are also antique shops, coffee shops, clothing stores… for you to stop by and explore. Nearby there is also a very nice square and the Scottish National Gallery which you can visit.

Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat is one of the tallest mountains and the best place to watch the sunrise over the city. To conquer this extinct volcano, it will take you about 1 hour to trek to the top. Setting foot on the top of the mountain, you will enjoy the fresh air and panoramic views of Edinburgh, with old castles, Victorian architecture, East Lothian and Pentland Hills. Especially, if you come here in May, it is also the time when the bright yellow gorse flowers bloom, giving off a sweet scent all over the mountainside.

Edinburgh travel blog: What to eat

The Scottish cuisine in general and the city of Edinburgh in particular is not too famous as the cuisine of other European countries. However, it also has its own characteristics and dishes that will surely impress visitors.

Haggis (Large Traditional Sausage)

Haggis is the most famous dish in Scotland, made from minced sheep’s organs with fat, onions, oats and some spices and then stuffed into the sheep’s stomach like a giant sausage then steamed. For those who are not used to eating offal, Haggis will not be an attractive dish.

However, this type of “sausage” is especially popular in many small eateries or supermarkets and is often served with mashed potatoes and mustard greens. Regardless of appearance, Haggis impresses diners with its delicious and savory taste.

Traditional Scottish Cullen Skink Soup

As the typical representative of soups, Cullen Skink is elaborately prepared from smoked haddock, potatoes and onions with accompanying butter, cream and milk. This dish is served with bread, bringing great taste to visitors. This was originally a specialty dish of the town of Cullen in the North East of Scotland, but thanks to its special taste, the soup has become popular throughout the country. The soup is delicious, thick when added cream, butter and milk. When enjoying the soup, you will need to add a few slices of bread.

Scottish Crispy Morning Rolls

Like Haggis, this crispy butter bread is a delicious Scottish dish which has a distinct fluffy pillow texture, one of Scotland’s best loved foods. They are eaten at breakfast or made into sandwiches. The delicious, buttery and crispy cake will definitely not disappoint diners.

Black Pudding

Scotland is quite famous for a very rich variety of pudding. If you are a food enthusiast, you cannot ignore the black pudding made from oatmeal, pork fat or beef suet, pork or beef blood, oat groats or barley groats.

Also if you are not brave enough to enjoy this dish, you can try red or white pudding which is also very delicious.

Raisin Shortbread Cookies

Coming to Edinburgh, you must definitely enjoy the delicious and attractive raisin shortbread cookies. This is a traditional Scottish food with delicate, natural sweetness combined with the gentle aroma of rum.

Dundee Cake

Dundee cake is a traditional Scottish cake that is very popular. This is a fruit cake made from raisins and currants, Scottish also often use different fruits to add in. The cake is spongy and very light, with a sweet and sour taste and a bit of wine flavor. The Dundee cake is decorated with almonds arranged in beautiful circles around, eye-catching. The Scottish people often eat Dundee as a Christmas cake, in the cold winter days.

Stovies are a winter favorite dish in Scotland. They are made from simple ingredients such as potatoes, corned beef, onions, and butter cooked together in a pan. When eating, just served with bread and beets.

Aberdeen Angus Steak

This is a high-class dish that is very favorite in Edinburgh, it is served at many luxury restaurants in the city. Aberdeen Angus Steak is a nutritious, sweet and flavorful beef steak. Beef steak is pureed or chooses the best part of beef, when eaten, it is soft, melts in the mouth, delicious and greasy.

Although this dessert is simple, it is extremely popular in this country. This is a dessert that appears in many luxury hotels and restaurants, and is a combination of ingredients such as honey, oatmeal, cream, whiskey and raspberries.

Scottish whiskey is so famous worldwide that no one has never heard of it and no connoisseur has never tasted it. Tasting whiskey in Edinburgh is an incredibly rewarding experience.

In addition to whiskey, you can enjoy Parrs’ Irn Bru – a carbonated soft drink that is very popular with locals.

Edinburgh blog: Nightlife

Pub: British cultural rendezvous, where people meet to chatting, eating, entertaining and make friends to expand their social life. Most pubs in the UK are friendly and safe, creating the best space and atmostphere for customers to socialize and chat with each other. If you go to traditional pubs, you can easily see that the customers here are mainly elderly people, drinking beer and happily chatting. There is a famous pub chain in the UK that belongs to Wetherspoons, which is essentially a collection of local pubs but under one system to minimize costs and maximize profits. Food and drink prices here are quite affordable, averaging a few pounds. If you find a locally nightlife spot, you can come here.

Edinburgh tourist guide: Shopping

The shops in this city are diverse and easy to shop. Clothing and scarves that are typical items of Scotland are also popular items to buy as gifts. The city of Edinburgh is an ideal destination for those who love shopping. There are many famous brands gathering here such as H&M, Primark, Lush, The body shop…

In addition, there are many lovely shops selling souvenirs. Surely the items here will make you unable to hold back and definitely have to buy them as gifts.

You can shop at any of the shops in Edinburgh’s old town. However, when shopping here, visitors need to pay attention to VAT. Please ask for a VAT Refund Form when buying at stores and keep all shopping receipts to get a tax refund at the airport before you return home.

It can be said that shopping in Scotland is quite good, here is full of common brands in London such as The body shop, Lush, H&M, Primark… Although the same brand, I see items in these stores in Edinburgh are diverse, beautiful, cheaper and easier to buy than in London. There are also quite a few Scottish shops that I find the quality and design to be very good, but the price is a bit high.

From the Edinburgh castle gate, go along the Royal Mile (which I think is quite beautiful) there are many beautiful shops selling souvenirs, clothes, traditional costumes, typical Scottish checkered tartan pattern scarves and dresses, you can visit to buy as gifts.

Note: Because the VAT in the UK is very high (20%), you should try to get a refund at the airport when you return home. Please note that to get tax refund, you must apply for a VAT refund form at the stores you buy from. When going to the airport, fill out detail information in this form, attach the invoice and along with the goods you bought ready to be checked (usually they do not check but still need to be prepared). Once approved, you can choose to receive cash or wire transfer. If you receive cash, you will lose £3.5/tax refund bill, but you will get the money right away, and by transfer, it will take you 1.2 months to receive it.

What to buy

Scotland is home to famous whiskey, so this is also the most attractive and meaningful Scottish gift. Here, there are many types of whiskey with delicious and savory flavors for you to choose from such as: Lowland Single Malt (With the sweet aroma of flowers and grass in the plains), Speyside Single Malt (Fruit and herbal flavors of Spey river region in Northeastern Scotland), Highland Single Malt…

If you want to enjoy strong spirits, with great taste, you can buy Islay or Campbeltown (2 types of whiskies of Scottish islands). Before buying you should check the bottle body for more information about where production and taste of each whiskey, so that you can choose the right flavor for you.

Edinburgh travel blog: Suggested Endinburgh 2-day itinerary

Day 1: Take a morning train from London at 7-8am, the scenery along the way is very beautiful, especially when passing through York and New Castle. Arrive in Edinburgh in the early afternoon at 12.30pm or 1pm, check-in hotel and then joining the free walking tour of Edinburgh by SANDEMANs NEW Edinburgh Tours, in the evening go to a local pub to experience Edinburgh nighlife.

Day 2: In the morning visit the Edinburgh castle, in the early afternoon visit some museums, strolling around the royal botanical garden and wandering around the city, then go shopping and walking around the streets.

Edinburgh blog: Where to stay

Scotland in general and Edinburgh in particular are very developed in terms of tourism. Therefore, finding a hotel or guesthouse here is quite easy. You can completely find hostels, hotels from budget to high-class, meeting all the needs of visitors.

Edinburgh has a lot of hostels and hotels from high-end to budget for you to choose from. You should stay at places near Edinburgh Castle for more convenience in moving and visiting places around this place. If you go in a large group, you can also find rental apartments that will be much more comfortable.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Ten Hill Place Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Ibis Styles Edinburgh Centre St Andrew Square ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• The Scotsman Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Novotel Edinburgh Park ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Leonardo Royal Edinburgh Haymarket ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Castle Rock Hostel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

Check out more top and best hotels in Edinburgh on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Edinburgh travel guide: Some useful notes before you go

Edinburgh is attracting more and more tourists to visit and explore. Therefore, in order to have a safe and meaningful trip, visitors need to understand the following notes:

• Prepare carefully before traveling, the weather in Edinburgh is quite cold compared to other countries especially tropical nations, so it is necessary to bring a thin, light and warm enough jacket.
• You can bring medicine in case of unforeseen circumstances.
• Scotland uses GBP (British Pound) currency for transactions and purchases.
• When booking air tickets and hotel rooms, you should book at least a month in advance to take the initiative and enjoy preferential programs.
• Look up the map before moving between tourist destinations. If you are traveling for short distances, taking a taxi is more convenient than taking public transport.
• Traveling to Scotland is very safe, but you should still be careful when going to crowded places.
• Should take advantage of places that offer free admission to save money on the trip.
• And the last thing, temporarily forget all worries and chaos if any and enjoy a fresh and enjoyable trip.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Edinburgh you can refer to

• Shared Edinburgh Airport (EDI) Transfers for Edinburgh by Airlink 100
• Edinburgh Castle Tour
• Edinburgh Rail Tour with Edinburgh Castle & Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour (From London)
• Scottish Borders Day Tour from Edinburgh including Rosslyn Chapel
• Whisky and Waterfalls Day Tour from Edinburgh
• Outlander and Three Castles Day Tour from Edinburgh
• Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh
• Edinburgh City Pass
• Edinburgh Castle Admission Ticket
• Royal Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass with Edinburgh Castle Entry

Read more top things to do in Edinburgh here . And Edinburgh itinerary 1 day — How to spend 1 day in Edinburgh & what to do in Edinburgh in one day .

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Money latest: How your neighbour could wipe up to £57,000 from your house price - and what you can do to prevent it

Messy neighbours can slash tens of thousands of pounds off the value of your home, research has found. Read about this and the rest of today's consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog, and tell us your thoughts on any of the stories we cover in the form below.

Friday 12 April 2024 14:01, UK

• UK economy grows slightly for second month in a row
• How your neighbour's garden could wipe up to £57,000 from your house price
• At what age do you reach peak earnings?
• Prescription costs are rising - here's how to beat the hike
• Authentic or Greek-style? Your guide to getting healthier yoghurt for less
• 'WTF is going on with the price of olive oil?'
• Could I build a home gym for less than my gym membership?
• Basically...  Tax codes
• Cheap Eats : Great British Menu legend shares ultimate toastie recipe

Ask a question or make a comment

The airport where you're likely to face the longest delays has been revealed as one of the UK's biggest.

London Gatwick replaced Birmingham to top the list for 2023, with its departures nearly 27 minutes behind schedule, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.

The West Sussex airport, the second-busiest in the UK behind Heathrow, was hit by air traffic control shortages across Europe last year and also had similar problems in its control tower.

In a statement, Gatwick said it was "working closely with our airline partners to improve on-time performance".

"The majority of cancellations are caused by poor weather, airspace constraints across Europe and inefficient third party ground operations," it said.

Luton airport followed with an average delay of almost 23 minutes, while Manchester took third place at nearly 22 minutes.

In contrast, holidaymakers flying from Belfast City (George Best) had the best experience, with the typical delay there just 12-and-a-half minutes in 2023.

Across all airports, the average delay was almost 20 minutes and 42 seconds - though this fell from 23 minutes and 12 seconds the previous year amid a boom in travel after the pandemic.

CAA director Tim Johnson said the aviation sector needed to "focus on resilience" before summer comes to "keep passenger disruption to a minimum".

All scheduled and chartered departures from UK airports with at least 1,000 outbound flights were included in the analysis, with cancellations excluded.

Naomi Leach, deputy editor of Which? Travel, said the latest figures point to "millions of passengers" experiencing "unacceptably long hold-ups last year".

"This cannot be allowed to become the new normal."

But the Airport Operators Association argued that data doesn't show "any of the context around operating in a global environment".

"Airports work extremely hard to minimise delays while providing a positive, safe and secure experience for passengers," it said.

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'You can't get a mortgage with a bad credit rating'

Just how important is keeping on top of your credit score when it comes to buying a home?

For this one, we've got the help of  Emma Steeley , chief executive at borrowing platform Aro. 

"The honest answer is that a bad credit rating can stop you from getting a mortgage, and a poor rating can throw some serious hurdles in your path," Emma says. 

"Despite this, it's not the end of the road if your credit rating isn't as rosy as you'd like it to be."

What counts as a bad credit score?

"In the worst-case scenario, this will likely mean you've defaulted on or missed payments, and debt has been escalated to the stage where legal action has been initiated," Emma says. 

An applicant left with a credit score below 325 is considered "poor" or even "very poor" by Equifax. 

A game of risk for lenders

Before we talk about what your credit score will do to an offer rate, it's important to understand the impact that the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio can have on this too, as it heavily influences the interest rate offered by lenders.

Your LTV ratio is used by lenders to decide how risky it is to lend you the money to buy your home. It compares how much of the property you will own - ie, how much deposit you can put down in relation to the property’s value - to how much they will need to lend to you to make up the difference.

"The lower your LTV ratio, the better the mortgage rate you're likely to be offered - the higher the LTV, the higher the risk for the lender," Emma says. 

"A higher credit score can help mitigate the impact of a high LTV, potentially resulting in a more favourable interest rate."

What to do if you have a poor credit score

The obvious answer here is to try to improve your credit score, by building your file with credit builder loans and/or secured cards.

"While the options may be limited and less favourable for those with 'poor' credit scores, they do exist," Emma says. 

Those are usually longer or more expensive deals, however. 

The good news is most lenders don't solely use credit scores as a measure of creditworthiness. 

"Best practice will see lenders using a blended scorecard, that overlays behavioural data and back book financial performance with credit data to get a much more accurate assessment of an individual's payback ability," Emma says. 

However, for people with a "very poor" rating (below 226, according to Equifax), the number of offers you are likely to receive shrinks to almost zero.

Myth or must?

It's undeniable that a good credit score gives you more flexibility when it comes to getting a mortgage. 

"Importantly, credit scores can be improved," Emma says. 

"Those who take a proactive approach to managing their finances and understand how to rebuild their credit score will find themselves presented with a wider array of loan options."

A good credit score is a money must. 

Messy neighbours can slash tens of thousands of pounds off the value of your home, according to new research.

A survey of estate agents by Churchill Home Insurance found that more than four in five (82%) believe it's important for homeowners to chat to their neighbours about their poorly maintained property before putting the house on the market.

Some 22% said an overgrown garden is likely to have the biggest impact, while 20% said rubbish or junk in the driveway or front garden could affect the cost.

Overflowing gutters (20%), several cars parked on or around the property (19%) and garden ornaments and statues (18%) also cut the value of neighbouring homes, estate agents said.

The research also revealed that some sellers deliberately time viewings to make their houses seem more attractive, avoiding issues next door such as loud music or pets - or even avoiding the neighbours altogether.

Sarah Khan, head of Churchill home insurance, said: "First impressions count when it comes to selling homes, with the sale price often negatively impacted when the neighbouring property looks scruffy.

"Investing a few hundred pounds in a gardener to tidy up next door's front garden could pay huge dividends when it comes to selling your home, a win-win for both you and your neighbour." 

What do estate agents say? 

We spoke to people in the industry about the risk of having messy neighbours when it comes to moving - and what their advice is for those seeking to avoid any effect on their sale.

James Stevenson, south and south west area director at Foxtons,  agrees it can make the process more difficult.

"Gardens that are unkept or full of clutter, pavements and frontages that have fallen into disrepair or where your neighbours are showing little care for their property are all a negative flag for buyers," he said.

"Additionally, any disruption that has become a neighbourly dispute must be declared to prospective buyers, so it's always better to have a great relationship with your neighbours and try to resolve any existing issues amicably."

Messy neighbours are "frustrating" at any time, but become a "more pressing issue" when it comes to putting a home up for sale, says  Sarah Cull, senior associate director Strutt & Parker Salisbury.

"Before you get your own gardening shears out, the first step should always be to try to have a frank conversation with your neighbour - you can even explain that you're looking to sell and you want to give prospective buyers the best first impression possible."

If a friendly chat doesn't do the job, Sarah suggests heading to a local garden centre to pick up some screening.

"Where the neighbour's garden is considered a nuisance - for example there's lots of rubbish which could attract pests, or weeds are damaging groundwork - then you can report it to your local council," she added.

By  Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

The continued return to growth with GDP - a measure of everything produced in the economy - up 0.1% has been welcomed by markets.

The FTSE 100 - the index of most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange - is up 0.86% and near its all-time high.

Pushing up the index is Fresnillo, the precious metals mining company with its share price up 6.91%.

Potentially putting a dampener on the global economy is the fact oil prices have remained elevated, with a barrel of the benchmark Brent crude oil costing $90.57.

Currency wise, one pound buys $1.256 and €1.17.

Jeremy Hunt says the latest economy figures are a "welcome sign".

The chancellor said GDP growth of 0.1% shows "that the economy is turning a corner, and we can build on this progress if we stick to our plan".

"Last week our cuts to national insurance for 29 million working people came into effect across Britain, as part of our plan to reward work and grow the economy," he said in a statement.

The UK economy has grown slightly for the second month in a row, official figures show.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew just 0.1% in February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

It's another signal that the UK economy is working its way out of recession.

Growth of 0.3% was recorded last month - and that figure has been revised upwards from a previous estimate of 0.2%.

A recession was declared in February after data showed two quarters of economic contraction.

If the economy expands for three months, the UK will be officially out of recession.

It can be hard to balance getting nutritious foods that make you feel good without emptying your wallet.

In this series every Friday, we're trying to find the cheapest ways to identify the healthiest options in the supermarket.

We've asked  Sunna Van Kampen,  founder of  Tonic Health ,  who went viral on social media for reviewing supermarket products in the search of healthier choices, for his input. 

The series does not aim to identify the outright healthiest option, rather how to get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

This time we're looking at yogurt - specifically the differences between some of the most popular: authentic Greek and Greek-style. 

"You have to watch out for Greek-style yoghurt masquerading as the authentic variety," Sunna says. 

Typical Greek-style yoghurt has around 4.6g of sugar per 100g, he says.

But swivel your cart towards the authentic Greek yoghurt, and you'll find only 3.3g per 100g.

"That's an impressive 28% reduction in sugar content, or a teaspoon of sugar a day if you have a 300g portion." 

To be clear - this isn't added sugar, this is the naturally-occurring kind from lactose in the milk.

Protein is the building block of our bodies, and something around 66% of Brits don't get enough of.

"Authentic Greek yoghurt boasts around double the protein content of its Greek-style cousins - with branded versions having 9g per 100g compared to just 3.7g per 100g," Sunna says. 

This means in a typical 300g bowl, you are getting 27g of protein versus only 11.1g in Greek-style. 

Here's the bottom line - it is more expensive, but the investment is worth it, Sunna says. 

• Greek-style yoghurt – supermarket own label – 22p per 100g
• Authentic Greek yoghurt - supermarket own label – 46p per 100g
• Authentic Greek yoghurt – branded versions – 50-58p per 100g

"Okay, so we are talking double the price, but you get what you pay for with double the protein," Sunna says.

Think of it this way - every 300g bowl is an extra 72p per day for nearly 16g of extra protein and nearly 30% less sugar. 

"Far cheaper than what you'd pay for a protein bar with the same amount of protein," Sunna notes. 

The key here: value isn't exclusive to the price tag - and investing in your health is more important than ever. 

So, next time you're navigating the dairy aisle, remember that not all yoghurts are created equal - opting for authentic Greek yoghurt can be a small but effective step towards a healthier diet without breaking the bank.

The nutritionist's view - from  Dr Laura Brown , senior lecturer in nutrition, food, and health sciences at Teesside University...

Yes, absolutely for a source of protein. 

Yogurt is better than protein bars and powders that are full of protein, as they come along with a long list of other potentially artificial ingredients that are not necessary. 

If we are looking at yoghurts from a health perspective, then you're definitely wanting to look for this style - natural, Greek, low sugar or sugar free but not fat-free! 

Families should avoid investing in sugar-laden yoghurts that do not serve any nutritional purposes. 

If someone is eating yoghurt specifically as a source of protein, then there are much better sources like beans and lentils which are affordable and will provide other additional benefits including fibre. 

The price of a prescription is set to to rise from £9.65 to £9.90 in England in May - but there are ways you can save money on your medicines.

Fee-free options remain in place for some, such as those who are pregnant, have certain disabilities, students or the elderly.

But if you're not exempt, there are still some means of cutting the costs of treatments.

Prepayment certificates

Prescription prepayment certificates (PPC) cover NHS prescriptions over a given time period, no matter how many medicines you need.

There are two options: A three-month PPC (£32.05 from May), which will start to save you money if you buy four or more prescriptions in that period, or a 12-month PPC (£114.50), which pays off if you buy 12 or more in a year.

Ask for a larger prescription

Doctors may agree to prescribe a longer course of medicine - such as two months' worth instead of one, halving the cost.

Just ask the question - they might say yes, especially if there's no danger of overuse.

Menopause medication

The NHS offers a particular PPC for hormone replacement therapy.

It lasts for 12 months and costs £19.30, rising to £19.80 from 1 May.

Women can use the PCC as many times as they need within the year.

You might not need a prescription

For some ailments, there are over-the-counter options sold cheaper than their prescribed alternative. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

People are 47 before they reach peak earnings, data for 2023 shows - a huge increase from five years ago.

Office for National Statistics figures show the age for the highest average wage had risen from 38 in 2013 and 40 in 2018.

It comes as Britons retire later and younger people struggle on the lowest wages.

In 2023, this highest average wage (gross median hourly earnings, including overtime) was £18.78 per hour.

The ONS said: "While the age at which earnings peak has changed, the overall trends in earnings throughout a person’s working career have remained very similar. 

"Young people earn the lowest hourly wage, people aged between 30 and 50 earn the most and median hourly earnings fall from around age 50 until retirement.

"Whilst median earnings fall between age 50 and retirement, this does not mean that individuals' pay will decrease. 

"Higher earners may retire early, reducing the median wage of those remaining in employment, and people may change roles and hours worked."

Yesterday we reported on ONS data showing the age at which people reach life milestones - with all of them being pushed later in life except one...

Fake flights and caravans are the two most common items being sold by fraudsters in relation to travel, Lloyds Bank's research has found.

As Britons head online to book deals for the upcoming bank holidays and summer, they have been urged to "remain vigilant", with the average holiday scam victim being conned out of £765.

Amid rising flight costs post-COVID, people have been flocking to social media and other lesser-known websites to secure cheaper deals.

A food delivery company claims to have created an  "unshakeable bag" to avoid spillage in transit.

Bolt, which owns the Bolt Food delivery platform, said its design is based on gyroscope technology and will keep food stable "during the most abrupt movements".

In a post to its website, the firm said it would make the design available to its competitors as it is "too powerful to be owned by any one company".

"We believe everyone should enjoy a perfect meal, regardless of which app they order it from," it said.

Assaulting a shopworker is to be made a separate criminal offence after a government U-turn following pressure from campaigners.

The government previously said "more legislative change" was not needed to tackle the "intolerable violence and abuse" faced by shopworkers, arguing it did not think it was "required or will be most effective".

But Rishi Sunak is now set to announce his government will be amending the Criminal Justice Bill to bring in the new offence.

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