Scotland is part of the United Kingdom and covers the northern area of Great Britain. Bordering England to the southeast, Scotland is also surrounded by water on the other three sides. The Irish Sea is to the south, the North Sea to the northeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west.

YOUR ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO SCOTLAND

There is a lot to do and see in Scotland, from the capital of Edinburgh to the rugged hills of the Scottish Highlands. Whether you are a nature lover wanting to explore the parks and waters or an indoor traveller keen on shopping, dining, and playing indoors, you will find all sorts of fun in Scotland. 

• Check Out the Capital

While you are in Scotland, take the time to visit Edinburgh. Found on the southern shoreline of the Firth of Forth, the capital city is the second most populated in Scotland and a popular tourist attraction. In fact, it is home to many festivals and concerts like the largest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Fringe.

Many people visit Edinburgh for the natural beauty like Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat, which is an extinct volcano standing over 800 feet above sea level. First, leave your bags and backpacks at a bag storage locker in Edinburgh before making the trek up the trail. Also, don’t miss the castles, especially the majestic Edinburgh Castle.

• When to Visit Scotland

Spring is when the whole country starts to warm up and everything blooms again. But summer is the most popular season in Scotland with an average high of 73 and the lows in the 60s. This is the perfect time to visit if you like spending time outdoors but it’s also festival time.  

September and October are gorgeous, with the trees changing colour from green to stunning gold, orange, red, and yellow. The weather in autumn is not bad either with highs in the upper 50s and lows in the upper 40s. Winter in Scotland is cold and dreich but if you don’t like crowds and want to spend time indoors sipping whisky by a roaring fire or tucking into hearty Scottish fare, then this is when to go.

• Loch Ness and the Loch Ness Monster

Everyone around the world has probably heard about the Loch Ness Monster or Nessie, which is supposed to have been seen many times in Loch Ness. However, many of the photos have been found to be fake, including the most famous one from Dr. Robert Wilson in 1934 named the “surgeon’s photograph.”

But the loch, which is a huge freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands, is also a great place to see Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Fort George, and Fort Augustus as well as the beautiful Invermoriston Falls. If you want to get up close and personal with Loch Ness, then book yourself a trip on a Beastie Boat for an 80-minute-long Loch Ness speed boat tour! www.beastieboats.com

• How to Get Around

Getting around in Scotland is not difficult but this also depends on where you are in the country and where you want to go. The bus is the cheapest option and they run all day, but they are limited to mostly city travelling and do not reach some remote areas.

The train will get you from point A to point B faster for a bit more money but once again, the train does not stop in most rural areas. Car rental is probably the best idea since you can go where you want when you want, and get there fast. But don’t forget, we drive on the left side of the road in Scotland.  

• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

This humongous national park is focused on Loch Lomond as well as the forests around it. It was the first national park in Scotland and is over 460,000 acres with 21 Munros, also known as mountains. The Trossachs National Park is divided by the Highland Boundary Fault, which separates the highlands from the lowlands.

Here you’ll find more than 200 bird species and more than 25% of the plant species in Britain. Some of the animals you may see include the Scottish wildcat, red deer, capercaillie, and a colony of wallabies living on Inchconnachan Island. The park is popular for outdoor sports on and off the water as well.

• Where to Eat

Whether you want to try the local cuisine or are looking for something specific like burgers or pizza, the selection of eateries all over Scotland is awesome. If you are looking for a fine dining experience, try a Michelin-starred eatery like Isle of Eriska, Ubiquitous Chip, Condita, Cail Bruich or The Gannet.  

For a brunch try Greenwoods and for pizza head to Pizza Geeks in Edinburgh, Scran or Partick Duck Club in Glasgow. Then there is Hinterland, Delicious, or Brew & Chew in Perth. Many restaurants will have Scottish cuisine on their menu which use local seasonal produce allowing you to try amazing Scottish seafood, venison and of course haggis.

• Take a Trip to Glasgow

Glasgow is the most populous city in Scotland today, but it started as a tiny settlement on the Clyde River. In 142 AD, the Romans built outposts and the Antonine Wall to protect the area and its people from the Caledonians. Parts of this wall were made into altars and forts and can be seen at the Hunterian Museum.

The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery is the oldest museum in Scotland, opening in 1807, and includes the Zoology Museum and Anatomy Museum in various buildings on the University of Glasgow campus. Other attractions to see include Loch Lomond, the Isle of Skye, and the Northern Highlands.

Be sure to grab your camera out of your luggage before dropping it off at a luggage storage locker because you may never get a chance like this again. Scotland is a vast and amazing country to visit, so try some of the eateries and attractions we’ve highlighted for you here. 

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