Scotland is a stunning difference of a country no visitor can claim to have enough of. Apart from being the land of sheepherders, haggis, and Bravehearts, Scotland is infamous for its castles, stunning lochs, mountains, beautiful parks, welcoming locals, and of course, whisky. Keep that in mind.
Before you take your backpack and set off for this tour-friendly palatinate, take some time off to acquaint yourself with where to go, when to go, what to see, likely costs, and just a minute…
WHERE TO GO
The concern of where to go is a constant thought for any serious holidaymaker. When holidaying in Scotland, these places should be the first places you think of for the best reasons. You’ll save yourself time and gain exposure.
Get to Nessie
Loch Ness is one of the most famous lochs (Scottish for lakes) in Scotland. It’s the alleged home to Nessie also known as the Loch Ness Monster, a creature said to live in the loch and which is said to have been first sighted in the 1870s. But, “Just how true is that?”, you may ask. Well, it’s become an age-long myth. Do you dare to argue?
Peruse Glasgow
Glasgow is a busy and bustling city with bustling youths, a university, picturesque, parks, historical monuments, and museums.
Check out the Rosslyn Chapel
It’s famous for having age-long labyrinthine artwork and symbolism and is just an hour away from Edinburgh. You’ll need 9 GBP to gain entrance to Rosslyn though this comes with a free tour.
Visit the Cathedrals
The cathedrals in Scotland are marvelous with their unique Gothic architecture of Scottish cathedrals and their imposing heights make quite a sight. Don’t leave out the Dunfermline Abbey and Palace in Fife, St. Magnus Cathedral in the Orkney Islands, and Melrose Abbey in the Borders as well as the Glasgow Cathedral.
Remember The Local markets
Scotland is full of farmers’ markets where you can find fresh produce all to your fill.
Play Golf With The Masters
The Scottish has golf. They invented it in the 15th century. You can play during the low season usually from November to March if you want the most affordable fees. St. Andrews charges around 200 GBP to play. Castle Stuart at Inverness, Royal Dornoch at Dornoch, and Muirfield at Gullane are other golf courses to consider.
Visit The Ruins of Melrose Abbey
Get that practical feel of walking through the pages of a history book while passing a time in this precinct. Robert I or Robert the Bruce who ruled as King of Scotland between 1306 and 1329 had his heart buried here — and all the other historical news that follows. Entry is 6 GBP.
See the Cuillin
This is a mountain range that dominates the Isle of Skye.
Get To Dundee
Dundee has interesting museums, memorable street art, the Vaults which are a series of underground tunnels dating back to the 1750s, and The McManus Art Gallery.
Other places to keep in mind are the Mystical Smoo Cave, the Isle of Arran, the Cairngorms, and the Cairngorms National Park.
Most Likely Costs Of Visit
Accommodation
- Budget 40-60 GBP per night for private rooms in a hostel with free Wi-Fi, lockers, and self-catering facilities.
- Keep 50 GBP for a two-star hotel without breakfast and 65 GBP per night with breakfast.
- Save 90 GBP per night for a three-star hotel with free breakfast.
- Prepare 60 GBP for Airbnb homes/apartments or 25-30 GBP per night for a private room.
- To camp, 17 GBP per night for a basic plot.
Food
- Prepare 10-12 GBP for a basic meal (like a Scottish breakfast).
- For pub food like fish and chips or a filled roll, 5-10 GBP.
- For fast food say McDonald’s, allow 6 GBP
- For a full three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant, keep 27 GBP.
- Beer at a bar is 4 GBP
How To Get Around Scotland
Prepare to use:
- Public buses and trams roughly 4 GBP per day per person
- Flying – Flying around Scotland is as inconvenient as it is expensive and should be avoided altogether.
- Train – Trains connect all of the major cities in Scotland with costs averaging 30 GBP depending on the locations
- Car rental – You can get cars as low as 10-20 GBP per day
- Rideshare – Ridesharing is a reliable but expensive way to get around in cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh.
- Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Scotland is generally considered to be much easier than in the rest of the UK
When to Go to Scotland
Summer is when you visit Scotland. Through July and August, you’ll get warm weather and minimal rain, with temperatures reaching around 20 C (68 F). This is also the busiest time of the year with crowds in the cities and lots of people out enjoying the national parks. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival happens in August and is a huge festival spanning weeks.
Here are just a few among many things you need to know before getting on your way to Scotland. But I am sure you learned a lot here already.
Wait!
Hope I didn’t abandon mentioning that you should pack heavy? With the unpredictable weather and the adventurous rides and climbs combined, you’ll need to come along with special clothing and a medical kit. What’s more…