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One of the perks of visiting Scotland, as noted by Frommer’s, is that the trip requires minimal preparation for North American and European visitors. No visas, no vaccinations, and a relatively short packing list -- unless you plan to hike in the Highlands -- make this country within the United Kingdom easy to tackle. Since Scotland is small, with no place more than 40 miles from the coast, visitors can also complete a whistle-stop tour up and down the country’s length without overstretching themselves.
Key Cities
The Scottish capital, Edinburgh, serves as an ideal base, with rail, road and air connections to the rest of the UK, and an ample supply of hotels, pubs and fine restaurants. The elegant Georgian city is dominated by its castle, but demands a few days’ stay, at least, to cover the Palace of Holyroodhouse, along with the National Gallery and National Museum. Visitors can take numerous historical and ghost-hunting walking tours around the city. Scotland’s second city, Glasgow, is notable for buzzing arts, nightlife and live music scenes; an almost impenetrable local accent; and attractions worthy of a former European City of Culture. For an assault on the Highlands, Inverness serves as an ideal base, with bus and train routes branching out across the region. Visit Scotland recommends taking the Fort William to Mallaig train, one of the country’s most scenic routes, which crosses the Glenfinnan viaduct featured in the "Harry Potter" films.
Practical Info
Transatlantic visitors flying into London can find quick connections on domestic carriers, such as Flybe, to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Alternatively, the fast express train from London’s King’s Cross reaches Edinburgh in roughly five hours, with a sleeper service available. To get to Glasgow, take the train from London Euston instead. Scottish accommodations span swanky boutique hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow to guest houses and bed and breakfasts, often in family homes. Under Scottish ratings, any hotel rated two stars and above must have its own bathroom. If you want your trip to include a major cultural campaign, an Explorer Pass secures reductions on approximately 75 attractions nationwide. If Scotland is just a leg on a larger trip, the Great Britain Heritage Pass covers 600 attractions across the isles. The cheapest time to visit is from just after Christmas to mid-March, with accommodations roughly 20 percent cheaper. Later in the year, pack for benign summers averaging 65 degrees Fahrenheit only, or the prospect of bitterly cold winters in the mountainous north.
Where to Go
Away from its formidable granite cities, Scotland is renowned for its lochs, peaks and islands. Properly equipped hikers can tackle the West Highland Way, one of the best Scottish walks according to Frommer’s, which stretches for 95 miles from Glasgow through Glencoe, Loch Lomond and Fort William to arrive at Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak at 4,403 feet. Scotland also has more castles to visit than any other country. Stirling’s Renaissance-era castle, built in 1540, is just 25 miles from Glasgow, while fans of Macbeth can also tour Cawdor castle, the 14th-century seat of the Campbell clan, and Glamis, the ancestral seat of the family of the same name. If time allows, take one of the ferries linking the west coast with the Hebrides islands, the highlight of which is Iona, historically the burial place for Scottish kings. More remote are the northern Orkney islands, a 70-strong archipelago abundant in ancient archaeological sites and a bird spotters’ paradise.
When to Go
Edinburgh’s International Festival, the largest arts festival in Europe, consumes the city from mid-August to September, providing the forum where many subsequently famous comedians and revue acts got their first breaks. Book well ahead to find accommodation. For kilts, bagpipes and caber tossing, the Royal Highland Gathering in late August near Balmoral, the Queen’s summer residence, champions the kind of indigenous Scottish games featured in "Braveheart." Scotland’s long summer evenings allow extra time to enjoy golf at the country’s legendary championship courses, including Turnberry and Troon in Ayrshire, Carnoustie on Tayside, and the Old Course at St. Andrews. Bear in mind, though, that the Highlands are infested with midges during summer months. Year-round, visitors can also tour Scotland’s whisky distilleries, with guided tours by coach covering all five whisky regions, tastings included.
Key Cities
The Scottish capital, Edinburgh, serves as an ideal base, with rail, road and air connections to the rest of the UK, and an ample supply of hotels, pubs and fine restaurants. The elegant Georgian city is dominated by its castle, but demands a few days’ stay, at least, to cover the Palace of Holyroodhouse, along with the National Gallery and National Museum. Visitors can take numerous historical and ghost-hunting walking tours around the city. Scotland’s second city, Glasgow, is notable for buzzing arts, nightlife and live music scenes; an almost impenetrable local accent; and attractions worthy of a former European City of Culture. For an assault on the Highlands, Inverness serves as an ideal base, with bus and train routes branching out across the region. Visit Scotland recommends taking the Fort William to Mallaig train, one of the country’s most scenic routes, which crosses the Glenfinnan viaduct featured in the "Harry Potter" films.
Practical Info
Transatlantic visitors flying into London can find quick connections on domestic carriers, such as Flybe, to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Alternatively, the fast express train from London’s King’s Cross reaches Edinburgh in roughly five hours, with a sleeper service available. To get to Glasgow, take the train from London Euston instead. Scottish accommodations span swanky boutique hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow to guest houses and bed and breakfasts, often in family homes. Under Scottish ratings, any hotel rated two stars and above must have its own bathroom. If you want your trip to include a major cultural campaign, an Explorer Pass secures reductions on approximately 75 attractions nationwide. If Scotland is just a leg on a larger trip, the Great Britain Heritage Pass covers 600 attractions across the isles. The cheapest time to visit is from just after Christmas to mid-March, with accommodations roughly 20 percent cheaper. Later in the year, pack for benign summers averaging 65 degrees Fahrenheit only, or the prospect of bitterly cold winters in the mountainous north.
Where to Go
Away from its formidable granite cities, Scotland is renowned for its lochs, peaks and islands. Properly equipped hikers can tackle the West Highland Way, one of the best Scottish walks according to Frommer’s, which stretches for 95 miles from Glasgow through Glencoe, Loch Lomond and Fort William to arrive at Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak at 4,403 feet. Scotland also has more castles to visit than any other country. Stirling’s Renaissance-era castle, built in 1540, is just 25 miles from Glasgow, while fans of Macbeth can also tour Cawdor castle, the 14th-century seat of the Campbell clan, and Glamis, the ancestral seat of the family of the same name. If time allows, take one of the ferries linking the west coast with the Hebrides islands, the highlight of which is Iona, historically the burial place for Scottish kings. More remote are the northern Orkney islands, a 70-strong archipelago abundant in ancient archaeological sites and a bird spotters’ paradise.
When to Go
Edinburgh’s International Festival, the largest arts festival in Europe, consumes the city from mid-August to September, providing the forum where many subsequently famous comedians and revue acts got their first breaks. Book well ahead to find accommodation. For kilts, bagpipes and caber tossing, the Royal Highland Gathering in late August near Balmoral, the Queen’s summer residence, champions the kind of indigenous Scottish games featured in "Braveheart." Scotland’s long summer evenings allow extra time to enjoy golf at the country’s legendary championship courses, including Turnberry and Troon in Ayrshire, Carnoustie on Tayside, and the Old Course at St. Andrews. Bear in mind, though, that the Highlands are infested with midges during summer months. Year-round, visitors can also tour Scotland’s whisky distilleries, with guided tours by coach covering all five whisky regions, tastings included.
Posted in: Travel UK
