Scotland Destination Guide
Scotland holds a rich heritage as the homeland of resilient warriors, vibrant arts and cultural celebrations, and the birthplace of golf. Take on a journey through the mystical and ancient rugged landscapes, spanning from the majestic Ben Nevis, the UK's tallest peak, to the multitude of islands dotting the coastline. The country is home to over 2000 castles, including the Eilean Donan Castle near the Isle of Skye, the royal Balmoral Castle, and the grand Edinburgh Castle.
Scotland is a wonderful destination for those traveling with children, and there are many family-friendly tour options, from castles and Highland warrior battlefields to Harry Potter inspiration and Loch Ness Monster-spotting. Larger cities have many museums and monuments and most castles or historic sites will have hands-on children experiences.
Glasgow and Edinburgh stand out as premier shopping destinations, not only in Scotland but across the UK. In Edinburgh, for a sophisticated shopping experience, don't miss the elegant Harvey Nichols department store in New Town, known for its timeless style and captivating shop displays. Explore the vibrant Victoria Street to see the charming shops reminiscent of Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. For an authentic and artsy experience in Edinburgh, visit the farmers' markets in Grassmarket or Stockbridge.
In Glasgow, make sure to visit Princes Square, recently named Scotland's top shopping center, offering luxury brands and a cinema. For souvenirs, a visit to the charming Argyll Arcade on Buchanan Street, designed in a 19th-century Parisian style, is a must, even if just for the delightful window displays.
Culinary
Haggis: Savory pudding which combines the cost-effective cuts from a sheep, along with oatmeal, onions, and spices. The result is a meaty, crumbly, moist, spicy, and filling “meatloaf-esque” meal often served with a side of “neeps and tatties” – mashed turnip and potatoes.
Shortbread: This incredibly addictive and melt-in-your-mouth cookie traditionally includes just three ingredients – flour, butter, and sugar. These are not just a staple of the holiday season; the simple sweet shortbread makes an excellent addition to any cup of tea.
Black pudding: In an effort to not waste anything in the slaughtering process, this sausage is made of pork blood, suet, barley, and oatmeal. These sausages are often sliced, fried, and served along with a traditional fry-up breakfast along with eggs, bacon, baked beans, and potato scones.
Cullen skink: A creamy potato and haddock stew.
Wild game and fish: A wild addition to the culinary offerings includes salmon, rabbit, venison, partridge, grouse, and pheasant.
Whisky: Perhaps the most synonymous export of Scotland is their whisky. It can only be called scotch if it was distilled in Scotland with malted barley by pot-still distillation, and left to age in oak casks for exactly three years and one day.
Single malt: A bit of a misnomer, a single malt is the result of a single distillery, as opposed to a single barrel. Therefore, a single malt may contain a mixture of several whiskies from many barrels produced from one distillery. A single barrel whisky, however, will come from one batch and one single cask of whisky.
Blended whisky: A master blender will develop a blend of spirits to develop a consistent flavor over several batches. Typically, a blend of at least two or more whiskies is tweaked and tailored with skill to develop something delicious, consistent, and greater than the sum of its parts. Some famous examples of blended whisky include Johnny Walker, Red Grouse, or Chivas Regal.
Train Travel
A Scottish railway journey is one of the best ways to take in the stunning landscapes. From scenic train routes through the Scottish Highlands to short steam train rides, Scotland's train tours can offer unforgettable journeys with great service and amazing views.
Edinburgh-Glasgow - 1 hour
Edinburgh-Manchester Piccadilly - 3 hours and 20 minutes
Glasgow-Birmingham New Street - 4 hours
Glasgow to Oban or Mallaig (West Highland Line) - 5 hours and 15 minutes
Inverness to Thurso or Wick - 4 hours and 30 minutes
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh - 2 hours and 30 minutes
Edinburgh-London - 4 hours and 30 minutes
Glasgow-London - 4 hours and 30 minutes
Inverness-London - 8 hours
The West Highland Line is described as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. It runs from Glasgow up north to Crianlarich. One route then goes west past Loch Awe to Oban or continues north through Rannoch Moor to Fort William and Mallaig. Or you can do both!
This route is known to millions for taking Harry Potter from Platform 9¾ all the way to Hogwarts. As the train heads west, it passes over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct and offers breath-taking views of locations such as Loch Shiel, Loch Eilt and Ben Nevis, many of which can also be seen in the films.
If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on a luxury train in Scotland, then hop aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman. This ultra-exclusive train offers fine-dining and 5-star hospitality as guests are taken around the country, stopping off along the way for experiences and excursions. The journey ranges from 2-7 nights and begins in Edinburgh.
Scottish weather is moderate and very changeable – as the locals will say, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes.” With consistent change in weather from sun to wind and rain, a rain jacket is infinitely more valuable than an umbrella.
March, April, and May
A beautiful time to visit, flowers are bursting into bloom, wildlife is out, and a milder breeze in the air, and there's plenty of activities to enjoy.
June, July, and August
The warmest months in Scotland, peak season, higher pricing, longer days.
September to November
Autumn colors, slow season, lower pricing.
December, January, and February
The coldest months, some snowfall.
English is the main language. Gaelic (pronounced gah-lick) is also spoken in some parts of Scotland.
The standard voltage is 220-230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.
Type G electrical adapter.
International dialing code is +44.
Britain’s national currency is the pound sterling (GBP).
Debit and major credit cards are widely accepted, but please note that small transactions by card may incur a transaction fee. Some shops, restaurants, and vendors may not accept payment by card, so having cash on hand is recommended, especially for small transactions. Visa or MasterCard are more widely accepted. You will need a 4-digit PIN to be able to use your cards.
