Things to Know Before Visiting Scotland - A Q&A of Scotland Travel Tips

[@lylez00]

My tips: Bundle up: It's cold. Reserve a rental car with an automatic transmission in advance. They're rare in Scotland. I recommend Arnold Clark. Reserve hotels way (and I mean months) in advance, especially on islands. Reserve fairy boats in advance, or you may end up not being able to get to the island you want to go to, or worse, not be able to get back. Get a sim card from a local phone company, or you'll pay through the nose for making calls back home. You can also get a subscription on Skype to make phone calls back to the US and save a lot of money. They sell them at places like Tesco. I was pleased with Vodafone. Call before you go some place to make sure they're open. Don't turn on a red light, either left or ride. It's illegal. Be careful not to drive in the bus lane, or you'll get an automated ticket. It can be tough to get a local bank account, and a lot of places, such as car-lease companies, won't accept non-UK accounts. It can be a real catch 22. It can be tough to park downtown, so consider taking mass transit. Also, be careful of roads that lead into densely populated areas of a downtown where you get the feeling you're driving on a sidewalk. It can be embarrassing. Go to Isle of Arran, Isle of Islay, Isle of Skye, and the Shetland Islands. Don't drink and drive. A bar tender told me that there is no legal limit - can't have any alcohol before driving. You pay at a bar as soon as they serve your drink. You don't wait until you're ready to leave to pay. Beware expensive "commission-free" currency exchanges. They build the commission into the rate. Use your credit card as much as possible. Try to get one that doesn't charge their own fee. Get a GPS navigator or you'll go nuts. The left lane is the slow lane in Scotland. Cars on rotaries/roundabouts have the right of way. Slow down before approaching the rotary and be ready to stop. Be very careful not to put the wrong kind of fuel in your rental car. If you put the wrong kind in, there's a company (Fuel Fixer) that will pump it out for you. Don't drive with the wrong fuel; it will ruin the car. Flash your lights to let someone know they can proceed in front of you on the road. A quick display of emergency lights is the proper way to say thank you. Leave your house keys in the front-door lock when you're inside. Otherwise, if you lock your self in, and there's a fire, you could die in the fire looking for your keys. The hollow elongated white triangles on the road point in the opposite direction to what you're supposed to drive. Soda pop refills are not free. Find out what they make haggis and black pudding out of before you eat it. Drink tons of booze!!

[@maxflight777]

Lyle … you sound like you got “up to speed” fast !! Well done. Good tips.

[@VanTasticTraveling]

We spent 9 months in Scotland this year, traveling and filming, and have seen all seasons. Winter in Scotland has such beauty, with snow on the bens and quite places without tourists. April/May has all the beautiful colours, wee animals and some lovely sunny days. And there are no midges in these seasons. We love Islands like Bute and Islay and Orkney. As we got to work in the Whisky industry for about half a year, we got to taste so many different whiskies, it would be impossible to select one as a favorite haha. We always say it is a mood thing. Thanks for taking us back to Scotland with this lovely vid...absolutely miss Scotland every single day.

[@scotlanders2612]

Delighted to bring back memories of your stay here guys and, aye, choice of dram is all down to mood :-)

[@whiskeycook3323]

Outlander took me there the first time and have returned 5 more times and planning my trip again this summer. The people, the history, the castles, the distilleries, I simply cannot get enough. I hire guides so I can just sit back and enjoy the trip. Absolutely love the country.

[@scotlanders2612]

Outlander has been huge for the industry and always great to hear it has inspired more visitors Marie. Lovely to hear you're such a fan of Scotland! 😀

[@aaronjohnson4557]

What are some good guides to hire? Lol I wanna plan a trip very soon myself and see all the outlander sites.

[@whiskeycook3323]

@@aaronjohnson4557 Mary’s meanders 2 very lovely ladies Anne and Emma and McKenzie tours. Donald McKenzie took us all over the country as well as many whiskey tours😋

[@aaronjohnson4557]

@@whiskeycook3323 okay, I’ll remember those! Thank you so much for the tip.

[@ingaborlowski1536]

I can hear bits of a Scottish accent in some of David’s words. Sounds nice. I’m a little late finding these videos but I’m enjoying them just the same. 🙋🏼‍♀️😊

[@maxflight777]

My first tip : “Don’t miss out the east coast “. The River Dee from Braemar to Ballater is stunning. Second tip ? Walk the West Highland way and then the Great Glen. Life changing…..

[@kumasenlac5504]

4:19 Galloway and The Borders are quite quiet.

[@ichabod0391]

Thanks guys for all the advice. BTW, have you ever checked out the Kilts and Culture Facebook/You Tube videos, put on by Americans (Rocky and Eric)? Generally, once a month. First Friday of each month, with several smaller snippets in between. They have a similar format to your KZbin videos, but more about kilts and other related items.

[@lupusoutdoors]

Thanks ! Waiting for the next one.

[@scotlanders2612]

Coming up next month! 😀

[@kumasenlac5504]

Best time to visit the Highlands ? Pre-midge and post midge = April, May, September, October...

[@alexisrojasgonzalez3810]

Awesome video,I like your t-shirt

[@daveweaston287]

Hey guys!! Lots of great info!! Thanks so much!! Love seeing your lovely faces, but how about more video or photo content as you're talking. Also, maybe flash the names of those places (and whiskeys) you mention up so we can see how they're spelled. We are super excited to be visiting in May 2020 and you guys have the best info yet!! Just what we're looking for.

[@scotlanders2612]

Thanks Dave - whisky names mentioned include Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Lagavulin 16, Ardbeg 10, Dalwhinnie 15 as well as anything from Macallan, Cardhu, Dalmore. Just some of many! Slainte 🥃

[@daveweaston287]

@@scotlanders2612 Slainte!!

[@tarahall1025]

Never tried whiskey- six of us coming- want to toast with whiskey on our last night in Edinburgh- where and what should we try? We don't drink- so, just one dram will do...

[@zelda_ray6757]

Thanks for sharing guys! I'd love some tips for travelling by car in Scotland - I'll be doing that for the first time this year (I'm American).

[@scotlanders2612]

Sure thing Rachel we can discuss this in the next installment of the Q&As. Generally it's straightforward outside of the cities (I'd not bother taking cars into cities) and we are very polite drivers! Loads of road trip itineraries on my site in the meantime - here's one that'll suit first time visitors travelswithakilt.com/scotland-road-trip-itinerary/

[@zelda_ray6757]

@@scotlanders2612 Thanks Neil!

[@clemsmith2253]

A Robertson here, looking to book my first trip from the US. Any tips for visiting Perthshire? I think my wife and I would love visiting remote areas by car. We don't like busy things, and would love to stay remote and see old castles, and go for scenic train rides. Realistic?

[@scotlanders2612]

Hi there! Parts of the region are accessible by train from Edinburgh/Glasgow but you'd want to have bikes or a car to do wider exploring. Not a huge number of castles in Perthshire, but there are a few. Elcho, Huntingtower, Blair, Menzies.... And here's a few tips for outdoorsy things: www.travelswithakilt.com/perthshire-scotland-october/

[@kumasenlac5504]

Any tips for visiting Perthshire ? - DO IT ! It has a bit of everything except the sea (and it's really lovely when you go East to the coastal villages between Dundee and Aberdeen).

[@TheHighlander78]

Where r u guys based? Would love to come meet you both. I live in Falkirk and I'm a big fan of u both x

[@steephaniieeeee]

is mid to late october a good time to visit?

[@scotlanders2612]

Yes

[@kumasenlac5504]

In the Highlands, the fall colours (which are gorgeous) start in mid-September.

[@steephaniieeeee]

@@kumasenlac5504 i went in october last year, it was magical :)

[@jasontheworldisyours]

Helpful tips 👍🏿 #JasonTheWorldisYours

[@scotlanders2612]

Happy to help Jason!

[@maxflight777]

Scots are super welcoming.. that’s agreed. It’s odd that the strongest anti-English sentiment was found in Edinburgh not Glasgow ! Glasgow is a happy city where people seem to want to have a playful laugh. (There are some nasty miserable types in Edinburgh)