Scotland Travel Suggestions

[JBR]

Hit St. Andrews on a Sunday if possible. There’s no golf on the Old Course and the public is allowed to walk the course for free. It’s a must if you’re not playing it. We are finishing our trip through the UK tomorrow and walked the course yesterday.. and even found a handful of balls strolling through the rough. You won’t regret it.

+1 on the Anstruther fish and chips. Order take away and enjoy on a bench by the water. Get a guided tour of the Edinburgh Castle. John was our guide with EDI tours. Small group and he was great.

[McG]

Also being from there and being back from a recent trip…

I’m recommending that you read the book “how Scots invented the modern world” by Arthur Herman. That will give plenty of context for what you’re going to see.

I think that everyone has posted great things to see and do. I’ll add a few things that I haven’t seen mentioned here.

My first thought is to book as much as you can in advance, especially some of the more touristy spots. Edinburgh castle and holyrood palace are at opposite ends of the royal mile.

I recommend that in Edinburgh you consider a ghost tour, and if Harry Potter is a thing, book one of those tours too. The Scottish National museum was great too.

Check out the Mackenzie poltergeist in greyfriars cemetery, and if you’re up for it, the entity tour.

One thing that we did last time in Edinburgh was https://tartanbiketours.co.uk/ sea to sky tour on e-bikes. That will depend upon the age of your travelling group. Next time that we are back, I will do a longer bike tour with Johannes (owner of tartan bikes).

On the Jacobite express, the one that goes over the glenfinnan viaduct (from Harry Potter), it is often booked out for years. Scottish rail runs regular trains from Glasgow to Mallaig which takes exactly the same route. It’s one of the top train routes in the world for scenery and it can be a full day. If you’re into that sort of thing.

You might want to go to a football match but be sure of who you are watching and if you’re in the home or away end.

I personally like the open top buses to see things, but that’s mostly to get my bearings the first time I’m in a new city.

Parking is at a premium in Edinburgh old town. If you’re driving, although I drive standard there, it’s almost worth the premium for an automatic if you haven’t done right hand drive before. Learn about how to properly drive a roundabout. Yellow lights operate on a different cycle than North America (yellow before it turns green) which helps if you drive standard.

Get a euro sim for all family members. You can use airolo or similar, or just buy physical sims from Amazon before you go. People use what’sapp a lot.

Also check out concerts as sometimes you can get tickets to groups that you might not get to see here.

Hopefully that’s enough stuff just a bit different from what everyone else said…which was great.

You will want English pounds (standard pound sterling) in your wallet. Spend your Scottish pounds when you are in Scotland. Both English and Scottish pounds get used in Scotland, but Scottish pounds are not widely accepted in England and Canadian banks charge a premium to convert, if they convert them at all.

Try Irn-bru. A great place to get food is Gregg’s or a local bakery; pasty’s and sausage rolls etc. they even make vegetarian ones!

Ps it can be expensive. Wear Canada pins.

[Fuzz]

Oh ya, the Ediniburgh ghost tour is worth doing, more of a kitschy history than a ghost thing. Pretty cool under the bridges and the stories are fun.

[kipperiggy]

I lived in Edinburgh for two years pre-pandemic and I miss it very much! I travelled to many European cities in my time abroad and Edinburgh is still probably my favourite.

Are you going to be there for the tail end of Fringe? When you take in free shows make sure to leave them a couple of pounds anyway as that's how they make their money. Tattoo is probably sold out but doesn't hurt to try and find tickets. The city is very busy during Fringe (population more than doubles with all of the tourists and performers).

https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/ I enjoyed this tour and I seem to recall we had some scotch in the tasting room after the tour. I think we did the Gold tour so it may have changed since then.

I think I went too early in the season to enjoy Skye to its fullest. Agree that you don't have time to do both but I have never been to Iverness so can't recommend one over the other.

Not sure if you have rented a car in the UK or Ireland before but the roads will be narrower than you are used to and winding. Most vehicles are standard so need to specifically request an automatic.

Air conditioning isn't common but not really needed.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Oh ya, the Ediniburgh ghost tour is worth doing, more of a kitschy history than a ghost thing. Pretty cool under the bridges and the stories are fun.

Yeah the City of the Dead tour is the classic one, I've done it at least twice. Pretty fun!

Edinburgh is a great city as a tourist. I'd say Glasgow and Aberdeen are fun too, but mainly if you know someone there who can take you out. I've had great nights out in both cities but that's because I tagged along with a local friend.

I really enjoyed the smaller towns like Elgin (noticed someone mentioned the Glen Moray distillery tour). There's so many little spots to discover seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Go to Culloden for sure.

As with everywhere in the UK, I recommend getting an Ordinance Survey map and just set off rambling through the countryside on the public rights of way with map in hand. One of my favourite pastimes on Earth. The maps mark out the country pubs along the way too

[kipperiggy]

Originally Posted by icarus

Yeah the City of the Dead tour is the classic one, I've done it at least twice. Pretty fun!

Edinburgh is a great city as a tourist. I'd say Glasgow and Aberdeen are fun too, but mainly if you know someone there who can take you out. I've had great nights out in both cities but that's because I tagged along with a local friend.

I really enjoyed the smaller towns like Elgin (noticed someone mentioned the Glen Moray distillery tour). There's so many little spots to discover seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Go to Culloden for sure.

As with everywhere in the UK, I recommend getting an Ordinance Survey map and just set off rambling through the countryside on the public rights of way with map in hand. One of my favourite pastimes on Earth. The maps mark out the country pubs along the way too

Yes I forgot to mention this. Many of my friends said Glasgow was better for restaurants or for a night out but that's only if you know where to go!