Your Complete Guide to Solo Travel in Scotland

First things first, you want to feel safe in order to really relax and enjoy your solo trip. As a safe and inclusive nation, solo travel in Scotland is very safe, for women and LGBT+ solo travellers alike. Street harassment and theft are rare, as is the potential for picking up any diseases or infections. And we not only have very friendly and helpful locals, but there’s provision of excellent public services too. Just be sure to apply common sense, such as if you are sampling Scotland’s lively and diverse nightlife.

Some useful information:

• Emergency treatment at NHS hospitals and clinics is free for everyone, regardless of residency status. Read more about health services for visitors.
• Walkhighlands offer great safety advice for the outdoors if you're walking alone rather than in a guided group, as weather in Scotland can be very changeable (all part of Scotland’s unique and photogenic charm of course!).
• You can refer to VisitScotland’s practical information tips for visiting Scotland.

Unique Experiences 

With a thriving hostel scene full of young, international travellers to meet, and plenty of low-cost activities to enjoy, make sure Scotland is on your list of stops! You’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable time here, and plenty of stories to share.

• Read about Scotland’s cities, full of insta-worthy iconic sights and hidden gems.
• Discover some of our very trendy Scottish hostels.
• Experience culinary delights at some of our cool street food markets, such as Platform at the Argyle Street Arches, or try one of our awesome seafood shacks which you can find across the country.
• Scotland has a world-renowned music and festival scene to discover.
• Get the most ‘bang for your buck’ in Scotland with budget getaway ideas – we have plenty of things you can do for free! And learn about fantastic ‘off-season’ experiences you can have here too.
• Try glamping or wild camping in some very epic landscapes.

Getting around

You’ll find that our cities, wild landscapes and islands are all very easy to get to. It certainly helps that Scotland is a small and compact country (but not in spirit and character, of course!).

If you’re not a driver, or just want to sit back and relax rather than worry about navigation and parking, Scottish public transport has got you covered. There are excellent rail networks, bus services, ferries, domestic flights to the northerly islands, and subway or tram networks in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Find out about getting around Scotland, and read our top picks of easy public transport trips to take.

Please note that some public transport providers may have cancelled certain services or routes and may be operating on a reduced schedule. 

If you do like to drive, the completely free road network in Scotland is excellent, with a low incidence of accidents. There are many scenic drives in Scotland to enjoy. Watch our helpful video on driving in Scotland.

Scotland's seasons

Scotland has long summer days which are ideal for getting out and about to take in the many sights. But even during our winters, the Scottish outdoors remain wonderful to explore - and the shorter daylight hours also mean you can enjoy time just relaxing and feeling cosy indoors with no guilt at all!

• Scotland’s nature really comes alive in the spring.
• Get ideas for an amazing summer trip.
• Autumn adventures in Scotland are breath-taking as the leaves change colour.
• Learn why Scotland is so great to visit in winter, with guaranteed snow up in the highlands.

Also check out the best times to see wildlife in Scotland with our Wildlife Calendar.

Here’s some more inspiration for a weekend or short break in Scotland, and ideas for a quirky back-to-nature escape. We also have a very useful map for exploring what you can do and experience across Scotland.

It’s all here just waiting for you! We hope to see you soon.