Salisbury Crags
Get ready for your trip to Scotland with practical answers on everything from weather to Wi-Fi.
Scotland is the most northern country in the UK, in western Europe. We have a population of about 5.5 million (2024).
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city. Home to an iconic castle, centuries of history and beautiful parks and gardens, it is one of the best cities in the world to visit.
8 - Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth, Stirling, and Dunfermline.
All of Scotland’s seasons offer something different:
Spring (March, April, May) – seeing leaves and plants bursting into life, watching newborn animals playing, sitting by a tranquil riverbed at the start of the fishing season, celebrating Whisky Month, Tartan Day, and Easter.
Summer (June, July, August) – strolling in the sunshine, enjoying a luxurious ice cream, having a blast at a festival or a traditional Highland games, cycling through a leafy forest or along the glittering coastline.
Autumn (September, October, November) – walking on carpets of golden leaves, seeing migrating birds flying overhead, celebrating St Andrews Day, or waking up to a shimmering frost.
Winter (December, January, February) – lounging by cosy fires, taking winter walks, playing in the snow, shopping at Christmas fairs, celebrating Christmas, Hogmanay, and Burns Night.
Winter temperatures in Scotland average from about 2 °C to 6 °C, rising to a peak in the summer months of July and August, at around 12 °C to 19 °C. On the whole Scotland boasts a largely temperate, if changeable(!), climate that is rarely extreme on either end on the spectrum.
But that’s not to say you won’t enjoy colder days in the winter, when the mercury dips to freezing and the countryside turns into a winter wonderland, or brilliant days in the summer, when the sun bathes the countryside in light and warmth.
English is the main language, though you’ll hear Scots spoken in many places too. Gaelic (pronounced gah-lick) is also spoken in some parts of Scotland, particularly in the Outer Hebrides where it is used by roughly 60% of the population.
Yes, you are still able to visit Scotland. For more information and advice, please check the UK Government advice for visiting the UK after Brexit.
People travelling to the UK without a visa need to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This gives you permission to travel to the UK and is electronically linked to your passport.
Find out more information to see if you're eligible for the ETA scheme
Yes. Some Scottish destinations have introduced a visitor levy on overnight stays in paid accommodation. The money generated from the levy will be reinvested in services and facilities used by both visitors and residents.
Find out more about the visitor levy charge, how much you might pay, and where in Scotland it applies.
No.
Yes, take a look at our information on restricted products when visiting Scotland from abroad.
Scotland enjoys a constant electricity supply throughout the country (including the Highlands and islands). Power cuts are rare and are usually fixed very quickly.
Most accommodation providers offer WiFi (check before you book though!) as well as many cafés and visitor attractions. You should also be able to access roaming data from your phone (charges vary though so please check with your provider before you visit us).
Your mobile should switch onto a UK network while you’re here, though charges for calls and data vary. Check with your own provider before your holiday.
18 is the legal drinking age in Scotland. Most bars and pubs stay open till midnight while nightclubs will be open longer.
Settle into a luxurious hotel, wake up to a warm welcome at a B&B, curl up in a cosy cottage, breathe in the stillness around a countryside lodge or step straight into the city buzz from a stylish apartment. You’ll find high-quality accommodation across Scotland to suit every taste and budget.
+44.
999.
Dial 111 to speak to the NHS 24 service which provides urgent health advice out of hours.
Scotland uses Type G plugs with a standard UK 230V electricity supply.
Pound Sterling.
Although there isn’t a big tipping culture in Scotland, it is quite common to tip in restaurants or taxis when you receive good service. 10% is a good number to start from.
At various Post Offices across Scotland which offer travel money and foreign exchange services.
Yes, Scotland boasts exceptionally clean tap water that is perfectly safe to drink.
Visitors are advised not to drink water directly from rivers, burns or streams, and to use bottled water or other safe drinking sources such as Scottish Water drinking fountains where available. Tap water in Scotland is safe to drink and water purification tablets may also be used, especially on long-distance walking routes where shops and refill points may be limited or unavailable. Any water taken from natural sources should be boiled before drinking to help prevent illness.
Most shops are open from 9am - 5pm, but some may stay open later and there are many that open at the weekend too.
A minimum of 10p, although many retailers charge more. Shoppers are encouraged to re-use carrier bags.
Read up on mountain safety guidelines and always check the weather conditions before a walk or hike. Before you go, make sure to read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code on how to behave responsibly while enjoying Scotland's great outdoors. Please be wary of ticks while walking in woodland areas and grassy areas, particularly in the Highlands. Visit the NHS Inform website for further information.
Midge bites are completely harmless and are much less severe than mosquito bites. Some people find them irritating, while others are hardly affected. In the summer months, especially in the Highlands and islands, it’s a good idea to use insect repellent to help avoid bites.
Responsible, lightweight camping is permitted in many places under Scotland’s outdoor access rights. Camp in small numbers, stay only briefly, leave no trace and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code; different rules may apply in some managed areas, so check locally before pitching your tent.
Watch quietly from a respectful distance, keep dogs under close control and never feed or disturb wild animals. Take extra care around nests, young animals and sensitive habitats, and leave every place as you found it so Scotland’s wildlife can thrive.
Scotland’s outdoors are made for exploring! Our handy guide has all the essential advice to help keep you safe outdoors and in the elements.
People drive on the left-hand side of the road in Scotland.
You can usually drive in Scotland using a valid driving licence from your home country. However, requirements may vary depending on where your licence was issued.
Scotland has a good public transport network, including trains, buses, and ferries connecting most cities, towns, and islands. Services are generally reliable but can be less frequent in rural and remote areas.
Taxis you see in the street will usually accommodate 4, 5 or 6 people, depending on the size of the taxi, but some taxi firms also offer people carriers and minibuses which can accommodate more people. Booking your taxi in advance is a good way to guarantee you’ll get the size of taxi you need. Your accommodation should be able to assist you.
Hogmanay is Scotland’s world famous New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31. It’s a huge festivity in Scotland with street parties, traditions, and lots of good will to all men and women. Don’t be surprised if you get into friendly conversations with people around you at the bells (midnight) or asked to join an impromptu ceilidh in the street!
Held on 25 January, Burns Night celebrates Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. Expect the stirring sound of bagpipes, a traditional supper of haggis, neeps and tatties, lively recitals of Burns’ poetry and a toast to the haggis.
Celebrated on 30 November, St Andrew’s Day honours Scotland’s patron saint and brings the country’s culture to life with ceilidhs, music, storytelling and festive food. It’s a fantastic time to experience Scottish traditions and a warm welcome.
Once you know which town or city you are visiting, have a look online on local maps to find a nearby venue. Many of our places of worship have their own websites with timings of services and details for visiting.
Ricevi racconti e consigli interessanti da chi conosce meglio la Scozia: gli esperti! Con viaggi indimenticabili, idee per le tue vacanze e destinazioni da non perdere, la tua prossima avventura inizierà nel momento stesso in cui le nostre ispirazioni di viaggio arriveranno nella tua casella di posta.