Travel in Scotland without a car is certainly do-able, but you need to make sure you know your public transport options, where you'll be heading to each day and how long you can expect to take to get there.
Here are 10 tips for driving in Scotland.
- Be Ready to Drive on the Wrong Side of the Road.
- Use the Correct Fuel.
- Prepare for Weather.
- Watch Out for Animals.
- Brake for Photos.
- Don't Drink and Drive.
- Follow the Malt Whisky Trail.
- Discover the Castle Trail.
Car rental prices in Scotland
| Mini | $14/day |
|---|
| Standard | $24/day |
| Supplier choice | $25/day |
| Compact SUV | $26/day |
| Compact station wagon | $27/day |
I have based this article on a
two week trip to Scotland (14 days and 13 nights). Please note that this guide is based on the
costs for a single person.
How Much Does it Cost to go to Scotland?
| Estimated cost |
|---|
| Airfare | $630 |
| Accommodations | $1,625 |
| Local transportation | $200 |
| Food and drink | $518 |
Many of Scotland's roads aren't conducive to speeding so you should always drive sensibly. In Scotland traffic lights follow the same system as in England and much of Europe with a green to amber to red for stopping then red to red and amber then green for go. You cannot turn on a red light unless indicated otherwise.
The best time to visit Scotland is during spring (late March to May) and fall (September to November). Temperatures are warmer by spring, with averages of 43°F-59°F, although there will still be snow in the mountains of the Highlands and the Cairngorms.
Edinburgh and Glasgow have the highest rates of crime in the country due to gang-related activities. As you would in any large city, use your street smarts.
Things NOT to do on your first visit
- Mispronouncing place names.
- Not bringing a raincoat.
- Not using the buses.
- Ordering a single malt whiskey with ice.
- Underestimating the long summer days.
- Only hitting the tourist bars.
- Trying to fake a Scottish accent.
- Rubbing the nose of Greyfriars Bobby.
From deadly snakes and crocodiles, to lions, leopards, bears and even an elephant, a new survey has revealed that nearly 5000 dangerous wild animals are being privately kept right here in Britain.
- Don't buy the Scotland tourist outfit.
- Don't take shots of whisky.
- Don't be dumbstruck on the sidewalk.
- Don't overwhelm the Highlands and islands.
- Don't claim to be Scottish.
- Don't go to Loch Ness.
- Don't complain about bad weather.
- Now you know the common tourist mistakes in Scotland, are you ready to be invisible?
You can apply for nationality if both or one of your parents qualify for a Scottish passport. Naturalization is also an option available to migrants who have lived in Scotland for at least 10 years. If you meet the requirements under Scottish immigration law, you will qualify for Scottish citizenship.
Here's a list of some of the best places to see this marvel:
- Shetland, Orkney and Caithness (eg.
- Aberdeenshire and the Moray Coast (eg.
- Lewis, Harris and the most northerly tip of Skye.
- The far north west of Scotland (eg.
- The Cairngorms.
- Galloway Forest Park – the only Dark Sky Park in Scotland!
Our only native snake is Scotland's sole venomous reptile. But the adder is a timid creature and unlikely to bite unless threatened. Most bites happen when people try to handle adders.
While Ireland's nature is incredibly beautiful, Scotland's is just slightly more stunning and more varied. However, if you're choosing between visiting Ireland or Scotland and consider yourself a foodie, then Ireland might be the better choice for you.
Seven areas in Glasgow are also persistently among the most deprived, including Parkhead West and Barrowfield, Barlanark, Central Easterhouse, Dalmarnock, Govan and Linthouse, Keppochhill and Wyndford.
Scotland's drink drive limitsThe current limits are: 22 mcg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath (the 'breath limit') 50 mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood (the 'blood limit') 67 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of urine (the 'urine limit')
Scottish speed limitsSingle carriageways: 60 mph (97 km/hr) Motorways and dual carriageways: 70 mph (113 km/hr)
Driving to Scotland from LondonIt is around a 400-mile drive between the two capital cities, London and Edinburgh, which could take as little as seven hours. Most journeys from London to Edinburgh are likely to take between 7 and 10 hours in the car.
Most people are right-handed, so by driving on the left, that'd place their stronger hand in the best position to greet those coming the other way, or whack them with a sword, as seemed most appropriate. That puts the right eye, which tends to be stronger, in a better position to see oncoming traffic.
As most people are right-handed, the driver would sit to the right of the seat so his whip hand was free. Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. Today, only 35% of countries drive on the left.
As you can see, most former British colonies, with some exceptions, drive on the left side of the road, whereas the United States of America, Latin American countries and European countries drive on the right.
Left-hand driving was made mandatory in Britain in 1835. Countries which were part of the British Empire followed suit. This is why to this very day, India, Australasia and the former British colonies in Africa go left. It wasn't until Napoleon conquered the Netherlands that the Dutch started driving on the right.
Many
countries that practice
right-
hand driving are former (or current) British colonies.
Still, there are some countries that want to maintain their right-hand driving tradition -- particularly the U.K. Other countries that also practice it include:
- Thailand.
- South Africa.
- Singapore.
- New Zealand.
- Malta.
- Malaysia.
- Kenya.
- Japan.
Manual Transmission. This is personal preference. However, automatic transmission cars always cost more and there are generally fewer of them in any given agency's fleet. The good news is that most of Scotland's roads are not busy, which provides you the time and breathing room to get accustomed to driving a manual.
However, be aware that hiring in one country and dropping off in another will incur signficant additional costs, as the rental company will have to repatriate the car. The car you hire in Ireland cannot be rehired again in Scotland - it will have to be brought back to Ireland before it can be offered for hire again.
Cheap car rentals in Edinburgh
| $16/day | Economy |
|---|
| $40/day | Passenger van |
| $48/day | Luxury |
| $49/day | Pickup truck |
| $21/day | Intermediate SUV |
What is the Scottish Highlands Most Famous For?
- Loch Ness.
- Take the West Highland Line across the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
- Eilean Donan Castle.
- Inverness.
- Ben Nevis.
- River Lochy Falls.
- Isle of Skye.
- Glencoe.
Hiring a car in Edinburgh is as unnecessary as it is in London. The cost of car hire, parking and fuel will put a substantial dent in your budget, and there is no need to use a car to sightsee in either of those city centres. is the place to start for transport in Edinburgh.
Very comprehensive coverage of the city & pretty regular, too. You don't need a car in Edinburgh and honestly you'll miss so much of the feel of the place if you try to drive around. It's a tiny city! You can walk almost anywhere you'll need to go (within the centre - where everything is) in 30 mins or less.
