Overview

Scotland is famous primarily for its spectacular scenery, but it also offers a rich historical and cultural heritage, together with a wide range of activities. The populous central belt is the focus of most economic activity, centred primarily on the major cities, Glasgow and the Scottish capital Edinburgh.

Scotland’s landscape is as varied as it is beautiful. Rugged peaks sweep down to breathtaking lochs, glistening in remote glens like Glen Affric near Inverness and Loch Trool in Galloway. A straggling coastline, with white sandy beaches, sheltered bays and rocky cliffs, looks out to the remote islands in the Atlantic. To the south, the rolling hills of the Borders, lush lowland pastures and extensive woodlands present a softer beauty.

Edinburgh is among the outstanding cities of the world, where the medieval Old Town contrasts with the elegant Georgian New Town. Other towns, notably Glasgow, display a wealth of Victorian architecture. Everywhere you can find ancient castles and houses. Prehistoric forts, stone circles and burial mounds can be explored, particularly at the Neolithic Heart of Orkney, Scotland’s latest UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Scotland’s rich musical heritage has feet tapping to bagpipes, fiddles and accordions. The best Celtic music can be heard at either the Girvan Traditional Folk Festival in May or the Newcastleton Festival in July. While the Edinburgh Festival in August is of course an unmissable event on the calendar.

A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, play golf on the world’s most famous course at St Andrews; go fishing, sailing, diving or join the walkers, cyclists and climbers on the hills, in woodlands and on deserted country lanes.

Finally, at the end of the day, relax with Scotland’s greatest export, a dram of fine malt whisky.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Passport Note

(a) A passport is not required for travel between Great Britain and Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. (b) Passengers transiting the UK destined for the Republic of Ireland are advised to hold return tickets to avoid delay and interrogation.

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to six months.

Visa Note

(a) Nationals not requiring visas are advised to be in possession of either a return ticket or, if arriving on a one-way ticket, proof of sufficient funds to accommodate and support themselves for the duration of stay. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Money

Currency

See the individual Money sections within the Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland sections for information on currency specific to these regions.

Pound (GBP; symbol £) = 100 pence. Notes are in denominations of £50, 20, 10 and 5. Additional bank notes issued by Scottish banks (including £1 notes) are accepted in all parts of the UK, although some smaller shops outside Scotland may prefer English banknotes. Coins are in denominations of £2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence.

Currency Exchange

Money can be exchanged in banks, exchange bureaux, some post offices and many hotels. The exchange bureaux are often open outside banking hours but charge higher commission rates. All major currencies can be exchanged.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted. Cash can be obtained from a multitude of ATMs available across the country.

Traveller's Cheques

Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0930-1630 (there may be some variations in closing times). Some banks are open Saturday morning; some all day Saturday.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Health

Vaccinations

Health Care

If suddenly taken ill or involved in an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available for European travellers - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Comprehensive insurance is advised for all other nationals.

The National Health Service (NHS) provides free medical treatment (at hospitals and general surgeries) to all who are ordinarily resident in the UK, but requires payment for dental treatment, prescriptions and spectacles. Immediate first aid/emergency treatment is free for all visitors, after which charges are made unless the visitor’s country has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Full details of individual agreements are available from the Department of Health (website: www.dh.gov.uk).

Getting There

Getting There by Air

Continental Airlines (website: www.continental.com) flies to Edinburgh and Glasgow from the USA. Delta Airlines flies from the USA to Edinburgh (website: www.delta.com). British Airways (website: www.britishairways.com) flies from England to Edinburgh and Glasgow; other airlines flying between Scotland and European cities include easyJet (website: www.easyjet.com) and bmi (website: www.flybmi.com).

Approximate Flight Times

From New York to Edinburgh is 7 hours 45 minutes, and to Glasgow is 7 hours 40 minutes.

Main Airports

Edinburgh (EDI) (website: www.edinburghairport.com) is 12km (8 miles) west of the city centre. To/from the airport: Lothian Buses (tel: (0131) 555 6363; website: www.lothianbuses.co.uk) runs a bus between the airport and the city centre, and there is a night bus. Taxis are available (journey time - 25 minutes).

Glasgow (GLA) (website: www.glasgowairport.com) is 14km (9 miles) west of the city centre. To/from the airport: Paisley's Gilmour Street station is 3km (2 miles) from the airport. It is easily reached by taxi or bus. All buses depart from outside the main airport terminal. Scottish Citylink (tel: 0870 550 5050; website: www.citylink.co.uk) runs regular services to the city centre and other destinations in Scotland. Taxis are available (journey time - to city centre 20 minutes; to Paisley station 5 minutes).

Facilities: Edinburgh and Glasgow airports are both of a high international standard and include bank/bureaux de change, duty-free shops, car hire, restaurants and bars. 

Aberdeen (ABZ) (website: www.aberdeenairport.com) is 11km (7 miles) northwest of the city centre. To/from the airport: Aberdeen and Inverness trains stop at Dyce station, which is a short taxi ride from the airport. There are frequent bus services from the city centre to the airport. For details, contact First (tel: (01224) 602 200; website: www.firstgroup.com). Stagecoach Bluebird services also run to the airport (tel: (01224) 591 381; website: www.stagecoachbus.com/bluebird). Taxis are available (journey time - to city centre 20 minutes).

Inverness (INV) (website: www.invernessairport.com) is the major airport serving the Highlands, with transfer connections available to airports in the north of Scotland. It is 14km (9 miles) east of the city centre. To/from the airport: Taxis and buses run. Facilities: ATM, bar/restaurant and bookshop.

Departure Tax

None.

Getting There by Water

Main ports: Aberdeen (website: www.aberdeen-harbour.co.uk), Cairnryan (website: www.cairnryanportdevelopment.co.uk), Lerwick (website: www.lerwick-harbour.co.uk), Oban, Rosyth and Stranraer (website: http://stranraer.ports-guides.com).

Routes include P&O Irish Sea ferry service between Cairnryan and Larne (journey time – 1 hour) (tel: 0870 242 4777; website: www.poirishsea.com); and Stena Line’s service between Stranraer and Belfast (journey time – 1 hour 45 minutes) (tel: 0870 570 7070; website: www.stenaline.com).

Smyril Lines (website: www.smyril-line.com) runs a service between Hanstholm (Denmark) and Lerwick, continuing to the Faroe Islands and Iceland. The ferry goes via Bergen (Norway) in the summer. Superfast Ferries (tel: 0870 234 0870; website: www.superfast.com) operates services between Rosyth (just outside Edinburgh) and Zeebrugge (Belgium).

Getting There by Rail

There are two mainline routes into Scotland from England: from London Euston up the west coast to Glasgow Central and beyond to Perth and Inverness; and from London Kings Cross up the east coast to Edinburgh and beyond to Dundee and Aberdeen. For details, contact National Rail Enquiries (tel: 0845 748 4950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk).

Getting There by Road

Scotland is connected to the main UK road network by good trunk roads, and has several internal motorways. Main access from England is via the A74/M74 (Carlisle to Glasgow), the A696/A68 (Newcastle to Edinburgh via the Cheviots) and the A1 (Newcastle to Edinburgh via the coast).

Climate

Scotland is generally colder than the rest of the UK, especially in the more northerly regions. The west tends to be wetter and warmer than the cool, dry east. In upland areas, snow is common in winter, and fog and mist may occur at any time of year.

Required Clothing

Similar to the rest of the UK, according to season. Waterproofing advised throughout the year and warm clothing for the Highlands.

Contacts

VisitScotland

Fairways Business Park, Deer Park Avenue, Livingston EH54 8AF, UK
Tel: 0845 225 5121, in the UK only, or (01506) 832 121.
Website: www.visitscotland.com