21 Things to Know Before Visiting Scotland

With everything from dramatic history to spectacular landscapes, Scotland is bound to enchant you. It certainly did that to us!

We want you to visit Scotland and have a great trip. We also want to help you make a good impression and avoid embarrassing yourself. So here are some interesting facts and things you should know before visiting Scotland for the first time.

1. Scotland has its own distinct culture

Scotland is not part of England, but a separate nation with its own heritage, history and culture. So when visiting Scotland, avoid making any generalizations that group the Scottish with the English. Likewise, never call a Scottish person “English.” It’s insulting and shows your ignorance.

Scotland united with England in 1707. Before then, Great Britain didn’t exist.

ⓘ TIP: In 2014, Scotland held a referendum on whether it should secede from Great Britain and become an independent country again. They voted to stay in the United Kingdom, but the result was close. This is a sensitive topic, and one that should be avoided at all costs.

2. There’s a difference between Scotch and Scottish

People from Scotland are Scots (noun) or Scottish (adjective) Use the word Scotch when you’re talking about things that are of Scottish origin, like Scotch tape and Scotch whisky.

3. The Scottish speak English, but you’ll have to get used to it

Don’t be shocked if you can’t understand them the first time. They have a thick accent and use unique phrases, and they know it. If you can’t grasp what they’ve just said, most will be happy to slow down and repeat it.

But the Scottish might think you talk funny, too:

• Scotland’s capital is Edinburgh. Don’t pronounce it as Ed-in-burg or Ed-in-bor-row. Scots pronounce it as Ed-in-burr-a … or maybe Ed-in-bra.
• The main shopping street is Princes Street. It’s named after the royal sons, so don’t call it Princess Street.

While you’re visiting Scotland, you’ll hear words like aye (yes), nae (no), wee (little) and loch (lake). Here, Ben and glen are not men’s names; they mean mountain and valley, respectively.

4. You should talk to the locals

Be polite. If you meet someone’s eye in passing, say “hello” and smile. (A common response is, “aye.”)

If you want to strike up a conversation with a local a good way to start is to make some casual observation about the weather. e.g. “sunny today isn’t it?”, “shame about the rain”.

If you’re invited to someone’s house, bring something as a gift. This can be a bottle of whiskey.

5. Stand your round at the pub

There’s no table service at pubs; you order food at the bar. You also pay for drinks when you order them.

If someone offers to buy you a drink, it’s courtesy to accept. It’s also customary to buy a round in return (stand your round), and everyone is expected to take part. The next round should always be bought before the previous round is finished.

6. Scots prefer to avoid arguments

As one person put it, no matter how much you’ve had to drink, avoid talking football, politics, or religion. If you do, you may end up in a passionate argument with some of the most opinionated people on the planet.

Please keep your volume down. Talking too loudly in public is considered offensive and embarrassing. Besides, no one needs to hear your conversation.

7. Scots like to queue

Whether ordering drinks or at a shop, it’s considered extremely rude to barge to the front of a line for faster service. Scots are very respectful when standing in lines, so please wait your turn.

They also try to avoid any “small talk” while waiting, so as not to disturb others.

8. No one cares about your Scottish ancestry

Similarly, no one cares about your pedigree. If you can trace your family heritage to Scotland, join the club. There are millions like you, and no one is going to be impressed.

9. Most people don’t wear kilts.

While it’s not unusual to see someone dressed in a kilt in Edinburgh, Scottish people generally save their kilts for special occasions, such as weddings or ceilidhs.

10. Bagpipers deserve a tip

It takes a lot of practice and skill to become a talented bagpiper. If you see a bagpiper on the street and stop to enjoy his music or take a photo, show your appreciation by leaving a tip.

Street performers earn their living by … well, performing. Think of it this way: How would you feel if you spent a whole day working and someone decided not to pay you?

11. JK Rowling did not write Harry Potter in the Elephant House

Elephant House advertises itself as “the Birthplace of Harry Potter,” but the truth is that JK Rowling visited several cafes when writing Harry Potter. Logically, it is far more likely that she spent more time around the corner at Nicolson’s Cafe, which was owned by her brother-in-law until it closed down.

The spot you’re looking for is now called Spoon Cafe Bistro. You’re welcome.

12. Not all souvenirs are “the real deal”

Beware of fakes along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and elsewhere. Avoid shops displaying Loch Ness monster statues, “I love Scotland” t-shirts, or “souvenir of Scotland” boxes of shortbread. Also steer clear if you hear bagpipe music blaring out onto the street. Most of the stuff in these shops is likely made in China.

You’re more apt to find quality items that were actually made in Scotland at smaller places that are off the high rent, tourist track.

13. Avoid August in Edinburgh

Every August people flock to Edinburgh for its many arts and cultural festivals, such as Edinburgh Festival Fringe. For a full month, the city streets, cafés, and hotels overflow as thousands of tourists descend for a month full of theater, comedy, and music.

Tip: Hotels are in high demand and prices are particularly high in August. If you just want to visit tourist sites, choose a different month or consider staying in Glasgow. Trains run regularly and the trip is only one hour long.

14. Haggis tastes good.

If you’ve never sampled this Scottish delicacy, then you’re in for a real treat! Haggis usually comes with “neeps and tatties” as a side dish (a.k.a. mashed turnips and mashed potatoes).

Think of it as a type of sausage: a mixture of onion, oatmeal, sheep’s pluck (innards) and spices, all stuffed inside a skin casing and fried.

And please don’t let the thought of eating organ meat intimidate you, because you’ve already done it. After all, what do you think they put in hot dogs and sausages?

Tip: If you’re in Edinburgh, Scottish food tours like this one will guide you to the best haggis in town. If you’re elsewhere in the world, you can try haggis on Burns Night (January 25^th). Many places hold this celebration in honor of Scottish author and poet Robert Burns.

15. Scots leave a tip … sometimes.

Tipping is not mandatory in Scotland and Scots wouldn’t dream of tipping at a pub. That said, it’s customary to tip 10% in restaurants.

Tour guides and hotel staff appreciate gratuities. These are tourist services and it is often expected.

16. William Wallace is a national hero.

William Wallace led his countrymen to fight for Scottish independence until he was convicted of treason in London and sadistically executed. However, he didn’t look like Mel Gibson and he was never called Braveheart.

17. The midges are a nightmare.

Midges, or “midgies,” as the Scots call them, can be a real nuisance, especially in the Highlands. Americans call these tiny biting flies “no-see-ums” for a reason. A cloud of them will appear anytime the wind drops below 5 mph, so carry some insect repellent with you during midge season. In severe cases, you may even need a head net!

18. If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.

Scotland has incredibly changeable weather. The Scots like to say that you can experience all four seasons in one day. Brilliant sunshine can turn into torrential rain in a matter of moments, and balmy temperatures can quickly turn frigid.

Prepare yourself by dressing in layers – even in summer. You may want to carry a raincoat and wear waterproof shoes. And forget about umbrellas if it’s windy. Useless.

Tip: If you plan to hike, bring proper hiking equipment, including a map. And only go as far as you can safely navigate back.

19. Some areas take their Sabbath seriously.

In some parts of Scotland, such as the western isles, you won’t find a Sunday paper or an open shop anywhere. Tourist places may be open, such as hotels and bars, but some places may have reduced hours.

20. You’ll need exact change for buses

Most buses in Edinburgh don’t give change. If you don’t have the correct fare ready, you are going to lose a few pence. You’ll find the bus fares displayed at most bus stops.

21. Scotland offers a public transportation pass

If you plan to use public transportation to travel around Scotland, take a look at the ScotRail Travel Pass. The pass covers most trains, buses and ferries, and allows for multiple travel days.

Autumn is the best time to visit Scotland, when the heather is blooming and the kids are back at school.

Whether you’re in Scotland for city culture or outdoor activities in the highlands, we’re sure you’ll make even more discoveries. So if you have other Scotland travel tips, please share them in the comments.

Planning resources

Here are some useful links to help you plan your own trip.

• Tourism authority: Scotland’s tourism website has many useful trip planning resources.
• The code for Scotland’s international airport is EDI.
• Airport to hotel. Taxis are available, as is Uber. Another option is to book a private limousine service. They will greet you with a sign in the airport, help with your luggage, and escort you to your hotel.
• Visas. Project Visa is an easy-to-use tool that will tell you if you are eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA).
• We use xe.com to calculate currency exchange values.
• Travel insurance. You’d be surprised at how cheap it is and how much it covers. Trust us, when an airline misplaces your suitcase for a week, you’ll be glad you have it. Learn more here.

Read more

Online

• Scotland is Now

On Amazon

• How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe’s Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in It
• Scottish Miscellany: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Scotland the Brave
• Outlander’s Scotland
• Rick Steves Scotland

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