Things to know before traveling to Scotland

Weather

"Four seasons in a day" is the type of weather travelers should be aware of when planning a trip to Scotland. The further east you go, the colder and drier the weather becomes, but it's impossible to predict what might happen. A helpful tip is to prepare for all possible weather conditions during your trip.

Winter in Scotland.Photo: wallpaper.

Flies

Flies are most prevalent in the summer on the west coast and highlands of Scotland, which is also when Scotland is most touristy. They are most active at dusk, so be sure to cover yourself as much as possible.

Scots, British, but definitely not English.

If you hope to make friends with the locals, absolutely remember not to call them English. Like Canadians and Americans, Scots and English share a border, so they are often confused. "British" refers to all citizens of the United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), and this is an acceptable alternative in Scotland.

Scotland in autumn.Photo: photosecosse.

Should you make a reservation in advance?

You can only easily change your itinerary at will or due to weather conditions outside of peak tourist season (June-August). Especially if you want to attend Edinburgh Festivals, you need to book everything as early as possible.

Glasgow or Edinburgh?

Of course, you should visit both. Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is often rated much higher than Glasgow. However, each city has its own unique beauty and offers visitors opportunities to experience different lifestyles, cultures, and customs. Therefore, it would be a shame to choose only to visit one of these two cities.

Scotland in summer.Photo: visitgow.

What other parts of Scotland are there?

Scotland may seem relatively small on the map, but don't try to see everything. You could easily travel from the northernmost point to the English border in just seven hours, but focusing on a few specific locations will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of Scotland and, of course, feel more relaxed during your holiday.

The Thanh