Mistakes Tourists Make in Scotland
Heading to the Isle of Skye or Edinburgh or Aberdeen and not sure what to expect in Scotland? Well we have put together a list of the best or worst travel mistakes that tourists make when they visit Scotland. You may see Nessie at Loch Ness, but don't spend all your vacation there! From missing out on Haggis to trying to understand the Highland accent there are a few fun and not so fun mistakes tourists make in Scotland. Honest travel advice on visiting Scotland.
Filmed in Scotland on the Shetland Islands
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If your coming to scotland please dont just go to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Go to inverness, Fort William, Pitlochry, Avimore. All beautiful Scottish highland towns. You wont regret it.if your worried about driving take the train around. Scotlands rail network is pretty good.
by US standards, the UK rail system is phenomenal.
But avoid Dundee!
@@david-stewart I've got friends near dundee, so that is our natural base of operations. amusingly, I live a short drive from another dundee.
@@david-stewart I went to Dundee and had no issues.
Include a trip to the Borders - lovely countryside - take a bus or at worst a train. When my parents came to visit, I included West Highland Line but then the line from Kyle of Lochalsh back to Inverness. And chose a train from Inverness to Edinburgh that went by way of Aberdeen - my dad really was impressed with all of the cattle in those fields. There are so many parts of Scotland that are truly scenic, not just the big cities.
As an American who chose to move to Scotland to live in, the biggest mistake I saw being made is - travel as merely ticking off a list of places. I pointed this out to other Americans - 'don't think you will have seen what it is truly like if you are in a rush to get to some place next on a list - sit a while, let it soak into you'. And one of the good bits of advice a Scottish friend made to me about taking the train - be available to those sitting around you for conversation - don't plug in your headphonens like you are not a fellow traveller - I was complimented once on a bus in Donegal by a local for being on my own and thus open to meeting locals and having conversations. There are so many positives to Scotland but one of those is - your fellow human beings are there to interact with - I love having conversations with complete strangers, not just about the weather but about anything and everything. It proves - we are all Jock Tamson's Bairns.
Also if you take enough saturday trains you'll inevitably be introduced to that glorious train sing song usually started by a group of travelling rugby or football fans but adds a real sense of camaraderie to the train journey 😁
Last year I went on my own for 5 weeks & was 100% tuned in...spent half the time between a couple locations in the highlands & the other half split between Edinburgh & Glasgow...I for sure agree that your trip is not complete, just seeing Edinburgh. It stole my heart.
Surely Donegal is in ireland?
@@thefxautopilot You're not wrong.
"we are all Jock Tamson's Bairns" - never a truer saying, my friend. Russia should be forced to remember that they share a patron saint with Scotland...St Andrews, which comes with that mandated 'we are all Jock Tamson's Bairns' !
As a Scotsman living in Clydebank, mistake number 11 - spelling Scotland and Scots with two T's 😎
But Sir Walter Scott (and the Scott monument) does have 2. Of course his last name isn't related to the country, but I'm guessing some people have made that mistake (particularly with the monument)
@@LiqdPT Scott is a forename and a surname, it's not related to the country or.the people. Maybe a confusion with the word "Scottish" but Scots has only one, the country likewise
@@zeinno that's what I said. I explicitly said there was no relation. But when people hear the "Scott Monument", they might think it's a momument for Scots, not for Sir Walter Scott.
Twice, at least.
A bankie pulling you up for your spelling, that's when you know you F'd up.
American living in Scotland for one year. My advice for visitors: 1. Unless you're on a tour that covers both, you don't need to fit in both Skye and Glencoe. Choose one or the other. 2. Don't miss your chance to try and enjoy haggis. People who say they'd never eat haggis are probably the first in line when the McRib becomes available. 3. If someone has asked you to bring a bottle of whisky as a souvenir, don't waste your luggage weight allowance unless you're bringing something special for someone with discriminating taste. Anyone else should get something from the duty-free, or the grocery store when you get back and they'll never know the difference.
Bit confused by your second point. Glencoe is on the way to Skye, or a very short detour... would be absolutely mental not to go through it. Take the A82 which takes you through Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, Glencoe, and Fort William where you can see Ben Nevis.
@@xereetothe second point is about haggis
The only thing preventing me from trying haggis is that I can’t eat onions. Yeah, it’s a drag. On the good side, is that we’ll be returning to Scotland in late summer in 24.
@@taraoakes6674 If onions are a medical problem - ok. Otherwise: the mass is very much mixed and seasoned so you don't see the details anymore. I don't like some of the ingredients and wouldn't eat them on their own, but haggis is good.
@@reinhard8053 We saw plenty of haggis when we were last in Scotland, and I did want to try it, just to say I did. Yeah, onions just do not agree with me, and I would have hated to have had extreme indigestion for a day or two on our vacation. I have tried all manner of meats over my travels, like just in Australia I had kangaroo and emu.
Adding a few thoughts as a native-born Scot: 1) You say that the accent gets harder the further north you go. You might find the form of English spoken in the Western Isles (heavily influenced by Gaelic) easier on the ear than say Glaswegian English (yes I'm Glaswegian). 2) Re kilts. if you really do need one, ask at the hire shops if they're selling off ex-hire ones. You'll get a kilt that will be in reasonably good condition for a lower price than a split-new one. 3) Yes we love winding up our English neighbours (especially when we play them at soccer or rugby). But only a tiny minority of idiots 'hate' the English. Some of us thought 'Braveheart' was a load of nonsense. 4) Don't go anywhere near Skye in the summer if you haven't booked accommodation ahead. Speaking from experience ... Thanks for coming to Scotland Mark. Haste ye back !
I went to Skye in the summer with no accommodation. My secret? A tent! Right to roam all the way :D
Yes, I don't think it's quite true the Scottish accents get more incomprehensible as you go north. I'd say Glaswegian, Midland Valley, Ayrshire, Dundee and Aberdonian Scots can be pretty strong, especially more working class areas, but some of the Highland areas are pretty softly spoken by comparison especially Inverness and points north. The West Coast and Hebrides Scottish English has an influence from the Scots Gaelic sounds, and is soft and lilting as a result. The Northern Isles have a Viking influence and the accent is soft and rather different from mainland Scottish dialects. Interestingly Edinburgh has such clear enunciation that it's popular as a location for UK call centres.
Plus 5) must hero worship Pakistani immigrants, follow the Pakistani for he is your leader
You like us english hey see you after
I totally agree that the further you go away from the Lowlands, the easier to listen to becomes the English (what did I just write? Never mind! Not my first language). It was comprehensible in Edinburgh, quite easy to understand, actually, but it was clearly a different English elsewhere in the Dundee-Aberdeen kind of location, and scared the hell out of us in Glasgow. Later, Mallaig and places around, not too far up, it was the most beautiful English it has been my pleasure to hear.
Massive mistake in Scotland for Americans; telling Scottish people that you're Scottish because your great grandmother's first cousins sisters nephew's great uncles granddad's fifth cousins nephews aunties dog was Scottish
Probably the most popular food in Scotland is curry. In fact 2 dishes Chicken Tikka Masala and Chicken Chasni were invented in Glasgow. Scots (and Brits in general) have really embraced Indian cuisine and made it our own.
Yes, most people think that yellow curry chicken comes from India, but it's actually from Scotland!
And lamb vindaloo!
I live in Glasgow, Scotland and it’s not true to say the accent gets stronger the further north you go. The accents vary slightly across the country and can depend on socio-economic matters. But plenty people in the north speak very clearly.
At my son's wedding recently, his bride is from Scotland and her dad and uncles who live in Scotland all wore their kilts.... very cool indeed!!
I'd add a couple of things: 1) Scotland has 'right to roam' laws, which means you can go almost anywhere you like in the countryside with just a few sensible restrictions (e.g. stay out of people's gardens, don't damage crops). If you're able to, make use of those laws and get out and explore! 2) Don't go up Ben Nevis, or any other big hills, in flip-flops. Mountain Rescue won't appreciate it. Also, no there isn't a cafe and gift shop at the top (that's Eryri, a.k.a. Snowdown, in Wales).
You don't have to rent a car to see Scotland, there are many organized bus tours with excellent guides who will know the best places to take you. You'll be able to sit back and enjoy the scenery without worrying about driving. There's also a really good public transport system in Scotland, and there's lots you can see and do without renting a car.
Thanks so much for bringing up the public transportation options too. That aspect is so ignored by most, abd hard to come across information on that. It’s a very valid option for many. Is there transportation for somewhat remote, off the beaten (/wilder) locations too or mostly major cities? Also, is it relatively easy to visit for a long stay in a few places (2-3) with luggage (eg. perhaps one suitcase and a carryon)?
What's more, there's a £49 pass for 3 days of unlimited travel on the Scottish Citylink coach network, which have a great amount of regular services between a great variety of towns and cities across Scotland. Many long-distance routes are frequent enough that you can hop off anywhere in-between (such as hopping off at Stirling or Dundee on your way to Aberdeen) to explore a bit, before getting the next coach onwards an hour or two later.
Calling the country 'Skatland' instead of 'Scotland' would be appreciated. 😊
Dont go with caledonian travel their crap and I dont know any others that are any good I've been on a few of them and there all crap
@@richarddye9170do you mean the other way about
We started in Edinburgh, but drove around to St. Andrews, Dundee, Inverness and Culloden, Kyle and all over the Isle of Skye, down through Glencoe to fly out of Glasgow. The small villages and towns were our favorite part. We adored the people, shops and sights. EXPLORE! You will not regret it.
As someone who went on a solo road trip for two weeks, I would also add: PUBLIC RESTROOMS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN! Also, as Americans we are used to gas station bathrooms - they are not for public use, employee use only. Be careful with this as you're traveling. Also, Scotland is quite small compared to most US states, so you can see quite a lot of the country in a shorter amount of time.
Scotland is not small you didn't go the islands of Scotland and there's about 100 of them and you think Scotland small some of the islands are nearer Norway than Scotland
Petrol Station toilets tend to be for customers only in a lot of places, but if you ask nicely enough, they'll let you use them. I can only imagine you approached with the wrong attitude if they told you the toilets were for staff only. Also, yes, Scotland is a small nation, but there's a lot to see within that space. Tourists often make the mistake you made, thinking 2 weeks is enough to see a lot. You've seen barely anything in 2 weeks, mate. Trust me. You could spend 2 weeks exploring Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling(exclusively those 3 cities) and miss out on a shed load of things in the surrounding area. Then you have the Islands, which would take more than a fortnight to explore, the Highlands too, you could spend a month in the Highlands and still not see everything. You have barely left a scratch on your fortnight adventure.
We were running into the same problem - then we asked and learned about "public" toilets. These are as described - usually with parking right next to the facility. We ended up using public toilets in several of the small towns as we traveled northern Scotland. Really had no idea that they existed.
Oh, lordy. So what does one do about a bathroom??😢😮😅
@@a.humphries8678 You ask nicely if you can use them. It's that simple. I don't know what this person did, but they must've annoyed the staff at the petrol station, because the toilets are not for staff only. In many places, they state the toilets are for customers only, so, you either make a purchase, so you are then a customer, or you simply ask if you may use them, and you'll 99 times out of 100 be given permission to do so. The simple fact is, though, that you may either need to hold it in for a while, or, if you're that desperate, find a quiet spot to pull over by the side of the road and go for it.
A bit of advice, most Scottish people aren’t speaking English (and I say this as someone who is Scots born and bred) they are likely speaking Scots or Doric both of which have the same origins as English but have some different words and pronunciation of letters. I.E a Scottish person saying home will often say hame instead and some instead of saying “be quiet” might say “hud yer whesht” but along side these pronunciation, word and phrasal changes, you will hear words that are perfectly recognisable as English. The vast majority of Scots will automatically adjust how they speak as soon as they realise that you aren’t from the UK though and most will adjust if they realise that you’re not Scottish. Oh and we know that not every language has the sound that we have that is represented by ch and is the sound at the end of the word Loch so we do not expect that sound to be made correctly and appreciate when it is BUT you will pretty much be expected to say Edinburgh, Glasgow and Lomond correctly if you’re from an English speaking country. Accepted pronunciations are Ed-in-bruh, Glaz-go and Low-mnd. Most of all though, be friendly and not too loud. Don’t be afraid to ask anyone for help or directions, the Scots are a friendly welcoming nation on the whole and if they’re able to help they will. Be respectful of the country, don’t expect things to be the same as they are back home because they’re not and please don’t say you’re Scottish unless you were born there or brought up there or live there full time. Claiming Scottish heritage is loved and can be a great conversation starter but if you’re breathing Scottish air for the first time and you’re not a newborn, you’re not Scottish and it can irritate some people if you claim that you are…especially if you try and tell them what Scotland and Scottish culture is like. Discuss your experiences but don’t claim better knowledge than the locals. If you’re a Trump voting person from the US, best not to think that’ll endear you to the Scots, he’s not a particularly popular character…and not just about his politics. Speaking of politics, Scotland on the whole is a mix of Democratic Socialism for government but with a liberal dusting of conservative values and very welcoming to all.
Americans heed this advice here! Spot on. I would also like to add.. don't call us Scotch... that's whisky😂
@@jmillar71110or eggs (even though they're English). As a Canadian/American, in general I THINK Scotch is ok for things, and Scot (or Scottish) for people.
@@LiqdPT as a Scot, the only way in which using "Scotch" is ok is for scotch eggs, scotch pies, scotch pancakes and scotch whisky. That's all 😂
@@jmillar71110 got it. Food items... ;)
We had a lovely Trump-bashing session with a group of old ladies on the Isle of Arran once after a long walk. They were relieved to find out us Americans aren't all pro-Trump.
Scotland is stunningly beautiful, especially the Highlands. Here in Australia we drive on the left, so fortunately driving wasn't an issue. If you get the chance, please go to Scotland❤
As a scotsman who lives here, I thought you done a great job, and to be honest accurate on all points. Well done
Love the mention of Plockton. Not exactly on the way to anywhere, but a magical small village. If anyone wants to go, be sure to watch Hamish Macbeth, an old tv series filmed there.
I will be visiting Scotland for the whole month of May 2024. I have a dear friend who is a true Scot and she is going to escort me around her country for an entire month, I am really looking forward to it. My husband has encouraged me to take this trip and he is the one who sent me this video, he is truly the best. We just celebrated our 40th anniversary and he is always encouraging me to do things but this is probably the biggest of all.
Thats awesome! Have fun!
How come he sent you the video didnt he give it to you mmm.
I’m Scottish, live in Scotland and this video is very accurate, well done , good job 👍🏻
tbf the clan tartan thing was a Victorian invention after the clans system had been destroyed, back in the day people wore tartans dyed with plants local to where they lived because it was easy to get and could help with camouflage, so since clans were spread over large areas the tartans worn by them could vary massively
We were in Scotland years ago and plan on going back in the near future. There's so much to see, the country is stunning, the food is delicious, and the people are so charming. As for driving on the left side, here's my helpful information. Read the rules of the road, and learn the road signs. Then always remember the line down the center should always be on the driver's side. On narrow roads always be kind and give right of way. If you practice all this you'll be fine.
We are going to visit Scotland in two weeks 😄
Well said about our food. Scottish food is great and if deep fried isnt your thing try Cullen skink, mince n tatties, steak pie, Scotch pies all really good hearty food
Don't forget mice in pastry parcels.
Don't forget sticky toffee pudding.
Macaroni pies arenot tobe missed
The passes can also help to get in easier e.g. at Edinburgh Castle without that much queueing.
on my bucket list now!! Thanks for this great video.
This was really good stuff Mark!
My biggest tip would be to go to places off the beaten track. Some of the islands that are not Skye are actually far more beautiful in a different way. E.g., North Uist, Isle of Coll, Harris, these are seriously amazing in their own different way and far less touristy although getting more so. Honestly, these are some of the most beautiful places in the world and really poorly known compared with the usual Loch Ness, Skye etc. The physical beauty of these seascapes combined with the history, music, wildlife, and the weather make for somewhere that will really take your breath away in a different kind of way. I recommend renting a cottage with a fireplace and sea views and you will know exactly what I mean.
Agree. Barra and South Uist are gorgeous!
Skye is very easy reachable with the bridge but it can get crowded especially in summer. And apart from the many tourists(!) it is really beautiful and diverse.
The Western Isles are beautiful.
Thank you for the tip! Planning to go in August, and terrified with crouded places. Problem is: using public transport. I don't drive. Usually it works ok in other countries
@@airidasiliauskaite8334 There are some great ferry trips around the Western Isles and the Firth of Clyde. Bus links between them all.
Well done Mark, thank you!! 🙌🏆
I enjoyed your insight. Thank you.
If you want to explore the Highlands, Loch Ness and the distilleries, I highly recommend staying in Inverness, not Edinburgh. Rent a car at the airport or in the city and drive from there. You can base yourself in a hotel in Inverness and make day trips to some amazing whiskey tours, lakes and castles.
Good advice. That's what we did, and we did NOT regret it. I fell in love with that little city!
Scottish food is fantastic. The beef is great, they have terrific seafood, really nice lamb. And don't get all squeamish about haggis and black pudding - they taste sublime. Don't worry about snacks on your drive. If you are visiting from the US there isn't a drive long enough that you would need extra food!
Heathrow to Glasgow? We're getting some snacks and drinks.
I really appreciate that you show less well known places on your channel.
I would also say explore the Stirling wider area. Don't just spend the day in the city. The countryside is gorgeous and there are so many fascinating historic sites outside of the city. People tend to treat Stirling as a one day visit but there's so much to see outside of it as well.
Another driving tip. If you are comfortable with driving on the left (it's not all that difficult) and you plan to take an extended tour around the country, drive in a clockwise direction. When we were there, we drove around in a counterclockwise direction. This puts your vehicle on the inside lane. That makes it more difficult to see the fantastic views when driving close to the ocean and also more difficult to pull off to see those fantastic vistas. For those of us used to driving on the right, going counterclockwise around the country seems to be natural.
Approximately one third of the world drives on the left. There's nothing particularly unusual about it.
@@MrKeithblair and the vast majority of that is India.
It is not only the style of driving we are used to. To me the west coast is more spectacular so I rather start in the east. But you point is valid. Another thing are the highland games. I always want to visit one on vacation in Scotland and that is one point in setting the route. With a two week vacation you might have only one weekend for that and only 2-3 opportunities at max depending on season.
Plus Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Pakistan, South Africa, Ireland and various Caribbean islands.@@LiqdPT
@@MrKeithblair so are you talking about land mass or population? Because I don't think that land mass added up to 1/3. And the population of those countries is very little compared to India (which was my original point)
Hey Mark, awesome video
Going there next May, thanks very much for this video!
Thanks so much for all the helpful tips! I’m traveling to Scotland next September and thought I was prepared til watching this.
Talk to Scottish people, too! A lot of us are from wee towns, out of the way and can give you ideas for local stuff. The trains are great and easy! (Balloch on Loch Lomond!)
@@cijmo I'm having a tough time trying to find a Scottish-made tam in Glasgow. I've found a few shops but the reviews about the companies and the clerks are astonishing. My highlight of the trip will be if I can find a gravestone with my surname; I've got one located that is hopefully still legible.
We went to Scotland earlier this year...it was wonderful. We did everything via public transportation and walking. We were there for 4 days and stayed in Edinburgh for the whole time; if we go back we'll go to the countryside.
Edinburgh was awesome, but I fell in love with Inverness. We rented a house right next to the river walk and it was phenomenal. We walked everywhere, never needed a car except to get out to Culloden and Uruquart (we took buses both times, worked great). Definitely consider Inverness! I want to go back and do more of Scotland, and maybe move to Inverness someday.
Beautiful video. Good luck to you.🎉Merry Christmas 🎄
You'll find that around half of scots don't like being called british, we won't get angry but the topic is still very contentious.
If you live on the island of Great Britain you are British or a guest of the British
@@andrewgreenhalgh8374 You may be British but most Scots love being called what they REALLY are and that is being called a Scot.
On the other hand half of Scots are proud of being Scottish and British.🏴🇬🇧
Women in my family have flaming red hair. My daughter was so thrilled with Scotland. After about 100 photos her husband made her stop taking photos of all the red heads, as she kept saying "but the liittle ones are so cute!"
“When are you going to wear a kilt outside of Scotland?” * laughs in Nova Scotian *
To be fair, that's just "New Scotland"
I wear my kilts in Hawaii 🤙 all the time
@@andrewweisel438 Love it! Hope Hawaii and Scotland both gain independence soon
Thank you for all the great advice! You always make it so realistic and simple. We like how you always encourage the respect and consideration for each country. I love Scotland, and there is no better way to explore the country than roadtripping with a Scot. I enjoy "blending- in" but I am still la tourist/visitor😅
I’m moving to Scotland in a few months! Love that you made this video and posted it today. Canada will always be home though
Great tips. Yeh we went to Arran at the weekend and all the food places were booked up / full from Glaswegians over for the weekend.
Last August I was in Scotland for 10 days, first Edinburgh then to Ayr and stayed for 3 days in Maybole where my ancestors, the Kennedy's located. Ayrshire should be on a must for travel to Scotland. Loved it. We took the train across Scotland and that was great, clean and comfortable. Wish we had such in the U.S.
Also it can be cold in summer!! The last time i was in Edinburgh only the canadians on our tour were dressed for the weather (late may)
Oh my! I'm going to be visiting from Texas, where it's already in the 90's!! I'm not used to cold and dreary.😅
Yes, can confirm Edinburgh is hilly. The smartwatch said we did 38 floors in one day!
Yes Sarah that is par for the course, super hilly super beautiful too.
That shocked me a little bit when I went. So much climbing! It was pretty awesome but daunting to know how many different levels and layers that city has. Like a cleaned-up Escher drawing.
Paper money is on its way out so don't be stuck with it, as Wolter says, unless you want to take home a souvenir . You can use contactless payments almost everywhere. Many places don't even take cash, including public transport. From my experience, the US banks are a little behind with contactless debit and credit cards that have been used in the UK for many years but if you have a contactless card that's the best and cheapest way to make payments. Similarly you can also make contactless payments with your cell phone. It's just touch and tap.
You are totally correct on the driving!
I knew someone of Scottish descent in North Carolina who would occasionally wear his kilt to his office job. No one batted an eyelash...but then people of Scottish descent are a dime a dozen in the Carolinas, Virginia......
Mark thanks for coming out with this video. My wife and I are going to Scotland in 2 weeks. Super excited
How was it? I'm going soon. Can't wait!
@@a.humphries8678 we had a great time. It was nice to see New Years celebrations in a different country as well as check out the Christmas market while it was still open. Isle of Skye was amazing. Worth all the walking.
If it's castles you want you can't beat Stirling and ofcourse,the Wallace Monument is not far away.
@@christopherabresch6663 wow, that would be a wonderful time to go. I'm going in May and am so excited!
And for me (I lived in Edinburgh some years back.... I still miss it) the biggest biggest mistake is not to try haggis..... listne, the is the only place in the universe, where you get haggis. You can get it in any great pub and restaurant. Even at street food vans..... try it. It taste great, and you can return home at say "Hi, I had haggis in Scotland..... " Great video. You nailed it. Thanks.
We live in the South West of England and we have haggis in our supermarket so it’s not the only place you can get it. Love it
Isle of Skye was one of the best places I've ever been to
It"s a great place but book your accommodation before you go ! Speaking from experience.
I was in Edinburgh in 2017 and loved it. I'd love to go back
If you visit Edinburgh I strongly recommend you pay a visit to the Botanic Gardens, about 15 to 20 minute walk from the New Town. Free to enter, a genuinely superb collection of plants set in beautiful gardens. I also heartily recommend you spend some time in the drinking establishments on and about Leith Walk...the city centre is lovely but it's mainly for students and tourists. You will find a much more authentic experience if you venture a little way out.
SUCH GREAT ADVICE!! We took our first vacation to Scotland a few years ago and watching a LOT of driving tutorials on KZhead was invaluable. There was more to learn than we realized, but it also helped to prepare our brains for the experience. We stayed in three primary "hubs" from which we took multiple day trips in the area: Sterling, Inverness, and Skye. For two full weeks, we had the opportunity to "freestyle" our vacation with no real timetable which allowed us to roam freely and discover many delightful sites. That said, we did our research beforehand and found out about local events and the biggest "must-see" attractions in each area. And although it was a two-week driving tour, we didn't hesitate to take the train to see some sites. It was well worth taking a train from Sterling to Edinburgh for the day rather than driving. The food in Scottland was absolutely FANTASTIC, especially the seafood. We are adventuresome eaters anyway, but discovering how much we enjoyed haggis and black pudding, especially in a "full Scottish breakfast" was fun. Getting away from the main tourist attractions and seeking out little local cafes and shops made our adventure so much more memorable!
from edinburgh I found it easy to get to Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, and Dundee. Glasgow has a great museum with aliteral wall of cars. In Aberdeen I had lunch at a local place and had a nice chat with a man who works on North Sea oil platforms. You can use the various hop on hop off bus tours to get to the royal yacht, or the three bridges on the Firth of Forth. I even hiked up Arthur's Seat and at the top posed like Rocky Balboa at the top of the steps. Then others realized they could do the same. Oban, great place to visit and chatted with four guys who were there for a week of fishing. Just beware, if your hotel is in a very old building, it may not have an elevator, so lots of steps.
Been there done that. B&b's on the isle of skye painted in those bright colours down by the harbour, we stayed in one and also up on the hill overlooking the harbour. Wonderful trip even being Scottish I had never been to some of them.
Went to the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow this past August 2023. Our son and daughter were competing in their Grade 2 Band. We enjoyed Glasgow much more this time - maybe because we spent more time and got to know people. We then went to Orkney - highly recommend it. Have been to Skye that last couple of trips - Orkney had lots of sites very close together. The ferry from Aberdeen was a fun adventure. Ended our trip back in Edinburgh to see the Tattoo - always a treat. The only challenge we had was flying British Airways from London to Glasgow and Edinburgh back to London - we flew Delta on the long haul. BA cancelled both our flights and we ended up wasting a lot of time in the airport. Love Scotland!!
Don't worry about driving on the left side of the road, all over Scotland they drive much, much slower than people are accustomed to than in say in North America. The highways and the roundabouts are not difficult to navigate because they are not particularly crowded, and in the city areas the speed limit is 20 miles per hour.
Just a heads up. A large number of Scots will NOT appreciate being called British. Our flag is the Saltire. Not the Butcher’s Apron (Union Jack). And our National Anthem is Flower of Scotland. Not God Save The King. Apart from that, thanks for this. Your affection for our country shines through. Glad you enjoy being here. And…all those gorgeous food photos have me hungry now. 😂😂
But if you are Scottish, English or Welsh you ARE British. I get so weary of fellow Scots who say "I'm not British, I'm Scottish. " They would have you believe that "British" means English only. But that's not true. Britain is the main island of the British Isles. It contains Scotland, England and Wales. But some Scots (funnily enough, usually those who are strong advocates of Scottish Independence) hate to acknowledge that geographic fact. So they simply deny that they are British. It is little short of childish. And it is disingenuous to claim that Flower of Scotland is Scotland's National Anthem. Scotland doesn't actualy have an official National Anthem, whether we like it or not. F of S is what Nationalist Scots WISH was Scotland's official Anthem. But wishful thinking is not reality.
I've visited Scotland twice and it's a beautiful country. If you don't like to drive there and want to go up to the highlands, I highly recommend booking a tour with Rabbies. They offer great tours. The guids know a lot of things and give you very much information. You travel in small groups, which is nice. We booked a tour with them both times (a daytrip and a 3 day tour). They were fantastic. Love from the Netherlands.
What I learned is it’s not a highland cow, it’s a Heilan coo and don’t believe Glasgow and Edinburgh share the same values . . . on that, tread carefully!
I love Scotland!! I reccomend driving to explore. My favorite part was Potree and driving through the highlands.
Portree
I was recently in Edinburgh. My second time there. I've been up in the Highlands as well. Never has any issues understanding them.
Well done with your opinion of us Scots! There is so much more that Scotland has too offer! I was impressed when you mentioned Plockton, Not many Scots know where that is ((palm trees) yeah I have seen the whole of Scotland = Now a pensioner/carer for my wife! We miss going up north very much! We go to Rannoch every year, a we have a timeshare there - West of Pitlochry. You need to visit the islands of Scotland - So many too visit!
I'm Scottish, I'd rather not be called British either 😂🙈. Hopefully, one day, i won't have to be 🤞🏼.
Yes, if Scotland can physically break away from the island of Great Britain and tow itself out into the Atlantic ocean. Then you may well no long be North Britons.
My French ex-wife's very first words to me were; "Hello, are you French or English ?"
Scots are only Scot’s when they don’t win in sport but British when they do, well according to the media 😂😂😂 Especially in the Olympic Games.
Coming in 3 months so excited!
You will love it!!
We come back again, with the Car this Summer, We will check Arran and surroundings. Mull, Skye are Beautyfull also the Outer Hebrides, the Beaches Near Inverness are outstanding, also visit Aviemore. We Love Scotland 🤩 and if you visit smaller islands, take cash with you! our Non UK Bank cards are not working everywhere 🙂
Having the steering wheel on the right side of the car makes it easier to drive on the left side of the road😁
4:25 I practiced driving on the left in my home country (Sweden) before visiting the UK. Would totally recommend
Also, try taking up Falconry and try to visit Balmoral- the Royal summer residence.
When I was in Spain, I started talking to a beautiful girl. I mistook her for British. I asked her where in Britain she was from. She slapped me hard and said. I'm Scottish! Then she stormed off.😊
St Andrews is around 1.5 hours from Edinburgh, worth a visit 🙏🏻
COME ON PEOPLE !!!! Mark puts a lot of work into these videos, he is a great source of information. This video has 23,790+ views and only 1,200 or so likes. PLEASE smash that thumbs up icon. Doing so shows that you liked the video, it does not put you on an email list nor does it commit you to anything. It shows Mark that you appreciate the time and effort he put into the video.
So true! So much info! A while ago, I based my Ireland trip off of a lot of info from his channel (didn’t cram though) and it was so useful! He’s also so respectful and considerate of all countries and cultures! btw, I had hit the like button even before I read this 😊 but thanks for reminding everyone! Sometimes folks might get engrossed in the video and forget it.
He said don't come if you don't drive a car. That's nonsense. Whoever writes his scripts emphasizes making controversial statements over actual info
Remembering the tiny barely-one-lane roads around my grandmother's home in rural Argyll - the sort of place where you really need a car to explore properly, I laugh when visitors worry about the wrong side of the road thing. Learn the etiquette of lay-bys in the country, take your time on roundabouts & at intersections/junctions in town where your instincts will be backwards at first , & you'll be fine. If you can get an automatic or hybrid, great. If not, it's a rental; what do you care if you grind the gearbox into a metallic pudding ? Absolutely use the train system whenever possible, though. A delightfully civilized way to travel that most Americans are not familiar with. Nobody will expect you to pronounce Gaelic place names properly - many Scots get them wrong as well, in my experience, but learn the basics to not grate on the local nerves; It's Glazz-go, not Glass-gow-rhymes-with-cow. Ed-un-burruh, not Edin-burg-or-burrow. The language, Scottish Gaelic, is pronounced "gallic' despite being spelled the same as Irish "gay-lic". And it's "whisky" (no "e" for the Scottish water of life, with an 'e' for Irish), not Scotch. The only time I'd use "Scotch" at all, actually, would be when ordering an egg encased in a deep-fried breaded ham pie ball..... not even sure that is really a Scottish invention but.....yum.... Finally, don't call yourself Scottish unless you were born there, no matter how strong your ancestry. Be proud of your heritage, by all means, but claiming to be a Scot just makes eyes roll. Do be aware of clan associations/ ancient enmities. A pub near Glencoe is not the place to be talking about your Campbell blood. Seriously.
Thanks for this video. My son is taking me to Scotland next year. I have already started planning the trip months in advance. We plan to get a car so we can go everywhere and not be stuck in a tour group. I look at my plans everyday and can’t wait.
I've never rented a car before in Scotland but my friend and I every time we go use a great tour company in the Highlands who drive us all around which is particularly wonderful with all the whisky we like to taste while there! Definitely more pricey than renting a car but for us it's worth it!
As a delivery driver covering the central belt and the borders of Scotland your phone's sat-nav is far superior to that of a standalone sat-nav for finding places, your rental car will have android auto or Apple CarPlay
I will be visiting Scotland for the first time in June 2024. This is very useful info.
If you visit the highlands, the locals will be impressed if you use the phrase 'Slàinte Mhaith' pronounced Slan-jah-vah'. It means Cheers and is frequently used. Fàilte gu Alba and enjoy your stay here!
Just come back from week in Edinburgh Went to see all local sights Castle Britannia Arthur seat Day trip to loch Ness et Highlands. Local bus service to princess street top Found Edinburgh an amazing city Sight seeing Pubs.restos Ambience All brilliant Non regrets Would definitely return
I totally recommend a historic Scotland membership if you're visiting the castles. It will save you loads. The membership costs the same as visiting 2 castles. Plus you get 10% off gift shops and cafes. Don't be ripped off. Advice from Fife.🏴😊
Thank you 😄 I will come to Scotland soon 😊
I love Scotland. Love the people, love the landscape. My wife and I have gone four times. But you can’t convince me the food is any better than “just ok.”
perhaps you have been eating in the wrong places there are loads of great options all over Scotland I Do hope you enjoyed your visits though ❤🏴
Shetland is my favourite, thanks.
I will eat haggis and black pudding all day, but Irn Bru is just vile. 🤣🤣 It does NOT taste like bubble gum.
One thing I recommend is to go to the Scottish parliament, despite how it sounds it's really interesting. For one, there's a viewing balcony that you can go to and listen in if the parliament is in session.
Great Tips....
I’ve been to Scotland this past summer of 2023 from Canada on a band tour. And my favourite city is Dundee east coast,went to Glasgow,Inverness,Inverary and Ayr. Had a great time. Oh one thing tourists should not say when you are in a pub “ what kind of scotch or I will have a scotch” the bar keeper will laugh at you. You say the brand of whiskey 🥃 that all when you are in Scotland 😊
We loved our week in Scotland. We were fortunate to rent a car and drive to different places. Such an amazing experience and the people are so friendly.
I had a blast driving around Scotland on the left side, but it's a very wise idea to have a road partner to be the navigator so you can focus strictly on traffic. Those roundabouts can drive you nuts because there's multiple exits all the way around and you have to get in a specific lane for each particular exit. If you get in the wrong lane and hit the wrong exit, you'll end up having to do a lot of rerouting and waste a lot of valuable time. Also, the speed limits are constantly changing, so you have to be on the lookout for those super small speed limits signs. They give tickets by camera and your car rental company will not be responsible for the tickets. One other note: if you do car rental and are going to drive up north into the Highlands, STOCK UP ON FOOD & WATER wherever it's available and have a full gas tank. A lot of those smaller towns gas stations often provide just gas and nothing else, not to mention closing times around 5-6pm. Many local restaurants are also by reservation only and often close early as well, so yeah, just make sure you bring food/water with you.
I can't wait to go to Scotland! I'm only there for a day and a half so it's Edinburgh only for me this time. Next time, I wanna hit more like Inverness and the other places you mentioned plus take the Harry Potter train ride! This is just a little side trip for me as London is the biggie. Lol working up the courage to drive there and will start in my Ireland trip in, oh, 6 years! Lol gotta have time to save up 😂
Love the food! Two of the best meals of my life were in Glasgow!
I 100% agree with you to find videos of driving in the UK and Ireland for left side driving. I suppose Japan as well but their mass transit is so good and it being so crowded I can't ever imagine driving around there. Before going to Ireland two years ago, we found an Irish driving school video that was about 16 minutes long. It sounds like they're driving test is pretty tough. I also subscribed to the Megabattie channel, an Australian woman who rescues flying foxes and occasionally she has video of her driving to a site which helped get me used to left side driving as well.
Shetland is amazing. Even better then i was hoping for and i was aready hoping for it to be great.
I am truly so grateful for this video, especially about driving. My daughter in law and I are going next year and are planning on Fort William and Glencoe. :) We want to be away from the bigger cities - we want the highlands and the remoteness. And driving is a relief. Maybe I'll give it a go!
if you visit scotland and just visit edinburgh, stirling and glasgow, you`re missing out. on the best parts of scotland.
Hubster has 2 McMillan kilts. He wears them at every Scottish Highland Games we attend and any formal gathering.
My husband and I spent 4 weeks in Scotland. It just wasn't enough time! We drove everywhere and took ferries to Orkney and other Islands. Skye is fantastic! My number 1 recommendation, GET GPS!
I love traveling in Scotland, and always try to convince my friends to come with me or travel by themselves. I'll send them your way - as this is all what I keep telling them. You nailed it!