CURRENCY
Pounds Sterling ()
LANGUAGE
English
Gaelic and Lallans
MONEY
ATMs widely available. Credit cards widely accepted.
VISAS
Generally not needed for stays of up to six months. Not a member of the Schengen Zone.
MOBILE PHONES
Uses the GSM 900/1800 network. Local SIM cards can be used in European and Australian phones.
DRIVING
Drive on the left; steering wheel on right side of car.
Your Daily Budget
LESS THAN
Dorm beds: 1020
Wild camping is free
Cheap supermarkets for self-caterers
Lots of free museums and galleries
MIDRANGE 30100
Double room in midrange B&B: 5090
B&Bs often better value than midrange hotels
Bar lunch: 10; dinner in midrange restaurant: 25
Car hire: 30 a day
Petrol costs: around 12p per mile
TOP END OVER
Double room in high-end hotel: 120250
Dinner at high-end restaurant: 4060
Flights to islands: 60120 each
When to Go
HIGH SEASON (JUL & AUG, LATE DEC IN EDINBURGH)
Accommodation prices 10%20% higher (book in advance if possible)
Warmest time of year, but often wet too
Midges at their worst in Highlands and islands
SHOULDER SEASON (MAY, JUN & SEP)
Wildflowers and rhododendrons bloom in May and June
Statistically, best chance of dry weather, minus midges
June evenings have daylight till 11pm
LOW SEASON (OCTAPR)
Rural attractions and accommodation often closed
Snow on hills November to March
In December it gets dark at 4pm
Can be very cold and wet November to March
Websites
Lonely Planet ( www.lonelyplanet.com/Scotland ) Destination information, forums, hotel bookings, shop.
VisitScotland ( www.visitscotland.com ) Official tourism site; booking services.
Internet Guide to Scotland ( www.scotland-info.co.uk ) Best online tourist guide to Scotland.
Traveline ( www.travelinescotland.com ) Public transport timetables.
Scotlands People ( www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk ) Explore your Scottish ancestry.
Exchange Rates
Australia | A$1 | 0.62 |
---|
Canada | C$1 | 0.62 |
Euro zone | E1 | 0.85 |
Japan | Y100 | 0.75 |
New Zealand | NZ$1 | 0.48 |
USA | US$1 | 0.62 |
For current exchange rates see www.xe.com .
Important Numbers
Country code | +44 |
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International access code | |
Ambulance | 112 or 999 |
Fire | 112 or 999 |
Police | 112 or 999 |
Arriving in Scotland
Edinburgh Airport
Buses to Edinburgh city centre every 10 to 15 minutes from 4.30am to midnight
Night buses every 30 minutes from 12.30am to 4am
Taxis 1520; about 20 minutes to the city centre
Glasgow Airport
Buses to Glasgow city centre every 10 to 15 minutes from 6am to 11pm
Night buses hourly 11pm to 4am, half-hourly 4am to 6pm
Taxis 2025; about 30 minutes to city centre
Midges
If youve never been to the Scottish Highlands and islands before, be prepared for an encounter with the dreaded midge. These tiny, 2mm-long blood-sucking flies appear in huge swarms in summer, and can completely ruin a holiday if youre not prepared to deal with them.
They proliferate from late May to mid-September, but especially mid-June to mid-August which unfortunately coincides with the main tourist season and are most common in the western and northern Highlands. Midges are at their worst during the twilight hours, and on still, overcast days strong winds and bright sunshine tend to discourage them.
The only way to combat them is to cover up, particularly in the evening. Wear long-sleeved, light-coloured clothing (midges are attracted to dark colours) and, most importantly, use a reliable insect repellent.
Glasgow
POP 634,700
Includes
Why Go?
Regenerating and evolving at a dizzying pace, this city is edgy, modish and downright ballsy. Its Victorian architectural legacy is now swamped with stylish bars and top-notch restaurants, and a hedonistic club culture to bring out your nocturnal instincts. Glasgows pounding live-music scene is one of the best in Britain, and accessible through countless venues dedicated to home-grown beats.
Yet nightlife is only the beginning. Top-drawer museums and galleries abound, and the citys proud industrial and artistic heritage is innovatively displayed. Charles Rennie Mackintoshs sublime works dot the town, while the River Clyde, traditionally associated with Glasgows earthier side, is now a symbol of the citys renaissance.
Glaswegians are proud of their working-class background and leftist traditions. Glasgow combines urban mayhem and black humour and is so friendly, its almost unnerving. Shrug off any restraint and immerse yourself in a down-to-earth metropolis thats all about fun.
When to Go
February The drizzle wont lift? Maroon yourself in one of Glasgows fabulous pubs or clubs.
June The West End Festival, the Proms and the Jazz Festival make it music heaven.
August Glasgows super-friendly at any time, but in sunshine theres no happier city in Britain.
Best Places to Stay
Brunswick Hotel ( )
Malmaison ( )
Hotel du Vin ( )
Glasgow SYHA ( )
Blythswood Square ( )
Best Places to Eat
Caf Gandolfi ( )
Left Bank ( )
Ubiquitous Chip ( )
Stravaigin ( )
Mother India ( )
Glasgow Highlights
Gazing at the Glasgow Boys paintings in the Burrell Collection ( )