Are you planning a trip to Scotland for the first time? How exciting! My first trip to Scotland was so incredible that I ended up moving to Edinburgh a few years later. I’ve been exploring Scotland for almost a decade, and I’ve put together this guide to help you plan your dream trip to Scotland. It’s my job to travel around Scotland and write about it, and I also run Scotland travel planning workshops.
If we haven’t met yet, hello! 👋 My name is Yvette, and I’m a Scotland travel expert; if you’re planning a trip to Scotland, rest assured- you’re in the right place! In this helpful guide, I’m spilling the beans on how I personally plan my trips around Scotland. I cover the best times to visit Scotland, the regions you can visit, how to book flights, accommodation and activities and what to pack.
I hope this guide is a great introduction to planning a trip to Scotland!
Planning a trip to Scotland
What is the best time to visit Scotland?
Anytime! It really just depends on what you want out of your trip to Scotland.
My favourite months for exploring Scotland are April and May. This is spring in Scotland, when the weather is starting to get warmer, and we have more daylight hours. Scotland’s nature is also in full bloom, and it’s typically a little quieter than the busy summer months (although May is just as busy now!).
Scotland’s peak tourism months are June, July and August, so if you don’t like people, you may want to avoid visiting at that time. That being said, Edinburgh is really fun during August because five of the Edinburgh festivals are on. The streets are swarmed with people attending the festivities, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Keep in mind this may not be the best time to visit if you’re on a budget, as accommodation prices also triple during August, making Edinburgh an expensive option!
I also love travelling around Scotland during September and October. The autumn colours are gorgeous, and the weather is still warm (particularly in September- it gets cooler in October). If you’re looking for autumn breaks in Scotland, I’ve written a guide on my favourite places to see the golden foliage.
Another thing to be aware of when you’re planning a trip to Scotland is that most attractions are only open from April to around mid-October. If you’re visiting outside this time, you may be unable to visit all the castles, palaces and other historical attractions you want to see. My top tip is to check the opening dates on the websites of the places you’d like to visit.
Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland are two of the main organisations that look after Scotland’s historic attractions, and a good resource to check opening dates.
During winter in Scotland, there is very little daylight. The sun will usually rise at around 8.30 am, and it will be pitch black by 3-4 pm. Keep this in mind when planning your trip to Scotland- you will need to squeeze in a lot with short daylight hours.
I’ve had some fantastic adventures in Scotland during winter. There are Christmas festivals and markets throughout Scotland, and the soft winter light is gorgeous for taking photos. It’s also my favourite time to visit the Isle of Skye, which suffers from overtourism during the warmer months.
Average temperature guide:
- Spring: 7°C (45°F) to 13 °C (55°F)
- Summer: 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F)
- Autumn/Fall: 8°C (46°F) to 14°C (57°F)
- Winter: -5°C (23°F) to 11 °C (51.8°F)
Please note the above is a guide; Scotland has very changeable weather, and we can sometimes get snow or 25°C (77°F) days in spring!
Times to avoid visiting Scotland
When planning a trip to Scotland, it is best to visit outside our school holiday and public holiday periods, such as Easter. Scotland can be busy during these times! You can search school holiday dates for each region here and public and bank holidays here. School holidays differ for each region.
Read my complete guide: When is the best time to visit Scotland?
Where should you visit in Scotland?
Are you a nature lover or a city slicker? Are you adventurous or do you like a relaxing spa weekend? Do you prefer whisky distilleries and bustling pubs or going off the beaten path?
Your interests and bucket-list experiences in Scotland will dictate where to spend your time.
Scotland may be a small country, but each of its regions are unique. There is something for everyone in Scotland!
One of my biggest pet peeves when I see people visiting Scotland is that a lot of folk tend to do the same touristy itinerary. In case you’re wondering, it looks something like this: Edinburgh 👉 Glencoe 👉 Isle of Skye 👉 Inverness 👉 then home.
Trust me when I say this: there is so much more to Scotland than just these areas. You will mostly encounter other tourists in these places, struggle to find affordable accommodation, and miss out on making genuine connections with locals. Be brave and visit a region outside of these areas – I promise you, this is what you’ll remember most from your trip!
I’ve written an in-depth guide on the regions in Scotland– so make sure you give that a read and choose areas that pique your own interests. This guide will give you a great idea about what there is to do in each region, and what each region in Scotland is known for. I’ve also given my top accommodation recommendations for each region.
Here’s a brief overview of each region:
Join my Scotland Travel Tips Facebook group for help planning your trip -it’s free!
- Aberdeenshire & Moray – Aberdeenshire is home to some of Scotland’s most famous castles on The Castle Trail. Moray is also home to the Speyside whisky region and the Malt Whisky Trail. Read my posts on Aberdeenshire and Moray
- Argyll & the Isles – Known as ‘Scotland’s Adventure Coast’, this region is known for its cute seaside villages, delicious seafood, and the islands making up the Inner Hebrides. It’s one of the most beautiful regions in Scotland and a personal favourite of mine!
Read my posts on Argyll and the Isles - Ayrshire & Arran – Ayrshire is home to rolling farmland and over 50 golf courses! Arran is known as ‘Scotland in miniature’ and is an island that offers a little bit of everything for visitors. Read my posts on Ayrshire and Arran.
- Dumfries & Galloway – D&G is home to Scotland’s largest Dark Sky Park, Scotland’s National Book Town and Gretna Green, the marriage capital of Scotland, where English couples would elope during the 18th century. It’s a lesser-visited area, so you’ll meet lots of locals.
Read my posts on Dumfries and Galloway - Dundee & Angus – Known for its outstanding glens, innovation in design, museums and Arbroath Smokies (smoked haddock).
- Edinburgh & the Lothians – Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and is known for its beautiful Gothic architecture. This region is also home to Linlithgow (West Lothian), the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots (I also live in West Lothian!)
Read my posts on Edinburgh & the Lothians - Fife – Nicknamed the ‘Kingdom of Fife’ by locals, Fife was once home to Scotland’s biggest cathedral, St Andrews Cathedral. Today, it is known for its pretty fishing villages in the East Neuk of Fife and for being a popular Outlander filming location.
Read my posts on Fife - Glasgow & the Clyde Valley – Glasgow and The Clyde Valley is known for its parks and green spaces, colourful and quirky locals, entertaining nightlife and thriving music scene. Glasgow is a great city for foodies, shopping and a night out!
Read my posts on Glasgow & the Clyde Valley - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park [and Stirlingshire] – Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is Scotland’s first national park and is the perfect place for a nature escape or paddle on the loch. Stirling is famous for the almost-impregnable Stirling Castle and the world’s largest equine sculpture, The Kelpies.
Read my posts on Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park - Orkney & Shetland – Orkney is made up of more than 70 islands off the northeastern coast of Scotland. It’s home to a variety of 5000-year-old Neolithic sites, towering sandstone cliffs and seal colonies. Shetland is located even further north of Orkney and is known for its ancient standing stones, Iron Age brochs and Viking history.
Read my posts on Orkney & Shetland - Outer Hebrides – An archipelago chain of over 100 islands spanning 150 miles and surrounded by white sandy beaches and crystal clear water, the Outer Hebrides are one of Europe’s last untouched natural habitats. It’s the perfect place in Scotland to get off the beaten path and the place you’ll most likely hear Gaelic spoken.
Read my posts on the Outer Hebrides - Perthshire – Perthshire is the colourful beating heart of Scotland, made up of cosy villages, tranquil walking trails, and bubbling brooks. Perthshire is the best place to visit in Scotland during autumn!
Read my posts on Perthshire - Scottish Borders – In the Scottish Borders, you will find rolling hills and farmland, ancient abbey ruins and Roman roads that were once walked regularly by Scottish and English armies. It’s a region filled with history, and is popular for hill walking and horse riding.
Read my posts on the Scottish Borders - Scottish Highlands – Home to misty mountains, enormous lochs, cosy cabins, atmospheric castles and rugged coastline- the Highlands is a playground for outdoor lovers. Combined with its romantic clan history, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting Scotland.
Read my posts on the Scottish Highlands - Scottish Islands – The Scottish Islands are primarily located in the Western Isles; however, there are some located on the north and east coast of Scotland. Each island is special in its own way, and you’ll find an abundance of unique culture, cuisine and friendly hospitality second to none. I always recommend doing some island hopping when you visit Scotland.
Read my posts on the Scottish Islands
Read more: 34 books about Scotland you’ll love
Things to do in Scotland
There are SO many things to do in Scotland, but I won’t overwhelm you. If you have a week in Scotland, I recommend ticking the following off your bucket list:
- At least 1-2 castles
- A museum
- A whisky distillery
- A traditional Scottish pub
- At least one city, one town and one village
- At least one island
- Go on 1-2 hikes
- Visit a loch
- Visit at least one place in Scotland off the beaten path
- Buy something tartan (I recommend visiting ScotlandShop in Edinburgh for authentic Scottish tartan – you can save 10% using my code KIWI10 – works in store and online ☺️)
How to find things to do in Scotland
You’ll be pleased to know – you’re in the right place. I have been travelling and writing about Scotland for almost a decade. Think of me as your Scotland travel expert bestie!
If you need inspiration or ideas on things to do in Scotland, the best place to start is by reading all my Scotland blog posts here.
I have a wonderful Planning a Trip to Scotland course that I created with my friend Kay, who is the main author for Lonely Planet.
I also recommend using the Historic Scotland and National Trust for Scotland websites to find interesting historic sites to visit.
Read more: 10 Must-Sees in Scotland You Can’t Miss
Booking flights to Scotland
The key to finding the cheapest and most direct flights is patience and knowing where to search. I predominantly use Skyscanner to search for flights, and I also check Google Flights.
This is my four-step process for finding cheap flights:
Step 1
First of all, I do a quick search in Skyscanner to get a rough idea of the price and the different flight paths available.
I always search in Incognito mode. Most commercial websites use Cookies to keep track of what you are searching on their website. Let’s say you’re flying from San Francisco to Edinburgh and you search for these flights in Google Flights or Skyscanner; now that website knows you are planning a trip there. Do you think they’re going to show you the lowest prices anymore? Nope!
If you search while in Incognito, however, you are able to browse the web without these Cookies tracking what flights you’re searching for, so you’ll always see the cheapest flights!
Step 2
Once I have an idea of what airlines fly the route I want to go, I get out a notepad and write down the different flight options I can think of. I will write down the closest airport and any other large airports nearby. For example, if I’m searching for flights from California to Edinburgh, the major airports I’d write down would be Los Angeles and San Francisco. I would then search flights departing Los Angeles to Edinburgh and San Francisco to Edinburgh. I also do the same for my end destination.
The major airports in Scotland are Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness- search for flights to all of these airports!
For example, the flights I would search would be something like this:
- Los Angeles to Edinburgh
- Los Angeles to Inverness
- Los Angeles to Glasgow
- San Francisco to Edinburgh
- San Francisco to Inverness
- San Francisco to Glasgow
If you do all of the above searches, you’ll eventually find the cheapest and most direct route. You could also try flying into an airport in London; flights to London are often cheaper than flying into Scotland. You could then spend a few days in London and catch the LNER train or fly to Edinburgh.
Please note you can only book trains three months in advance, but there are regular trains from London to Scotland.
Step 3 (optional)
You can even take the above a step further and add a stopover halfway. Do a search and write down where airlines seem to stopover.
Most airlines tend to have stopovers in their ‘hub city’. For example, Air France’s hub city is- you guessed it, France. KLM is a Dutch airline, so it will often stop in Amsterdam.
Using the KLM example, you could search for a flight from Los Angeles to Amsterdam, and then have a stopover here for a couple of nights, and then book a separate ticket from Amsterdam to Edinburgh. I do this when I travel home to New Zealand from Scotland; we usually stopover in Canada, the USA, Singapore, or Hong Kong each direction.
I have saved hundreds of pounds this way. Just ensure you allow plenty of layover time in between your flights (at least 8 hours or spend a couple of nights). If your first flight is delayed and you miss your second flight, you may not get rebooked on another flight.
You will also need to weigh up the costs of accommodation and activities for your stopover. When I fly long haul, I like this process because it means I get to see another country, and it’s cheaper than booking two separate trips!
Step 4
Once I find a price I’m happy with, I search for the exact flights directly with the airline. I always book direct with the airline now, in case of any problems that arise. When you book via a third party, you have a whole other set of terms and conditions to adhere to. Cut out the middle man and book direct!
More helpful tips for booking flights
- Flights come out 9-10 months in advance. I will usually research which airlines I’m interested in, sign up to their newsletter, and wait for a sale.
- Aer Lingus is known for having cheap flights from America to Scotland (if that’s where you’re flying from).
- WestJet often has cheap flights from Canada to London.
- As soon as you book your flights, you should purchase your travel insurance in case the airline you are booking with collapses (for example when Thomas Cook went bankrupt in 2019, many people without travel insurance didn’t receive a refund- and don’t get me started on Covid!).
- For flights within Scotland (for example, to the Orkney and Shetland), check the local airline Loganair.
Read more: How to travel Scotland on a budget
Finding the best accommodation in Scotland
When looking for accommodation in Scotland, I typically use Booking.com.
I like Booking.com because they have the biggest range of accommodation and have free cancellation on many of their listings.
You can use their map function to search, so you can see exactly where the accommodation is located, how central it is, and what facilities are nearby.
Sometimes you get special mobile pricing when searching on your phone, so always check prices on your mobile. You may save a little more!
Read more: The best hostels in Scotland
Booking tours and attractions in Scotland
I book most of my tours and attractions with Get Your Guide.
Get Your Guide is great because once you’ve purchased your tickets, you can download their app, and all your tickets are in one place. They have a QR code system in the app, so when you arrive, the tour operators just scan your phone. It’s also super easy to make bookings on your mobile phone via the app or on their website.
Read more: 50 Travel Tips For Scotland
They also have free cancellation up to 24 hours before your activity in case your plans change, and 24/7 customer service.
I also like Get Your Guide because ticket prices are the same as purchasing direct but you can keep all your tours and activities in one place on the app.
Passes that will save you money
If you’re planning on visiting castles, cathedrals, abbeys and other Scottish attractions, you might save money with an Explorer Pass from Historic Scotland.
Historic Scotland has the 7-Day Explorer Pass. With this pass, you can visit over 70 attractions in Scotland! All days must be consecutive, and the cost is £42- £48 per adult.
Entry into Edinburgh Castle alone is £23.50 online (£26 at the gate), and Stirling Castle is £18.50 online (£20.50 at the gate)- so all you have to do is visit these two attractions, plus one other, to make it worth buying the Explorer Pass.
I have an annual Historic Scotland membership, and I love it! With this pass, you can purchase it for an entire year or pay monthly. If you live overseas, you can purchase this pass too- but you have to pay more for postage if you wish to receive the quarterly magazine.
The National Trust for Scotland also has a similar annual membership, which I also have. It’s particularly useful if you’re visiting Aberdeenshire, as many of its castles are owned by the National Trust.
You can purchase this membership online or at the first NTS attraction you visit. It’s important to note that they do not have a pass similar to the 7-day Explorer Pass, so you will have to purchase the annual membership.
You can also visit other National Trust sites nationwide– including the National Trust for England attractions, which has over 500 sites.
👉 Purchase a membership with the National Trust
Car hire in Scotland
It is worth hiring a car if you’re visiting Scotland- you’ll get to see so much more! There are over 2000 castles in Scotland, so you won’t need to drive far to discover ancient castle ruins (with many being free to visit).
There are also many scenic drives in Scotland, including the North Coast 500– Scotland’s answer to Route 66!
For car rental, I recommend Celtic Legend. They are a locally-owned family business, and their customer service is excellent. You can also save 10% off your rental when you include the code WAYFARINGKIWI when asking for a quote!
Read more: 11 tips for driving in Scotland for the first time
Something else to consider is the cost of fuel. If you’re visiting Scotland from Canada or the USA, you may be disappointed with the fuel costs here. As I write this in mid-2026, the cost for petrol/gas is sitting at around £1.60 per litre ($2.11USD).
I’ve found fuel to be a little cheaper in the bigger cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. The cheapest place to buy fuel is usually at an ASDA or Morrisons supermarket (but please note that not all stores have a fuelling station).
Don’t want to drive yourself around Scotland? My husband and I provide private driving tours in Scotland! We can take you on a day trip or multi-day tour departing from Edinburgh. You can choose from our range of itineraries, or we can take you wherever you want to go! Visit our website, Kiwi and Haggis Tours, for more information.
Read more: The best bookshops in Scotland
Public transport in Scotland
Travel by Train
Scotrail is the main railway in Scotland. Their website is useful for researching train routes and prices.
I always compare prices with Scotrail and Trainline to find the cheapest train tickets. For long journeys, I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance via the Scotrail app. For short train journeys (Edinburgh to Glasgow and travel within the central belt), you can purchase your tickets at the train station using the machines there or via the Scotrail app.
Tickets for trains are available to book 12 weeks in advance.
Travel by Bus
Scottish Citylink, Stagecoach and Ember are other popular bus companies in Scotland.
Tickets for buses are available to book 12 weeks in advance.
Read more: 25 tips for sustainable travel in Scotland
Each region has their own local bus system. The bus companies in Edinburgh and Glasgow are fantastic- it’s my favourite way to travel around the cities. To explore Edinburgh by bus, you can purchase an all-day ticket with Lothian Buses for £6. In Glasgow, you can get a day pass with First Bus for £6.30.
Tickets can be purchased on board, and most buses in cities accept contactless payments (tap or Apple Pay). In smaller towns and villages, they may not accept contactless payments, so make sure you bring the correct change.
You can also explore Scotland’s cities on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus (HOHO). You can grab a 24-hour tour in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. These are useful because they usually stop outside the main attractions, so you can use them like a normal bus pass, plus you learn about the city’s history via the audio guide!
Get your tickets in advance
👉 Buy the 24-hour HOHO tour in Edinburgh
👉 Buy the 24-hour HOHO tour in Glasgow
👉 Buy the 24-hour HOHO tour in Inverness
The Hop-on, Hop-off bus is a great way to get to know Scotland’s cities
Packing for a trip to Scotland
I have written a complete blog post on what to pack for a trip to Scotland, so make sure you give that a read. Here are a few essentials I recommend you bring to Scotland:
- Shoes that are waterproof. I love my Timberlands– they’re perfect for navigating cobblestone paths in small towns and cities.
- Rain jacket. My Rab rain jacket is a godsend- plus it’s flattering!
- A hat and gloves. I love my Barts beanie and these gloves.
- Lots of layers for the changeable weather.
- If you’re visiting between October and March, pack a warm down jacket. I love my one from The North Face.
- For hiking, I recommend these Scarpa Terra hiking boots for women. They also have a men’s version.
You can find all of the above in my Amazon store. Here is my USA Amazon store, and here is my UK Amazon store.
Recommended Scotland itineraries
I’ve written several itineraries for travel in Scotland. My itineraries cover all the must-sees in Scotland, and I’ve also included many off-the-beaten-track experiences too!
If you’re planning on visiting any of these areas, make sure you give these itineraries a try.
- How to spend 4 days in Scotland
- How to spend 10 days in Scotland
- How to spend 2 days in Edinburgh
- How to spend 2 days in Inverness
- How to spend 2 days on the Isle of Skye
- How to spend 1 day in St Andrews
- Things to do in Glencoe
- An itinerary for the North Coast 500
Everyone has a different travel style, so if you’d like a personalised itinerary made for you, I’d love to help! Just check out my itinerary planning services page for all the information.
Read more: Common questions about visiting Scotland answered
Planning a trip to Scotland course
Need help planning your trip to Scotland?
I highly recommend signing up for my Planning A Trip to Scotland Course. Created by me and Lonely Planet writer Kay (The Chaotic Scot), the course includes 70+ short videos that walk you through planning your itinerary step-by-step!
This course will help you save time, stress, and money- and help you plan your perfect trip. Kay and I walk you through the exact process we use for planning our own trips around Scotland- including hiring a car and using public transport, finding things to do, travelling to the islands, the map-building technology that we use, travel etiquette, and SO much more.
👉 Get the Planning A Trip to Scotland Course
Helpful Links
Scotland Travel Deals – A list of my recommended experiences, accommodation, and activities, with discounts from some operators!
Historic Scotland – to research any castles or historic spaces you’d like to visit, and to check opening dates
National Trust for Scotland – to research any castles or historic spaces you’d like to visit, and to check opening dates
Skyscanner – to find cheap flights and compare prices with different airlines
Google Flights – another flight comparison website
Booking.com – for booking accommodation
VRBO – for booking accommodation
Canopy & Stars – for glamping and luxury camping
Huts and Cabins – pods, huts, glamping, and camping accommodation
WalkHighlands – for information on hiking in Scotland, with over 2000 hiking routes
Celtic Legend – car hire in Scotland
Scotrail – the main train network in Scotland, for checking train routes
Trainline – it sometimes works out cheaper to book trains here
>> Did this guide help you? Don’t forget to sign up for my monthly newsletter about my adventures in Scotland!
MY BEST TRAVEL TIPS FOR SCOTLAND
Here is a list of travel resources that I always use that save me time and money. For more tips check out my ultimate guide on planning a trip to Scotland.
💜 Planning: If you’re on a budget I highly recommend grabbing my Ultimate Scotland Travel Planning Bundle. It includes an ebook, digital travel planner, and cheat sheets for planning your trip.
💜 Planning a Trip to Scotland Course: If you are looking for help to plan your trip from start to finish, my Planning A Trip To Scotland course is my absolute best resource for creating your itinerary! It includes 70+ videos about every aspect of planning a trip to Scotland.
💜 Booking flights: I use Skyscanner when researching and booking my flights as I find them to have the best deals. I also use Google Flights to compare flights I’ve found on Skyscanner. I always book direct with the airline.
💜 Accommodation: I use Booking.com when booking my accommodation in Scotland. I also have a list of my recommended accommodation in Scotland here.
💜 Travel insurance: I always recommend booking travel insurance for any trip you take. Personally, I use CoverMore– I used to sell this insurance when I was a travel agent and dealt with claims on behalf of my customers frequently and they were really easy to deal with. World Nomads is also another high-quality insurance provider I recommend.
💜 Tours and Activities: I use GetYourGuide whenever I can to book tours and activities. I also recommend purchasing the Explorer Pass if you plan on visiting a few attractions.
💜 Transport: When hiring a car in the UK I always use Celtic Legend. You can save 10% off your car rental by using the referral code WAYFARINGKIWI when you ask for a quote. For train times and bookings I use Scotrail (Scotland’s main network) and I also compare prices with Trainline. For bus travel, I use Megabus for cheap fares.
💜 What to pack: The weather is changeable in Scotland and you can sometimes have four seasons in one day! I’ve written this comprehensive packing list for Scotland that will tell you everything you need to pack, whether you’re travelling from abroad or living locally and you’re planning a day trip to Scotland.
PIN FOR LATER
Leave a Comment