Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you travel Scotland. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Scotland, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your Scotland vacation!
Don’t Call The Residents English
Scotland and England are two different countries with a long, checkered history. Scotland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Technically, they are British, but it’s easiest just to call them all Scottish, but for the love of all things Scottish, don’t call them English.
Don’t Expect to Shop at Night
It can be hard to find shops that are open past 6:00 pm. In the larger cities, you’ll find something open late, but as you travel around Scotland, expect most small towns to be pretty quiet in the evenings. Therefore plan for your shopping stops during the day and your eating adventures at night.
Don’t Bring Kids to a Pub Late at Night
Pubs in Scotland are a great place to have a good, hearty dinner. However, if you’re visiting Scotland with kids, you should know they won’t be allowed in the pubs after a certain hour. Other pubs may not allow kids at all. So make sure you check before you plan for that family pub meal.
Don’t Just Visit Edinburgh
Yes, Edinburgh is fantastic. You can easily spend your whole Scotland vacation there, but don’t! Some of the best parts of Scotland are out in the countryside. Whether you visit the Isle of Skye, the Scottish Highlands, or the other cities of Scotland, you’ll be happy you did. We enjoy Inverness and the Black Isle as well as Aberdeen. If you want to get adventurous you can visit the Shetland Islands or Orkney Islands.
Don’t Forget to Drive on the Left
Whether you are driving or walking, make sure you remember that they drive on the left. If you follow our advice to explore Scotland beyond Edinburgh, you will need to rent a car and drive around. So, keep this in mind and take your time. When walking around, make sure you look both ways a couple of times before crossing the street.
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Don’t Be Afraid to Ask the Locals for Recommendations
The locals in Scotland are super friendly, so don’t be afraid to approach them with questions. I’ve gotten lost in Scotland before, and the locals were more than willing to help me out. We’ve made several trips to Scotland, and the Scottish people have always been so hospitable. It’s one of the reasons we love coming back. Offer to have a pint with them or an Irn Bru.
Don’t Expect to Understand Scottish Speakers
Yes, they’re speaking English, but the accent is quite strong. You won’t be the first, or the last, English speaker who doesn’t understand “Scottish English.” Just ask them to repeat themselves and after they have a chuckle at your expense they will help you out.
Don’t Be Scared of Scottish Food
You might really love haggis and black pudding, so don’t be scared of it. But at the same time, don’t feel obliged to eat these things in Scotland. There’s a lot of great food in Scotland, so you will find something you like. It doesn’t have to be exotic or “weird,” things like salmon are also really tasty in Scotland. We have a video that goes through some of the great foods in Scotland, you don’t just have to have fried Mars bars and haggis. Though you could they are pretty tasty, I suggest the haggis balls as a starter to see how you feel about Haggis in general.
Don’t Buy a Kilt in Scotland
There are a lot of cool things you can buy in Scotland, but I see a lot of people who buy kilts as a souvenir from their Scotland vacation. An authentic kilt can be really expensive and most of us aren’t going to wear those once we get home from Scotland. If your family is Scottish and you have occasions to wear one, go ahead. But really think about how much use it will get before you spend your money on a kilt. It will be the most expensive Halloween costume you ever had.
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Don’t Forget Bug Spray
We’ve already insisted that you get out of the city and explore the natural beauty of Scotland. But along with that natural beauty comes something called midges. They are teeny bugs that love to bite you and leave little red marks all over. Make sure you bring good bug spray that will keep the midges at bay and reapply often as you may not notice when the effectiveness has worn off.
Don’t Wait to Reserve Accommodation
As you explore the smaller towns of Scotland, there are some really charming accommodation choices. There are quaint bed and breakfasts, charming country cottages, inns, and more. But don’t think you can just pop in and get a room. Accommodation is limited in these smaller towns, so make sure you make your reservations well in advance. As soon as you start planning your trips to Scotland, start making your accommodation reservations. We planned a few months out and still couldn’t get Isle of Skye accommodation!
Don’t Forget to Research Mulit-Attraction Passes
Organizations like Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland offer memberships that include free access to dozens of sites around Scotland. It’s worth looking at what they offer vs what you plan to see, and you might be able to save some money with a membership.
Don’t Think Everyone Accepts Scottish Pounds
Generally, they use the Pound Sterling, or the Great British Pound in Scotland. However, there are also Scottish Pounds in circulation, which are issued by various banks. Most places in Scotland and the rest of the UK will accept them, but you could run into trouble if you try to exchange your leftover Scottish pounds. It’s best to just try to spend all of your currency before you leave, or to at least have British Pounds so you can more easily exchange them in another country.
Don’t Think Edinburgh is Flat
If you look at a map of Edinburgh, you might think it’s a flat city like London. But there are seven hills in Edinburgh, which the tourist maps don’t really show. What looks like a straight path across the city may involve hiking over or around hills. Make sure you have comfortable shoes and that you are walking some hills before your trip.
Don’t Forget to Make Dinner Reservations
There are certain times you need to make sure you have dinner reservations. August is the annual celebration in Edinburgh and the city will be packed. Also, if you’re staying in a small town during tourist season, it’s a good idea to make sure you have reservations for dinner. You should also consider hotel reservations in the smaller towns or you might end up driving farther than you would like.
Don’t Forget to Pack Snacks for the Car
If you do plan to drive around Scotland, make sure you pack some snacks for the car. There are long distances between sites in Scotland, so you may go quite a while between places to eat. Scotland has some great snacks and candies, so a road trip is a great opportunity to try different snacks.
Don’t Forget to Look Up Festivals During Your Trip
Scotland has so many crazy, fun festivals. They happen throughout the year, so take a few minutes before your trip to find out what’s happening during your visit. This includes concerts and sporting events, too. Hanging out at festivals is also a great way to meet locals.
Don’t Think Irn-Bru is Orange-Flavored
Irn-Bru is a soda you’ll see all over Scotland. It’s an orange color, so naturally, most people think it will taste like Orange Crush or Fanta. However, it’s actually a bubblegum flavor. If you’re not expecting it, it might take you back. The flavor will grow on you, though. Our kids love it!
Don’t Count on Finding ATM’s Everywhere
Some of the smaller towns may not have an ATM, so make sure you have extra cash on you. Stock up on what you might need before leaving the airport or the larger cities. Sometimes you will see in the smaller villages that a bank truck will come with an ATM inside the actual truck.
Don’t Assume Short Distances or Drive Times
You may look at a map and think you are close to your destination, but that’s not always the case. Don’t assume 50 miles will only take you 50 minutes. Not all of the roads are very fast, and they can be winding through small towns along the way. So make sure you are planning your travel accordingly
We have loved all of our trips to Scotland, and we find it to be an excellent family travel destination. When you do visit, don’t forget to chat with the locals! I hope this helps you know some of the things to avoid doing on your Scotland vacation. Looking for more tips on visiting the United Kingdom? Check out these blog posts!