FAQ - Questions about planning tours and visiting Scotland

Decide how long you want the trip. Use the basic tour of the Highlands as a starting point; it covers most of the must see places of interest. These tours are just examples of what is possible.

As an independent traveller, consider spendinfg a few days in Edinburgh and then head off and see the Highlands in either a hire car and one of the many bus tours that exist.

No, driver/guides must have have special "Hire & Reward" Insurance to protect you as paying passengers. All hire car company's terms and conditions specifically forbid any "hire and reward use." Even if it is your own car and the guide isn't the driver you will find you are not covered by your insurance.

Not at all, if you are touring the country perhaps you are arriving/leaving from different airports. You can hire a car in one location and drop off in another. There is good interconnections between the cities. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen all have London conections by rail or air.

Yes, Day trips are avalable from Glasgow and Edinburgh usually in minibuses and most cities have city tours

The city link bus service joins all the towns and cities and using both the train and bus network it is possible to access almost the whole of Scotland.

Despite the legislation, some people find it more comfortable or wish to be supportive of gay businesses and there are links to gay accommodation (see Gay Resources and Useful Links). It's important that you feel comfortable in your surroundings and I'm not just talking about fluffy cushions.

If you are travelling on your own then can be expensive in High Season because of single suppliments. Think about B&Bs or Hostels.
An alternative would be an apartment or house via AirBnB which may work out cheaper.

There is a major investment program to bring high speed fibre optic cabling to the Highlands but in many areas internet conection speeds are slow. Similarily, mobile coverage is dependent on the provider and can be patchy. Do NOT use satnav to find rural addresses, postcodes can cover a large area and will guide you to the centre of the postcode area only.

There are some fantastic walks with varying levels of difficulty and length: Tourist information centres have details of routes. There are many accessible routes suited to wheelchair users in the forests and National Parks. For longer walks e.g walking part of the West Highland Way, Companies exist that can transport luggage to your destination. It's one of the advantages of having a guide that you can avoid circular routes. For serious walks in the Cairngorms I recomend booking a qualified local guide. At all times safety is paramount (see also Weather & Health & safety)

Wait 10 minutes! Even in summer, the weather can be unpredictable; little point in taking the gondola up Aonach Mor in zero visibility. Seeing Glencoe or Loch Ness in the mist merely adds to the atmosphere.

Part of the beauty of Scotland is caused by the ever changing weather conditions. You are advised to bring clothing for warm sunny windless days (forever in hope) and days of rain, mist and wind. Also bring suitable walking shoes or boots. Sling backs are rarely de rigueur in the Highlands.

I’ll try and carry yae doon but it may need two trips! Seriously, you are strongly advised to have adequate medical insurance. It is your responsibility to ensure that your insurance covers you for any activities or sports you wish to undertake. The mountains of Scotland can be dangerous - even in summer, The weather can close in extremely quickly. I would never advise you go off on your own without adequate equipment, suitable clothing, boots, food, water and a map. I always carry a back pack containing: relevant maps, compass, whistle, first aid kit, water and emergency rations, insect repellant, sun cream and a torch however I would always advise that on more adventurous walks you use the services of a local guide. If you do go, always tell someone. Route cards are freely available stating: where you are going and at what time you expect to return. DON'T rely on your mobile; you may not receive a signal.

ALWAYS take a map and compass: NEVER rely solely on your mobile in the mountains. There maybe no signal and batteries may run flat.

The Highland midge or "Culicoides Impunctatus" has a fearsome reputation for biting. Midges occur more in the north and west of Scotland than in the south or the east. They especially like wet and uncultivated land. They dislike the sun and wind. Midges start to become a problem in June and usually last through to August when their numbers diminish rapidly. One of the most effective repellents is Skin So Soft - dry oil body spray by Avon, yes, really! Great for your skin, you'll smell nice, and the wee blighters hate it. Another effective product is "Smidge," available in most outdoor/activity stores.

Despite our Victorian and Edwardian forbears’ attempts to shoot anything that moved; there is an abundance of wildlife in Scotland and the seas surrounding us. Whether that is red squirrels and pine martins in the forests, sea eagles and grey seals on Skye or whales off the west coast, to dolphins in the Moray Firth, with a bit of planning it is possible to see them all.

You can even see giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo.