The welcoming locals, secure atmosphere, beautiful landscapes, and wealthy historical past make solo journey to Scotland a serene escape for touring alone.
Having grown up in Norway, the place the countryside is rarely distant, I now dwell in London, which seems like the exact opposite. That’s the reason I’m so glad I went to solo journey to Scotland.
On certainly one of my first journeys to Scotland, I drove from Glasgow to Portree on Skye. The open countryside was actually a breath of contemporary air.
The landscapes are huge and open, dotted with fascinating castles. You’ll additionally uncover fantastic white sandy seashores and mountain climbing trails with terrific views.
The Scots have to be a few of Earth’s friendliest and most welcoming folks.
When visiting a pub by yourself in rural Scotland, you may assure that somebody will strike up a dialog, though I’ve to confess that I nonetheless wrestle with stable accents.
I like the Scottish countryside, however Scotland additionally has nice cities to discover. Edinburgh has lots of historical past and engaging museums.
Glasgow, however, is a spot to exit and it’s excellent for anybody who prefers an edgier scene.
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Scotland solo journey: fast information
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Is solo journey to Scotland secure?
Sure, Scotland is a secure vacation spot and is ideal for solo feminine vacationers. Nonetheless, like in most international locations, the countryside is safer than the larger cities.
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen are secure, however it is best to take the same old precautions you’ll in any Western metropolis.
I additionally advocate arriving while it’s nonetheless mild as a way to safely discover your ft. Scotland is additional north than you would possibly suppose.
Anybody touring from October to March ought to keep in mind that the solar units as early as 3:45 pm in the midst of winter.
I all the time ebook a spot to remain forward of time because it saves me wandering round in search of lodging.
There are many resorts and hostels throughout Scotland. Hostels are extra social and a very good place to fulfill folks.
As well as, staying in hostels in Scotland retains the fee down in what is usually a moderately costly nation.
The truth that all people speaks English additionally makes me really feel safer. It signifies that most guests can simply ask for recommendation, assist, or instructions.
Is Scotland good for solo journey?
Scotland is split into 32 council areas and the most important cities are Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. There are three principal languages in Scotland, English, Gaelic and Scots, though exterior of the islands you’ll almost all the time hear English spoken.
It’s straightforward to think about that the Scottish panorama is similar throughout all elements of the nation, however that’s not the case in any respect.
The cities, the countryside and the islands are all very completely different. Relying on how lengthy your journey is, attempt to embrace a mixture of the whole lot.
Even on a shorter journey don’t spend all of your time within the cities, embrace no less than one vacation spot the place you may witness the beautiful Scottish countryside.
Scotland’s surroundings is nice for outdoorsy solo vacationers
For me, the primary motive to solo journey to Scotland just isn’t its cities however its countryside. The surroundings within the Scottish countryside is superb!
You’ll discover picture-perfect lochs, inexperienced hills, and white sandy seashores.
I like to recommend together with no less than one of many Scottish islands in your itinerary. The Isle of Skye is likely one of the finest islands for solo vacationers.
Because it is likely one of the most visited islands, it has extra to supply when it comes to hostels, B&Bs, eating places, and cafes, which makes it simpler to fulfill folks.
It’s also one of the crucial scenic elements of Scotland, with iconic websites such because the Outdated Man of Storr, Quiraing, and the Fairy Swimming pools.
The seashores in Scotland deserve a particular point out. Who would have thought that Scotland has among the prettiest seashores in Europe?
The waters are turquoise, and the sands will be brilliant white. Essentially the most glorious seashores will be discovered on islands comparable to Mull and the Outer Hebrides.
However don’t plan to sunbathe on them. Given the Scottish climate the seashores normally are higher suited to strolling.
When planning your itinerary understand that public transport is far much less obtainable as quickly as you get exterior the cities and also you might need to get a ferry.
With lots of pre-planning you may journey utilizing buses, however renting a automotive or becoming a member of a gaggle tour is best.
Meals in Scotland
I’ve to confess that I’m not a giant fan of some well-known Scottish dishes like Haggis and it may be laborious to search out good, contemporary greens when consuming out in some areas of Scotland.
However the delicacies in Scotland is altering with the occasions. There are new, fashionable cafes and eating places popping up throughout Scotland serving scrumptious espresso and wholesome meals.
Assume contemporary fish, domestically smoked salmon and even domestically grown greens.
The times of the whole lot being deep fried are over, though you’ll nonetheless discover among the finest fish and chips within the UK in Scotland.
Anybody who enjoys a drink will love Scotland. You’re by no means removed from a comfortable pub and wherever you go you gained’t be removed from whisky and gin distilleries.
Whisky fanatics ought to go to the realm round Speyside and Islay that are recognized for his or her high quality whisky.
Most distilleries provide excursions and tastings however normally have to be booked upfront.
Scotland has pleasant locals!
The Scots have to be among the friendliest folks on Earth.
Since folks communicate English in Scotland, you take away the communication barrier, and it’s straightforward to strike up a dialog with anybody you meet.
Pubs are among the best locations to fulfill locals and different vacationers. One other good technique to meet folks is thru language meetups.
Language meetups are the place folks collect in a pub or different location to follow their overseas language expertise and study new cultures.
Not solely are you able to follow your English, it additionally means you may educate others a few of your mom tongue. Occasions are organized commonly in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Meetups are detailed on the Glasgow Language Trade web site and on the Edinburgh Language Trade web site.
It’s straightforward (and secure) to get round Scotland alone
Public transport is secure throughout the UK, and Scotland isn’t any exception. As a girl, I by no means suppose twice about taking the bus or practice house at night time.
Trains and buses in Scotland are typically dependable and clear. Nonetheless, in case you are travelling by practice, you need to plan your itinerary rigorously.
Trains commonly run between Glasgow and Edinburgh, however it’s harder to journey throughout Scotland by practice.
If no practice is offered between the 2 locations, there’ll doubtless be a bus. Nonetheless, it’s price remembering that buses would possibly solely run as soon as a day within the countryside.
Until you’re taking a gaggle tour or hire a automotive, you need to plan effectively upfront to journey to the extra distant elements of Scotland utilizing public transport.
You could additionally ebook bus and practice tickets upfront to get the most affordable tickets. That is very true for trains the place reserving tickets on the day of journey may be very costly.
Buses typically take longer than the practice between the identical two locations and price a lot much less.
Climate in Scotland
There isn’t any escaping from the truth that it rains so much in Scotland, whatever the time of 12 months you go to.
It may typically be windy as effectively, so I all the time ensure I pack waterproof and windproof clothes. I by no means journey to Scotland with no fleece and my Gore-Tex jacket, even through the summer time.
The important thing to what to put on is to consider layers. The climate and temperature can fluctuate considerably every day and inside a single day, particularly within the Highlands and islands.
Mid-April to June is my favourite interval for visiting Scotland. It’s earlier than the varsity summer time holidays begin in Europe, so there are fewer vacationers and, in April and Might, fewer midges.
The summer time months are the warmest, however statistically, spring tends to have extra sunshine.
Throughout winter, it typically rains, and storms can have an effect on ferry crossings to the islands. Buses are much less frequent through the winter, and lots of vacationer sights, resorts, and eating places are closed.
Until you need to get away from the whole lot and don’t thoughts there being few different vacationers, this isn’t the perfect time for solo journey to Scotland.
Price range for solo journey to Scotland
Scotland just isn’t an affordable vacation spot. As a finances traveler, anticipate to spend round $63-$126 a day with finances lodging costing from $25-$63 per night time.
A mid-range finances is $126-$253, however you may simply spend much more than that staying in top-end resorts and consuming at good eating places.
To cut back your spending, keep in hostels with kitchens and prepare dinner your individual meals. Not consuming dinner and lunch at a café or restaurant can even considerably scale back your outgoings.
An alternative choice is to purchase meals at one of many supermarkets and have a picnic.
The opposite massive bills will probably be transport and entrance charges. The great factor is that many issues to do in Scotland are free, comparable to mountain climbing, admiring the surroundings, or simply wandering round a metropolis.
For my part, most Scottish castles are most spectacular from the skin, so that you don’t even must pay to go inside.
I can’t wait to journey to Scotland solo once more!
As quickly as I end a visit to Scotland, I begin to plan my subsequent journey. Every time, I attempt to add a brand new space to discover.
With so many superb sights, islands, and villages, I’m positive I’ll by no means run out of attention-grabbing issues to see and do.
My favourite areas to go to are the Highlands and the islands. Visiting these areas requires extra planning however don’t simply stick with the well-trodden vacationer itinerary of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Add no less than one island to understand the incredible surroundings Scotland is so well-known for.
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