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 isn’t distant, I now reside in London, which seems like the exact opposite. That’s the reason I’m so glad I went to solo journey to Scotland.
On one in all 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 mountaineering trails with terrific views.
The Scots should be a few of Earth’s friendliest and most welcoming folks.
When visiting a pub by yourself in rural Scotland, you possibly can assure that somebody will strike up a dialog, though I’ve to confess that I nonetheless battle with stable accents.
I really like the Scottish countryside, however Scotland additionally has nice cities to discover. Edinburgh has a number of historical past and engaging museums.
Glasgow, then again, is a spot to exit and it’s good 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 nations, 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’d in any Western metropolis.
I additionally advocate arriving while it’s nonetheless gentle so to safely discover your ft. Scotland is additional north than you would possibly suppose.
Anybody touring from October to March ought to do not forget that the solar units as early as 3:45 pm in the course of winter.
I all the time e book a spot to remain forward of time because it saves me wandering round on the lookout for lodging.
There are many accommodations 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 price down in what generally is a fairly costly nation.
The truth that everyone 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 biggest cities are Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. There are three most important languages in Scotland, English, Gaelic and Scots, though outdoors of the islands you’ll practically all the time hear English spoken.
It’s straightforward to think about that the Scottish panorama is identical throughout all components of the nation, however that’s not the case in any respect.
The cities, the countryside and the islands are all very totally different. Relying on how lengthy your journey is, attempt to embody a mixture of every thing.
Even on a shorter journey don’t spend all of your time within the cities, embody no less than one vacation spot the place you possibly can witness the beautiful Scottish countryside.
Scotland’s surroundings is nice for outdoorsy solo vacationers
For me, the primary purpose to solo journey to Scotland shouldn’t be its cities however its countryside. The surroundings within the Scottish countryside is superb!
One can find 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 is usually one of the vital scenic components 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 a number of the prettiest seashores in Europe?
The waters are turquoise, and the sands could be shiny white. Probably the most wonderful seashores could be discovered on islands reminiscent of Mull and the Outer Hebrides.
However don’t plan to sunbathe on them. Given the Scottish climate the seashores often are higher suited to strolling.
When planning your itinerary remember the fact that public transport is way much less obtainable as quickly as you get outdoors the cities and also you may need to get a ferry.
With a number of pre-planning you possibly can journey utilizing buses, however renting a automotive or becoming a member of a bunch tour is best.
Meals in Scotland
I’ve to confess that I’m not an enormous fan of some well-known Scottish dishes like Haggis and it may be exhausting to seek 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.
Suppose contemporary fish, domestically smoked salmon and even domestically grown greens.
The times of every thing being deep fried are over, though you’ll nonetheless discover a number of the finest fish and chips within the UK in Scotland.
Anybody who enjoys a drink will love Scotland. You might be by no means removed from a comfortable pub and wherever you go you received’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 supply excursions and tastings however often should be booked upfront.
Scotland has pleasant locals!
The Scots should be a number of 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 finest locations to fulfill locals and different vacationers. One other good solution to meet folks is thru language meetups.
Language meetups are the place folks collect in a pub or different location to follow their international language expertise and study new cultures.
Not solely are you able to follow your English, it additionally means you possibly can educate others a few of your mom tongue. Occasions are organized frequently 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 prepare residence at evening.
Trains and buses in Scotland are typically dependable and clear. Nonetheless, if you’re travelling by prepare, it’s essential to plan your itinerary fastidiously.
Trains frequently run between Glasgow and Edinburgh, however it’s harder to journey throughout Scotland by prepare.
If no prepare is accessible between the 2 locations, there’ll doubtless be a bus. Nonetheless, it’s value remembering that buses would possibly solely run as soon as a day within the countryside.
Except you are taking a bunch tour or hire a automotive, it’s essential to plan properly upfront to journey to the extra distant components of Scotland utilizing public transport.
You have to additionally e book bus and prepare tickets upfront to get the most cost effective 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 prepare between the identical two locations and value a lot much less.
Climate in Scotland
There isn’t a escaping from the truth that it rains quite a bit in Scotland, whatever the time of 12 months you go to.
It might probably usually be windy as properly, so I all the time make certain I pack waterproof and windproof clothes. I by no means journey to Scotland and not using a fleece and my Gore-Tex jacket, even through the summer season.
The important thing to what to put on is to think about layers. The climate and temperature can range considerably day by 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 college summer season holidays begin in Europe, so there are fewer vacationers and, in April and Could, fewer midges.
The summer season months are the warmest, however statistically, spring tends to have extra sunshine.
Throughout winter, it usually 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, accommodations, and eating places are closed.
Except you need to get away from every thing and don’t thoughts there being few different vacationers, this isn’t the very best time for solo journey to Scotland.
Finances for solo journey to Scotland
Scotland shouldn’t be an affordable vacation spot. As a price range traveler, count on to spend round $63-$126 a day with price range lodging costing from $25-$63 per evening.
A mid-range price range is $126-$253, however you possibly can simply spend much more than that staying in top-end accommodations and consuming at good eating places.
To scale back your spending, keep in hostels with kitchens and prepare dinner your personal meals. Not consuming dinner and lunch at a café or restaurant can even considerably cut back your outgoings.
An alternative choice is to purchase meals at one of many supermarkets and have a picnic.
The opposite giant bills might be transport and entrance charges. The nice factor is that many issues to do in Scotland are free, reminiscent of mountaineering, admiring the surroundings, or simply wandering round a metropolis.
In my view, most Scottish castles are most spectacular from the skin, so that you don’t even have to 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 certain I’ll by no means run out of fascinating 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 implausible surroundings Scotland is so well-known for.
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