Scotland is a small country and travel is easy. There
are
direct air links
with UK cities, with Europe and North America. There is also an internal air net work
bringing the islands of the North and West within easy reach.
Scotland 's rail network not only includes excellent cross- border
InterCity services but also a good internal network. Travelling Britain by rail has never
been easier. Choose from the many
Britrail Passes
or other
products that are on offer.All major towns are linked by rail and there are also
links to the western seaboard at Mallaig and Kyle of Lochalsh (for ferry connections to
Skye and the western isles) and to Inverness, Thurso and Wick for ferries to Orkney and
Shetland.
Special information for N.American visitors can be fund at
Britain on Track.
All the usual discount cards are valid but there are also ScotRail Rovers
(multi journey tickets allowing you to save on rail fares) and the
freedom of Scotland travelpass,
a combined rail and ferry pass allowing unlimited travel on ferry services to the islands
and all of the rail network. In addition Travelpass also offers discounts on bus services
and some air services.
InterCity services are available from all major centres, for example:
Birmingham, Carlisle, Crew, Manchester, Newcastle, Penzance, Peterborough, Preston,
Plymouth, York and many others. There are frequent InterCity departures from Kings Cross
and Euston stations to Edinburgh and Glasgow around 5 hours.
Coach connections include express services to Scotland from all over the
UK; local bus companies in Scotland offer explore tickets and discount cards. Postbuses
(normally minibuses) take passengers on over 130 rural routes throughout Scotland.
Ferries to and
around the islands are regular and reliable, most ferries carry vehicles,
although some travelling to smaller islands carry only passengers.
Contact the Information Department, Scottish Tourist Board. PO Box 705,
Edinburgh EH4 3EU. or any
Tourist
information centre for details of travel and transport.
Many visitors choose to see Scotland by road -
distances are short
and driving on the quiet roads
of the Highlands is a new and different experience. In remoter areas, some roads are still
single track, and passing place must be used. When vehicles approach from different
directions, the car nearest to a passing place must stop in or opposite it. Please do not
use passing places to park in!
Speed limits on Scottish roads: Dual carriageways 70mph/112kph; single
carriageways 60mph/96kph ; built up areas 30mph/48kph.
The driver and front seat passenger in a car must wear seatbelts, rear
seatbelts if fitted, must be used. Small children and babies must at all times be
restrained in a child seat or carrier.
Opening Times
Public holidays: Christmas and New Years Day are holidays in Scotland,
taken by almost everyone. Scottish towns also take Spring and Autumn holidays which may
vary from place to place, but are usually on a Monday. There are also several bank
holidays throughout the year.
Banking hours:In general, banks open Monday to Friday, 0939 to 1600, with
some closing later on a Thursday. Banks in cities, particularly in or near the main
shopping centres, may be open at weekends. Cash machines in hundreds of branches allow you
to withdraw cash outside banking hours, using the appropriate cards.
Pubs and restaurants: Licensing laws in Scotland generally allow bars to
service alcoholic drinks between 1100 and 1430, and from 1700 to2300, Monday to Saturday.
Most are also licensed to open on Sunday, when they open 1230 to 1430, and 1830 to 2300.
Residents in hotels may have drinks served at any time.
Telephone Codes
If you are calling from abroad, first dial your own country's
international access code ( usually 00,but do please check ). Next, dial the UK code 44,
then the area code except for the first 0, then the remainder of the number as normal.
Quarantine Regulations
If you are coming to Scotland from overseas, please do not attempt to
bring your pet on holiday with you. British quarantine regulations are stringently
enforced , and anyone attempting to contravene them will incur severe penalties as
well as the loss of the animal.
Weather
Average temperatures in the summertime in most parts of
Scotland are around 55/65F so pack clothes which are appropriate for that range. The
temperatures can fall below this but equally they can be above, so it is best to have
clothes which you can 'layer' and add and subtract as required. Temperatures above 80F are
most unusual in Scotland.
Average rainfall in Edinburgh is around 26 inches - about 2.5 inches a month.
There can be a lot of cloud around even when it is not raining. Despite modern
forecasting, rainfall can be unpredictable, so it is usually safer to take a waterproof
coat or umbrella.
Rainfall is higher in the west than in the east - Glasgow has an average of 46 inches
of rain and some exposed places have even higher levels.
If you are in the Highlands and climbing in the hills, don't forget it gets colder
higher up - and that weather can change rapidly, even in summer.
Winters temperatures in central Scotland are usually in the range 30/45F and the wind
chill factor in winter can make it feel colder, especially in the East. So if you are
coming over for New Year (Hogmanay) wrap up warm.
Snow is not very frequent in central Scotland - you need to go further north and into
the mountains and even there, snow for the ski resorts is not guaranteed.
In an average year, there are around 1,500 hours of sunshine in central Scotland - so
bring your sunglasses too! . If you want to reduce the amount of rain you experience, the
driest months of the year are April and May
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