The welcoming locals, secure surroundings, 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 far-off, 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 every 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 great white sandy seashores and mountaineering trails with terrific views.
The Scots should be a few of Earth’s friendliest and most welcoming individuals.
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 wrestle with strong accents.
I really like the Scottish countryside, however Scotland additionally has nice cities to discover. Edinburgh has loads of historical past and engaging museums.
Glasgow, alternatively, 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 international locations, the countryside is safer than the larger cities.
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen are secure, however you must take the same old precautions you’d in any Western metropolis.
I additionally advocate arriving while it’s nonetheless mild so as to safely discover your toes. Scotland is additional north than you would possibly assume.
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 e-book a spot to remain forward of time because it saves me wandering round searching for lodging.
There are many resorts and hostels throughout Scotland. Hostels are extra social and a very good place to satisfy individuals.
As well as, staying in hostels in Scotland retains the associated fee down in what could be a moderately costly nation.
The truth that everyone speaks English additionally makes me really feel safer. It implies 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 major languages in Scotland, English, Gaelic and Scots, though exterior of the islands you’ll practically all the time hear English spoken.
It’s simple 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 embody a mixture of every part.
Even on a shorter journey don’t spend all of your time within the cities, embody a minimum of 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 motive 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 a minimum of one of many Scottish islands in your itinerary. The Isle of Skye is likely one of the greatest islands for solo vacationers.
Because it is likely one of the most visited islands, it has extra to supply by way of hostels, B&Bs, eating places, and cafes, which makes it simpler to satisfy individuals.
It is usually some of the scenic elements of Scotland, with iconic websites such because the Previous 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 will be shiny white. Probably the most wonderful seashores will be discovered on islands similar to 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 far much less out there as quickly as you get exterior the cities and also you might need to get a ferry.
With loads of pre-planning you possibly can journey utilizing buses, however renting a automobile or becoming a member of a gaggle 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 arduous to search out good, contemporary greens when consuming out in some areas of Scotland.
However the delicacies in Scotland is altering with the instances. There are new, trendy 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 part being deep fried are over, though you’ll nonetheless discover a number of the greatest fish and chips within the UK in Scotland.
Anybody who enjoys a drink will love Scotland. You’re by no means removed from a comfy pub and wherever you go you received’t be removed from whisky and gin distilleries.
Whisky fans 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 individuals on Earth.
Since individuals communicate English in Scotland, you take away the communication barrier, and it’s simple to strike up a dialog with anybody you meet.
Pubs are the most effective locations to satisfy locals and different vacationers. One other good strategy to meet individuals is thru language meetups.
Language meetups are the place individuals 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 usually in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Meetups are detailed on the Glasgow Language Trade web site and on the Edinburgh Language Trade web site.
It’s simple (and secure) to get round Scotland alone
Public transport is secure throughout the UK, and Scotland is not any exception. As a lady, I by no means assume twice about taking the bus or prepare residence at evening.
Trains and buses in Scotland are usually dependable and clear. Nonetheless, in case you are travelling by prepare, you have to plan your itinerary rigorously.
Trains usually run between Glasgow and Edinburgh, however it’s harder to journey throughout Scotland by prepare.
If no prepare is on the market between the 2 locations, there’ll probably 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 automobile, you have to plan effectively upfront to journey to the extra distant elements of Scotland utilizing public transport.
You could 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 could be very costly.
Buses usually take longer than the prepare between the identical two locations and value a lot much less.
Climate in Scotland
There is no such thing as a escaping from the truth that it rains loads in Scotland, whatever the time of 12 months you go to.
It will probably usually be windy as effectively, so I all the time be sure I pack waterproof and windproof clothes. I by no means journey to Scotland with out a fleece and my Gore-Tex jacket, even in the course of the summer season.
The important thing to what to put on is to consider layers. The climate and temperature can fluctuate considerably each 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 season holidays begin in Europe, so there are fewer vacationers and, in April and Might, 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 in the course of the winter, and plenty of vacationer sights, resorts, and eating places are closed.
Until you want to get away from every part 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 shouldn’t be an inexpensive vacation spot. As a funds traveler, count on to spend round $63-$126 a day with funds lodging costing from $25-$63 per evening.
A mid-range funds is $126-$253, however you possibly can 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 cook dinner your personal meals. Not consuming dinner and lunch at a café or restaurant may even considerably scale back your outgoings.
An alternative choice is to purchase meals at one of many supermarkets and have a picnic.
The opposite giant bills can be transport and entrance charges. The nice factor is that many issues to do in Scotland are free, similar to mountaineering, admiring the surroundings, or simply wandering round a metropolis.
In my view, most Scottish castles are most spectacular from the surface, 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 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 follow the well-trodden vacationer itinerary of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Add a minimum of one island to understand the incredible surroundings Scotland is so well-known for.
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