Hard Tales of Scotland: Edinburgh, Trains and Nessie. Scotland Travel Guide Central Scotland and Fife

Scotland is not only the land of Braveheart, haggis and sheep. It's filled with castles, stunning lakes and mountains, beautiful parks, whiskey and welcoming locals. If you're spending time in vibrant cities, you can visit the University of Glasgow, admire the view of Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat, or wander through one of the country's many museums. But be sure to get out of the cities and into the highlands with their rich, rugged landscapes. Head west to the islands of Islay, Jura and Mawlu. Wherever you go, you'll find yourself immersed in rich culture and history. Scotland is one of the most picturesque and beautiful countries in the world!

Top 5 things to see and do in Scotland

1. Explore the Scottish Highlands

Visit the Scottish Highlands for giant mountains, rugged terrain, glaciers, lochs and quince scots. For centuries people have lived here. Although the land can be harsh and unforgiving, it is a beautiful landscape and you haven't seen Scotland until you're here.

2. Visit Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a glorious city filled with beautiful cobblestone streets, parks, museums, history, a castle and maybe even ghosts. There's plenty to do here and after a long day of sightseeing, enjoy an evening in the pub and mingle with the wonderful locals.

3. Celebrate Hogmanay like a true Scotsman

Hogmanay is one of the largest New Year celebrations in the world, attracting more than 75,000 people for the two-day festival. Although Scots have celebrated the day for centuries, the modern iteration with musical acts, a torchlight procession, several fireworks displays and a large street party only dates back to 1992.

4. Drink whiskey in Islay

Whiskey has a long history on Islay. It has been made since the 16th century - first in backyards and then, starting in the 19th century, in large distilleries. Over the years, whiskey from the island had to be considered a specialty and was used to flavor many other blends on the mainland. There are also many good hikes and walks throughout the island.

5. Visit Inverness

Inverness is a beautiful, historic and thriving city. As well as all the historic buildings in the Old Town, there is a great selection of places to eat and drink, Inverness Castle, the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and the Victorian Market. Plus it's close to Loch Ness (try finding Nessie), a ton of distilleries and several golf courses.

Scotland is the fourth region of Great Britain. Distinctive features of Scotland include bagpipes, tartan skirts, Scotch whiskey and the mysterious monster Nessie, who lives in Loch Ness.

The territory of Scotland includes the northern third of the island of Great Britain and the adjacent islands of the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. The area of ​​Scotland is 78,772 km², the length of the coastline is 9,911 km. In the south it borders with England. The length of the border from the Tweed River in the west to the Solway Firth in the east is about 96 km. The island of Ireland is located 30 km southwest of the coast, Norway is 400 km northeast, and the Faroe Islands and Iceland lie north of Scotland.

Current time in Edinburgh:
(UTC 0)

The western coast of Scotland is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, the eastern coast by the North Sea. The western and eastern sea coasts of Scotland are connected by the Caledonian Canal, of which the famous Loch Ness is part.

How to get to Scotland

The most logical way to get to Scotland is through the capital - the city of Edinburgh. The most convenient way to get to the capital of Scotland from the continent is by plane. Edinburgh Airport is located approximately 13 kilometers from the city center. There are no direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg, so the flight is only possible with a transfer in the British capital London or another European city. There is an option to get to Edinburgh by train from London. In time it will be about 5 hours. Train Station is located on Princess Street. Using the form below you can select a flight to Edinburgh according to your parameters.

How to get from London to Scotland

By bus

To get to Edinburgh from London by bus it will take about 9 hours. Although the price will be cheaper than using another type of transport. If children are not included in the trip, you can take an overnight flight to save on hotel costs. Transportation is carried out by two companies Megabus and National Express. Buses depart from Victoria Station. There are several options for purchasing a travel ticket. This can be done in advance by purchasing a ticket on the website, which will cost less, or just before departure, but in this case it will be difficult to count on good seats, since boarding is done on a first-come, first-served basis.

By train

The traditional and most convenient way to get to Edinburgh when traveling with children is by train. In addition to comfort, this option will allow you to perfectly explore not only English, but also Scottish landscapes. There are frequent trains to Edinburgh. There are both daytime flights, which are very convenient (on a weekday the journey takes 4.5 hours, and on weekends a little longer) and evening flights, but they are slower and more expensive. Trains to Edinburgh depart from London King's Cross station. The best option would be to buy a ticket in advance online using the Internet, which will be much cheaper than just before departure. The London - Edinburgh route is operated by East Coast.

By plane

If you want or need to reduce travel time, you should take a plane. Travel time will take 1 hour. The price of a flight is quite comparable to a train ticket, and sometimes it turns out even cheaper. However, taking into account the travel time from London to the airport, the total travel time will be comparable to that spent traveling by rail. So what is the “trick” then? Everything is very simple. This method of getting to the capital of Scotland is advantageous if, upon arrival at London Heathrow Airport, you immediately transfer to a plane to Edinburgh. Such transit routes are operated by the British airline British Airways. As a recommendation, provided that the final destination of the tourist trip is Edinburgh, we can advise you to look at the option of a flight that would bypass London. Connecting flights via Amsterdam and Frankfurt are quite suitable for these purposes.

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Climate and weather in Scotland

The climate is temperate oceanic. Thanks to the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream, temperatures in Scotland are higher than in countries along the same parallel, but lower than in other regions of the UK. Due to the uneven surface topography, the weather is extremely unstable. During the coldest months of the year - January and February - the average temperature maximum is 5-7°C. In the warmest months - July and August - 19°C. Average annual precipitation ranges from 3,000 mm in the north to 800 mm in the south. The region is characterized by southwest winds and frequent storms on the coast and islands.

Average climate values ​​for the main cities of the country by month (according to the Yandex.Weather service)

Weather in Scotland in February

Weather in Scotland in March

Weather in Scotland in April

Weather in Scotland in May

Weather in Scotland in June

Weather in Scotland in July

Weather in Scotland in August

Weather in Scotland in September

Weather in Scotland in October

Weather in Scotland in November

Weather in Scotland in December

Reviews by month

January 7 February 2 March 4

April 4 May 13 June 22

July 4 August 32 September 12

October 6 November 5 December 5

Photos of Scotland

Transport

There is a common belief that there is no point in traveling around Scotland without a rental car, which is misleading for those who are unable to get around in this way. Of course, with the help of a car you can get to the most secluded corners of this proud land, however, this does not mean that you will not have the opportunity to fully enjoy the natural beauty when traveling by public transport.

Public transport in Scotland is well developed, it combines all the classic types, from air travel, railways, to ferries and buses. It connects not only large cities, but also sparsely populated and remote destinations, for example, Orkney and Shetland. There is only one significant drawback - the cost of tickets, which can compete in terms of price, perhaps, with the Scandinavian countries.

Air traffic

There are 5 main airports in Scotland, with Edinburgh International Airport and Glasgow International Airport being the busiest.

Inverness Airport is Northern Scotland's largest airport and the main gateway for passengers traveling to the Highland region and offshore islands.

Another airport in Glasgow, Prestwick, is connected to the city by direct rail. Its important feature is that it is the main hub for low-cost airlines operating in Scotland.

Buses

This type of transport is indispensable in cases where you need to get to remote places where there is no railway connection. In addition, this is a fairly convenient and acceptable option for medium-distance travel. The bus network is extensive, covering not only popular routes such as Edinburgh - Iverness/Glasgow/Aberdeen/Isle of Skye, but also connecting major cities with their suburbs, as well as links to cities in other parts of the UK.

The main bus operators serving intercity routes are, and. Tickets can be purchased online (often at a reasonable price), from the driver and at bus station ticket offices. Just as in the case of trains, there are travel cards that will save your budget if you plan to move around the country a lot, for example from Citylink, you can order it in the same way as a regular ticket, on the website (they deliver to Russia) or at bus station ticket offices .

Ferries

More than 60 islands are located off the coast of Scotland, regular connections with which are carried out by several large carriers, dividing the routes among themselves.

Ticket prices are not budget friendly, therefore, in order to limit yourself to small financial losses, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, on the carrier’s website or at the ticket office at the port of departure.

The main companies organizing ferry services are CalMac (or) - they specialize in more than 20 destinations off the west coast of the country; connects the settlements of the Orkney Islands; — organizes ferry services from Aberdeen to Shetland and Orkney Islands; Companies and - organize communication between the ports of the south-west coast of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Districts

Scotland is the most autonomous state of all that makes up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The decision to divide the country into regions was made in 1996. Since then, Scotland has 32 regions, which are part of 8 regions. In 2011, at the next meeting of the Scottish Parliament, the status of the eight regions, which are described below, was confirmed.

Despite the official division, police and firefighters, as well as ambulances, use their own division of territory.

Central Scotland

The territory, which is located in the center of Scotland, is one of eight electoral regions, geographically occupies part of the Lowlands. It consists of 9 electoral districts.

The borders of the Central Region were finally legalized in 2011. Before this decision of Parliament, the region belonged to 11 districts.

The territory of Central Scotland borders the territories of Glasgow, Lothian, Midland and Southern Scotland.

The main “lure” for tourists in this region was the gigantic (by Scottish standards) freshwater lake Loch Lomond. The lake, surrounded by forests and amazing green landscapes, is covered with small islands. The ferry goes there from Balloch. In Balloch, a small town near the lake itself, entrance to the Loch Lomond National Park. And for those who don’t want to wait for the ferry, you can visit Queen Elizabeth Park. In addition, the fabulous valleys of the Trossachs, the coast of Fife and the Firth of Forth will delight every traveler.

Glasgow region

Glasgow is not only one of the largest cities in Scotland. First of all, Glasgow is the most populous region of Scotland, which includes the city of Glasgow itself.

The central River Clyde gives its name to part of the region called Clydeside.

Glasgow is called a region of contrasts. You can relax from the bustling city in natural reserves protected by UNESCO. The Clyde Valley and its many parks welcome millions of tourists from all over the world every year.

The region is in the center of Scotland, making it one of the most economically advantageous parts of the country.

Highlands and Islands

The Highlands and Islands are the largest region of Scotland. However, the nature of the Highlands is different from the Islands. The temperate oceanic climate gives way to a marine subarctic climate on the shores of the Islands. The region is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.

This region includes eight counties, including the following major tourist centers:

Argyll- a picturesque island near the shore. The area around Argyll has the UK's only seawater waterfalls, Laura.

Inverness- one of six cities in Scotland with beautiful ancient castles that have been well preserved to this day.

Shetland Islands. Of the hundreds of Shetland Islands, only 29 are inhabited today. However, they have something to surprise tourists, for example, with their beaches, high cliffs, and excellent whiskey.

Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides archipelago, the fourth most populous island in the country. It is here that a traveler is most likely to hear Scottish Gaelic, the native language of Scotland.

Orkney Islands. There are 70 Orkney Islands, of which 17 are inhabited. Most of the islands are very small, but each has something to see for tourists.

Lothian

The name Lothian comes from the name of King Lot - according to legend, the ruler of the Orkney Islands and the lands of Lothian.

This region includes nine counties. The central district is the city of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Of course, thanks to Edinburgh, Lothian is by far the most visited region in Scotland.

One of the best parks in Lothian is the Pentland Hills Regional Park, which is 100 kilometers long. And in the mountainous part of Central Lothian you can go skiing or snowboarding. A traveler can also head to the East Lothian coast, where you can try your luck at golf, because it’s not for nothing that Scotland is called the “home of golf.”

Central Scotland and Fife

The region consists of nine districts. Located in the center of the country. One of the districts is the city of Sterling.

Fife is often referred to as the Kingdom as it was once part of the ancient Pictish Kingdom. The region contains cities popular with tourists.

The Kingdom of Fife has preserved many sites of ancient Pictish culture.

There are six large castles in this area that are accessible to tourists. One of the most famous castles is St Andrew's Castle, built in 1200.

North East Scotland

Includes 10 districts, including Angus, the city of Aberdeen and the city of Dundee.

Dundee is a major port, which, of course, left its mark on the entire region. Tourists love to come to this region to see real sailor villages and walk along the coast.

There are many castles near Aberdeen, and Angus offers beautiful nature. Aberdeen has been one of the Royal Family's favorite destinations since the days of Queen Victoria.

South Scotland

The southern region of Scotland is divided into nine regions. Geographically it borders with England.

Galloway and Dumfries offer a variety of natural landscapes, with valleys, coastlines, mountains, forests and rivers. Galloway is the southernmost point of Scotland. The famous Scottish poet Robert Burns once lived and worked here.

Ayr is a county steeped in history and home to around 40 castles. This district often hosts various music festivals.

West Scotland

The territory of Western Scotland includes 10 counties. The most famous county for tourists in Western Scotland is Cunningham. The county is located on the picturesque coast of the Firth of Clyde, not far from the River Erwin; there is the town of Erwin, famous for travelers, with the same name as the river. In addition, tourists are attracted by the town of Largs, which is famous as the site of the battle between the Scots and the Vikings from Norway in 1263. The region is rich in history and is also very easy to reach from the country's main cities.

In addition, the Scots themselves divide their country into the following territories:

Highlands- occupies the main territory of Scotland.

Speyside- a valley named after the river flowing through its territory. This area is known for some of the finest distilleries throughout Scotland. Although every region of Scotland has its own distilleries, whiskey from the Spey Valley is considered the best.

Islands- this name unites the following islands: Skye, Arran, Jura, Mull, and in the northeast of Scotland the Orkney Islands.

Outer Hebrides- the territory is located in the north of Scotland, an area of ​​Scotland called the Western Isles. Many Scots simply call this area the Island.

Islay is another part of Scotland located on an island. Islay is part of the Inner Hebrides. On its territory there are two regions of Scotland - Argyll and Bute.

Plain. In 1784 the Plain was separated from the Highlands. The British divided the territories so that the inhabitants of the Plain could enjoy simplified taxation on trade. During the Second World War, these territories suffered greatly. Many factories were bombed by the Nazis, farms fell into disrepair. The people of the Plains are restoring the central region to its former glory year after year.

Cities of Scotland

Officially, only six settlements have city status in Scotland.

Capital of Scotland. Edinburgh is famous for its historical monuments, museums, and tourist attractions. The active life of Edinburgh does not stop even at night. What to visit in Edinburgh? You need to live in Edinburgh for at least a couple of weeks to be able to see everything city ​​sights .

The second city after Edinburgh, often mistakenly called the capital of Scotland, it is the industrial, commercial and educational center of Scotland. Glasgow has an unofficial nickname given to it by local residents - “Little Scotland”.

Main attractions of Glasgow:

• Cathedral;
• Glasgow Museums;
• Art Gallery;
• Crookston Castle.

Industrial city. Located on the River Ness. Millions of tourists come to the city every year in search of evidence of the existence of the Loch Ness monster.

What to do in Inverness?

• go to Loch Ness, visit Nessie;
• See the beautiful ancient Inverness Castle - the pearl of the whole region; many films and TV series are filmed there;
• visit the city history museum;
• go to St Andrew's Cathedral.

The fourth largest city in Scotland, it is located in the northeast of the country. Scots come to Dundee to spend a weekend, visit old historical buildings, play golf, or simply admire nature.

Main attractions of the city:

• Glamis Castle;
• St. Mary's Tower;
• McManus Galleries;
• Botanical Garden;
• Mills Observatory.

Aberdeen is a port city. Previously, this city was the residence of the kings of Scotland. The Scots claim that only here you can feel the atmosphere of a real fishing town.

It’s best to start exploring the city from the following places:

• art Gallery;
• parks and gardens;
• maritime museum;
• castles: Craigievar, Balmoral, Drum;
• Cathedral of St. Machar.

The smallest town in Scotland. It is located in the center of the country. Sterling was adored by the Stuart kings and often visited their residence. The city was even the capital of Scotland for some time.

The main attractions of the city:

• Stirling Castle, whose history goes back to ancient times - already in 83 there are records of a fortification in the rock;
• the Welsh Monument, erected in honor of the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1214;
• Holyrood Church;
• Cambuskennet Abbey.

Culture

In August, crowds flock to Edinburgh (the capital of Scotland) for the well-known International Theater Arts Festival, which features hundreds of performances by artists from around the world. And the Fringe Festival offers a more eccentric and original selection of productions, along with the nightly procession of drummers and Scottish musicians of the Edinburgh War Show.

Together with tartan (Scottish wool), whiskey is Scotland's most famous export.

Officially, whiskey has been produced for more than 500 years. Real Scotch whiskey is made only in Scotland. Whiskey distilleries are scattered throughout the country, and many of them are open to visitors who want to see the entire production process and, naturally.

The Highlands region is home to some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery: snow-capped mountaintops and deserted valleys - home to famous whiskey brands Glenmorangie, Glenfiddich and Glen Grant.

Sights of Scotland

Scotland is a country with a rich history and magnificent northern nature. It is not surprising that there is a lot to see in a relatively small area. In addition, there is picturesque medieval Edinburgh, which has many attractions, including the legendary castles of Scotland.

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Where to eat and drink

Entertainment

Parks and Recreation

Transport

Shops and markets

Private guides in Scotland

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Scotland in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Shopping in Scotland

If you are planning to visit Scotland, the first thing you should see is its amazing nature, ancient architecture and unique attractions. Only after this, with a clear conscience, can you go shopping in search of things dear to your heart that will remind you of the days spent in Scotland, as well as souvenirs and gifts for family and friends.

There are many specialized souvenir shops in this country, especially in the capital Edinburgh. It is worth purchasing souvenirs in the city center, since here they are authentic and not at all more expensive than in other places. In Edinburgh, check out The Works, which offers souvenirs at the most affordable prices. The assortment of this shop includes such useful and pleasant “little things” as magnets, plates, guidebooks, books and, of course, Scottish flags of all sizes. National souvenirs and works of art can be found in shops on the central avenue of the capital, the Royal Mile. Edinburgh's shops offer truly unique items, from designer accessories to traditional Scottish crafts and antiques. If you are interested in original branded clothing and shoes, check out Harvey Nichols department store in the center of Edinburgh, and you can look for vintage clothing and accessories in the West End of Glasgow.

What is a must-buy when visiting Scotland? Of course, natural cashmere and the finest wool. Interestingly, cashmere production technology has remained unchanged since the 18th century. Things made from this fabric will be an excellent gift for loved ones, because such material is incredibly soft, warm and does not pill, so you definitely won’t have to blush in front of your friends and family for such a gift. In Scotland's souvenir shops you will be offered scarves, gloves, hats and the famous tartan blankets. We advise you to buy these products in the center - branches of the Edinburgh Woolen Mill specialty store can be found in all cities of Scotland. You may be surprised, but cashmere products in factories will cost even more than in retail outlets. If you are not limited in funds, contact the factory, where they will be able to offer you a wider range: from blouses to coats.

Surely, in the minds of every second person, when Scotland is mentioned, an association arises with the national clothing of the highlanders - the kilt, so not bringing a kilt from this country is the same as not visiting Scotland. Kilts, like woolen products, should be bought in large shops in the city center. A real kilt is made from tartan wool and is not cheap - from 100 to 200 pounds, and if you want to acquire the national outfit of this country in all its details (kilt, shoes, sporran, blade and socks), then such a purchase will cost you much expensive. Fans of exotic music can be advised to purchase a national instrument - a bagpipe, or a souvenir that is easier to transport - a Celtic flute.

Now about Scotch whiskey. It’s available in any store, but it’s worth going to specialized shops where they will not only sell you a bottle of high-quality alcohol, but also tell you in which region it was produced and even let you taste it. You can go on an excursion to the distillery and see the process of producing this elite drink, tasting different types of whiskey. Here you will find a much larger selection than in stores, but the prices will pleasantly surprise you. If you are looking for the lowest price on whiskey, go to your local ASDA supermarket, where you will also be offered discounts in addition to the best price.

What else can you bring from Scotland as souvenirs? Heather honey and the national Scottish dish haggis, which can be brought in in canned form, will help you share the “taste” of Scotland with your loved ones. Also traditionally popular among tourists are souvenirs with Celtic symbols: crosses, medallions, earrings, kiltpins (kilt pins) or brooches.

Compared to Russia and the rest of Europe, prices in Scotland are relatively high, which is typical for northern European countries. Moreover, oddly enough, Scotch whiskey is quite expensive. This situation is due to high taxes, so some types of this alcohol in other European countries can be bought at a price up to 50% cheaper than in Scotland itself. When making purchases in stores and paying with a plastic card, pay attention to the advertisements that are available at the checkout, as goods and services paid for in this way may have a higher price in Scotland.

The opening hours of most Scottish shops are from 9 to 17-18 hours (except Sundays). The biggest rush is observed on Saturday, but on Sunday you may not be able to get into some small shops, since only supermarkets are open, the working day of which begins at 10 or 11 o’clock. During the summer season or pre-Christmas sales, shops remain open until late, and some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. In small private shops there are no opening hours as such - you need to ask the shop owners about this.

When leaving the country, you can apply for a VAT refund, which is valid for people without Scottish citizenship. The tax refund will be 17.5% of the amount of purchases made in Scotland. In order for you to receive a refund, do not forget to save all receipts when making a purchase and take a Tax-Free form from the seller with the necessary stamps and signatures. At the airport, go to the Global Refund office at customs, provide the completed form, receipts and, of course, your passport. Be prepared for the fact that customs officers may ask you to show the purchased goods, so do not put them away at the bottom of your suitcase. The VAT payment can be made to you on the spot or transferred to your bank card.

If you are going to spend a lot of time in the capital of Scotland, we recommend reading the material “Shopping in Edinburgh”.

Food and drink

Food for local residents of Scotland is a sacred matter. Residents of Scotland are ready to proudly talk about their culinary traditions for hours.

The Scots prepare a lot of thick, rich soups, mainly cereal and meat soups with potatoes, cabbage, and fish soups, such as cullen skink soup with smoked fish. One of the most famous Scottish soups is Scottish meat broth, cooked with barley and vegetables. First courses are usually cooked in meat or fish broth.

The beef here is very tasty, juicy, soft, with marbled veins. And lamb legs are considered the best product in Scotland. Lamb meat is used to make a stew called hotchpotch. The mountaineers did not eat pork for a long time, considering pigs to be dirty animals. Venison is also considered a delicacy.

Scotland's most popular delicacy is haggis. Haggis is prepared from sheep tripe and barley, generously flavored with various seasonings and baked in a sheep or lamb stomach. The haggis is served on a warm platter, along with mashed potatoes and turnip puree, as well as shots of whiskey already poured.

For dessert, they prepare a lot of sweet puddings, buns with jam, muffins, desserts, the simplest of which is crannachan - a dessert made from whipped cream, rolled oats and berries.

Connection

In Scotland, mobile communications operate on GSM. The five largest operators have monopolies in this market: Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile, Orange and Three. If you plan to frequently call Russia from Scotland, the most profitable option would be to purchase a SIM card from one of the local mobile operators. The best rates are offered by Lebara and Lykamobile. The cost per minute for calls to a landline number will start from 5 pence, and to mobile numbers from 9 pence. You can buy a SIM card in stores, mobile operator showrooms, or at any post office; it costs about 5 pounds.

If you plan to talk a lot, but at the same time want to save money, it is better to become the owner of a special tourist SIM card in Russia.

The red telephone booth has already become a textbook symbol of Great Britain. Such pay phones are located everywhere, and you can pay for a call in different ways, be it cash, plastic or a special telephone card, which is available for purchase in almost any store.

When calling from Scotland to Russia, dial 00, then 7 (Russian code) - the area code, then the phone number.

In order to call from Russia to Scotland from a landline phone, you need to dial the following combination of numbers: 810 (this is the exit code), then 44 (this is the country code), then the city code (for example, Edinburgh has 131) and the number. To call from Russia to Scotland from a mobile phone, the combination “81044” is replaced by “+44”.

The most profitable way to communicate is through Skype calls, but this requires an Internet connection.

There are many Internet cafes in big cities - you can easily find them in any area of ​​the city. Free Wi-Fi in large cities is also quite common: it is available in almost all hotels, cafes, restaurants, and other public places.

Safety

In order for a visit to a foreign country to bring only positive impressions, it is worth familiarizing yourself in advance not only with the peculiarities of the way of life in the country and the traditions of the people, but also taking care of ensuring your safety. In particular, a traveler needs to know where to turn in the event of unforeseen circumstances and force majeure that occur in the territory of your host country.

To ensure the safety of residents and visitors, Scotland operates a variety of social services. If you need medical help, NHS Scotland can help. Keep in mind that foreign citizens usually have to pay for medical services provided. That is why, before visiting this country, it is advisable to take out insurance not only against accidents, but also against repatriation and possible incidents. Since Russia is not a member of the European Union, this is definitely worth doing, because even though the NHS provides basic medical care free of charge, you will most likely have to pay a lot for additional services. Going to the dentist in this country will cost you in any case. Please also keep in mind that while clinics carry out treatment from morning until early evening, trauma centers and hospitals are usually open around the clock.

Crime rates in Scotland are fairly low, but don't leave your belongings in busy public places, especially if you have valuables in your bags, and take out travel insurance before you travel. Large sums of money should be kept on a bank card, and jewelry should be kept in the living room safe until a special occasion - wearing them “every day” is simply imprudent. By the way, hotels will not take any responsibility for anything valuable that you leave outside the safe.

There are pickpockets in Scotland, just like in any other country, and they operate where there are a lot of people: in transport, in markets or in shops. If suddenly an unpleasant incident happens to you, you can call the police (as well as the fire department or ambulance) using a single number 999 (or 112 from a landline phone), which work around the clock.

If you have lost something, contact the lost and found office, which is located at bus and railway stations. If your property is stolen, if the stolen item was insured by you, you may be able to receive compensation for its loss. To confirm the fact of theft, be sure to contact the police. And don’t forget to photocopy important documents when planning your trip - especially your passport.

In Scotland there are many insects, mosquitoes and midges, which congregate on the coast and near lakes. Particular activity is observed in April-October, so if you are in Scotland at this time, do not forget to bring
means to protect against insect bites, and also do not go out into bright light at night. Protecting windows with nets will also not be an extra precaution.Go to the service for selecting and booking a hotel in Scotland

Scotland offers a multifaceted and unique holiday experience. Only in this country can you fully enjoy both lush nature and extreme varieties. Excellent excursion tours will help diversify your holiday in Scotland 2019. Prices and attractions seen here will be remembered for a long time by all tourists.

Sights of Scotland

The unique natural attractions of Scotland include crystal clear lakes and ideal fjords, picturesque valleys and snow-white mountain peaks. All this can be seen by visiting this northern country.

One of the most popular cities for tourists is the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. The city sits on the shores of the beautiful Firth of Forth. Here you can see many ancient castles in interesting architectural styles. Tourists can visit the 15th-century Church of St. Gilles, the Houses of Parliament built in 1639, the house that belonged to the Protestant reformer John Nonce, the National Portrait Gallery, and many museums. A large number of hotels are always available to tourists. A room in such a hotel will cost an average of 3,000 rubles per day. You can also stay in an inexpensive hostel, it will cost from 800 rubles per day.

Edinburgh has a vibrant cultural scene. Various arts festivals are constantly held here, where you can enjoy the modern music of the country, especially popular are the melodies performed on the traditional Scottish bagpipes. It is better to travel in the capital by public transport; one trip will cost about 145 rubles.

Not far from Edinburgh there is a place called Fife. Here you can stroll along beautiful sandy beaches and visit fishing villages.

If you go to the north of the country, you can find yourself in the Spadeside distilleries. Here you can get acquainted with the history of the famous Scotch whiskey and taste this strong drink.

For active and sociable tourists, a trip to Glasgow is suitable, where there are many old pubs, and numerous fashionable boutiques and chic restaurants tempt you to spend all the money you brought.

Medieval castles have become the real pride of Scotland. All of them have now been rebuilt into hotels or serve as museums. Newlyweds especially love these castles, because they can be used as a wonderful decoration for a wedding.

VISA The UK tourist visa is valid for 6 months. An application for its receipt on-line is filled out in English on the website www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. At the British Visa Center (Bolshoy Savinsky Lane, 12, bldg. 18) you will be provided with an international passport valid for at least six months, a certificate from the place of work (study) indicating the position and salary, a color photograph 45x35 mm, confirmation of hotel reservations, old international passports, documents confirming the availability of necessary funds for the trip. All documents must be accompanied by an English translation. SEASON The best time to travel to Scotland is spring, when the yellow gorse blooms, and summer, when the slopes of the mountains and heathland are covered with a purple carpet of flowering heather. TICKETS There are no direct flights from Moscow to Edinburgh. You can fly with a transfer in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Paris, Frankfurt am Main or London. Airplanes from Aeroflot, Transaero, British Airways, and British Midland Airways (BMI) fly from Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo airports to London. Flight duration is 4 hours. Air tickets cost from 14,000 rubles. There are high speed trains between London and Edinburgh. Travel time 4 hours 30 minutes. MONEY The British currency is the pound sterling (GBP). There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 GBP. Coins: 1 and 2 GBP, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence. EDINBURGH The busiest place in the Scottish capital is the Royal Mile, which starts from Edinburgh Castle. Shops, a cathedral, monuments, restaurants, street performers, museums and, at the very end, the Palace of Holyroodhouse - since 1529, the official residence of all the rulers of Scotland, starting with James V and ending with the current Queen Elizabeth II. The palace is open to the public. In the tower of James V, traces of the blood of David Riccio, Mary Stuart’s trusted secretary, who was killed in front of the queen’s eyes by her jealous husband Lord Darnley, are preserved. HOTELS $$$ The Bonham Located west of the center of Scotland's capital in a house built in 1882 with luxurious interiors. The walls of the restaurant are decorated with oak panels. There is excellent French cuisine here. (Drumsheugh Gardens 35, +44(131)226.6050, www.thebonham.com, from $160) $$$ The Balmoral Centrally located next to Edinburgh Castle. Antique furniture, picturesque canvases of Scottish landscapes, gourmet cuisine from the Michelin-starred Number One restaurant. (Princes Street 1, +44(131)556.2414, www.thebalmoralhotel.com, from $450) RESTAURANTS $$$ Vintners Rooms Hidden away in a 16th-century wine cellar. Excellent cuisine and pleasant atmosphere. (The Vaults, Giles St. Leith 87, +44(131)554.6767, www.thevintnersrooms.com, from $50) $$ Atrium “New British kitchen”, beautiful Art Nouveau interior, soft lighting and dark wood tables. (10 Cambridge St., +44(131)228.8882, www.atriumrestaurant.co.uk, from $40) ISLAND OF SKYE The largest of the Inner Hebrides with a population of 9,250. Homeland of the Skye Terrier. Located off the west coast of Scotland, just under 100 km long and 50 km wide, it is so indented by bays that from any point it is no more than 8 km from the sea. The island was first mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century. Medieval chronicles speak of Skye as an island of clairvoyants and giants. In the north and in the center there are picturesque rocks. In the south there are green sheep pastures and small farms. HOTELS $$ Duisdale Victorian hunting lodge with fully preserved historic interiors. The hotel has 18 rooms and a restaurant serving excellent French cuisine. (+44(0)147.1833202, www.duisdale.com, from $200) $$$ Three Chimneys The cozy family hotel on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean has only six rooms, but they are equipped with royal luxury. The hotel has one of the best restaurants in all of Scotland. (+44(0)147.0511258, www.threechimneys.co.uk, from $420) Prices are per night in a double room

The railway landscapes from Harry Potter are the same Scotland. In this article we will tell you about walks in the hills of seaside towns and hidden streets of Edinburgh.

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Visa and tickets

When is the best time to buy tickets?

We flew to Scotland at the beginning of October 2017 for 11 days. We bought tickets three months before departure: in my experience, this is the optimal time to buy tickets profitably.

Flight

There is no direct flight from Russia to Scotland. We had a composite air route: Perm → Moscow → London → Edinburgh. The total flight time “there” was six and a half hours: Prm-Msk: 2 hours, Moscow-Lndn: 3.5 hours, Lndn-Ednbrg: 1 hour, transit zones twice for two hours.

“Back” transit zones took longer and it took about a day to get home. The cost of a ticket per person at that time was 26,500 rubles, round trip. At the time of purchasing tickets, I knew almost nothing about Scotland. Therefore, before the trip, I bought and studied in detail a guide to England and Scotland. After reading it, I realized that I needed to watch nature and Edinburgh.

Visa application

The most tedious thing is the need to provide documents confirming your solvency. The bank account should have an amount of 10-15 thousand rubles per day of stay in the country. They also pay attention to whether you have real estate and a car. A big plus will be an invitation from your friends who live for permanent residence in England, if there are any, of course. Fingerprints and retinal photos will be taken by consular employees.

Visa centers , in addition to the two capitals, they operate in Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don and Novosibirsk. We received a visa at the Ekaterinburg British Consulate. All fees and duties cost 7 thousand rubles. The British visa is valid for England itself, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Edinburgh

Airport

At Edinburgh airport we went through passport control quickly and calmly. Unlike London. At the capital airport in England they were meticulously interested in where we were going, where we had flown from, whether there was an invitation, and where we would live. In front of us, right from the checkpoint, a customs officer called the inviting party and checked whether the invitation was fake and where exactly the traveler would live.

You can get from the airport to the city by tram. The ride takes 30 minutes, the ticket costs one and a half pounds. Tickets are sold at the terminal at the stop. There is a caveat: it is better to have both a card and cash with you. There are terminals in Scotland that may not accept cash but will accept cards and vice versa.

Currency

There were currency exchangers at the airport, but we didn’t look at them because the exchange rate there was unfavorable, just like at any airport in the world. We stocked up on pounds in Russia.

Housing

Rental housing cost 35,000 rubles for six days. It is worth noting that the prices of living in Scotland do not depend in any way on the development of infrastructure and the size of the total area of ​​the city. Prices are the same both in Glasgow and in the fishing village on the Atlantic coast. In Italy, you can turn from the main street into a courtyard and the price tag becomes noticeably lower. Not so in the UK.

Walks

Walking around Edinburgh, we realized that JK Rowling wrote her famous saga here. After all, when you sit in a cafe you can see a hill, and on the hill there is a castle, and under the hill there is a cemetery of the 15th century. The houses themselves in Edinburgh are not very old, but due to the fact that the material was limestone, which darkens over time, the buildings look gloomy, fairy-tale, medieval.

From any point in Edinburgh you can see Arthur's Seat or Arthur's Seat. This is an observation deck, which is located at an altitude of 250 meters above sea level. Standing on this hill, the feeling of Middle Ages is maximized ㅡ look to the south: a castle on a hill, an ancient temple in the north, pastures with sheep and shepherds in the east and west.There are many castles, temple museums, entrance costs an average of 13 pounds.

• One of the main places in Edinburgh for tourists is The Royal Mile. It starts at Edinburgh Castle - this is a real castle, which is just under 1000 years old. At the end of this mile is the royal residence of the reigning English monarchs.
• Near the Royal Mile there is an underground attraction street called Mary King's Dead End. This is a street that, until the 15th century, was lower in level than parallel streets due to the topography. Poor people, criminals and other “declassed elements” were sent to live on this street. And they decided to level the street; they simply buried it along with the houses. And in the 19th century it was opened as a historical attraction: in some houses even the wallpaper was preserved.
• Roslin Chapel is a famous Gothic church based on Dan Brown's work, where, according to legend, the Templars buried Mary Magdalene. But this is not the main feature. Inside, the entire chapel is carved: wonderful animals, ears of wheat and biblical scenes - there are no repeating patterns.You can get to the chapel by city bus: the ride takes 20 minutes, the fare costs 2 pounds, entrance to the chapel costs 8 pounds. Nearby are picturesque fields and, of course, a castle.

Train, Nessie and fishing town

All the recommendations that I read before the trip unanimously said: if you want to see the beautiful landscapes of Scotland, then you need to go north. So we bought a train ticket to Inverness.

How to get there

It is better to buy a ticket in advance: we bought it through the website while still in Russia. The thing is that closer to the departure date of the train, there may not be any budget seats left. The ticket must be printed and scanned at the station terminal. There is a nuance: if you bought a ticket using a bank card, during scanning at the terminal, this card will need to be inserted into the terminal. It doesn't matter if your card is valid in Scotland: the system needs to make sure it's you. And or not. The ticket cost £12 and the journey from Edinburgh takes three hours.

The compartments on the train were comfortable: essentially, it was an electric train, but with individual seats, and a compartment for bags located above your head. In general, the carriages were very comfortable: the doors to the toilet close themselves, soap drips into your palm, and the toilet itself is clean, paper, soap and towels are in place, the air conditioning in the compartment works.

Road

The area we passed through is called the Highlands. In the fall, the hills, covered with grass and other bushy greenery, turned rusty orange with yellow spots. Sheep and small ponies roam the hills, all in patches of fog. When Harry rode along the aqueduct to Hogwarts, he rode along this road. For the entire three hours of the journey we were glued to the window: rivers, hills, waterfalls and fog.

Meals are not included in the ticket price, but in any supermarket you can safely buy ready-made food in sealed packaging. That's what we did. The city of Inverness itself was interesting to us only as a transit point: it is the largest of the northern cities. Here you can easily rent a house and move further north.

Route

Near the city is Loch Ness. It takes 15 minutes to get to the lake by bus, the fare costs 4 pounds. The approaches to the lake are free, no fee is required. Paid only for the museum on the shore: 12 pounds to look at the history of the search for the underwater monster. There is also a medieval castle on the lake. We lived in the city of Inverness for 5 days. Rental housing cost 32,000 rubles.

Since the city is seaside, we ordered seafood at a local cafe. Moreover, the menu literally looks like this: “what we caught this morning.” The huge portion of food cost £18. On the plate there were three types of shrimp, fresh and smoked salmon, mussels, oysters and langoustines.

There is a caveat: mountain railways can be unpredictable. As we were returning to Edinburgh, the train stopped moving and just stopped on the tracks. It turned out that a few kilometers in front of us there was a mountain collapse and the paths were blocked with stones. Fortunately, local railway workers were ready for this and several buses were brought to the tracks, which took us to the capital. We caught the plane just in time.

Kitchen

Food in the UK is quite heavy: mainly meat, dough and potatoes. Northern region, what to do. A portion of a similar dish costs about £15. The portions are large, enough for two. If this is not a restaurant, but an ordinary diner, then you can keep it under 10 pounds with a drink.

To save money, we cooked ourselves more often than went to a cafe. A basic meal of milk, eggs, bread, meat, fruit, vegetables and fish, plus alcohol, cost us £15 per person for three days. We had breakfast and dinner at home and lunch in the city.

Sliced ​​ham costs less than in Russia: one pound for a plate of good meat. In Russia it would cost 300 rubles. Alcohol is relatively inexpensive. A bottle of beer costs 1.5 pounds. I liked the beer in Scotland even more than in England. I bought lagers and stouts. Beer is sold in bars in pint and half-pint sizes. An English pint is 0.56 liters.

Climate

In October it was about 15 °C. The average annual temperature is 7-9 °C, there are no strong changes throughout the year. During the trip it rained only once; in London it didn’t rain much either.