See Scotland from the train with a Scottish Freedom pass

Scotland has a large rail network, which is managed independently from the rest of the UK. The East Coast and West Coast main railway lines and the Cross Country line connect the major cities and towns of Scotland with the English rail network. First ScotRail operate the trains in Scotland.

Contrary to much of the rest of the world, Scotland has a policy of building new railway lines and reopening closed ones. Operators to English destinations include FirstScotRail, GNER and Virgin Trains, who all run trains to Scotland from England. The train ride from London to Edinburgh takes about five hours during the day and 8-10 hours with the overnight train.

Visitors from abroad can save a lot with the Britrail family of rail passes. If you’re only staying in Scotland, the Scottish Freedom pass rail pass will let you roam the hills and glens of Scotland as well as all its many exciting cities.

Scotland is a nation, and as such it has a capital called Edinburgh.

The countries of England, Wales and Scotland on the island of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland on the island of Ireland, together form the United Kingdom. As a result of this union, Scotland is not a sovereign state. The head of state in Scotland is the British monarch, which since 1952 is Queen Elizabeth II.

If you think this sounds a bit complicated, the really important thing may be not to talk about it. In particular, never say that Scotland is part of England – they are equal members of the United Kingdom. Scotland relates to England very much the same way that San Francisco County relates to Orange County.

Sorry if we spend a lot of time on this; we’re only trying to keep you out of pub fights.

Scotland has four main international airports: two in Glasgow/Prestwick, one in Edinburgh and one in Aberdeen.

Traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road in all of Great Britain and Ireland.

There are at least three languages in frequent use in Scotland. All Scots speak Scottish English. The unofficial language Scots is spoken by almost one third of the population. Scots is also spoken in parts of Northern Ireland, where it is known as Ulster Scots or Ullans. Another 1% of the Scots speak Scots Gaelic.

Glasgow is the third largest city in the UK, after London and Birmingham. According to Wikipedia, almost 40% of the Scottish population live in Glasgow. Glasgow is classified as one of the most violent cities in Europe, which has led the United Nations to label Scotland as the most dangerous country in the developed world (when murder is excluded).

On the other hand, Scotland is very safe from a military point of view. Almost one third of the land owned by the UK’s Ministry of Defence lies in Scotland, which sometimes is referred to as “Fortress Scotland”.

The official currency in Scotland is the pound sterling. However, Scottish-issued bank notes are often refused in England and they are not always accepted by banks and exchange bureaus outside the UK.

Recommended sights and events in Scotland

All events are described in greater detail in the tourist guides linked to at the end of this section.

• Visit the world’s greatest New Year party at the Edinburgh Hogmanay. Every year from Dec 29 to Jan 1.
• The William Burrell collection in Glasgow contains over 9,000 works of art and is one of the greatest art collections ever created by one person.
• Edinburgh has the world’s largest arts festival every August.
• The Isle of Arran and its surrounding waters are home to some of Scotland’s most iconic wildlife; from golden eagles and red deer to basking sharks and dolphins, all only two hours from Glasgow. There is a Wildlife Festival at the end of May.
• The Isle of Bute Jazz Festival has grown spectacularly from its small beginnings nineteen years ago to become one of Britain’s most popular jazz weekends the first week in June.
• Cowalfest, Scotland’s largest walking festival, is now also a major arts festival with a 10-day programme of walks, arts, cultural and social events that celebrate landscape and the natural world’s influence on creativity. Set in Cowal in October.
• Glasgay – Scotland’s annual celebration of queer culture and the UK’s largest multi-arts gay festival – provides comedy, music, film, theatre, visual art, performance art, literature, club nights, education events and community arts projects in October/November.
• Scotland’s stunning annual outdoor military spectacular – the Edinburgh Military Tattoo – is set against the magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. The Tattoo has been called “the most spectacular show in the world” and is seen by an international TV audience of over 100 million viewers. But there’s no substitute for being there, as part of the 217,000-strong audience over its three-week season on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle. And don’t miss the massive Fringe and International festivals held at the same time.
• The Lomond and Clyde Springfest features spring blossom, gardens, walking, arts, music, environment, heritage, food and healthy living. Enjoy a week of varied guided walks in and on the edge of the National Park – perhaps an ascent of the Cobbler at Arrochar or a gentle woodland walk on the Rosneath Peninsula.
  
• A warm welcome awaits in and around Speyside where over half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries benefit from the crystal clear waters of the river Spey. The annual Speyside Whisky Festivals takes place in May and September. But any time of the year, here is where you find Scotland’s whiskey trail. Travel north east along the Spey from Aviemore to Elgon and Spey bay. It’s not just the whiskey that makes you want to stay forever.
• Over 100,000 gannets return to the Bass Rock near Edinburgh every year. At the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, you can use remote interactive cameras to explore the amazing wildlife on the neighboring islands. During the nesting season, you can zoom in on puffins, gannets and many other seabirds without disturbing them.
• Fort William calls itself “UK’s outdoor capital”. Visit the Mountain Festival in February and see if it’s true. Climbing, walking, lectures, films, activities, exhibitions, plays and music.
• Edinburgh makes a spectacular setting for a marathon. At the end of May, over 100,000 spectators watch runners set off from Prince’s Street, go along ancient streets and miles of beautiful shoreline, finishing in Holyrood Park in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat. Celebrations and activities around the course ensure a memorable event for runners and spectators alike.
• At the Creetown Country Music Festival you can hear some of the best country music artists in Britain, performing live in this beautiful and friendly corner of Scotland.
• Glasgow Art Fair is the essential destination for collectors, occasional buyers and art enthusiasts. Welcome back in April next year.
• The longest-running jazz festival in the UK features all styles of jazz from international artistes in all sorts of venues across Edinburgh in July/August.
• The Tarbert seafood festival in June/July is set around the beautiful natural harbor at Tarbert on LochFyne and showcases some of the finest and tastiest seafood in Scotland. Cookery demonstrations, street entertainment, exhibitions, seafood, craft stalls, live music and a carnival parade.
• Glasgow’s West End Festival in June stages a unique mix of theater, music, exhibitions, film, markets, from the opening parade and street carnival to the final closing fireworks display with the famous festival highlight: the Midsummer Carnival.
• Deep Sea World, Scotland’s National Aquarium, is located just a short walk from North Queensferry station near Edinburgh. See one of Europe’s largest collections of sand tiger sharks, rays, conger eels and cute seals.
• The Dundee Spring Garden Show is the premier early spring garden event in Scotland, usually in April.
• The Hidden Gardens in the Pollokshields area of Glasgow aims to be a place for people to come together to share, learn, play and celebrate. Plants are picked to represent different global communities and cultures.
• The villages around Loch Shiel offer a series of imaginative chamber music venues. In 2006, a concert was staged at a railway station, with music by Steve Reich. In 2007, chamber music will be performed at the water’s edge, against the backdrop of the Glenfinnan Monument and Ben Nevis. Second week in May, in Glenfinnan near Fort William.

Scenic train rides in Scotland

Scotland possesses some of the most magnificent scenic rail journeys in the world. Travel in daylight – which during the summer doesn’t end until around 10pm.

• From Perth to Inverness
• From Inverness to the Kyle of Lochalsh
• Along the north coast from the Kyle of Lochalsh via Thurso to Wick
• From Glasgow to Mallaig
• From Glasgow to Oban
• From Glasgow to Stranraer with connections to Belfast
• From Edinburgh to Dundee
• From Edinburgh to Newcastle (in England)

Scotland rail passes

The Britrail Consecutive pass and Britrail Flexi pass both offer unlimited train travel in Scotland, England and Wales. The Scottish Freedom pass is cheaper if you only want to travel within Scotland.

Britrail and Eurail

The largest rail network in Europe is called Eurail, and includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Scotland is not part of Eurail. If you wish to travel by train through both Scotland and other parts of Europe, you should consider buying a separate Eurail pass. Learn more about Eurail at our sister site EurailForAll.com (opens in a new window).

Tourist information

VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourist board
VisitHighlands, Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board
Lonely Planet destination guide for Scotland
Wiki Travel guide for Scotland
Glasgow official “marketing agency”
Edinburgh – The Official Site
Aberdeen Internet Guide