Scotland is awesome, and anyone who visits will probably love their time. But, as with anywhere, there are some things that first-time explorers might want to know, things that might help you to plan a better trip, to be more comfortable while there, or just to manage expectations properly. Here are a few of those things, broken down into categories to make it a more cohesive list.

Let’s talk about the weather

1. If you don’t like the weather in Scotland, it will change soon anyway

They say it can change in an hour, but I’ve found it to be even quicker than that. And this isn’t just sunny to cloudy. It can actually be bright blue skies to rain, within a matter of minutes. I took to carrying an umbrella constantly, regardless of the forecast. Because even a theoretical 0% chance of rain could easily include some drizzles at multiple points.

This does make it frustrating to pack, and even more frustrating to dress. Use layers. After all, an umbrella is only truly useful when there isn’t strong wind, and…

2. The wind here can get BAD

Wind in parts of Scotland can be Chicago or San Francisco bad. And it is cold wind, coming off the North Sea or the North Atlantic. Even in summer, it can make a 60-65 degree day feel like winter, and I don’t even want to imagine what winter winds would be like.

Even without weather issues, getting around can be challenging

3. There are so many hills

Do you remember the old joke about your father who had to walk to school uphill both ways? He must have been Scottish. Seriously, I don’t know if I ever had a flat walk during a month in the country. And even more, because there are so many hills, every walk will also be uphill at some point.

Ok, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but the number of days I walked up a hill to get to a museum or something I wanted to see, only to somehow have my walk back to my lodging also be uphill is amazing. And while I realize that to go uphill both directions I also had to go down at some points, it never felt like it. Only up. Wear good shoes and be prepared for some burn!

4. City transit is mostly just buses

I love public transit when I travel. It is a more cost effective and authentic way to get around. But within Scottish cities, it is mostly just buses. This isn’t inherently bad, but it’s something you should be aware of for a few reasons.

First, with weather being an issue (see points 1 and 2), waiting outside for a bus can be a bit of a discomfort at times. This is especially true when not all bus stops have shelters, and even if they do, they can be rather small.

Second, bus schedules are a bit more erratic due to a) needing more drivers per rider ratio so there will be fewer available seats on a bus based system than a subway, b) traffic, and c) the exigencies of not having set stops. (What I mean by this: the bus can get behind if people request every stop for getting on or off, and get ahead if few do.) Add to it that many bus routes don’t run late at night or on weekend mornings, and it can make for some difficulties.

I always check Google maps ahead of time to make sure on scheduling, and have a backup plan in case the bus doesn’t show up on time or at all. That backup plan is typically walking or a taxi/Uber.

Dining out? Here are a couple things to consider.

5. Scottish pounds are not quite English pounds

Technically, the currency is the British pound. But there are two issuers, the Bank of England and the Bank of Scotland. I never had a problem in Scotland using English pounds, but on occasion, stores and restaurants in England won’t take Scottish notes.

If you are going to both, use the ATM in England just to be safe. Or if you have Scottish notes in England, you can take them to a bank. Reminding people that they have to accept both might not go over as well, because, well, people can suck.

6. Pubs can sometimes work a bit differently than other restaurants

In a post-Covid world, there are some labor shortages in Scotland. So while many – not all – pubs serve food, it can be a bit different here, depending on the establishment. Some will have you order at the bar while some will come to you. If you aren’t sure, sit and wait. If nobody comes or says anything, just go to the bar.

Also, many pubs will only serve food at certain times. The kitchens might close after dinner, during the afternoons, or even randomly if lack of staff demands it.

And finally, in Scotland, it is whisky. Everywhere else in the world, it is whiskey. The lack of the e isn’t really material, but it’s interesting to me.

But the people here are awesome.

7. Seriously, Scottish people are super warm

Maybe it’s the cold outside, but the Scottish are incredibly warm and welcoming, assuming you are nice. Don’t be surprised to have the folks at the next table over comment on your food order. Openly ask for directions and realistically expect help. Wherever you’re from, the Scottish will be glad you’re here.

However, that only goes if you are nice. If you are rude, the Scottish are not likely to let it go. Especially if you end up…

8. Confusing Scotland with England is a terrible insult

Scotland and England are, along with Wales and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom or Great Britain. But if you use the term England to describe the whole – including Scotland – it won’t go over well. The Scottish and English have a terrible rivalry, stemming from literally centuries of war and subjugation of Scotland by England.

Most Scottish are Scottish first, and British second. Scottish flags are more common here than the Union Jack. And while there isn’t an imminent independence vote coming, it is possible that one day there will be.

9. Accents can be rough

Scottish accents can be hard for Americans to understand. And they can get stronger (this is over-generalizing but a basic guide) as you go north in the country. So while I didn’t have many issues in Glasgow or Edinburgh, more rural parts of the highlands took more focus for me to understand well. Likewise, stronger accents come out when people drink, so that table next to you at the pub might go full Scottish brogue over the course of a few rounds. They will still be wonderful people, though.

Those are just a few basic things you might want to keep in mind before coming to Scotland. As I said, it is an amazing place, but a few things to work a bit differently here.

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