scotland travel pass

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Introducing two itinerary ideas, itinerary one: day 1 - visiting dundee / st andrews, itinerary two: day 1 - visiting galashiels / north berwick, itinerary one: day 2 - edinburgh to thurso, itinerary two: day 2 - edinburgh to aberdeen, (the grand tour route), (a return journey on the jacobite), itinerary one: day 4, skye to glasgow, itinerary two: day 4, fort william to tobermory, itinerary one: day 5, a day trip from glasgow, itinerary two: day 5, tobermory to glasgow, itinerary one: day 6, a day trip to bute, itinerary two: day 6, a day trip from glasgow, itinerary one: day 7, a day trip to oban, itinerary two: day 7, a day trip to arran, itinerary one: day 8, glasgow to newcastle, itinerary two: day 8, glasgow to the lake district, please support showmethejourney, other ideas for exploring scotland by train.

Seeing Scotland By Train - With a Spirit Of Scotland Pass

These Spirit Of Scotland itineraries will take you to the isles of Orkney, Bute, Mull, Arran and Skye.

Spirit of Scotland Passes valid for 8 days of travel can be purchased from staffed station ticket offices in Scotlland. (Passes are also available for 4 days of travel). They come in two parts, a ticket with a date on it, which you can use to open ticket gates, and a calendar on which you write the dates of travel on which you'll be using the pass, you don't have to be travelling on consecutive days.

You can use a Spirit of Scotland pass to travel in Standard Class (First Class upgrades are not available) on any non peak hour train in Scotland on your travel dates; as well as trains over the border to Berwick-on-Tweed and Carlisle. Seat reservations are available, but optional on these Scottish long-distance rail routes: 1. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> Aberdeen 2. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> Inverness 3. Glasgow <> Oban or Mallaig via Fort William 4. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> the border and to/from Carlisle 5. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> the border and to/from Berwick upon Tweed

Opting to reserve is highly recommended, and reservations can be arranged free of charge at ticket offices.

ShowMeTheJourney has come up with two itinerary ideas for making the most of a Spirit of Scotland Pass , valid for 8 days of travel Both trip ideas are along circular routes starting and finishing in Edinburgh, so you can jump in at any of the suggested overnight stops.

The idea is that you can mix and match the destination suggestions to suit you. For example, instead of heading on to Glasgow from Fort William on day four of Itinerary One, you could spend the night there and then pick up Itinerary Two, so that you can then head to the likes of Mull via Oban.

Though as the trains don’t run particularly frequently on Scotland’s most beautiful railway routes, ShowMeTheJourney has focused in the practical aspects of making these trips. However, it’s best to confirm departure times before heading to the station or planning your overnight stops - you’ll find the links to the info you'll need to check within this guide.

Itinerary One: 1. Edinburgh to St Andrews and or Dundee and back to Edinburgh 2. Edinburgh to Thurso (and Orkney) 3. Thurso to the Isle of Skye 4. The Isle of Skye to Glasgow, including a one-way ride on The Jacobite steam train 5. A day trip from Glasgow to somewhere fabulous 6. Glasgow to Bute back to Glasgow 7. Glasgow to Oban and back to Glasgow 8. Glasgow to Carlisle and on to Newcastle (Taking the train back from Newcastle to Edinburgh)

Itinerary Two: 1. Edinburgh to Galashiels and or North Berwick and back to Edinburgh 2. Edinburgh to Aberdeen 3. Aberdeen to Fort William; and a return journey to Mallaig on The Jacobite steam train 4. Fort William to Tobermory on Mull via Oban 5. Tobermory to Glasgow 6. A day trip from Glasgow to somewhere fabulous 7. Glasgow to Arran and back to Glasgow 8. Glasgow to Carlisle and on to The Lake District in England (Taking a train from The Lake District back to Edinburgh)

This first day of train travels allows you to leave your luggage in Edinburgh and head off for a day of exploring the attractions to the north of the Scottish capital. Frequent trains, which you can hop on and off with the pass, link the city to Dalmeny (for The Forth Bridge and South Queensferry), Leuchars (for St Andrews) and on to Dundee .

If the V & A Museum in Dundee is on your ‘must-see’ list, it’s best to see it on a day-trip from Edinburgh − this is because Dundee station doesn’t have any left-luggage facilities, meaning it’s comparatively awkward to stop off and visit the museum while on route to destinations further north.

An option is to head off on a day trip from Edinburgh to explore some beautiful destinations to the south and east of the Scottish capital.

Take a journey on the delightful Borders Railway to the charming town of Galashiels and here is a great guide to what you can do there on arrival.

Then if you have the time and energy to spare, when you’re back at Edinburgh station you can hop on another train and make the 35 minute trip to North Berwick and explore its beautiful beaches and more - as this local guide explains.

Head to Thurso via Inverness to experience the journey on the spectacular Far North Line . By taking the 14:00 train on from Inverness, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the dramatic scenery of this aptly named rail route, as Thurso is the UK’s most northerly railway station.

It’s worth taking a seat on the right of the train when boarding in Inverness as the secret of this route’s beauty is its mix of mountains, moors and sea - as far north as Helmsdale it offers one of Britain’s longest coastal train journeys. There are coastal and sea loch views available between these stations:

• Inverness > Muir of Ord
• Alness > Invergordon
• Tain > Culrain by the Dornoch Firth and the Kyle of Sutherland.
• Golspie <> Helmsdale.

Though it’s wise to plan your itinerary so you’ll be making this journey from Edinburgh to Thurso on Mondays to Saturdays. You’ll then have time to lunch in Inverness between trains (the connections on the Edinburgh to Thurso journey are generally a tad awkward).

The 08:37 departure from Edinburgh, which arrives in Inverness just after midday, also makes one of Europe’s most incredible train journeys .

After departure from Perth, you’ll be travelling on Britain’s highest conventional railway, the aptly named ‘Highland Main Line’, which sounds wonderfully evocative and romantic; and it is!

Adding Orkney to a Spirit of Scotland itinerary

From May to September, if you’d like to take up the option of extending your journey north, in order to include spectacular Orkney on a round Scotland itinerary, there are two means of heading to the island from Thurso:

(1) Take local bus route/line 80 to John O’Groats. From there, you can travel on to Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney, by a combination of the John O’ Groats ferry and connecting bus on from Burwick.

(2) Take the North Link Ferries service from Scrabster to Stromeness on Orkney. On arrival in Stromness, bus route/line X1 can take you on to Kirkwall. This second option is also available year round, but the only means of accessing Scrabster from Thurso is to book a taxi, as no local buses serve the ferry terminal. The journey is under two miles but, in the summer, it’s best to contact one of the local taxi hire companies and book ahead of your travel date.

A simple day’s travel on board a direct train to Aberdeen from Edinburgh, though take seat on the right-hand side of the train so that you can experience the fabulous coastal views.

This journeys conveys travellers over the magnificent Forth Bridge...

... and the UK's longest railway bridge over the River Tay.

The videos were filmed from trains travelling in the opposite direction.

Itinerary One: Day 3 - Thurso to Skye

To make the most of the scenery later on, when taking the second journey of the day, it’s best to take the train due to depart from Thurso at 08:34 (Monday to Saturday). So if you’ve added to Orkney to your itinerary you’ll need to head back to Thurso and spend the night there before taking this train. (Or you could travel in one day from Orkney to Inverness, spending the night there before picking up Itinerary Two).

You'll be connecting in Inverness for a train to Kyle Of Lochalsh, sit on the right when boarding in Inverness for the best views. This journey really does save the best till last because, after departure from Strathcarron, the vistas over the sea lochs are phenomenal.

Then connect in Kyle of Lochalsh for a bus, on which you can use your pass, over to the stunning Isle of Skye (this is the timetable ). The bus stop is a three to five minute walk from the station exit; head up to the main road, turn left, and the bus stop is on the road named ‘the old Slipway’, which is second on the left.

Choose a location on Skye that’s served by both the bus from Kyle and the bus to Armadale which you’ll be taking on Day Four. Suitable options include Broadford , Sconser and Portree .

It’s also wise to book your accommodation on Skye before you base the rest of your itinerary around staying here; when ShowMeTheJourney followed this route, I planned the journey about a month beforehand and then discovered that trying to find anywhere to stay in a suitable location on Skye, was nigh on impossible.

If the idea of including Skye on an around Scotland itinerary is what appeals the most, then the Grand Tour Ticket sold by Scotrail could be a better alternative than the Spirit Of Scotland Pass. It includes:

• A journey from Glasgow to Inverness
• The journey described above from Inverness to Skye
• The route onwards from Skye back to Glasgow, if you travel by the Scotrail trains from Mallaig.

Itinerary Two: Day 3 - Aberdeen to Fort William

Take a train from Aberdeen on the lovely route to Inverness...

...and then from there, at 13:00 and 15:00 a City Link bus on route 919 departs for Fort William (the journey, on which Spirit of Scotland passes can be used, takes 2hrs 5mins).

It’s best to confirm the train and bus times ahead, the connections in Inverness are usually conveniently timed, so you’ll want to make the most of them. The bus station in Inverness is a five-minute walk from the station. Turn right when exiting from the front of the station, then take the second right onto Margaret Street.

During its operating season from late May to late October the Jacobite steam train makes a return journey from Fort William on the spectacular route to Mallaig, including the journey over the Glenfinnan Viaduct showcased in the Harry Potter movies.

Because you’ll be waking in Fort William, you’ll be able to take the morning departure from there, so will be able to travel to and from Mallaig on the steam train. Though book ahead as the most popular departures sell out weeks in advance.

It’s worth putting up with the connections on this day of travel as this is an unforgettable journey! The first stage is the beautiful journey across Skye on the bus to Armadale which is where the ferry to Mallaig on the mainland will depart from – the Spirit Of Scotland Pass is valid on the bus, but you will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

The train you’ll take from Mallaig is no ordinary train though. The optimum connection is to take the Jacobite steam train which, during its operating season from late May to late October, departs daily from Mallaig at 14:10. You’ll need to pre-book separate tickets for the Jacobite − ideally at least a month ahead, as seats typically sell out well in advance.

The Jacobite train arrives at Fort William station more than an hour before the train to Glasgow departs at 17:37. In summer, when days at their longest, it’s possible to enjoy the stunning West Highland Line scenery on this final leg of the journey (take a seat on the right-hand side when boarding in Fort William, in order to see the best of the views). Your train will arrive in Glasgow, at Queen Street station before 21:30.

Before committing to this route, it’s worth confirming the schedules of the bus to Armadale. The bus may arrive in Armadale around an hour before the ferry departs and then the ferry may get to Mallaig more than hour before you depart on the steam train – time enough for a lovely fish and chip lunch in the café at Mallaig station.

If you don’t take The Jacobite, or will be travelling on days when it isn’t operating, that train from Fort William to Glasgow, will commence its journey in Mallaig around an hour after the steam train is scheduled to depart. There are multiple pubs and cafes in Mallaig in which to wait for the direct train to Glasgow.

Take the train, which usually departs Fort William at 11:40 to Crianlarich, it will be the train heading to Glasgow and take a seat on the right to make the most of the spectacular views!

On arrival in Crianlarich there should be a connection of around 50 minutes into a train to Oban, which will arrive there just before 15:30. If you want to head to Tobermory, on the Island of Mull, there’s usually a ferry to Craignure , departing at 15:55, which connects with a bus on to Tobermory (the ferry terminal in Oban is a five-minute walk from the train station). You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

Or spend a couple of nights in Oban and make a day trip on the ferries to Mull or beautiful Lismore – the ferry crossings to both islands take under an hour.

This is an opportunity to make a comparatively short day trip by train from Glasgow, the options include.

- Loch Lomond – by taking a train to Balloch - New Lanark – by taking the trains to Lanark - Stirling Castle - take a frequent train from Glasgow Queen Street - The Falkirk Wheel - take bus route/line 6 from Falkirk Grahamston station, which is served by 2 x trains per hour from Glasgow Queen Street - avoid the trains to Falkirk High station. (Both the castle and the wheel can be easily be combined on one day trip, there are frequent trains between Falkirk and Stirling).

When boarding the train in Oban it’s best to take seats on the right, as during the journey you’ll then be able to see the stunning views over Loch Awe, Lochan na Bi, Loch Gare, Loch Long and the River Clyde.

If you’ve opted to stay in Tobermory, the journey from there to Glasgow, can take only around 4hr 30 mins, with the optimum transfers from bus, to ferry and then on to the train. You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

Every hour, a train from Glasgow Central journeys to Wemyss Bay railway station. There will be time to appreciate this truly magical station before the ferry departs for Rothesay (in the summer, the boats connect with every train arrival).

This delightful ferry crossing takes around 35 minutes and, on arrival, you can see the best of Bute touring the island on an open-topped bus.

You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

Take one of those comparatively short day trips from Glasgow listed above, or head off on the day trip to Bute.

At 10:33 a train will usually depart from Queen Street station for Oban .

The charming coastal town is pretty much the perfect location for a late lunch. On Mondays to Saturdays the train from Glasgow will arrive there at 13:43 and the trains back to Glasgow should be departing at 16:11 and 18:11.

But on the fresh part of the journey between Clanriach and Oban, from the left of the train there will be views over Lochan na Bi and then after Dalmeny the railway is by the shore of Loch Awe.

Then before and after Connel Ferry station , there are some coastal views to be savoured over on the right. So it can be a good idea to take a seat on the other side of the train on the return journey to Glasgow.

Trains from Glasgow Central station take less than 45 minutes to make the journey to Ardrossan Harbour station, where an easy transfer is available to the ferries that travel over to Brodick, the main town on the island of Arran . You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

It’s possible to depart Glasgow after 11:00 and see the best of the island on a straightforward day trip, but you should **[check the Due to the variety seen in its majestic landscape, Arran has been described as ‘Scotland in miniature’ and a network of local bus routes link the ferry terminal in Brodick to beauty spots across the island. Though the buses are timed to connect with the ferry arrivals, so it’s best to take time out to explore the charms of Brodick when arriving back in the village; before awaiting the ferry back to the mainland.

The Mondays to Saturday only schedule is:

• Depart Glasgow Central by train at 11:18
• Arrive Ardrossan Harbour at 12;05
• Depart Ardrossan Harbour at 12:30
• Arrive Brodick at 13:25
• Depart Brodick on bus/line route 324 at 13:40; the route goes along the island's north coast
• Arrive Blackwater at 15:02
• Depart Blackwater at 15:40 on bus/line route 322 , which takes the The String road through the mountains across the island
• Arrive Brodick at 16:08
• Depart Brodick at 16:40
• Arrive Glasgow at 18:50

During the summer, the final ferry of the day usually departs from Brodick at 19:20.

Make a diversion into England and spend some time in the fabulous city of Newcastle . At the ticket office in Glasgow, you can book a ticket from Carlisle to Newcastle (the Spirit of Scotland Pass will take you as far as Carlisle). On arrival in Carlisle, you’ll usually need to connect for a train on to Newcastle , but the train that departs Glasgow at 16:13 provides a direct link.

Having spent some time enjoying Newcastle, it’s then an easy and spectacular journey back to Edinburgh on your 9th day of travels; try to sit on the right-hand side of the train to make the most of the fabulous sea views pictured above (you’ll also save money if you book an advance ticket for the trip back to Edinburgh).

The Spirit Of Scotland Pass will convey you over the English border to Carlisle, so an option is take the slower and longer route to that city on the wonderful and aptly named Carlisle Line . Then from Carlisle in less than 30 minutes you’ll be at Penrith North Lakes station , which is so named because of the access it offers by public transport to The Lake District .

Hourly buses on routes X4 or X5 stop just outside the station and provide a connection to Keswick , on Derwentwater (journey time 41 minutes) and guaranteed connections are available in Keswick on to Basenthwaite village and Cockermouth. Route 555 provides an hourly service on from Keswick to Ambleside , the location of Wordsworth’s cottage at Rydale and to Windermere.

There are also comparatively frequent direct trains from Glasgow to Penrith , you can buy a ticket for the part of the journey from Carlisle to Penrith at Glasgow Central station.

There also multiple direct trains per day from Penrith North Lakes that will take you back to your starting point in Edinburgh in under two hours; and this journey makes for a wonderful climax to your adventure.

Penrith North Lakes station also has direct trains to Birmingham, London, Manchester and Liverpool; though book ahead to save money with Advance tickets on the journey from Penrith.

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This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.

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BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass

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Explore Scotland to its fullest, without missing a beat of passionate culture and breathtaking landscapes, and be sure to include must-see destinations – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Perth, and Stirling. Hop on and off the trains as you wish!

Valid for travel in Scotland with Flexible or Consecutive durations. You can hop on and off the trains as you please!

Available Classes

BritRail Spirit of Scotland is only available in Standard Class.

Seat Reservations are never mandatory in Britain but we do recommend them at peak times.

Where can the pass be used?

Please note, from 25 April 2023, ferry travel is no longer included within the Spirit of Scotland. Any ferry travel should be purchased separately and directly from www.calmac.co.uk

Scotland, including travel on the following services and routes:

All scheduled services in Scotland and services to and from Carlisle and Berwick-upon-Tweed for ScotRail, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, LNER, and First TransPennine Express . Some travel restrictions at peak times on some lines.

Scottish Citylink, Stagecoach and West Coast Motors Coach travel – on selected routes including Argyll, Skye, the Borders and Northern Highlands.

*Please note: We would recommend pre-booking your coach travel with Scottish Citylink. To book your Scottish Citylink journey and seat reservation in advance you can do so by visiting any VisitScotland iCentre or CityLink Bus Station. Please note a £1.50 booking fee applies.

Eligibility

You can buy a BritRail pass if you are not a UK resident.

Pre-booking time

Customers can select a first date of travel that is up to 11 months from the purchase date.

BritRail 2FOR1

Child discount.

Children (aged 1-15) get up to 50% off the regular adult fare. Children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket when they share a seat with an adult

Bonuses & Inclusions

Discounted Services:

Strathspey Steam Railway: 10% discount on all full standard fares. Keith & Dufftown Railway: 10% discount on all full standard fares. Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway: £1 off all full standard fares (excl. Thomas Days Out).

• 20% off the Northlink Ferries to Orkney and Shetland  –including Scrabster – Stromness, Aberdeen – Lerwick and Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick
• 20% off Stena Line ferry travel to Northern Ireland  –journeys to Belfast

City Sightseeing Bus Tours: £1 off adult and concession tickets on the following tours: Edinburgh Bus Tour, City Sightseeing Glasgow and City Sightseeing Inverness.

Sweeney Cruises (Loch Lomond): 20% discount on all full standard fares. Cruise Loch Lomond: 15% discount on all full standard fares. Jacobite Cruises (Loch Ness): 10% discount on all full standard fares.

Additional Details

Passholders cannot travel before 9:15 am Monday to Friday. This restriction does not apply to the following routes: Glasgow Queen Street – Oban /Fort William/ Mallaig, Glasgow Central – Stranraer, Inverness – Kyle/Wick/Thurso and direct services from Lockerbie to Carlisle, Carstairs, Motherwell or Glasgow Central.

Pass Delivery

If a paper pass is selected, this pass is printed on official railway ticket paper that will be shipped to you. You can select from the available shipping options during checkout. Please allow sufficient time to receive your pass before your departure.

If an M-Pass is selected, an email with an activation link will be sent. When you are ready to use the M-Pass, click the link to select your first day of use or travel dates. After you have completed the check-in, you will be able to download your M-Pass.

Seat Reservations are never mandatory in Britain but we do recommend them at peak times. Reserve a seat .

Citylink Coach reservations

Although not essential, it is strongly recommended to avoid the inconvenience of not being able to board a Citylink coach in the case of full capacity. Book your Scottish Citylink journey in advance on 0871 266 3333 (24 hours). There’s a £1.50 reservation fee. Calls cost 12p/minute from BT landlines plus network extras. Charges from other providers or mobiles may vary.

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Touring Scotland by Train

Scotland’s Scenic North Highlands

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Concessionary travel

Cheaper travel with the National Entitlement Card scheme.

100 million free bus journeys made by under 22s

More than 100 million free bus journeys have been made since the Scottish Government introduced free bus travel for under 22s.

Our concessionary travel schemes make getting about easier and cheaper for people in Scotland. And by making more sustainable travel choices easier to access, we can help to tackle the climate emergency as well.

Over 2 million people across Scotland can travel for free by bus, and eligible islands residents can access free ferry vouchers too.

Find out more about the free and discounted travel on offer.

Under 22s free bus travel

Young people and children in Scotland who are aged 5-21 can apply for a card to access free bus travel.

60+ or disabled free bus travel

People in Scotland who are aged 60 and over, and disabled people who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a card to access free bus travel.

Ferry vouchers

Eligible islands residents who have a National Entitlement Card can get two free return ferry journeys to the mainland each year.

Other concessionary travel and discounts

Find out about other concessionary travel schemes and discounted travel in Scotland.

The Transport Scot Pass Collect app

Find out more about the Transport Scot Pass Collect app and how to use it.

Reporting misuse

How to report concerns about misuse of the concessionary travel schemes for investigation.

Getting and using your card

How to apply.

• Apply online at getyournec.scot
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Using your card

• Find out about using your NEC on other transport modes

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• Find out more about the Thistle Assistance Card

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We monitor data relating to our National Concessionary Travel Schemes (NCTS), which provide free bus travel for those aged under 22, 60+ and eligible disabled people, on a regular basis. View the latest data on concessionary bus journeys and cardholders .

Concessionary travel and smart ticketing privacy policy

Our concessionary travel and smart ticketing privacy policy outlines how we use, store and share the personal information we hold about you in connection with our national concessionary travel schemes.

BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass

Pass Description

Travelling around Scotland couldn't be easier with the BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass!

Demonstrating great integrated transport, the BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass is valid on the National Rail Network of Scotland and certain coach routes too to make your Scottish holiday seamless.

Scotland has so much to see from the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, to many long sandy beaches and remote islands. Travel the length and breadth of Scotland using the BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass.

Important Notice

Please note that from 25th April 2023 ferry travel was discontinued from the Spirit of Scotland Pass. Any ferry travel should be purchased separately from www.calmac.co.uk .

Pass Details

Book your britrail spirit of scotland pass.

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Explorer Pass

A look at Explorer and Group Explorer passes for the travel trade.

• Explorer Pass prices
• Group Explorer Pass

Please note the information on this page is for our Travel Trade customers only. If you are not a Travel trade customer, you can purchase our standard Explorer Pass .

Our Explorer Pass is a flexible and cost-effective way for groups and individuals to discover our staffed attractions. For each day that a pass is valid, its owner can visit as many of our locations as they like – for no additional cost.

Commission is available on sales of our Explorer Pass. Passes can be included as part of a tour package or offered as an optional add-on.

Explorer Pass benefits for your clients

• Free admission to our paid attractions
• Great value for money
• No need to reserve a timeslot in advance for group sizes under 5 pax

How it works

Passes are valid for 7 consecutive days.

A pass is activated on its first use. Multiple sites can be visited on any single day. Any specific site can be visited only once.

Group sizes of 6 or more must reserve a timeslot at the selected property to guarantee entry, in line with current capacity management models in place across all staffed properties.

How to buy Explorer Passes

• Order online through Group Sales
• Collect on arrival using voucher exchange

Admissions & Sales Team Historic Environment Scotland Longmore House Salisbury Place Edinburgh EH9 1SH

Telephone: 0131 668 8831 Email: [email protected]

2 Explorer Pass prices

Prices for trade until 31 March 2023. Commission is available. 

3 Group Explorer Pass

Save yourself time and trouble with a Group Explorer Pass. Get a single pass to cover an entire group rather than issue and validate an individual pass for each guest.

Our Group Explorer Pass offers all of the same great benefits as our standard Explorer Pass – including the same competitive commission rates. But it can make your job much easier.

The Group Explorer Pass is also available to buy online through Group Sales .

Telephone: 0131 668 8831 Email:  [email protected]

Is Scotland's Explorer Pass Worth It?

Updated: Dec 23, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I have personally used and would recommend.

There are so many castles all across Scotland, it can be overwhelming when you're trying to figure out which ones to visit, especially if you're limited on time. Luckily, I stumbled across the Explorer Pass which saved a lot of time, and most importantly - money! Let's face it, castles are not cheap to get into, especially if they're top tourist destinations. The smaller, less popular castles may boast a cheaper entrance fee, but if you're planning on visiting numerous ones it'll quickly add up.

Scotland's Explorer Pass doesn't have every single castle on it, but it does have some of the best ones, and even better, some that I hadn't even thought of visiting before. There are different versions of the pass to buy, but I opted for the 7 day pass which you can use over a span of 14 days and it cost just £38 . This was ideal because I didn't have to cram everything in, day after day, so I could really enjoy those 7 days I was actually castle hopping. There is also the option of a 3 days pass which you can use over 5 days for £29 . There's a map online that shows you all of the 77 attractions , so you can easily plan your trips and see what castles are near one another.

Driving in Scotland is a lot of fun, so I would highly recommend planning a self-drive tour of all of the castles. I took an electric car all over Scotland, so I had to meticulously plan each castle stop, and had I been able to locate enough charging points, I would have been able to fit in a few more intriguing castles, especially around the Edinburgh area. Not convinced? Well, what if I told you that I ended up paying well under half of what I would have done had I bought tickets for each individual castle? Yes, the Explorer Pass is that amazing, and perfect if you're visiting Scotland on a budget.

Tip: Make sure you look up the entry fee's for the historic sites you want to visit beforehand and calculate if the pass will be worth it to you. Below are all of the sites I visited with the Explorer Pass, and I've included what their entry fees would have been had I not had the pass. Keep reading to find out if Scotland's Explorer Pass is really worth it.

1. Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle sits along the shore of Loch Ness, and was once one of Scotland's largest castles. Today it sits as a ruin, but it's in a very picturesque spot, and after your visit you can go on a boat tour to try and spot the Loch Ness monster. This is a great place to visit in Scotland by car, because the drive to it is just as beautiful as the castle's location.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £12

2. Stirling Castle

Despite visiting a lot of Scottish castles, Stirling Castle is still my favourite. It has been an important castle throughout Scottish history, and was a favourite residence of the Stewart kings and queens. There has been extensive restorations done in the interior, so it looks how it would have done hundreds of years ago. There is also a gorgeous unicorn tapestry hanging in one of the rooms which is a personal favourite of mine.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £17.50

3. Castle Campbell

Situated in the town of Dollar, just outside of Stirling, sits Castle Campbell . This one isn't for the faint of heart. It's quite a trek through the woods and up an enormous hill, but the views from the top are worth it, even though the castle is a ruin. It dates back to the 15th century, and was home to the powerful Campbell earls. It also has connections to Mary Queen of Scots and John Knox.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £6

4. Doune Castle

Doune Castle is also in the Stirling area, and was famously used in Outlander as Castle Leoch as well as Monty Python and the Holy Grail . You may also recognize it from the pilot episode of Game of Thrones , where it was used as Winterfell . It dates back to the 14th century, and has one of the best preserved great halls in Scotland. One of the many reasons you should consider renting a car in Scotland is so that you can easily add castles such as this to your itinerary, without worrying about the time it will take on public transportation to get there.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £9

5. Lochleven Castle

Lochleven Castle is actually on its own personal island, and you need to go on a short boat ride to get to it. It takes about 10 minutes to get to on the boat, but make sure you check the weather beforehand. We managed to get the last boat over to the island because there was a storm on its way.

Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned at Lochleven Castle for a year towards the the end of her reign, where was forced to abdicate before making a daring escape to the mainland. The early 15th century tower still stands mostly intact, and offers stunning views of the mainland.

6. Elcho Castle

If you're driving around Perth, Elcho Castle is located very close to the city itself. It's a 16th century fortified mansion, which is incredibly well preserved. Don't be alarmed if you start driving through someone's farm, the castle is on the other side of it. This isn't an overly touristy castle, so you'll probably have it all to yourself.

7. Huntingtower Castle

You will also find Huntingtower Castle in the Perth area. It has a strange layout inside and if you look closely you can see paintwork dating back to the 16th century on the ceiling. This castle is very easy to add to your Scotland road trip itinerary, and takes almost no time at all to explore.

8. Stanley Mills

Although it's not a castle, admission to Stanley Mills is still on the Explorer Pass. It's quite an interesting stop if you're in the Perth area visiting the last two castles I mentioned. These water-powered mills were used to produce cotton at the height of the Industrial Revolution, and eventually closed in 1989. It's now a museum which gives great insight into an important part of Scottish history.

9. Threave Castle

One of the more interesting castles included in Scotland's Explorer Pass is Threave Castle . It's not a big castle by any means, but in order to get to it, you need to ring a bell, and a ferryman will appear to take you across the water to it.

Threave Castle dates back to the late 14th century, and became the stronghold of the Black Douglases. Before reaching the dock, you will need to walk around 10 minutes through a field and the forest, which is nice if the weather cooperates. Some of the castles on the Explorer Pass take a bit of walking to get to, so I find that the best time of the year to visit Scotland is in the summer months when the weather tends to be a little better.

10. Caerlaverock Castle

Located in the Dumfries and Galloway area of Scotland, Caerlaverock Castle is one place that I was really excited to visit. I won't bore you with historic facts or its architectural genius, because there's a lot to talk about, except to say that it still has a moat around it and dates back to the 13th century. It's considered one of Scotland's greatest medieval castles, and should definitely be added to any Scottish road trip.

11. St Andrews Castle

This is a personal favourite of mine, since I went to university in St Andrews, but I promise I'm not being too biased. St Andrews Castle sits on top of a cliff overlooking the sea, and was once the main residence of the bishops and archbishops of the town. It dates back to the 13th century, and you can go underground and crawl through a 16th century siege mine too, which I would recommend doing as long as you don't mind confined spaces.

12. St Rule's Tower

Located in the stunning ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, St Rule's Tower provides incredible views of the town and the Kingdom of Fife below. It was once part of the 12th century Augustinian church which was first built on this site. Only a few people can fit at the top, and you need to climb up a lot of steps to get to it, but the view is definitely worth it!

13. Linlithgow Palace

A lot of trips to Scotland include Edinburgh for obvious reasons ,but there are a large number of historic locations to visit in the surrounding area too. Linlithgow Palace for example, is quite a short drive from Edinburgh and should definitely be added to your list while you're planning a trip to Scotland. It's a very famous royal Scottish palace, and was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £7.20

14. Craigmillar Castle

If you're planning on visiting Edinburgh but are wondering what other castles the city has to offer, Craigmillar Castle is one of them. I had personally never heard of it before purchasing the Explorer Pass, and it was closed when we tried to visit, but it's one of the most perfectly preserved castles in Scotland and well worth stopping at, especially if you've rented a car. This 14th century castle is where Mary Queen of Scots fled to after the murder of her close friend Rizzio, and was where the plot to murder her husband, Lord Darnley, was hatched.

15. Blackness Castle

There are a lot of castles near Edinburgh to explore, but Blackness Castle has to be one of the most unique ones. This boat shaped 15th century castle was used in Outlander as Fort William and in the movie Mary Queen of Scots as the Palace of Holyroodhouse . Throughout history it was mainly used as a garrison or state prison, and provides gorgeous views of the Firth of Forth and Fife. If you're looking for day trips in Scotland and are leaving from Edinburgh, you can easily see Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace in one trip.

16. Edinburgh Castle

You didn't think I was going to miss Edinburgh Castle did you? I was actually very surprised that it was included in the Explorer Pass because of its pricey entrance fee. This castle is one of the most famous castles in the world, and a key part of Edinburgh's World Heritage old town. It has been beautifully preserved, and its oldest part dates back to the 12th century. No driving tour of Scotland is complete without a stop here. Even if you've been in it before (like I had), you should still put your Explorer Pass to good use and visit it again.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £19.50

There are many more fantastic castles and historic sites to visit with the Explorer Pass, but these are the 16 that I managed to visit with my 7 day pass. So, the big question is how much did I save with the Explorer Pass? I spent just £38 for the pass , and had I paid for each individual ticket at the sites, I would have ended up spending £137.20. That is a huge savings of £99.20 ! And I'm sure I could have fit a few more castles into the mix as well. So, is the Explorer Pass really worth it? Definitely. Click here to buy the Explorer Pass, or you can purchase it on the day at any of the locations on the map.

Scotland is full of beautiful places to discover, but my ultimate favourite spot is St Andrews. There is so much more to this coastal town than its golf courses, so if you're thinking of visiting St Andrews, check out my recommendations here . And if you're wondering where to stay, I would recommend treating yourself to Rufflets Hotel . Scotland is also very well known for its stunning nature and landscapes, so if you're a fan of walking, you'll love walking along the Fife Coastal Path , which passes through St Andrews at one point. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up to date with my travels!

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How to travel scotland by public transport.

Travelling by public transport is a fantastic way to experience Scotland. It is a responsible and sustainable way to explore the country at a slower pace. But where in Scotland can you go by train and bus? How do you navigate the public transport system? And can you travel the Islands and Highlands without a car? Find out everything you need to know in this guide to travel Scotland by public transport.

This post contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission. Find out more here . All opinions are my own.

From high costs, especially when you travel solo, to the fear of driving on the wrong side of the road. Hiring a car and driving in Scotland can be challenging.

I usually drive when I travel around Scotland, but I get asked all the time – what to do if you don’t (want to) drive? Is the country accessible by public transport? Can you get there by train and bus?

If you ever thought about visiting Scotland without hiring a car, you will be happy to hear that the short answer is yes. You can travel around Scotland on public transport with ease.

You might just have to edit your itinerary and travel pace accordingly.

I recently went on an adventure to Glencoe and Fort William and was forced to leave my car at home. For five days, I relied on buses and trains to see the Scottish Highlands and quickly realised that I had to adjust my plans to fit everything in.

This post is for you, if you want to see Scotland by public transport and wonder how to make the most of your time. I will cover:

• The Benefits of travelling by public transport.
• Public transport options explained : Buses, trains and ferries, travel passes and where to buy tickets.
• Tips for travelling on public transport to make your trip more enjoyable.

If you have any questions left, leave a comment or post in my Facebook group !

Table of Contents

The Benefits of travelling Scotland by public transport

First let’s talk about the advantages of seeing Scotland by bus, train and ferry.

Spare yourself the driving. If you can’t drive or are worried about driving on the left side of the road, or a manual car, or on tiny mountain roads, travelling by public transport saves you from having to drive. No need to stress about driving, traffic or the roads.

Enjoy the views. Driving down scenic roads in Scotland is great – but the driver rarely gets to enjoy it in the same way as their passengers. They have to concentrate on the actual road after all. Travelling by public transport means that everybody gets to soak up the views and enjoy the scenery.

Be more eco-friendly. Whether you go by bus or train, travelling by public transport is better for the environment than hiring a car. So if your impact on the planet when you travel matters to you, public transport might be the way to go. Read up on my guide for responsible tourism in Scotland !

Save some money. It can be a lot cheaper to travel by public transport than renting a car and paying for petrol.

Great for solo travellers. All of the above are especially true if you travel by yourself. You’ll save yourself the stress of driving and navigating by yourself, you can focus on the views, you can travel more responsibly and save some money along the way.

But of course, there are also a few downsides – being restricted to timetables, having to adjust your pace accordingly, not being able to follow your nose down random roads. But with the right kind of planning and mindset, you can get just about anywhere on public transport.

Before I give you some tips for exactly how to do that, let me walk you through the different public transport options in Scotland, travel passes and how to buy tickets.

You might also like: How to Plan a Trip to Scotland

Public Transport Explained

There are countless scenic train journeys in Scotland and it is arguably one of the most beautiful and relaxing ways to see the countryside.

Train operators in Scotland

The main train operator in Scotland is called ScotRail . They run services across the country, such as the West Highland Line connecting Glasgow with Oban and Mallaig through the southern and central Highlands, the Kyle Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and the Highland Main Line from Glasgow and Edinburgh through Perthshire to Inverness. Trains stop in most major towns and cities in Scotland, including also Dunfermline, Perth, Dundee, Aviemore, Thurso and Dumfries.

There are also a few other operators that run train services between Scotland and England, such as CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast and others. Many people choose to travel from London to Fort William or Inverness on the Caledonian Sleeper Train , leaving the south in the evening and waking up in the Highlands.

Where to check train times

The most reliable place to check train times is directly on the ScotRail app or website . You can also use Google Maps, but they will not always register cancellations, rail replacement services or delays. Another great app to use is Rome2Rio. You can find more useful travel apps at the bottom of this post.

How to buy train tickets

Train tickets are available at train stations or online from the ScotRail app or website . I highly recommend buying tickets in advance to make sure you get the best price. If you travel from Scotland to England with an operator other than ScotRail, you can still buy tickets via ScotRail.

There are peak-time trains (weekdays before 9.15 am and between 4.42 and 6.11 pm – more info here ) and off-peak trains , which are cheaper and less busy.

If you buy tickets online, you will have to pick up your tickets from a ticket desk or machine at a station. Remember to bring the ticket code you received in the confirmation email and the card you used to pay. You need both to pick up your tickets.

Travel Passes for Trains

There are four different kinds of travel passes offered by ScotRail:

• Spirit of Scotland Pass : Includes travel on trains, buses, coaches and Calmac & Argyll ferries all over Scotland , as well as discounts on Northlink Ferries, city sightseeing buses, loch cruises and more. You can choose between 4 travel days over 8 consecutive days (£149), or 8 travel days over 15 consecutive days (£189).
• Central Scotland Rover : A 3-day travel pass for trains in the Central Belt of Scotland as well as the Glasgow Subway (£55). The major lines included run between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Stirling, Falkirk , North Berwick and Tweedbank.
• Highland Rover : A travel pass that allows you to travel across the Highlands on 4 days over 8 consecutive days (£95). Includes train routes from Glasgow to Oban, Mallaig, Inverness, Ullapool, Thurso and Aberdeen, ferries to Skye and Mull, some bus routes in the west Highlands and discounted tickets for Northlink ferries to Orkney and Shetland.
• Scottish Grand Tour : Includes train travel on the West Highland Line (Glasgow to Mallaig), Kyle Line (Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness) and Highland Main Line (Inverness to Glasgow or Edinburgh), ferry travel to Skye, bus travel from Armadale to Kyle of Lochalsh. The pass is valid on 4 travel days over 8 consecutive days, but only in one direction (£89).

PlusBus Tickets

If you’re planning a visit to a Scottish town or city, you can book your train ticket and a day pass for local buses in one go by adding PlusBus to your train ticket via the ScotRail webshop. The PlusBus ticket allows you to use local public buses on the day of your train journey.

There are several PlusBus destinations, such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Stirling, Dunfermline and more .

Bus networks cover the majority of Scotland – you can get almost anywhere by bus. That said, buses are often slower than the train and are, of course, more dependent on road traffic.

They tend to stop more frequently and if you ask nicely, many drivers will also make an unscheduled stop to let you off between stations. It’s best not to rely on that though as they might be on a tight schedule, can’t find a safe spot to stop, or the bus is too busy to fulfil special requests.

Buses are also the only mode of public transport on islands . Note that there are some islands without any public transport, like Coll or Colonsay. There, walking, cycling and asking for lifts will be your only options.

Bus operators in Scotland

There are a number of bus companies operating local, intercity and regional buses (or coaches) in Scotland. Two of the big operators are Citylink and Stagecoach . Intercity routes are also run by National Express and Megabus . Both are also great to travel between English and Scottish cities on a budget.

You can purchase individual tickets or multi-day passes for their networks. Citylink’s Explorer Pass gives you access to the entire Citylink network for 3 travel days over 5 days, 5 over 10 days or 8 over 16 days (£49/79/97). Stagecoach’s MegaRider pass is valid for 7 or 28 days and includes all routes in specific cities and regions (from £7.50).

You might also like: 50 Ways to travel Scotland on a Budget

Where to check bus schedules

Google Maps and Rome2Rio do a great job with bus routes. But to be 100% sure, I recommend double-checking bus schedules on the operator’s website or on Traveline – especially on the islands.

How to buy bus tickets

On intercity connections and popular routes, you should book tickets in advance. For shorter journeys or on regional buses, you can buy your ticket on the bus. Most accept contactless card payments, but it’s a good idea to have enough cash on you for backup.

If you want to go island hopping – unless you visit the Isle of Skye or the Isle of Seil – you will have to catch a ferry in order to visit the Scottish isles.

Ferry operators in Scotland

There are two large ferry operators in Scotland that operate the majority of ferry routes. Calmac runs most of the ferries to islands on the west coast, from Arran to Lewis. Northlink Ferries runs boats to Orkney and Shetland from Scrabster (Thurso) and Aberdeen.

The majority of these ferries are for passengers and cars , but there are some islands where cars may only be brought across by locals or with a license (such as Rum and Eigg). When travelling with a car, you generally have to book ferries in advance. As a passenger without a vehicle, you usually don’t have to book tickets in advance, but with limited capacity due to Covid, you should book all ferry tickets before you travel.

There are also a number of smaller local ferry operators running short routes, such as Western Ferries, Corran Ferry and John o Groats Ferries.

Where to check ferry schedules and buy tickets

You can check ferry schedules and buy tickets directly on each individual ferry operator’s website. Some ferries must be booked in advance, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:  A Practical Guide to Island Hopping in Scotland

Rail&Sail Tickets

As the name suggests, Rail & Sail tickets allow you to travel on the train and ferry on a single ticket . No need to stand in line for a ticket at the ferry port – just jump on with your Rail & Sail ticket.

This type of ticket can get you to Orkney, Shetland, Mull, Skye, the Outer Hebrides, Bute, Arran and more .

10 Tips for travelling Scotland on public transport

Now that you know why you should travel on public transport and what your options are, let’s make sure you get the most out of your time in Scotland.

Here are ten travel tips for public transport in Scotland.

When you are dependent on train and bus schedules, you might find that you have to slow down your itinerary. You probably won’t manage to fit in quite as many stops in a day as if you were travelling by car.

If you want to hop off and on throughout the day, remember that trains and buses can be quite far apart, so you might have a few hours in each location.

You may want to consider spending multiple nights in the same location to explore an area more in-depth, rather than rushing on each night.

Be flexible

When a bus or train gets cancelled, there is nothing you can do. That’s why it’s important to have a plan B (and maybe even a plan C) to make sure you don’t miss out on a day of exploring.

Prepare to think on your feet. Have a few different options in mind and go with the flow, if timings don’t work out as planned.

Prepare to walk a lot

You will be walking from train or bus stations to your accommodation, to sights, to restaurants etc. Travelling by public transport means that you probably have to walk further than if you were travelling by car.

Comfortable walking shoes are a must!

Alternatively, budget for taxi rides or private transfers. Uber is only available in Glasgow and Edinburgh. In other areas there are local taxi companies. In towns they are usually near the stations, in villages, they might come from further afield and it’s best to book in advance.

Research local taxi numbers and make sure you have a working mobile phone to call.

Double and triple-check scheduled departures

Make sure you check the correct timetable and note any difference between weekday and weekend schedules.

If possible, double-check at the station (preferably) or online to make sure a service hasn’t been cancelled on short notice. Twitter is a good source for the most up-to-date schedule info. If a service gets cancelled, refer to tip 2 (“Be Flexible”).

The fewer bags you have and the lighter they are, the easier you will find it to navigate buses, trains and walking with your luggage.

I suggest one big bag like a backpack or wheelie suitcase, which can go on luggage racks or down below in buses, and a small bag to keep on you at all times.

My Packing List & Packing Tips should help you with that!

Consider getting a Railcard

If you are under 30, over 65 or travelling with a partner or your family, it can pay off to get a Railcard . A Railcard costs £30 for a year and can give you up to 1/3 off regular ticket prices.

Railcards are also available to visitors, but you cannot get a physical Railcard shipped abroad. If you do not have a UK address, you must buy a digital Railcard to use on your mobile device.

Book ahead on busy routes

I recommend booking tickets to popular destinations in advance – for example, the train to Oban or Fort William, the bus to Glencoe or Portree (Skye), or the train to Inverness.

Services that link up with ferry services should also be booked in advance – for example, the bus from Ullapool to Inverness coming off the Stornoway ferry. Especially on weekends and during peak season.

Book accommodation near stations

It makes life so much easier if you book places to stay that are in comfortable walking distance to bus and train stations. That way, you can also request to drop off your bags before checking in without wasting precious time walking back and forth.

Alternatively, budget for taxis or private transfers to manage longer distances.

You might also like: 23 Great Places to Stay in Scotland

Pack a battery pack

You might find that you are spending more time on your phone when you travel by public transport – to take photos, listen to podcasts or audiobooks, take pictures out the window etc. While some buses and trains have plugs or USB plugs to charge your devices, I wouldn’t always rely on it.

Bring a battery pack to keep your phone charged on the go.

Download useful travel apps

Here are some of my favourite apps to navigate public transport in Scotland:

• ScotRail – to check train schedules and buy tickets
• Google Maps – my go-to to research potential routes
• First Bus – to buy tickets and check FirstBus schedules in Glasgow
• Lothian Buses – to buy tickets and check Lothian bus/tram schedules in Edinburgh
• Uber – to book taxis in Glasgow and Edinburgh
• Traveline – to check public transport schedules across Scotland
• Rome2Rio – also to check public transport schedules

With these things in mind, I have successfully travelled on public transport all over Scotland. From visiting Outlander locations in Fife, island hopping to Bute or the Outer Hebrides, to exploring the Scottish Highlands in Glencoe, Fort William and Arisaig.

I hope you find this guide useful for planning your own trip to Scotland on public transport. I’d love to hear from you – whether you need help with your itinerary or would like to share your route with others – leave a comment below!

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12 thoughts on “ How to Travel Scotland by Public Transport ”

Your detailed guide on navigating the scenic routes and hidden gems is incredibly helpful. Thanks for making exploring Scotland so accessible

So I’m solo travelling in August, have booked my accomodation. Arrive Glasgow 1st. Booked first two nights at arochar to see loch Lomond. Thinking bus there from Glasgow. Then next two nights stay is Skye. Train to morar. Should be able to stop at morar on way and see the beach. Then bus to mallaig and ferry across and more buses to portree. Tour of Skye booked for the Sunday. Monday bus to Glencoe (which of the two stops to get off at?) then another bus to fort William where my accomodation is. Would be nice to see Eileen donan castle but gap between buses seems to long. Then next day train fort William to glasgow. Trains are to be booked 8 weeks in advance so looking at beginning of June to book for beginning of August. Is it similar for buses? Also your explorer passes sound quite expensive, yet to work out how much these 6 days of travel every other day mainly going to cost

Hi Cliff, check out this post also, as it follows a similar route as you’re describing (at least the first part): https://watchmesee.com/blog/scotland-itinerary-by-public-transport/ A few main points: Be very careful when planning the journey from Glasgow to Portee to make sure that you can make the stop in Morar and still catch bus-ferry-bus for the onward journey. Morar train station to Silver Sands of Morar is min. 30 minutes walk one way, so allow plenty of time there. Where to get off in Glencoe, depends on your accommodation – Google Maps will help with that decision. Train tickets usually go on sale about 90 days in advance but can sometimes drop in price a little after 2 weeks or so, then go back up. Buses I think are also available around 90 days in advance. Rail passes can pay off, but they don’t include all bus routes (i.e. Morar-Mallaig, Portree-Fort William), so pay attention to that. If you’d like more hand-on advice, you can book an itinerary review call with me here: https://tidycal.com/wms/scotland-itinerary-review Cheers, Kathi

We rented a road surfer last April and thoroughly enjoyed our time doing our own North Coast 500. The next will be using public transportation and leave the driving to someone else. Your blog is wonderful.

Lovely! It’s definitely just as beautiful to see Scotland from the window of a bus or train <3

Pingback: 'That Magical Feeling' - Solo Travel with Hostelling Scotland

As a non-British visitor, you CANNOT buy a digital rail pass online, the problem being you have to input the long British passport number when you apply, not the short number. However it is very easy to buy a physical card once you arrive and you can order all your tickets online with the discount. You only need the pass for travelling, not for booking tickets. I (a Brit living in the USA) was able to buy a digital rail pass, my American travelling companion had to wait until we were in the country. This was confirmed by British Rail.

That’s great to know. Thanks for sharing this!

Very very useful information Kathi. Everything is patiently covered and answered all my questions about the public transportation options for my Scotland trip. Thank you!

Thank you so much for this! I am planning a trip next year with my two adult daughters, we want to visit two of our ancestral cities. Ivermoriston and Tarbert. It’s going to be tricky, but i’d like to use the rail and bus and possibly the ferry system as much as possible. I’m not opposed to renting a car, but if i don’t need to I’d love to save the money and use it to spend in your lovely country!

Pingback: 'Step by Step' - Hiking on the East Neuk of Fife - Wild for Scotland

Just found this blog and it is very helpful. Thank you!

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We grew up in Scotland. Here's how to pass as a local when you visit.

Posted: November 3, 2023 | Last updated: November 3, 2023

• Insider's lifestyle reporters grew up in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city.
• They shared their tips on how to blend in with the locals during your visit to Scotland.
• Avoid talking about soccer when visiting Glasgow and don't photograph bagpipers.

Insider's lifestyle reporters were born and raised in Scotland.

Mikhaila Friel was born in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. She has spent short periods  living in the US and London, England, but in 2020 she returned to Glasgow during the pandemic and never looked back.

Priya Raj was also born in Glasgow and spent several years living in London, before settling back down in Glasgow's surrounding suburbs.

Both reporters consider themselves an expert on all things Scottish culture and lifestyle. They shared their advice for visitors on how to blend in with the locals during their trip.

Try to avoid the mistake of calling a Scottish breakfast a "full English."

A cooked breakfast, as it's known in Scotland, is called a "full English" in much of the rest of the world, though its items differ slightly from the usual. A hash brown is replaced with a potato scone, a flat patty that's made from potato, flour, and butter, and then fried. The standard cased, cylindrical-shaped sausage is replaced with a square-shaped patty of sausage meat, and your dish may even be complete with the ultimate Scottish delicacy, haggis.

Visitors can find the opportunity to sample this dish nearly anywhere that serves breakfast. In Edinburgh, The Witchery  serves breakfast in a cozy setting, and in Glasgow, The Brunch Club is fantastic for those wishing to savor the full works, including haggis.

The friendly rivalry between England and Scotland over "who did it first" means you won't be reprimanded for getting the name wrong, but if you want to live like a local, call it as the locals do.

Scottish people are very friendly, so don't find it strange if someone starts a conversation with you.

Engaging in conversations with strangers in Scotland is pretty normal, whether in a social situation or at a store checkout. There is always a right and wrong time, for example, having a conversation with a random stranger on the street probably still isn't something a local would do.

But particularly with tourists, Scottish people are very welcoming, and Insider's reporters have experienced the general public engaging with overseas friends who visit.

Talking soccer is a touchy subject in parts of Scotland.

Glasgow is notorious for its long, complicated history with religion, and this also seeps into soccer, The Scotsman reported. To locals, the two biggest teams, Rangers and Celtic, represent two different groups of beliefs to the extent that some whole areas of the city are solely sided with one of the teams.

Because of this, it's inadvisable to wear a football strip; clothing items of the same style worn by your chosen team. This rule certainly applies in Glasgow, but it'd be inadvisable to wear these anywhere in Scotland unless you're attending one of the soccer matches. Some pubs in the city are also dedicated to supporting one of the teams, so even if engaging in friendly conversation, it's best to leave religion, politics, and soccer out of it.

Be ready for all seasons, no matter the time of year.

You've heard of countries that get all four seasons, but Scotland sometimes gets all four seasons in one day. Regardless of when you visit, be prepared with a jacket, even in the summer.

For those looking to explore the north of Scotland, a general rule of thumb is that the weather is colder the further north you go. According to Visit Scotland , the summer temperatures range from  59-63 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas in winter, the highest temperature is only around 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

So if you're looking to visit Scotland during the winter, prepare for it to be really cold. But that's not to say there aren't plenty of activities and things to see in the cities during the winter months.

Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen all have multiple art galleries and museums, and Edinburgh has the famous Edinburgh Castle, which can easily occupy an entire day of sightseeing, not to mention Scotland is brimming with castles for the public to visit.

Familiarize yourself with Scottish phrases and slang terms.

If it's your first time visiting Scotland, you might be confused by the vast abundance of phrases and slang terms that aren't used in many other English-speaking countries.

For example, if someone in Scotland says they are going to get the "messages," that means they're going shopping for groceries. Or if you identify as female and somebody refers to you as "hen," don't be alarmed — this is an endearing term used to describe a woman or girl.

There are many articles and books outlining the different terms, so it should be fairly easy to learn some of them before your visit.

Don't stop and take photos of bagpipers if you don't want to look like a tourist.

Bagpipes are a traditional Scottish instrument that first became popular in the 14th century, according to the retailer Kinnaird Bagpipes and Reeds . They're most often played at formal events, including weddings and funerals, as well as remembrance events. 

It's common to see street performers play the bagpipes in major cities, such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Inverness. Most locals will enjoy the music while continuing on with their day, but locals are easier to spot because they're more likely to stop and take a photo of the bagpiper. Some will even try to stop them for selfies.

While it's unlikely that the bagpiper would be annoyed by this, it's worth keeping in mind that you'll stand out in the crowd as a tourist if you gawk or take photos.

Finally, do your research on the best places to visit that have been approved by locals.

If you want to experience Scotland from a local perspective, gather recommendations from food and travel blogs or tips from residents rather than generic round-ups of tourist sites. Here are some of our favorites:

• In Glasgow , visit Sloans Bar in the city center for a weekly Friday night ceilidh, a traditional Scottish dance .
• Inn Deep in Glasgow's West End is a must-visit pub with regular live music, poetry, and open-mic nights. 
• Visit Edinburgh's Fringe Festival held annually in August for live comedy shows, but make sure to go during the week to encounter fewer tourists — and don't buy tickets in advance as many shows offer free entry if they don't sell enough tickets. 
• In St. Andrews, immerse yourself in nature in the botanic gardens.
• For hill walking, Ben Nevis in the highlands is a popular choice.
• For a taste of island life, take a flight from Glasgow to Barra, which is known for its sandy white beaches — just make sure you visit before local businesses close for the winter.

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Covid in summer 2024 - symptoms, testing and what to do if you have it

The number of people catching the coronavirus has jumped in recent weeks - but what are the rules around testing and self-isolating if you or your family are affected

• 15:56, 3 Jul 2024
• Updated 16:48, 3 Jul 2024

The number of people catching Covid has soared by a third in recent weeks. Latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency show that in the week running up to June 19, 2024, there were 2,815 confirmed cases in England - up by 33.5%.

And with minimum testing for the virus this means the figures could be significantly higher. Many of these are from a new group of variants known as FLiRT - coming from the JN.1 variant which is a sub-variant of the omicron strain.

Since the height of the pandemic the virus has been constantly changing - and along with it the symptoms as well as the testing and self-isolating rules. And far from the start when people had to stay away from others for at least 14 days many people are now treating it the same as any other bug and often behaving as usual.

While the strict rules have now gone there are however guidelines in place. So what are the current symptoms in summer 2024 and what should you do if you believe you have caught the virus?

According to the NHS Covid-19 symptoms in 2024 can include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• feeling sick or being sick

The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover.

However, for some people, it can be a more serious illness. This can mean that their symptoms last longer.

What to do if you have Covid-19 symptoms

The NHS advises people should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child has symptoms and either:

• have a high temperature
• do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do your normal activities

You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature. If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough, and they feel well enough, they can go to school or childcare.

While treatment for Covid-19 isn't always possible there are things you can do to ease the symptoms.

You should:

get lots of rest

drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (your pee should be light yellow or clear)

take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable

try having a teaspoon of honey if you have a cough – do not give honey to babies under 12 months

try turning the heating down or opening a window to help with breathlessness

breathe slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth, with your lips together like you're gently blowing out a candle

sit upright in a chair to help with breathlessness

relax your shoulders, so you're not hunched to help with breathlessness

lean forward slightly – support yourself by putting your hands on your knees or on something stable like a chair to help with breathlessness

You should not:

lie on your back if you have a cough – lie on your side or sit upright instead

use a fan to cool your room as it may spread the virus

panic if you're feeling breathless – this can make it worse

What to do if you have tested positive

You are no longer required to do a Covid-19 rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms. However, if you or your child have tested positive for Covid-19:

• try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for three days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults
• try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you take your test if you are 18 years old or over
• avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from viruses, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test

Who can get a free lateral flow Covid test?

Covid-19 rapid lateral flow tests are no longer free for most people. However, you may still be able to get free Covid-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS if you:

• have a health condition which means you're eligible for Covid-19 treatment
• work in healthcare settings or in a hospice

If you want to get tested but are not eligible for free rapid lateral flow tests, you need to pay for the test yourself. You can buy rapid lateral flow tests from some pharmacies and retailers, in person or online.

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Politics latest: Cameron resigns as Sunak names shadow cabinet; Labour MPs assemble for group photo

Sir Keir Starmer has assembled his Labour MPs for a huge group photo in Westminster after the party's landslide election win. Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak has reshuffled his top team as the Tories prepare for opposition.

Monday 8 July 2024 23:00, UK

• General Election 2024

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• Sunak names shadow cabinet
• Sam Coates analysis: Low-energy Tory reshuffle has one eye-catching move
• Labour MPs assemble for huge group photo
• Reeves outlines plan to boost housebuilding and reform planning
• Ed Conway analysis: No big bang moment from chancellor, but hard reforms could one day deliver what UK's long struggled with
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

Election fallout

• Starmer's challenges: Tackling exhausted NHS | Looming chaos abroad | Defence to dominate early days | Small boats plan? | Rift with scientists needs healing
• Read more from Sky News: What to expect from Labour's first 100 days | Who's who in Starmer's inner circle | A look back at life when Labour last won power | Find our other must-read election features
• Results in full: What happened in every constituency

Thanks for joining us for the start of the first full week of a Labour government in 14 years - and there's plenty more to come.

You can scroll through the page for today's updates, or check our 10pm post for a round-up of Monday's most significant news.

We'll be back at 6am with all the latest from Westminster.

The Conservative Party has announced a reshuffle, as former ministers and returning MPs make the transition into becoming the shadow cabinet.

Lord Cameron  has resigned from Rishi Sunak's frontbench, having been foreign secretary before Labour's victory in Thursday's election, and has now been replaced in the shadow role by his deputy Andrew Mitchell.

Also, despite clinging on to a seat in last week's vote,  Richard Holden  has quit as Tory party chairman, with Richard Fuller taking his place in the interim.

Writing in his resignation letter, Mr Holden said there needed to be a "thorough review into the general election campaign", but it would "best take place with a new set of eyes to help provide the clearest view".

You can read more from Sky News below:

 Former prime minister Lord Cameron has sought to explain why he resigned from Rishi Sunak's frontbench - and it has to do with his peerage.

As the ex-foreign secretary is not an MP, he is unable to enter the Commons and face-off with the new Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Lord Cameron said that "clearly the Conservative Party in opposition will need to shadow the new Foreign Secretary from the Commons".

"So I told Rishi Sunak that I would step back."

However, the ex-PM said he is "delighted that the shadow foreign secretary role has gone to my good friend Andrew Mitchell".

We're coming to the end of the first day of the new Labour government's first full week in office.

Here's an easy catch-up on what you need to know tonight:

• Rachel Reeves has delivered her first major speech as chancellor, pledging a "planning revolution" to boost housebuilding and allow new onshore wind projects to help deliver "sustained economic growth";
• Our economics and data editor Ed Conway said while Ms Reeves' speech lacked any "big bang moment", the hard reforms she's promising could one day deliver what the UK's long struggled with.
• Sir Keir Starmer has followed up his weekend visit to Scotland with trips to Northern Ireland and Wales, as he seeks to restore "mutual respect" between Westminster and the devolved governments;
• Sir Keir's spokesperson  fielded questions from journalists today - they said the prime minister was keen for close relations with France whoever ends up in power there after the country's inconclusive elections.
• A good relationship with France will be key to tackling the small boats crisis, which has continued today with the first migrant arrivals since the election ;
• And the Conservatives have confirmed a shadow cabinet reshuffle tonight - with Lord Cameron out as shadow foreign secretary, and Richard Holden gone as Tory chairman.

That's all for now - but we'll have updates all day Tuesday.

By Mollie Malone, news correspondent

The government is expected to announce new plans to ease overcrowding in jails across England and Wales by the end of this week.

Sky News understands one of the core proposals being considered is a lowering of the automatic release point, from the 50% mark in their sentence, to 40 or 43%. 

At the moment prisoners serving standard determinate sentences - those with fixed end dates - are released at the halfway point. 

Once released they serve their sentence on licence. This change could mean thousands of additional inmates with earlier releases. 

Sexual, violent, and terror related offenders are excluded. 

'Immediate' problems - but 'no quick fix'

It comes as Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood today met with representatives from across the prison service, at the beginning of her first full week in the role. 

Sky News understands Ms Mahmood was keen to emphasise her background as a barrister, experience in the sector, and the prime minister's former job as director of public prosecutions.

She expressed a desire to better embrace technology and AI to improve the efficiency of the service in the future. 

Ms Mahmood spoke of the "immediate" problems in prisons, though sources say little detail was provided, as the government continues to weigh up its options.

Sky News understands there are around 700 spaces left in male prisons across England and Wales. 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper today admitted there is not going to be a "quick fix" to solve overcrowding in prisons, suggesting the government is "extremely concerned" by the situation they have inherited.

Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed his 411 MPs into parliament this afternoon, posing for a so-called family photograph days after a huge election win.

He says: "Fantastic to welcome all of our returning and new Labour MPs today. 

"The work of change begins now."

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard are back in your podcast feeds.

On this episode, they discuss how the prime minister is tackling his first full week and his government’s approach to home and foreign affairs.

And how will the Conservative Party choose a new leader?

All that more below:

👉  Tap here to follow Politics At Jack And Sam's wherever you get your podcasts  👈

Email Jack and Sam: [email protected]

With the change of government, the Conservatives' controversial Rwanda migration scheme has been scrapped.

Rishi Sunak had pledged to get planes carrying asylum seekers off the tarmac by the spring, and then shifted his target date to July should he have won the general election.

Sir Keir Starmer is now in the top job, and has stressed the Rwanda scheme was "dead" on day one of his government.

We've now heard from the Rwandan government, which has reiterated it "upheld its side of the agreement, including with regard to finances".

Kigali said it "takes note" of the UK government's intention to "terminate" the agreement.

It added: "This partnership was initiated by the government of the UK in order to address the crisis of irregular migration affecting the UK — a problem of the UK, not Rwanda.

"Rwanda has fully upheld its side of the agreement, including with regard to finances, and remains committed to finding solutions to the global migration crisis, including providing safety, dignity, and opportunity to refugees and migrants who come to our country."

Sir Keir Starmer heads to Washington for a NATO summit tomorrow, and we've just had confirmation his visit will include face-to-face talks with US President Joe Biden.

The White House said Mr Biden would host the new prime minister on Wednesday.

It comes after the pair spoke on the phone on Friday evening - a clip of which was released by Number 10.

We'll continue to have updates through the night right here.

And you can scroll down the page for all the latest from the Politics Hub.

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