Travelling in Scotland and to Scotland

Scotland benefits from fast and frequent InterCity services from all parts of England to many Scottish towns and cities. Then there are good connecting ScotRail services, including links to the western seaboard at Oban and Mallaig, and to the north of the mainland at Thurso and Wick.

A half-hourly ScotRail Shuttle service runs between Edinburgh and Glasgow in just 50 minutes and other express services link Edinburgh and Glasgow with Stirling, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Daily services by Scotrail connect the Highlands with Glasgow, Edinburgh and all major UK cities. Sleeper services are available to Inverness, Aviemore and Fort William. GNER also provide a rail link between Edinburgh and Inverness.

Freedom of Scotland Travelpass
+44 (0) 141 335 4260
This gives unlimited travel on all scheduled train services within Scotland; all Caledonian MacBrayne scheduled ferry services; various Scottish Citylink services.

Prices (1999)
Any 4 out of 8 consecutve days - £69
Any 8 out of 15 consecutive days - £99
Any 12 out of 15 consecutive days - £119

Available from all staffed railway stations throughout Britain and rail-appointed travel agents, and from the Britain Visitor Centre, Lower Regent Street, London; overseas from Rail Europe and BritRail offices in Europe and North America.

Coach

Bus and Coach Travel
Scottish Citylink Coaches
Buchanan Bus Station
Killermont Street
Glasgow G2 3NP
+44 (0)990 505050
Scottish Citylink offer a range of value for money fares on coach services throughout Scotland. Further reductions on these fares are available to students, senior citizens, young persons (who are holders of a Discount Coach Card) and children between 5 and 15 years.

Check at bus stations and at Tourist Information Centres for other Scottish bus services.
Email:  info@citylink.demon.co.uk

The Orkney Bus
John o Groats Ferries
Ferry Office
John o Groats
Caithness KW1 4YR
+44 (0)1955 611353
The Orkney Bus departs Inverness to Kirkwall daily, May to September (5 hours). Bookings are essentail on this service.
Sample costs for an adult £26.00 single and £38.00 return (children under 16 with an adult are half price, under 5's are free)
Email:  info@jogferry.co.uk

Postbus
Communications Department
8th floor
Royal Mail Scotland and N. Ireland Divisional Headquarters
102 West Port
Edinburgh EH3 9HS
+44 (0)131 228 7407
Mail delivery in the more remote areas is often by the Postbus which carries fare-paying passengers where there is no other form of public transport. Space is limited and it is advisable not to plan your journey to rely totally on the Postbus service.

Mrs Sheila Fletcher
Roads and Transport
Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness IV3 5NX
+44(0)1463 702695
The Highland Council publishes a full-colour map and a set of 4 comprehensive booklets, for all travel in the Highlands, Western Isles and Orkney. A free map and mail order form are available from the address above.
Email:  Sheila_Fletcher@Highland.gov.uk

Scottish Citylink travel to 190 destinations in Scotland. The Ciylink Smart Card is valid for 12 months and gives good discounts of around 30% on all Scottish City Link services and National Express Services within Scotland which form part of the Citylink network. It is availble for purchase by young persons (16-25 yeas), full time students and seniors (50+). A one year card costs £5.00 and a 3 year card costs £12.00. Discounts availble for children (aged 5-15 years)

Scottish Citylink Explorer Pass allows unlimited travel in all Scottish Citylink services within Scotland. Hop-on/hop-off at over 190 destinations. Plus 50% discount on adult fares on Caledonian MacBrayne ferries and discounts on the first nights accommodation at most independent hostels. These apply to 3, 5, 8, and 15 days and fares start at £20.00 for 3 days for an adult.

Lowland Omnibus Ltd offer the following rover tickets:
Reiver Rover includes 1 or 7 days unlimited travel within the Scottish Borders on any Lowland bus service, with prices from £8.00 for an adult for one day.
The Waverley Wanderer offers 1 or 7 days unlimited travel within the Scottish Borders plus journeys to and from Edinburgh. Tickets can be bought from the driver.

Information from:
Lowland Omnibus Ltd
14-16 Eskbank Road
Dalkeith EH22 1HH
Tel: +44 (0)131 663 9233

Getting Around
LRT Travelshop, 27 Hanover Street, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 555 6363
In Edinburgh a Touristcard gives unlimited travel on Lothian Regional Transport (LRT) city bus service, the Edinburgh Classic Tour and speacial Britannia X50 service, as well as discounts on attractions, entertainment and eating venues. Other speacial one day cards are also available.

Day Saver Ticket provides unlimited travel on normal LRT services, tickets can be bought directly from he driver. Sample prices for adults £2.40, and a child £1.50

Airline Day Saver provides one day travel on normal LRT services and one journey to the Airport, tickets can be bought directly from the driver. Sample pices for adults £4.00

Guide Friday Airbus
Express service to and from Edinburgh Airport to the City centre, sets down on request at most city centre hotels. Buy your ticket from the driver, at the Guide Friday tourism centre and from the Tourist Information centre at Waverley Market. Sample Price adult £3.60 and £1.50 for a child (5-12 years)

there is another easy way to get around Edinburgh - the jump-om/jump-off buses. There are two tours, departing from the city centre, every 10-30 minutes throughout the year, minumum tour in 1 hour incorporating a tour of both the Old and th New Towns and calling at several major attractions.

Guide Friday (discounts on attractions, walks and shopping)
Guide Friday Tourism Centre
133/135 Canongate, Royal Mile
Edinburgh EH8 8BP
Tel: +44 (0)131 556 2244
E-mail gfedin@aol.com

The Edinburgh Classic Tour - now wih multi-language commentary, (including discounts on attractions, enterainment and food)

LRT Travelshops
Waveley Bridge
Edinburgh
Tel: +44 (0)131 555 6363

Guide Friday also operate tours around Glasgow, Stirling, Perth and Inverness (which includes Culloden Battlefield). Information from the Edinburgh address.

Getting Around
The Travel Centre
Buchanan Bus Station
Killermont Street
Glasgow
+44 (0)141 332 7133
In Glasgow, there are various Roundabout tickets, giving unlimited travel for one to several days, by train and by underground. City coach tours are also availale.

There are two round Glasgow tours, departing from George Square in the ciy centre, on a frequent basis with guides on board; Scotguide and Guide Friday both take you to most of Glasgows attractions, all of which are free and you can hop-on/hop-off as often as you like as the ticket is valid all day.
With Scotguide, from early March to mid-May (excluding Easter) and mid-October to end November, you can get two for the price of one. Day ticket: £6.50 (1999 prices).

Scotguide Tour Services
St George Building
153 Queen Street
Glasgow G1 3BJ
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 0444
Scotguide

Grampian Coaches
395 King Street
Aberdeen AB24 5RP
+44 (0)1224 650024
Operating daily from end May to end September, a circular tour of the "Granite City"

Ferry

As Scotland is surrounded on three sides by water and has about 790 islands, of which 130 are inhabited, ferries are a major means of transport. The islands can be divided into two main groups - the Inner and Outer Hebrides (the latter also known as the Western Isles) off the west coast and Orkney and Shetland off the north coast.

Shetland Islands
Port Administration Building
Marine Operations Department
Sella Ness
Sullom Voe
Shetland ZE2 9QR
+44 (0)1806 244234
Shetland Islands Council operate ferry services between the islands. Inter-island services are frequent and comparatively cheap, but advance booking for cars at peak times is advisable. The Tourist Information Centre on the islands can advise you.

Orkney
John O' Groats Ferries
Ferry Office
John o' Groats
Caithness KW1 4YR
+44 (0)1955 611353
John o' Groats ferries operate a daily foot-passenger service, May - September, from John o Groats to Burwick on Orkney. Criossing time is 45 minutes. The company also runs summer day tours (May - September).
Email:  info@jogferry.co.uk

Islands of the West
Caledonian MacBrayne
The Ferry Terminal
Gourock
Renfrewshire PA19 1QP
+44 (0)1475 650100
Caledonain MacBrayne feries sail to 22 islands off the west Coast and in the Firth of Clyde; most of them carry vehicles as well as passengers. The Summer timetable operates from Easter to mid-October; a reduced service operates mid-October to Easter. Vehicle reservations are advised, particulary at peak times.
Email:  mike.blair@calmac.co.uk

+44 (0)01369 704452
Western ferries operate services between McInroy's Point (near Gourock) and Hunters Quay (near Dunoon) in the Firth of Clyde.

+44 (0)1496 840681
Serco Denim operate the service between Islay (Port Askaig) and Jura (Feolin) on behalf of Argyll & Bute District Council.

In addition to single, return and 5 day return tickets, Caledonian MacBrayne has two speacial tickets. Island Hopscotch, attractive fares for passengers, with or without cars, gives you a choice of pre-planned, island-hopping itineraries; these tickets are valid for one month from the date of the first journey. Island Rover is a runabout ticket for passengers, with or without cars, valid for 8 or 15 consecutive days from teh date of the first journey and with unlimited travel on Caledonain MacBrayne ferries; you decide which islands to visit. Both tickets can be bought in advance from Caledonain MacBrayne in Gourock or from their offices in most ports. All cars should be booked in advance, espeacially at peak season.

Sample Fares(May 1999)

Island Hopscotch

Arran & Kintyre
Driver/Passenger (each) £7.15
Car, caravan, trailer (each) £41.50

Skye, Harris & Lewis
river/Passenger (each) £24.85
Car,caravan, trailer (each) £118.00

Island Rover

8 Days
Driver/Passenger (each) £41.00
Car (each) £59.00

15 Days
Driver/Passenger (each) £199.00
Car (each) £299.00

Scrabster-Stromness (Orkney)

Up to 3 sailings daily. Crossing takes 2 hours. Connecting bus to Kirkwall. Sunday silings April - October

Aberdeen - Stromness (Orkney)

2 weekly summer, 1 weekly winter. Crossing takes 8 hours.

Aberdeen - Lerwick (Shetland)

Mon-Fri all year. Crossing takes 14 hours. Via Orkney, 2 services per week in winter an 1 service per week winter.
Email:  passenger@poscottishferries.co.uk

Ferry services to and from the Hebrides are run by Caledonian MacBrayne who sail to 23 islands. Most ferries carry vehicles and some require advance booking, especially during peak times. Car Ferry services to the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland are run by P&O Ferries. There is also a pedestrian ferry between John O'Groats and Orkney.

Air

International flights arrive at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Prestwick and London Airports (Heathrow,  Gatwick and Stansted). There are other airports at Inverness, Stornaway, Benbecula, Tiree, Glengedale, Campbeltown, Shetland and Kirkwall. British Airways offers a regular shuttle service from London to Scotland and flights are also widely available from English regional airports. Iceland Air also fly directly from the main US airports to Glasgow. Easyjet also offer regional travel. American Airlines have summer flights from Chicago (O'Hare International, ORD), as do Continental Airlines from New York (Newark, EWR). Most major airlines have direct flights to the London Airports mentioned above from which a regular service is available for onward flights to Scotland and it's regional airports. You can also check on flights at the BAA web site.

Scotland has an excellent internal air network bringing the islands of the west and north within easy reach. All airports have good onward connections from the cities and towns in Scotland, either by train, bus or airport taxis. Car hire can be arranged by some carriers before your arrival or through the information desks in the terminal building. Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports have full bureau de change facilities. Car parking is available at all airports, although some Highland airports and airstrips may have restricted parking. 24-hour secure parking is offered at both Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. Please note airport tax is charged on domestic and international departures from the UK.

Direct Flights:

Campbeltown
+44 (0)1586 552571
Flights to Glasgow

Eday (Orkney)
Flights to Kirkwall and Papa Westray

Aberdeen Airport
+44 (0)01224 722331
Flights to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kirkwall (Orkney), Sumburgh (Shetland) and Wick

Edinburgh Airport
+44 (0)131 333 1000
Flights to Aberdeen, Inverness, Kirkwall (Orkney), Sumburgh (Shetland) and Wick.

Glasgow Airport
+44 (0)141 887 1111
Flights to Aberdeen, Benbecula (Western Isles), Campbeltown, Inverness, Islay, Sumburgh (Shetland), and Tiree

Inverness Airport
+44 (0)1463 232471
Flights to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kirkwall (Orkney), and Stornoway (Western Isles),

Sumburgh Airport (Shetland)
+44 (0)1950 60654
Flights to Aberdeen, Fair Isle, Kirkwall (Orkney), Unst, and Wick

Benbecula (Western Isles)
+44 (0)1870 602051
Flights to Barra (Western Isles), Glasgow, and Stornoway (Western Isles)

Fair Isle
+44 (0)1595 760224
Flights to Lerwick and Sumburgh

Islay
+44 (0) 1496 302361
Flights to Glasgow

Kirkwall (Orkney)
+44 (0)1856 872421
Flights to Aberdeen, Eday, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Sanday, Sumburgh, Stronsay and Westray.

North Ronaldsay
+44 (0)1857 3240
Flights to Kirkwall, Sanday and Stronsay.

Papa Westray (Orkney)
Flights to Eday, Kirkwall and Westray

Sanday (Orkney)
Flights to Kirkwall, North Ronaldsay and Stronsay.

Lerwick (Shetland)
+44 (0)1595 840306
Flights to Fair Isle and Unst

Stornoway
+44 (0)1851 702256
Flights to Benbecula, Glasgow, and Inverness

Stronsay (Orkney)
Flights to Kirkwall, North Ronaldsay and Sanday.

Tiree
+44 (0)1879 220456
Flights to Glasgow.

Unst (Shetland)
+44 (0)1957 711404
Flights to Lerwick and Sumburgh.

Westray (Orkney)
Flights to Eday, Kirkwall, Pappa Westray. Sanday and Stronsay.

Wick
+44 (0) 1955 602215
Flights to Edinburgh and Sumburgh.

Barra (Western Isles)
+44 (0) 1871 890283
Flights to Benbecula and Glasgow.

Car

As in the rest of the UK, we drive on the left side of the road. there are toll-free motorways in central Scotland and a good dual-carriageway roads to the main towns. In more remote areas there are single track roads with plenty of passing places; this means that you have to draw in to let others pass to overtake.

Major international companies, which have offices at the main Scottish airports, can arrange for a car to be available on your arrival; you should book through your travel agent. There are also local companies who can deliver to airports by prior arrangement. Most comapnies require the driver to be between 23 and 75 years old, with a current driving licence having been held for at least one year. When you pick up a car in one town and drop it off in another there may be a surcharge. Be sure to check if you require to fill the tank full or to the same level as when you hired the car, otherwise you will have to pay a refueling fee. If you prefer automatic transmission, then you should book this in advance.

The holder of an overseas driving licence may, for a period of up to one year, drive a motor vehicle in Britain. Visitors bringing their own cars from overseas require green-card insurance and the car registration documents. You are strongly avised not to drink and drive. Penalties are severe.

Motorway 70mph/112kph
Dual Carriageway 70mph/112kph
Single Carriageway 60mph/96kph
Built-up areas 30mph/48kph
unless otherwise signposted.
Unmarked police cars and cameras are positioned on many roads.

Many fuel stations throughout Scotland are open 24 hours a day and all with leaded and unleaded petrol and diesal. In remote areas, distances between stations are greater and opening hours may be shorter. Fuel is sold by the litre and the gallon.

It is compulsory to wear seat belts, both front and rear. Small children and babies must be restrained in a appropriate child seat or carrier. Child seats should be ordered when you book your car. Motorcyclists must wear a crash helmet.

Budget Rent-a-Car have locations throughout the UK as do Hertz, Mitchells Self Drive and Arnold Clark.