Scotland Travel Guide

Created for Jamie + David’s Wedding

Scotland overview

Small but mighty, Scotland has many treasures crammed into its compact borders. This tiny nation is much more than kilts, bagpipes, and haggis. From misty glens to countryside castles, visitors to Scotland will fall in love with the beautiful landscapes, the rich history, and charismatic people.

In Glasgow — David’s hometown and the site of Jamie and David’s wedding — you’ll find a blend of sophistication and grittiness that makes this city one of Britain's most intriguing metropolises. While exploring craggy alleyways, historic architecture, and centuries-old pubs, take time to interact with locals. Glaswegians have a reputation as the friendliest — and chattiest — people in Scotland!

Scotland at a Glance

Currency: Scotland uses the Pound sterling. The British pound is represented by the symbol £ and the currency code GBP. Click here to get current exchange rates.

Language: English is the most widely spoken language in Scotland. The dialect of English spoken in Scotland is referred to as Scottish English. Interestingly, 30% of Scotland speaks Scots and 1% speaks Scottish Gaelic.

Weather: In Glasgow, the average high in July is 65°F, rarely falling below 58°F or exceeding 74°F. Expect a 40% chance of rain most days, and you won’t see the sunset until after 10pm.

Time Zone: The time zone in Glasgow is GMT+1. It is 5 hours ahead of Eastern time and 6 hours ahead of Central time.

Important Dates + Locations

Wedding Date: 7 July 2022

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Fly There

Edinburgh International Airport (EDI) is the biggest and busiest airport in Scotland, but Glasgow International Airport (GLA) offers competitive airfare. If you’d like advice on how best to book a flight to Scotland, check out Wunderbird’s blog post on booking airfare.

Transportation

Rental Cars: Renting a car is the best option for two or more traveling together, families with kids, or heavy packers. We recommend using Auto Europe to compare car rental prices.

Trains: Tickets on Britain’s train system are the most expensive in Europe. Book in advance and leave after rush hour (9:30am) on weekdays.

Buses: Most long-haul routes are operated by Scottish Citylink. You can also compare prices with National Express and Megabus.

Ride-Booking Apps: The Uber app works in Britain just like it does in the U.S., but you’ll need data or wifi to use it.

Where to Stay

Glasgow — Scotland’s largest city — has many accommodations to choose from. Compare prices and options at Hotels.com, Booking.com, Expedia.com, Airbnb, or VRBO. If you’re interested in a really wild + crazy place to sleep (like a lighthouse or a 17th-century pigeon hut) check out CoolStays.

Below, we’ve compiled the best hotel options in Glasgow. On this list, you’ll find Sherbrooke Castle Hotel, the site of Jamie and David’s wedding. Jamie and David have reserved a block of rooms for the night before and night of the wedding. If you are interested in booking a room here, please contact the hotel directly at (+44) 0141 427 4227 or email Annie for assistance (annie@wunderbird.com).

Must See In Glasgow

Glasgow is a historic city with grand Art Nouveau constructions and intricately carved gravestones left behind by the Vikings in the ninth century. But the modern side of the largest city in Scotland is impossible to ignore. Embrace the enthusiastic vibe of the city’s university life, and get lost exploring Glasgow’s bustling art, food, and museums scenes.

Neighborhoods

West End - Lots of rich, arty, pretentious student-types and cool people here. Definitely the hippest part of Glasgow.

Ashton Lane - Cobbled lane with terraced buildings that are all bars and restaurants. Perfect place to bar hop.

Buchanan Street - Pedestrian street lined with stores. House of Fraser is a huge department store that looks cool both inside and out and is unique to Glasgow.

Merchant City - City center full of bars and restaurants. This is the best place to view Glasgow’s impressive architecture. When you’re walking around, look up as much as you can.

Sauchiehall Street or Bath Street - If you want a night out, go uptown to either of these streets. David recommends checking out Howlin Wolf, The ABC, The Garage, Nice n Sleazys, and Sub Club.

Great Western Road - Walk west along Great Western Road to discover some of the city’s most interesting shops. Start off among the rare whiskies, wines and craft beers at Valhalla’s Goat before going through the racks of rather glamorous used clothing at the nearby Glasgow Vintage Company. Farther down the street you’ll find used collectibles and rare first editions, often on local subjects, at family-owned Caledonia Books, as well as unusual British- and Scandinavian-made design and lifestyle products at trendy Hoos.

Sightseeing

Glasgow University - A spectacular old building built in 1451 and looks like Hogwarts from Harry Potter. Great views of Glasgow and the Hunterian Museum inside the university is worth checking out.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens - Located in the heart of the city’s West End by the River Kelvin and contains a variety of plant collections, woodland copses and riverside walks as well as the famous Kibble Palace.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Entry is free to this huge and very cool museum. Even the building itself is amazing.

Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) - Scotland's most visited art gallery and the center for Glasgow's extensive modern and contemporary art collection. ​​​​​​Found in the heart of Glasgow in Royal Exchange Square, GoMA is FREE to enter. Statue of The Duke of Wellington out front usually has a traffic cone on its head. It’s one of Glasgow’s most iconic images.

House for an Art Lover - Important architectural building. Today, the House for an Art Lover is one of Glasgow's most popular cultural destinations, combining art galleries and exhibition spaces with an events venue, cafe, gift shop and multipurpose artists studios.

The Burrell Collection - One of the greatest art collections ever amassed by one person and consists of more than 8,000 objects. The Burrell Collection is housed in an award-winning building in the heart of Pollok Country Park where you can also spot Highland cows!

Celtic Park - Celtic Park is one of the biggest football stadiums in Europe, making it the perfect place to learn all about the colorful history and heritage of Celtic Football Club from its inception in 1888. Experience firsthand, Celtic's heritage and culture that has made the club famous and renowned the world over. CLICK HERE to book a full stadium tour followed by a 3-course meal in the Number 7 restaurant.

Glasgow Cathedral - A dark, Gothic structure that was originally dedicated in 1136, and whose lower crypt contains the tomb of the city’s patron saint, St. Mungo, who went to his reward in the early seventh century. The church retains several unusual features, including one of its original oak doors, said to have been scarred by bullets during one of the city’s numerous historical conflicts.

Activities

Private Walking Tour with a Local - Avoid the usual sightseeing tours and discover the beautiful city of Glasgow through the eyes of a local. Meet where you are staying to get familiar with the neighborhood and find out about the best places to eat and drink. Discover hidden gems you might otherwise miss and get tips on the easiest ways to get around. Click here to book the tour.

Glasgow Street Art Tour - Art enthusiasts hoping for a cultural experience beyond the traditional gallery setting shouldn't miss this Glasgow street art excursion showcasing the city's intriguing urban artists. Follow your guide through alleys and beneath bridges to discover Glasgow's public murals and hidden artistic gems. As you go, you can learn about the city's artists, uncover Glasgow's culture and creative industries, and see the Glasgow School of Art. Click here to book the tour.

Loch Lomond & Clydeside Distillery Tour - Glasgow’s first dedicated single-malt distillery in over a century. On your tour, you’ll learn all about the history of whisky, will see craftsmen at work, will encounter gleaming stills, and will taste whiskies from three different Scottish regions. Click here to book the tour.

Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour - Hop-on to a City Sightseeing Glasgow bus tour and enjoy unlimited hop on hop off for 1 or 2 days. Discover sights such as George Square and the Glasgow Cathedral, as you travel on an open-top, double-decker bus with panoramic views of the city. Click here to book the tour.

Restaurants and Bars

Paesano Pizza - Housed in a former haberdashery, Paesano serves outstanding pies baked in wood-fired ovens from Naples, topping them with ingredients like chorizo and burrata.

Shilling - One of the city’s newest brewpubs, where you can try excellent house craft brews.

The Hanoi Bike Shop - This canteen-style establishment opened in 2012 to a chorus of buzz. And it really is irresistible: wooden benches, bright plastic stools and a decidedly informal vibe.

The Ubiquitous Chip - Opened by Ronnie Clydesdale way back in 1971 and still run by the same family, this warren-like destination with several bars, upstairs bistro and downstairs fine-dining restaurant remains a perennial go-to for indulgent contemporary Scottish cuisine.

Six By Nico - The concept is refreshingly simple and appealing: an adventurous and playful six-course fine-dining set tasting menu for a mere £28, with wine pairings only an additional £25.

The Finnieston - For proudly sourced Scottish seafood and gins at a suitably rustic Argyll Street location.

WEST - This Bavarian-style microbrewery and beer hall/restaurant located in one of Glasgow’s most beautiful buildings prides itself on a ‘Glaswegian heart’ and ‘German head’ – and it’s a marriage that clearly works.

Mother India - Not only is Mother India – as the name suggests – the ruling matriarch of all Glaswegian curry houses, it also ranks among the best in Britain.

Nanakusa - You’ll find Nanakusa behind an unassuming, slightly odd-looking wood-panelled frontage. The ethos here is a curious blend of traditional Japanese and Scottish cooking techniques.

Café Gandolfi - For more than 40 years now, the battle-scarred revolving doors – salvaged from the Grand Hotel at Charing Cross – have been turning at this flagship of the Gandolfi dining empire on Albion Street.

Crabshakk - This being Scotland, you’ll never struggle to find somewhere in Glasgow that sells seafood. But the Finnieston-based Crabshakk is probably the best known for serving excellent Scottish-sourced catches.

Scottish Food + Drink

Forget the outdated idea that food in Britain is bad. The British Isles have solidly embraced the world’s food revolution, and in Scotland today you’ll find a delicious mix of traditional and international cuisines. Here is what you need to know about eating in Scotland

Breakfast Fry-up - The traditional fry-up or full Scottish breakfast is famous and notoriously known as a “heart attack on a plate.” You’ll get eggs, bacon and/or sausage, a grilled tomato, sauteed mushrooms, baked beans, and often haggis, black pudding, or a potato scone. Toast with butter and marmalade is served on the side.

Haggis - Scotland’s most unique dish started as a peasant meal. Not wanting to waste anything, poor farmers wrapped the heart, liver, and lungs of sheep in its stomach lining. They added oats and spices and boiled the portable meals. Today, you’ll find haute cuisine version of the dish.

Black Pudding - Born on the Hebrides Islands, black pudding (blood sausage) is a mixture of beef suet, oatmeal, onions, and blood.

Battered Mars Bar - The chocolate bar is battered and placed in the deep fryer; voila; out appears a chocolatey, melted, sweet, beautiful dessert.

Scotch Pie - A Scotch pie can be served hot or cold, and has a filling of minced mutton or other meat.

Cullen Skink - This classic Scottish soup with smoked haddock, potatoes and leek should really be made with Finnan haddie, a cold-smoked haddock from Aberdeenshire.

Irn-Bru - Irn-Bru is a Scottish carbonated soft drink, often described as "Scotland's other national drink".

Tunnock's Tea Cakes - The Tunnock's Teacake is a sweet food often served with a cup of tea or coffee. It is a small round shortbread biscuit covered with a dome of Italian meringue, a whipped egg white concoction similar to marshmallow.

Travel Tips

As you begin to plan your trip to Scotland, always remember that Annie is a quick and easy travel resource! Feel free to reach out (her contact information is at the bottom of this page) at any time with questions.

Money

You will get the best exchange rate by waiting to withdraw British Pounds from an ATM in Scotland. Resist the urge to order traveler’s checks (does anyone do this anymore?) and NEVER exchange US dollars at the airport. You’ll get the worst exchange rate and will be charged fees.

Remember to contact your bank and credit card companies before departing to alert them to your travel plans.

Cellphone

Many U.S mobile phone carriers have inexpensive — or even free! — international calling/data/text plans. AT&T International Day Pass starts at $10 a day, Verizon’s TravelPass starts at $10 a day, Sprint’s Global Roaming offers free text and basic data, and on T-Mobile’s Magenta Plans you get free unlimited texting and data while traveling abroad.

If you want fast and reliable data while in Scotland, we recommend unlocking your cell phone before departing the US and temporarily switching to a Scottish SIM card. This process is simple, cheap, and quick. Once you land, look for a mobile communications store — you’ll often find these at airports or train stations. The four biggest mobile carriers in the UK are EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone.

Tell the staff you’re visiting Scotland and are interested in a prepaid SIM card. This should cost you between $25 and $50.

Travel Insurance

Getting travel insurance is a good decision to cover your non-refundable travel expenses. While you're never required to buy travel insurance, it's a good idea for more expensive trips.

You may be able to cover your trip to Scotland for as little as $100. We recommend you use SquareMouth to compare travel insurance policies.

Tipping

At pubs or places where you order at the counter, you are not expected to tip. You might hear some regular customers say “add one for yourself” as a tip on drink orders. At restaurants or other places with waitstaff, tip as you normally would (10-15% is standard in Scotland).

Packing List

While packing for your Scottish adventure, remember that average July temperatures is 65°F. Bring layers to remain comfortable, rain or shine.

• Rick Steves Scotland Guide Book - Rick Steves is a favorite here at Wunderbird. His expertise lies in Europe and this book covers EVERYTHING you need to know about Scotland.

• Lonely Planet Scotland - Lonely Planet is also an excellent option.

• Power Outlet Adapter - You’ll need plug adapters for your American electronics. In the USA, we use Type A and Type B plugs, in the United Kingdom they use Type G. This pack of two adapters also includes USB ports.

• Voltage Converter - Our electronics — mobile phones and computers — already convert voltage for us when we travel, but some people feel more comfortable using voltage converters. We DO NOT recommend using American hair appliances — hot tools or hair dryers — abroad, even with the voltage converter.

• Portable Charger - Portable charging packs are at the top of every serious traveler’s packing list. If you’re touring all day and using your phone to take photos, you’ll be surprised by how quickly your battery depletes.

• Insect Repellent - The midge is a persistent creature and can be a serious nuisance between April and October. Make sure your repellent is under 3 ounces if you’re carrying-on.

• Rain jacket - Western Scotland (where Glasgow is located) averages about 4.5 inches each July. Plan for rain or drizzles on your visit. This men’s rain jacket and women’s rain jacket are good options.

• Umbrella - Or simply pack this Teflon-coated travel umbrella.

10 Day Scotland Itinerary

We recommend taking the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. After exploring Glasgow, pick up a rental car to drive the remainder of this 10-day itinerary.

Day 1 Arrive in Edinburgh

Day 2 Edinburgh

Day 3 Glasgow

Day 4 Glasgow

Day 5 Oban

Day 6 Day trip to Mull and Iona

Day 7 Glencoe

Day 8 Inverness

Day 9 Drive to Edinburgh

Day 10 Depart Edinburgh

Scottish Experiences + Day Trips

Jamie and David recommend arriving in Glasgow on July 7th (the day before the wedding). After the wedding, you can set off to explore the rest of Scotland or enjoy day trips from Glasgow. Below we recommend some of our favorite Scottish experiences and adventures.

Golf at St. Andrews

The Old Course at St Andrews is considered the oldest golf course in the world and commonly known as 'The Home of Golf'. For a tee time in July 2021, you need to apply in August-September 2020. Check out this full guide on how to get a tee time or visit the St. Andrews Links Trust for more information.

Loch Ness, Glencoe, & Highlands Tour from Glasgow

Experience rugged and mythical Scotland on this full-day trip from Glasgow. In a small group, explore the Scottish Highlands, Cairngorms National Park and the famous Loch Ness—fabled home of the elusive water monster, Nessie. Visit historic battle sites like Glencoe, Fort Augustus, and Stirling Castle, where legendary hero William Wallace commanded an infamous fight against the British.

Speyside Whisky Tour

The Speyside region of north-eastern Scotland is renowned for its single malt whiskies, which are sold all around the world. On this tour, immerse yourself in Scotland’s whisky-making history and heritage as you visit three Speyside distilleries in one day. Visit distilleries such as Macallan, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, or Aberlour; learn about the whisky-making process on a guided tour; and sample a selection of different whiskies.

Guided Day Trip to Loch Lomond, Trossachs & Stirling Castle

Visit Scotland's first national park, and enjoy a 1-hour cruise across Loch Lomond. At Stirling Castle, learn about the Scottish heroes Mary Queen of Scots, Robert the Bruce, and William Wallace.

Guided Day Trip to Oban, Glencoe & West Highland Castles

Explore the castles and lochs of the historic West Highlands. Visit Oban and Inveraray, eat lunch at Loch Lomond, and explore majestic Glencoe.

The Outlander Tour

Leave Glasgow behind and feel like you are spending the day with the Frasers in the 17th century. Visit various locations used for filming scenes in the Outlander series and learn where fact and fiction meet and diverge. Stops include Doune Castle (Castle Leoch), Culross (Claire’s herb garden), Mercat Cross (Cranesmuir), Blackness Castle (Fort William) and several others. There will also be stops at important landmarks of interest to fans of Scottish history.

Discover the Isle of Arran

On the island you’ll find dramatic mountain peaks, sheltered beaches, verdant forests, great cultural festivals, and a wealth of tasty local food including a famous cheese maker and distillery. Biking and kayaking are fun activities here.

The Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel is the world’s first and only rotating boat lift, designed and built to connect the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal which allows coast to coast navigation across central Scotland.