what you need to know before traveling to england reddit
With everything from dramatic history to spectacular landscapes, Scotland is bound to enchant y'all. It certainly did that to the states!
We want you lot to visit Scotland and have a great trip. We as well want to help yous brand a good impression and avert embarrassing yourself. So here are some interesting facts and things you should know before visiting Scotland for the showtime fourth dimension.
Places to stay
1. Scotland has its own distinct culture
Scotland is not part of England, but a split up nation with its own heritage, history and civilisation. So when visiting Scotland, avoid making any generalizations that group the Scots with the English. Besides, never call a Scottish person "English." It's insulting and shows your ignorance.
Scotland united with England in 1707. Before so, Great Great britain didn't exist.
Tip: Scotland recently held a referendum on whether it should secede from Nifty Britain and go an independent country over again. They voted to stay in the Uk, just the result was close. This is a sensitive topic, and i that should be avoided at all costs.
2. There's a deviation betwixt Scotch and Scottish
People from Scotland are Scots (noun) or Scottish (describing word) Use the word Scotch when you're talking about things that are of Scottish origin, like Scotch record and Scotch whisky.
three. The Scottish speak English, just you'll have to get used to it
Don't be shocked if y'all can't understand them the first fourth dimension. They have a thick accent and use unique phrases, and they know it. If you can't grasp what they've just said, most will be happy to slow down and repeat it.
But the Scots might think you talk funny, besides:
- Scotland's capital is Edinburgh. Don't pronounce it as Ed-in-burg or Ed-in-bor-row. Scots pronounce it every bit Ed-in-burr-a … or peradventure Edin-bra.
- The principal shopping street is Princes Street. It'due south named after the imperial sons, so don't call information technology Princess Street.
While you're visiting Scotland, y'all'll hear words like aye (yep), nae (no), wee (little) and loch (lake). Hither, Ben and glen are not men's names, they hateful mountain and valley, respectively.
iv. Talk to the locals
Exist polite. If y'all meet someone's eye in passing, say "how-do-you-do" and smile. (A mutual response is, "aye.")
If you want to strike upward a conversation with a local a good manner to start is to make some coincidental observation about the atmospheric condition. e.chiliad. "sunny today isn't information technology?", "shame nearly the rain".
If you're invited to someone'due south business firm, bring something as a gift. This tin can exist a bottle of whiskey.
5. Stand your round at the pub
There'south no table service at pubs; yous order nutrient at the bar. You also pay for drinks when you order them.
If someone offers to buy yous a drink, it's courtesy to accept. Information technology's also customary to buy a circular in return (stand your circular), and everyone is expected to have part. The adjacent circular should always be bought earlier the previous round is finished.
6. Scots prefer to avoid arguments
Equally one person put information technology, no thing how much you've had to potable, avoid talking football, politics, or religion. If y'all do, you lot may end upwards in a passionate statement with some of the about opinionated people on the planet.
Please proceed your book down. Talking likewise loudly in public is considered offensive and embarrassing. Besides, no 1 needs to hear your conversation.
7. Scots like to queue
Whether ordering drinks or at a store, it'due south considered extremely rude to barge to the front of a line for faster service. Scots are very respectful when continuing in lines, so please look your turn.
They also endeavor to avert any "modest talk" while waiting, so as not to disturb others.
8. No one cares about your Scottish ancestry
Similarly, no 1 cares about your pedigree. If you can trace your family heritage to Scotland, join the guild. There are millions like you, and no i is going to exist impressed.
ix. Most people don't wear kilts.
While it'due south not unusual to run across someone dressed in a kilt in Edinburgh, Scottish people generally save their kilts for special occasions, such as weddings or ceilidhs.
10. Bagpipers deserve a tip
Information technology takes a lot of practice and skill to get a talented bagpiper. If you see a bagpiper on the street and stop to enjoy his music or take a photograph, show your appreciation past leaving a tip.
Street performers earn their living by … well, performing. Call up of information technology this fashion: How would yous experience if you spent a whole twenty-four hour period working and someone decided non to pay yous?
things you demand to know virtually visiting Scotland is that performers are about the only people who clothing a kilt." width="513″ height="768″/>
11. JK Rowling did not write Harry Potter in the Elephant House
Elephant Firm advertises itself as "the Birthplace of Harry Potter," but the truth is that JK Rowling visited several cafes when writing Harry Potter. Logically, information technology is far more likely that she spent more than time around the corner at Nicolson's Buffet, which was endemic by her blood brother-in-police force until it closed downward.
The spot you're looking for is now called Spoon Buffet Bistro. You're welcome.
12. Not all souvenirs are "the real bargain"
Beware of fakes along Edinburgh's Imperial Mile and elsewhere. Avert shops displaying Loch Ness monster statues, "I love Scotland" t-shirts, or "souvenir of Scotland" boxes of shortbread. Too steer clear if you hear bagpipe music blaring out onto the street. Near of the stuff in these shops is likely fabricated in Prc.
Yous're more than apt to find quality items that were actually made in Scotland at smaller places that are off the high rent, tourist rails.
13. Avert August in Edinburgh
Every Baronial people flock to Edinburgh for its many arts and cultural festivals, such as Edinburgh Festival Fringe. For a full month, the city streets, cafés, and hotels overflow as thousands of tourists descend for a month full of theater, one-act, and music.
Tip: Hotels are in high demand and prices are specially loftier in August. If you just want to visit tourist sites, choose a dissimilar month or consider staying in Glasgow. Trains run regularly and the trip is but ane hour long.
14. Haggis tastes practiced.
If yous've never sampled this Scottish delicacy, then you're in for a real treat! Haggis usually comes with "neeps and tatties" as a side dish (a.one thousand.a. mashed turnips and mashed potatoes).
Recollect of it as a blazon of sausage: a mixture of onion, oatmeal, sheep's pluck (innards) and spices, all stuffed within a pare casing and fried.
And please don't allow the thought of eating organ meat intimidate you, because you've already done it. After all, what do you recall they put in hot dogs and sausages?
Tip: If you're in Edinburgh, Scottish food tours like this one will guide you to the best haggis in town. If you're elsewhere in the world, you can endeavour haggis on Burns Night (January 25th). Many places agree this celebration in honor of Scottish author and poet Robert Burns.
15. Scots leave a tip … sometimes.
Tipping is non mandatory in Scotland and Scots wouldn't dream of tipping at a pub. That said, it's customary to tip 10% in restaurants.
Tour guides and hotel staff capeesh gratuities. These are tourist services and it is often expected.
xvi. William Wallace is a national hero.
William Wallace led his countrymen to fight for Scottish independence until he was convicted of treason in London and sadistically executed. However, he didn't look similar Mel Gibson and he was never called Braveheart.
17. The midges are a nightmare.
Midges, or "midgies," as the Scots call them, tin can be a real nuisance, peculiarly in the Highlands. Americans call these tiny biting flies "no-come across-ums" for a reason. A deject of them will appear anytime the air current drops below 5 mph, so acquit some insect repellent with you during midge season. In severe cases, you may even need a caput net!
18. If yous don't like the conditions, wait a minute.
Scotland has incredibly child-bearing weather. The Scots similar to say that you can feel all four seasons in one day. Brilliant sunshine can turn into torrential rain in a matter of moments, and balmy temperatures can rapidly turn frigid.
Prepare yourself past dressing in layers – even in summer. Y'all may want to carry a raincoat and wear waterproof shoes. And forget virtually umbrellas if it's windy. Useless.
Tip: If you program to hike, bring proper hiking equipment, including a map. And only become as far as you lot tin safely navigate back.
xix. Some areas take their Sabbath seriously.
In some parts of Scotland, such as the western isles, you won't discover a Sunday paper or an open up shop anywhere. Tourist places may be open up, such as hotels and bars, merely some places may accept reduced hours.
20. You'll demand exact change for buses
About buses in Edinburgh don't give alter. If you don't have the right fare set up, you are going to lose a few pence. Y'all'll notice the bus fares displayed at near bus stops.
21. Scotland offers a public transportation pass
If you lot program to apply public transportation to travel around Scotland, have a expect at the ScotRail Travel Pass. The pass covers most trains, buses and ferries, and allows for multiple travel days.
Fall is the all-time time to visit Scotland, when the heather is blooming and the kids are dorsum at school.
Whether you're in Scotland for city culture or outdoor activities in the highlands, nosotros're sure you'll make even more discoveries. So if you accept other Scotland travel tips, please share them in the comments.
Planning resources
Here are some useful links to assistance you plan your own trip.
- Tourism authority: Scotland's tourism website has many useful trip planning resources.
- The code for Scotland'south international airport is EDI.
- Airport to hotel. Taxis are bachelor, as is Uber. Some other option is to book a private limousine service. They will greet you with a sign in the airport, help with your luggage, and escort you to your hotel.
- Visas. Project Visa is an easy-to-use tool that will tell you lot if you are eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA).
- We use xe.com to calculate currency exchange values.
- Travel insurance. Yous'd be surprised at how cheap it is and how much information technology covers. Trust us, when an airline misplaces your suitcase for a week, you'll be glad y'all have it. Learn more than here.
Read more than
Online
- Scotland is At present
On Amazon
- How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The Truthful Story of How Western Europe'south Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in Information technology
- Scottish Miscellany: Everything Yous Always Wanted to Know About Scotland the Brave
- Outlander's Scotland
- Rick Steves Scotland
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Source: https://www.aswesawit.com/things-to-know-before-visiting-scotland/
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