Scotland is one of those countries that many people around the world will want to travel to at least once in their lifetimes and hundreds of thousands of people do every year. However, as with travelling anywhere, there are loads of questions people often ask about coming here.
If you look online, you'll find queries on everything from worries about money and natural predators like the dreaded midge to how to prepare for the weather and what to eat and drink when they get here.
So to ensure your travel here is as stress-free as it can be – so you can get on to enjoying the good stuff like the breath-taking scenery, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and mouthwatering food and drink – we've pulled together the most popular questions to give you answers before your big trip.
There's no need to worry we've covered all of the major topics too, so you'll be clued up before you travel.
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When is the best time to travel to Scotland?
The obvious answer would be all year round, but if you want to avoid the crowds in summer and still enjoy some nice weather, then we recommend heading to Scotland in April or September, it tends to be cooler but also happens to (usually) be drier too.
What is the weather in Scotland like?
We usually enjoy four seasons in one day. In fact, one of our well-worn expressions is that if you don't like the weather you find here, don't worry, just wait an hour or so and it'll change.
To be honest, it can be pretty transient, meaning it can be hard to prepare for, so the safest option is to pack for all types of weather just in case - and yes that also counts in the summertime.
How much time should you take for a trip to Scotland?
We would say you'll need as much time as you can to enjoy everything you'll find here but it won't matter, you'll probably find you'll want to come back anyway to do more.
We would say that at least a week and a half is probably best, and we wouldn't tack Scotland on to a trip elsewhere too if possible, as you'll regret not giving yourself enough time in this wonderful wee country.
What can you eat in Scotland?
Scots LOVE to eat and the country is very cosmopolitan when it comes to food so you'll find a huge variety of cuisines on offer in most places – and yes that includes coffee too.
However, we are best known for our seafood and of course, the ever-popular haggis, so we recommend you try both while you are here.
Can you use the money you get in England in Scotland?
The United Kingdom has a single currency meaning you can use the notes and coins you get in Northern Ireland, England and Wales in Scotland. Scottish banks issue their own notes meaning if you head south after your trip here, some English shops might refuse them (which is a massive frustration for us as they are legal tender) so it's worth bearing that in mind.
What are midges?
These floating clouds of misery are regularly considered to be Scotland's most feared predator and if you've ever encountered them you'll know why.
The Highland midge (pronounced Midj-ee) is a tiny insect that belongs to a family of midges known for biting to feed. Gathering in large groups the females swarm together and will bite warm-blooded creatures to draw blood.
These are felt by humans as a vastly irritating itch, which is made worse by the fact there is usually anything up to a hundred or so of them trying to latch on to you at any one time.
You can find our guide to how to avoid them here.
Do people speak English in Scotland?
Contrary to popular belief, yes we do. Though local dialects, Scottish words and phrases and of course the accents mean that it might be hard to catch what everyone is saying.
Don't be afraid to ask people to slow down and enunciate what they are saying if you are having a tough time keeping up.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Scotland?
In Scotland, they are known as the Mirrie Dancers and they light up the skies with beautiful ribbons of green, purple, red and pink.
Heading north to the Highlands, or jumping across to the islands will often be your best bet but they can often be seen as far south as Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders in Autumn and Winter.
You can consult specialist aurora forecast websites such as AuroraWatch UK to find out when.
Are people who live in Scotland friendly?
Scots are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people you'll find the world over so don't be afraid to ask for help or even to strike up a conversation with the people you meet.
Do all Scots drink whisky?
The simple answer is no, though in recent times it's become more popular with Scottish people in general, not all Scots drink whisky and in fact, not all Scots drink alcohol.
The simplest way to find out what someone likes to drink is to ask them.
What is haggis? What does it taste like?
A delicious food that everyone should try at least once. It's very hard to describe but the closest you'll get to it is perhaps a spiced minced (ground) meat but even that doesn't do it justice. You really have to try it for yourself and it's one of the most fun things to do when visiting Scotland.
Don't worry, most places do a vegetarian version too.
Is the public transport good?
Scotland's trains are one of the best and quickest ways to get around and are usually very reliable. Watching the beautiful scenery pass by via train window is also a very enjoyable way to travel and one you often miss when driving.
You'll also find a fairly decent bus and taxi network in most places.
Which city in Scotland is the best to visit?
Most websites and guides will probably say Edinburgh due to its history, castle and status as the capital, however, if you don't check out other cities such as Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness you'll regret it, as each has their own wonderful charm.
What should you do to not look like a tourist in Scotland?
If you want to blend in like a local then it's probably best to not mention your Scottish ancestry; most Scots are only interested in you as you are now, and not your family history.
It's also probably best not to wear tartan unless you're going to a ceilidh and if you drink whisky, remember to sip and savour it – don't shoot it like a shot.
Should you visit the Highlands and Islands as well as cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow?
The short answer to this is YES! The longer one would be to point out that though Scotland's cities are wonderful, the Highlands and Islands are filled with some of the best scenery (beaches included) you'll find anywhere in the world.
It is well worth your time to plan ahead to include going to both the Highlands and any of the islands such as Islay, Skye, Mull and Harris as well as the Shetland and Orkney Isles.
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