Getting Around By Road
Contents |
Bus & coach
Getting Around Scotland By Air | Getting Around by Road | Getting around by Sea | Travelling Around Scotland by Train
Travelling around Scotland by bus takes longer than the train but is much cheaper. There are numerous local bus companies, but the main operator is Scottish Citylink, Tel. 08705-505050, www.citylink.demon.co.uk, part of the National Express group. Bus services between towns and cities are good, but far less frequent in more remote rural areas. Note that long-distance express buses are called coaches.
Budget backpacker tours can be a cheap way of getting to and around Scotland
Passes and discounts
There are a number of discount and flexible tickets for bus/coach travel in Scotland. Full-time students, or those aged under 25 or over 50, can buy a National Express Coach Card or Scottish Citylink Smart Card for £9, both of which are valid for one year and get you a 30% discount on all National Express and Scottish Citylink fares within the UK. A Family Card costs £18 and allows two children to travel free with two adults, though children normally travel for half price.
The Tourist Trail Pass offers unlimited travel on all Scottish Citylink and National Express services throughout Britain. Passes cost from £49 for two days' travel out of three, up to £190 for 14 days' travel out of 30. They can be bought from major travel agents, at Gatwick and Heathrow airports, as well as from bus stations in Scottish towns and cities. The National Express Explorer Pass offers unlimited travel within a specified period on Scottish Citylink buses. It is available to overseas visitors but must be bought outside Britain. It costs £59 for three days' travel within a five-day period, £110 for seven days in a 21-day period, and £170 for 14 days in a 30-day period. Smart Card and Discount Coach Card holders can get a 30% discount on these prices. In North America these passes are available from British Travel International, Tel. 1-800-3276097, www.britishtravel.com, or from US National Express, Tel. 502-2981395.
The SYHA sells its own Explore Scotland bus pass, which allows free travel on Citylink services. It costs £155 for five days and £250 for eight days, and includes seven nights' hostel accommodation, free SYHA membership and free entry to many Historic Scotland properties. They also sell a Scottish Wayfarer ticket which is similar but also includes rail travel, CalMac ferries and discounts on many P&O Ferries. It costs £160 for four days, £270 for eight days, and £299 for 12 days.
Postbus services
Many rural areas, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, can only be reached by Royal Mail postbuses. These are minibuses that follow postal delivery routes and carry up to 14 fare-paying passengers. They set off early in the morning from the main post office and follow a circuitous route as they deliver and collect mail in the most far-flung places. They are often very slow on the outward morning routes but quicker on the return routes in the afternoons. It can be a slow method of getting around, but you get to see some of the country's most spectacular scenery, and it is useful for walkers and those trying to reach remote hostels or B&Bs. There's a restricted service on Saturdays and none on Sundays. A free booklet of routes and timetables is usually available from local Tourist Information Centres. For more information on postbuses call the Royal Mail in Edinburgh, Tel. 0131-2287407.
Car
Travelling with your own private transport is the ideal way to explore the country. This allows you to cover a lot of ground in a short space of time and to reach remote places. The main disadvantages are traffic congestion and parking, but this is only a problem in the main cities and on the motorways in the central belt. Roads in Scotland are generally a lot less busy than those in England, and driving is relatively stress-free, especially on the B-roads and minor roads. In remote parts of the country, in the Highlands and Islands in particular, many roads are single track, with passing places indicated by a diamond-shaped signpost. These should also be used to allow traffic behind you to overtake. Remember that you may want to take your time to enjoy the stupendous views all around you, but the driver behind may be a local doctor in a hurry. Don't park in passing places. A major driving hazard on single track roads are the huge numbers of sheep wandering around, blissfully unaware of your presence. When confronted by a flock of sheep, slow down and gently edge your way past. Be particularly careful at night, as many of them sleep by the side of the road (counting cars perhaps). Also note that petrol in the Highlands and Islands is a lot more expensive than in other parts of the UK, and that petrol stations and garages are few and far between.
Rules and regulations
To drive in Scotland you must have a current driving licence. Foreign nationals also need an international driving permit, available from state and national motoring organizations for a small fee. Those importing their own vehicle should also have their vehicle registration or ownership document. Make sure you're adequately insured. In all of the UK you drive on the left. Speed limits are 30 miles per hour (mph) in built-up areas, 70 mph on motorways and dual carriageways, and 60 mph on most other roads.
Motoring organizations
It's advisable to join one of the main UK motoring organizations during your visit for their 24-hour breakdown assistance. The two main ones in Britain are the Automobile Association (AA), Tel. 0800-448866, www.theaa.co.uk, and the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), Tel. 0800-550550, rac.co.uk One year's membership of the AA starts at £46 and £39 for the RAC. They also provide many other services, including a reciprocal agreement for free assistance with many overseas motoring organizations. Check to see if your organization is included. Both companies can also extend their cover to include Europe. Their emergency numbers are: AA Tel. 0800-887766; RAC Tel. 0800-828282. You can call these numbers even if you're not a member, but you'll have to a pay a large fee. In remote areas you may have to wait a long time for assistance. Also note that in the Highlands and Islands you may be stranded for ages waiting for spare parts to arrive.
There is a website dedicated to traffic conditions around scotland here at the Traffic Scotland website
Car hire
This can be expensive in Scotland and you may be better off making arrangements in your home country for a fly/drive deal through one of the main multi-national companies. The minimum you can expect to pay is around £150-180 per week for a small car. Local hire companies often offer better deals than the larger multi-nationals, though easycar offer the best rates at around £10 per day. They are based at Glasgow airport and there are plans to open a branch in Edinburgh (check their website for latest information). Some companies such as Melvilles offer the flexibility of picking up in Glasgow and leaving in Edinburgh, and vice versa. Most companies prefer payment with a credit card, otherwise you'll have to leave a large deposit (£100 or more). You'll need a full driver's licence (one or two years) and be aged over 21 (23 in some cases).
Motorcycle hire is very expensive, ranging from around £200 up to £350 per week
Hitching
As in the rest of the UK, hitching is never entirely safe, and is certainly not advised for anyone travelling alone, particularly women travellers. Those prepared to take the risk should not find it too difficult to get a lift, especially in the Highlands and Islands, where people are far more willing to stop for you. Bear in mind, though, that you will probably have to wait a while even to see a vehicle in remote parts.