Visiting Scotland

💷 Currency

  • Pound Sterling is our currency
  • Scottish bank notes have unique designs
  • Bring pre-paid card, VISA and cash
  • Foreign currency like euros unlikely to be accepted

🚗 Driving

  • We drive on the left
  • Roads range from motorways to single track rural roads
  • Watch for cattle, sheep and deer crossing roads
  • Take your time, especially on unfamiliar routes

🌤️ Weather

  • Scotland can have four seasons in one day
  • Weather can quickly change from sunshine to hail
  • Pack a variety of clothing for all conditions
  • Waterproof jacket is essential

🦟 Midges

  • Midges are small biting insects and can be horrible
  • Bring suitable insect repellent
  • Pack anti-histamine or bite cream for reactions
  • Worse on the west coast and highlands
  • Please don’t be put off — they are generally only present in late spring/summer and not around 24/7
  • Midges are at their worst at dawn and dusk
  • They are also weather and temperature dependent — a breeze, sunshine, a cool day and they tend to disappear and give us a break

🍺 Drink Driving

  • Drink drive limits are considerably lower in Scotland than the rest of the UK
  • One alcoholic drink with lunch could put you over the limit
  • Plan carefully — consider not drinking at all if you’re driving

📅 Planning & Booking

  • During peak season it gets very busy — hotels, campsites, ferries and trains all book up quickly
  • Plan ahead and book wherever possible
  • Ferries to the isles are limited and car spaces fill up weeks in advance
  • The earlier you book the better

Pre-Travel Checklist

📄 Documents & Admin

  • ☐ Passport (valid for 6+ months for some countries)
  • ☐ Visa / entry requirements checked
  • ☐ Travel insurance purchased
  • ☐ Copies of key documents (digital & physical)
  • ☐ Emergency contacts noted

💳 Money & Cards

  • ☐ Notify bank of travel dates – You don’t want your bank freezing account because of suspicious overseas transactions.
  • ☐ Local currency organised
  • ☐ Backup payment method packed
  • ☐ Travel money card loaded

🏥 Health & Safety

  • ☐ Vaccinations up to date
  • ☐ Prescription medication packed (with extras)
  • ☐ First aid kit basics
  • ☐ GP / doctor contact details saved

🎒 Packing Essentials

  • ☐ Adaptor plugs for destination
  • ☐ Phone charger & portable power bank
  • ☐ Clothing appropriate for climate
  • ☐ Toiletries including sun-cream

📱 Tech & Connectivity

  • ☐ Download offline maps
  • ☐ International SIM or roaming plan sorted
  • ☐ Accommodation confirmations saved offline
  • ☐ Flight / transport bookings downloaded (digital wallet, paper copy, App etc)

Driving Your Car in Europe

Planning to drive your own car across Europe? Here’s what you’ll need to have with you, what equipment is legally required, and what we’d recommend packing to keep things running smoothly.

📄 Important Documents

  • Full, valid driving licence and national insurance number
  • Proof of vehicle insurance
  • Proof of ID (passport)
  • V5C certificate (logbook)
  • Travel insurance documents
  • European Breakdown Cover policy number and documents
  • Vehicle tax and MOT valid and up-to-date before you travel
  • Crit’air sticker if driving in France (required for French cities)
  • You may also need: one or more international driving permits, a UK sticker (if your number plate doesn’t include a UK identifier with the Union flag)

🔧 Required Equipment

  • Reflective jackets — one per passenger, kept within the car cabin (compulsory)
  • Warning triangle (compulsory in most countries)
  • Headlamp beam deflectors (deflector stickers or manual beam adjustment, depending on your car)
  • Safety helmets (compulsory for motorcycle and moped riders and passengers)
  • UK car sticker (compulsory)
  • First aid kit (compulsory in many countries)

🎒 Recommended Items to Take

  • Fire extinguisher
  • Replacement bulbs
  • A high quality torch
  • A spare fuel can
  • Additional engine oil and water for topping up
  • An up-to-date road map or satellite navigation system
  • Blanket
  • Sun cream
  • Refreshments and plenty of water
  • Games to play in the car during the journey (if travelling with children)
  • Extra supplies of medication in case you can’t get them abroad
  • Photocopies of important documents
  • European Health Insurance Card

💡 One more thing: In addition to the checklist above, the next best thing to do is to familiarise yourself with the driving laws, specific entry requirements, and compulsory items to carry for the country or countries you will be driving in.

For more detailed country-by-country guidance on driving in Europe, the RAC website is an excellent resource — visit rac.co.uk for the latest rules, requirements and travel advice.