Scotland is one of the most fascinating places in Europe, known for the vibrant city of Glasgow, the imposing Edinburg Castle, the freedom fighter William Wallace, and so much more. Scotland is full of unique traditions, captivating history and breathtaking landscapes. It is also a magnificent country for drivers due to its unparalleled scenery, populated by mountains and glens, countless places to visit and the chance to get immersed in the local culture. Additionally, Scottish people have a worldwide reputation for being friendly and warm, and you might hear some good stories and tales along the way!
A car hire in Scotland allows you to explore at your own pace. With Auto Europe, you are able to choose from a wide range of available vehicles and pick-up locations, such as airports, train stations and downtown offices. It couldn't be easier to discover everything with car rental. Simply dial the number +441233225114 and get in touch with our team of experts, ready to help you with any questions.
Driving in Scotland is quite similar to driving in the UK. It's still important to have a good grasp of local laws to make your journey smoother once you book your rent a car in Scotland. Besides always driving on the left hand side of the road, keep in mind that on roundabouts you must give way to vehicles from your right. Please find below a list of guidelines for driving in Scotland:
Petrol stations are usually located near large supermarkets or main road junctions. Some of the most common brands are Shell, BP and Esso. In addition, supermarkets such as Tesco, Morrison's, Sainsbury's and Asda also offer fueling stations. Fuel is priced by the litre and in the cities, you'll often find 24-hour access at fuel stations. Keep in mind that in the Highlands certain routes have sparse coverage. To learn more about road regulations in Scotland, pay a visit to our driving in the United Kingdom page.
Suggesting just a few must-dos is no easy task, however, with a car rental in Scotland, it's possible to see and do much more. Tourists here will have a great time hearing tales of kings and queens, visiting striking cliff-top castles and discovering the local traditions. Nature lovers can climb over 240 steps up the National Wallace Monument and enjoy views over the National Park or admire the stunning Northern Lights. Those interested in history have a plethora of ancient monuments, famous battlefields and legendary myths to uncover. Here are some of the places you cannot miss while travelling in Scotland:
Driving is a great way to explore Scotland and its 2,179 miles of road network. Not surprisingly, there are 12 official National Tourist Routes, and dozens of road trip options. Each one offers excellent opportunities to soak up the views at a famous landmark, stop at a nearby whisky distillery or castle, or simply enjoy the raw beauty of nature around you. Perhaps one of the most awe-inspiring scenic drives is the one along the North Coast. 500 miles of coastal route beginning and ending in Inverness and crossing Munros and impressive lochs. You can find even more inspiration and tips by taking a look at our road trips guides: Scottish Highlands and Scottish Sights.
Drivers must be at least 17 years old to hold a full driving licence. However, it's important to note that you must be at least 21 years old to be able to drive a car hire in Scotland. For those under the age of 25, an additional young driver surcharge may apply, depending on the car rental company. Additionally, most companies impose a maximum age limit of 75 years and may ask for a medical certificate proving the driver's ability to drive. For more information regarding age requirement, we recommend reading terms and conditions carefully before confirming your reservation.
The course of Scotland's over a thousand-year history is very complex, but also fascinating. The birth of Scotland occurred in the Palaeolithic Era, with the settlement of the first hunter-gatherers. However, its recorded history began with the Roman Empire arriving in 124 AD. Centuries later, the arrival of the Vikings and the Picts, who forged the Kingdom of Alba, ruled by the famous Macbeth. In the 12th century, Scotland became a feudal society, lands were turned into plantations and the economy flourished until the Battle of Stirling Bridge between Englishmen and Scots. Turmoil continued into the 14th century culminating to a signed letter by Scottish lords proclaiming the country as an independent sovereign state. A century later, Scotland was swept by the same renaissance wave that took hold around Europe, with advancements made in art, literature and politics.
In 1603, the Union of the Crowns happened thank to James VI, who succeeded Scotland's throne and the English throne as well, as his predecessor, Elizabeth I, died without an heir. A hundred years later, the Act of Union created a single Parliament for both nations. Consequently, a number of laws were introduced in an attempt to assimilate those living in the Highlands and speaking Gaelic. Industrial advances started to shape Scotland's economy in 1800 and the country grew wealthier from the trade of tobacco, sugar and cotton and 1967 the UK has access to oil made at home for the first time. Since then, Scotland has experienced extraordinary developments and is currently a nation built on innovation. The country now has a population of over 5.4 million and an area of 30,414 sq m.
The official currency of Scotland is the pound sterling (GBP), but Scottish banks print their own unique banknotes, which are generally accepted outside of the country. English notes, on the other hand, are accepted everywhere in Scotland. Coins are divided in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 denominations. Bank notes are available in £1, £5, £10, £20, £50 amounts and even some rare £100 notes. In case you need to exchange money, just access the nearest bank or exchange bureau. Banks are usually open from 9:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays, although some open on Saturday mornings. There are also a multitude of ATMs available.
Scotland's standard time is the GMT - Greenwich Mean Time Zone (UTC+00:00). During summer, the country adopts British BST - Summer Time (UTC +1), which usually ends in the last week of October.
English is the most popular language spoken in Scotland. However, Scots and Scottish Gaelic also are officially recognised languages. Scots are spoken in the Lowlands, the Northern Isles and the Island of Aran. Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language and it's spoken by roughly 1% of the country.
In Scotland the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. All power sockets are type G. We suggest anyone planning a trip to the country to bring appropriate adaptors to safely use electronic devices and appliances with a different voltage, frequency or plug.
Even though we hope you don't experience any problems while in Scotland, it's still important to have on hand the contact information and address of your country's representative office, consulate or embassy in Scotland. There are 42 foreign representative offices in Scotland, and a detailed list of their locations can be found on the official government website.
Travelling around Scotland in style and comfort is now possible with a motorhome from Auto Europe. Our modern and well-equipped campervans are available for rent in several locations throughout the UK. Contact our team of specialists to learn all about our best offers!