The Ultimate Solo Female Travel Guide to Scotland

This is a guest post by Kristin D.

I have a confession to make. I love Scotland. I love the beaches, the remote islands, the windswept scenery, the castles and the history. After a long day exploring, I love to relax in front of a fire in a cosy pub. The only thing that can be a challenge is the weather – but the good thing is you can often wait 5 minutes and it will change.

Scotland is a great destination for solo female travelers who love the outdoors. In the larger cities you must take the usual precautions but Scotland is safe. The locals are also very friendly and it is easy to strike up a conversation and meet fellow travelers. Here’s everything you need to know about planning a solo trip to the country:  

Best Places to Visit in Scotland

When visiting Scotland, plan an itinerary that includes more than the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. The reason I love Scotland is the countryside and the feeling in the highlands of being in the middle of nowhere.  

1. Edinburgh

With its historic castle, pretty old town, festivals, museums and traditional pubs, Edinburgh is a great place to start a trip around Scotland. Begin your sightseeing by walking the Royal Mile which ends at Edinburgh Castle. To learn about the castle’s history, try joining a guided tour.

There are also many excellent museums such as the National Museum of Scotland where you will find exhibits about the history of Scotland as well as art, design and science. It is so big you could easily spend a whole day here. 

Another interesting museum is the Scottish National Gallery. In addition to paintings by world famous artists such as Monet and Van Gogh, one of the newer galleries is entirely devoted to Scottish artists. 

My favourite view in Edinburgh is the skyline from Arthur’s Seat. Climb it during the day.

2. Explore Isle of Skye or the Western Isles

The area I love the most in Scotland is the remote highlands and islands. The scenery and beaches are fantastic.

This area of Scotland is easiest to explore by car. For a more social way of exploring, join one of the many multi day tours offered by Viator or Get Your Guide. 

Getting to Isle of Skye takes time but it is well worth it. On Skye you can see the Old Man of Storr, the fairy pools and the Quiraing. On a trip to the Isle of Skye make sure your stop at Eilean Donan Castle, which is my favourite Scottish castle. It is set on a small island where three lochs meet.

Or travel on to the Isle of Lewis and Isle of Harris in the Western Isles where you will find the best beaches in Scotland.

3. Fort William

Fort William is easy to reach by public transport and it is close to both Ben Nevis and Glenfinnan. The Ben Nevis Distillery is also within walking distance of the town centre and it is great for whisky tastings given you don’t need to drive home.

Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in the UK. Although it is only 1345 metres high, the weather changes quickly and you should never go hiking alone. Join a group walk instead.

If you like Harry Potter, you should visit Glenfinnan to watch the Hogwarts Express cross over the viaduct. The train is called the Jacobite Steam Train and travels between Fort William to Mallaig. Tickets can be booked through West Coast Railways and cost £65 return in Standard Class and £98 in First Class. It is expensive to take the steam train but I really enjoyed the experience.

Anyone on a budget should consider taking the ‘normal’ train instead. It travels the same route between Fort William and Mallaig. You can also take the train to Glenfinnan and walk to the viaduct. I was surprised how much I enjoyed seeing the train cross over the bridge. It was very atmospheric.

4. Glasgow

Glasgow is a short train journey from Edinburgh, but the two cities are very different. Glasgow is urban and known for its art and lively nightlife. Walk along the mural trail to see the street art before stopping at one of the many micro-breweries. 

5. North Coast 500

The North Coast 500 is often called the NC500. As the name indicates, it is a scenic drive along the northern coast of Scotland. There are also plenty of whisky and gin distilleries in the area.

It goes through beautiful countryside and small villages. Most people spend 5 to 7 days on the route which is best done by car. This area is very busy during the summer months. I prefer traveling during spring or autumn. If you are going in the summer then book your accommodation well in advance.

How to get around Scotland

Flights

The two main domestic airports in Scotland are Glasgow and Edinburgh. After arriving in Scotland you are unlikely to take any domestic flights unless you are visiting one of the islands. It is normally faster and much cheaper to travel around by bus, train or ferry. 

Trains

Trains are operated by ScotRail. Cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fort William and Inverness are easily accessible by train. For the best price, book tickets well in advance and look into all the various rail cards you can buy which give you 1/3 off train fares. 

Buses

Buses are the cheapest way to get around Scotland and are a reliable way to get around. The main intercity operators are Megabus, National Express, Stagecoach and Citilink. Many offer multi-day passes. 

Car Rental

Car is by far the easiest way to travel around the more remote parts of Scotland and I highly recommend renting a car when visiting the Highlands. However, the same is not true when visiting the larger cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. Parking can be difficult and it is easier to get around on foot or by public transport. 

Ferry

Ferries are operated by Calmac. Foot passengers can often get away with booking tickets close to the sailing, but if traveling with a car you need to book tickets well in advance.

How to stay safe in Scotland

Safety is at the forefront of most women’s minds. Scotland is safe, but in the larger cities, you should take the same precautions you would in other large European cities. My advice is to trust your instinct and if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. 

Plan Ahead

You won’t have political uncertainty or changing safety concerns like in many other countries around the world. However, that does not mean that you shouldn’t plan ahead. Book your accommodation in advance to make sure you stay in central and safe areas. You don’t want to be walking around late at night trying to find somewhere to stay.

Accommodation Matters

Think about the location you are staying in. Book reputable hotels, hostels, or guesthouses with good reviews and a track record for safety. Book accommodation with 24-hour front desks, secure entry, and lockers for valuable items.

Two of my personal favourite places to stay are Haystack Hostel and Castle Rock Hostel, both in Edinburgh.

Stay connected and download a safety app

If your phone plan doesn’t cover Scotland, get a local SIM card. It allows you to stay in contact with everyone back home and you can download a safety app such as Find my Friends. I share my location with my family. To be honest it is probably more for my mum’s benefit than mine!

Keep an eye on your belongings

In the larger cities and at bus and train stations there can be thieves. In the countryside this is much less of an issue but I always use a money belt for my passport, cash and credit cards. My daypack also has hidden pockets. 

Stay in Well-Lit Areas at night

When you are out at night, stick to well-lit and populated areas. Avoid dark alleyways and secluded places such as parks and the Meadows in Edinburgh. When traveling home late at night, don’t walk on your own and consider taking a taxi.

For safety reasons, avoid the areas around Springburn and Possil in Glasgow and the red-light district between Salamander Street and Leith Link in Edinburgh.

Don’t drink too much

All over Scotland you will find traditional pubs and it’s hard to tour Scotland without stopping at a few. Pubs are the best places to meet both locals and other travelers, but don’t drink too much. It makes you more vulnerable and your judgment of people and situations will not be as good.

How to meet others while traveling in Scotland

When traveling solo, whether you will meet other people and how to meet them is something we all worry about. I have found that meeting both locals and other tourists in Scotland is easy. My top tips for meeting others are:

Stay in hostels

One of the easiest ways to meet other travelers in Scotland is by staying in hostels. They often have communal areas where people meet to cook, chat, and talk about where they have been. In Scotland, eating out is fairly expensive so booking somewhere with a kitchen is also a budget travel tip.

Join a group tour

Group tours are another way to meet travelers. Skye can be difficult and time-consuming to get to by public transport. A tour is much easier and it has the added benefit of allowing you to meet people. Hiking trips are another option. Both Viator and Get Your Guide provide day trips and trips lasting several days through the Scottish countryside. The trips start in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness.

Visit a local pub

In Scotland, pubs are a big part of the culture and a perfect place to meet locals and fellow travelers. You can also try the local cuisine and whisky. I will leave it up to you how much of the local food you want to try since even after several trips to Scotland I have not got used to eating Haggis!

Language Exchange Events

On Thursday’s at O’Neills pub in the center of Glasgow, people meet to practice new languages. Edinburgh also has many such events and you can find a list on meetup.com. It is a great way to both meet people, practice another language and maybe help someone learn more about where you are from.

Go to a festival

During the summer months, Scotland has several festivals and Highland games, but the best one for solo travelers is the Fringe festival in Edinburgh. Every bed in the city will be taken and people are there to have fun and meet new people.

Best time to visit Scotland

Deciding when to visit Scotland depends on the weather and if there are any particular events or experiences you want to have. My favorite seasons are spring and autumn, thus avoiding the summer crowds. 

Spring (March to May): During spring the days are getting longer and the summer crowds have not yet arrived. Temperatures are warming up and range from 5°C to 13°C (41°F to 55°F). Outdoor activities are back on after the winter.

Summer (June to August): Being this far north the sun doesn’t set until past 10pm in June and the weather is getting warmer with daily temperatures ranging from 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F). 

The only downside is that summer is the peak tourist season in Scotland. Accommodation prices rise significantly and sites are crowded. Book well in advance to travel at this time of year. Another downside of traveling during the summer is that this is when the midges are at their worst.

Summer is when most of the festivals take place. In August, Edinburgh hosts both the Fringe Festival and the Military Tattoo. Throughout Scotland there are highland games where you can see events like caber tossing amongst others. 

Autumn (September to November): As the leaves change color, the days turn clear and crisp. Temperatures start dropping with daily averages ranging from 9°C to 15°C (48°F to 59°F). The number of rainy days also increase. 

Winter (December to February): Winter is the low season and travelers should be prepared for rain, snow and cold winds. Average temperatures drop to 2°C to 7°C (36°F to 45°F). 

What to pack for Scotland

Packing for Scotland can be difficult because you need a little bit of everything. Since the weather is very variable it is not unusual to have four seasons in one day – the solution to that is to wear layers. Even in summer it can be colder than you think so I always bring a fleece and a thin down jacket. 

The other certainty when traveling to Scotland is you will have some rain and it will be windy. Pack waterproofs – a Gore-Tex jacket is the best solution because it is also windproof. 

Good shoes are another must. Trainers should also be on your packing list but if you are planning on doing any hiking in the mountains you should bring sturdier hiking shoes as well.

Scotland is a fantastic destination for solo female travelers who want a mix of cities and countryside. 

The scenery will blow you away and make you want to come back to experience a different part of Scotland next time!

About the author: Kristin D runs Scotland Less Explored. The site has all the information you need to plan the most amazing holiday to the more remote parts of Scotland. If you are looking to venture off the beaten path and discover the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Scotland Less Explored is the site for you!