By Air
There is an excellent internal air network connecting the islands and
several regional airports of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
The majority of internal flights are operated by British
Regional Airlines. You can find out more information by visiting their
website or phoning 0845 7733377.
By Rail
Besides getting there quickly and cheaply, Scottish trains can take
you on some memorable journeys. The West Highland line through Fort William
to Mallaig, and the routes from Stirling to Inverness and then onto Kyle
of Lochalsh takes you through scenery which is considered to be amongst
the finest in the world.
Tourist passes
Highland Rover - (from £39), and the Central Scotland Rover -
(from £29), allow unlimited travel on a regional basis, while the
Freedom of Scotland travel pass - (from £69), gives you fully inclusive
travel on scheduled rail services, Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services
and selected Scottish Citylink coach routes.
More information can be found on the Railtrack
website or you can phone 0870 6082608 for full national information.
By Coach
The main operator in Scotland is Scottish Citylink Coaches and travel
to most parts. A number of discount and flexible tickets area available.
These include the discount coach car allowing upto 30% off National
Express coaches and Scottish Citylink, and the Citylink Smart card, which
is subject to age restrictions.
Full information can be found on the Citylink
or National Express Website
or by phoning 08705 505050
Postbus
This is a special feature of the Scottish postal service. The postbus
carries fare paying passengers in rural areas where there is no other form
of transport. The service brings a new dimension to travel in the more
remoter parts and is idea for walkers. Contact the Royal
Mail for more information and timetables either by their website or
phoning 0131 228 7407.
By Road
Although there are no tolls on the roads in scotland, there are 4 bridges
which have a toll charge. They are the Forth, Tay, Erskine and Skye bridges.
Details and charges are available from the Scottish
Tourist Board on 0131 315 4545.
Car Hire
There are many car hire companies available, but the main ones are:
National car hire - 08706 000044, Arnold Clark - 08457 419920, Avis - 0870
6060100, Budget - 0800 181181, Europcar - 0870 6075000, Hertz - 08708 448844,
Thrifty - 0870 5168238. For other operators please contact any of
the tourist boards listed on this site.
By Sea
As Scotland is surrounded on three sides by water and has about 790
islands, of which 130 are inhabited, ferries play a large part in travelling
around the country. The islands can be divided into two groups, the inner
and outer Hebrides off the west coast and Orkney and Shetland off the north
coast.
The operator for the west coast islands is Caledonian
MacBrayne and you can contact them on 01475 650100. Other operators
include Western Ferries who
operate services across the Clyde between McInroy's Point (near Gourock)
and Hunters Quay (near Dunoon) 01369 704452, and Serco Denim an independent
company running a service between the island of Jura and Islay. You can
contact Serco on 01496 840681 and leave your contact details and they will
return your call.
For services to Orkney and Shetland the main operator is P&O
Scottish Ferries, contact them on 01224 572615. Other operators are
John o' Groats Ferry services that
run a passenger only service between John o' Groats and Burwick on Orkney,
between May and September only. Call them on 01955 611353. Orkney
Ferries run between the islands and you can find out more by calling
01856 872044
To phone the numbers above from outside the uk use the format +44 minus the inital zero. example: 01224 632727 becomes +441224 632727. From europe it becomes 00441224632727.
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