Getting Around

Gasoline -- There are plenty of gas ("petrol") stations in the environs of Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, in remote areas they're often few and far between, and many are closed on Sunday. If you're planning a lot of Sunday driving in remote parts, always make sure your tank is full on Saturday.

Note that gasoline costs more in Britain than in North America, and to encourage energy saving the government has imposed a new 25% tax on gas.

Driving Rules & Requirements -- In Scotland, you drive on the left and pass on the right. Road signs are clear and the international symbols are unmistakable.

It's a good idea to get a copy of the British Highway Code, available from almost any gas station or newsstand (called a "news stall" in Britain).

Warning: Pedestrian crossings are marked by striped lines (zebra striping) on the road; flashing lights near the curb indicate that drivers must stop and yield the right of way if a pedestrian has stepped out into the zebra zone to cross the street.

Breakdowns -- Membership in one of the two major auto clubs can be helpful: the Automobile Association (AA) at Norfolk House, Priestly Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9NY (tel. 0870/5444-444), or the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), P.O. Box 700, Bristol, Somerset BS99 1RB (tel. 08000/966-999; www.rac.co.uk). You can join these clubs through your car-rental agent. (Members of AAA in the U.S. can enjoy reciprocity overseas.) There are roadside emergency telephone boxes about every mile along the motorways. If you don't see one, walk down the road for a bit to the blue-and-white marker with an arrow that points to the nearest box. The 24-hour number to call for the AA is tel. 0800/887-766; for the RAC, it's tel. 0800/82-82-82. In addition, you can call a police traffic unit that will contact either of the auto clubs on your behalf.

By Plane

Scotland's relatively small scale makes flights between many cities inconvenient and impractical. Although British Airways (tel. 800/247-9297; in the U.K. 0870/859-9850; www.britishairways.com) offers regular flights between Glasgow and Edinburgh, the excellent rail and highway connections usually deter most passengers from flying that route -- unless their plane just happens to stop en route to other, more distant, points in Scotland. Frankly, except for visits to the far-distant Shetlands and Orkneys, we prefer to drive to all but the most inaccessible points. However, British Airways is by far the largest intra-Britain carrier since its merger with regional carriers Logan Airways and British Express. From Edinburgh, you can fly British Airways to Inverness, Wick, Kirkwall (the Orkneys), and Lerwick (the Shetlands).

By Train

The cost of rail travel in Scotland is often quite low, and trains are generally punctual. Timetables are available at all stations, with free timetables covering only certain regions available at various stations. For £20 ($38), a Scottish Youth rail card (ages 16-18) is sold at major stations. Two passport-size photos are needed. It's estimated this card reduces all fares by one-third for 1 year.

If you plan much travel on European railroads, get the latest copy of the Thomas Cook European Timetable of Railroads. This 500-plus-page book documents all of Europe's main passenger-rail services with detail and accuracy. It's available on the Web at www.thomascooktimetables.com.

The Royal Scotsman (tel. 401/351-7518; www.royalscotsman.com) is one of the most luxurious trains in the world -- called "a country house hotel on wheels." The train passes by ancient mountains and mysterious lochs, through glens and across villages as you live in sumptuous surroundings. It's like being the guest at a private party. The train carries a maximum of 36 guests, each passenger enjoying plenty of space. Plush beds and opulent bathrooms are the order of the day. The classic tour calls for 4 nights aboard, and goes from the panoramic Southern Highlands to the more rugged grandeur of the Western Highlands. Superb cuisine and a long list of fine wines and choice malt whiskies are more reasons to hop aboard.

For information on rail travel in Scotland, contact First ScotRail, Caledonian Chambers, 87 Union St., Glasgow G1 3TA, Scotland (tel. 0845/601-5929; www.firstgroup.com).

BritRail Travel Passes

BritRail Passes allow unlimited travel in England, Scotland, and Wales on any British Rail scheduled train over the whole of the network during the validity of the pass without restrictions. BritRail Consecutive Pass allows you to travel for a consecutive number of days for a flat rate. In first class adults pay $327 for 4 days, $469 for 8 days, $702 for 15 days, $891 for 22 days, and $1,054 for 1 month. In second class, fares are $218 for 4 days, $311 for 8 days, $469 for 15 days, $592 for 22 days, and $702 for 1 month. Seniors (60 and over) qualify for discounts in first class travel and pay $278 for 4 days, $375 for 8 days, $597 for 15 days, $757 for 22 days, and $896 for 1 month of first class travel. Passengers under 26 quality for a Youth Pass: $142 for 4 days, $206 for 8 days, $307 for 15 days, $388 for 22 days, and $459 for 1 month. One child (under age 15) can travel free with each adult or senior pass by requesting the BritRail Family Pass when buying the adult pass. Additional children pay half the regular adult fare.

A more versatile pass is the BritRail FlexiPass allowing you to travel when you want, during a 2-month period of time. In first class, it costs $409 for 4 days, $598 for 8 days, and $901 for 15 days of travel. Second class costs $275 for 4 days, $399 for 8 days, and $604 for 15 days of travel.

A pass for travel in England only, the BritRail England Consecutive Pass is sold at a price 20% lower than regular BritRail Passes which cover rail travel throughout the U.K. (Britain, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). Starting at $262 for 4 consecutive days of travel in standard class, the BritRail England Pass is also offered for 8, 15, or 22 consecutive days or 1 month or as a FlexiPass (days may be consecutive or nonconsecutive) for 4, 8, or 15 days within a 2-month period. It is also available in first class, starting at $327 and at discounted prices for seniors (60 and over) in first class and youth (under 26) in standard class. As with other BritRail Passes, one child under 15 may travel free when accompanied by an adult or senior purchasing a BritRail England Pass and requesting the Family Pass.

To call BritRail in the United States, dial tel. 877/677-1066. On the Web, BritRail Passes and vacation packages are presented at www.britrail.net and www.BritainSecrets.com.

Travelpasses for Scotland -- If you plan to travel primarily in Scotland, the Scottish Tourist Authorities offer the Scottish Freedom Pass, with unlimited transportation on trains and most ferries throughout Scotland and discounts for bus travel. It includes access to obscure bus routes to almost forgotten hamlets, free rides on ferries operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, and discounted fares with P&O Scottish Lines. The ferries connect to the Western Islands, the islands of the Clyde, and the Orkneys.

The Freedom Pass covers the entire Scottish rail network and is usable from Carlisle, England (near the western Scotland-England border), and from Berwick-upon-Tweed, England (near the eastern Scotland-England border). In addition, if you have to fly into London and want to go straight to Scotland from there, a reduced rate is available for a round-trip ticket between London and Edinburgh or Glasgow for Travelpass holders.

The Freedom Pass is available for 4 days' travel over an 8-day period for $217 and 8 days' travel over a 15-day period for $292. For more information, contact BritRail .

Eurailpass Warning -- Note that your Eurailpass is not valid on trains in Great Britain.

By Bus (Coach)

No doubt about it, the cheapest means of transport from London to Scotland is the bus (coach). It's also the least expensive way to travel within Scotland.

All major towns have a local bus service, and every tourist office can provide details about half- or full-day bus excursions to scenic highlights. If you want to explore a particular area, you can often avail yourself of an economical bus pass. If you're planning to travel extensively in Scotland, see the Scotland Freedom Pass, described above.

Many adventurous travelers like to explore the country on one of the postal buses, which carry not only mail but also a limited number of passengers to rural areas. Ask at any local post office for details. A general timetable is available at the head post office in Edinburgh.

Scottish Citylink Coaches are a good bet. They link the major cities (Glasgow and Edinburgh) with the two most popular tourist centers, Inverness and Aviemore. Travel is fast and prices are low. For example, it takes only 3 hours to reach Aviemore from Edinburgh, and Inverness is just 3 1/2 hours from Edinburgh. A direct Scottish Citylink overnight coach makes the run from London to Aviemore and Inverness at reasonable fares.

Coaches offer many other popular runs, including links between Glasgow and Fort William, Inverness and Ullapool, and Glasgow and Oban. For details, contact Rapsons, 1 Seafield Rd., Inverness (tel. 01463/710-555; www.rapsons.co.uk), or Scottish Citylink, Buchanan Street Bus Station, Glasgow (tel. 08705/505-050; www.citylink.co.uk).

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's Scotland, 10th Edition Author: Darwin Porter Pub Date: December 10, 2007 Price: $21.99				Related Titles: England For Dummies, 4th Edition Frommer's Best Day Trips from London: 25 Great Escapes by Train, Bus or Car, 3rd Edition Frommer's Britain's Best-Loved Driving Tours, 8th Edition