I LOVE Scotland! To date, it is my absolute favorite place that I have travelled to. Many of the sites and experiences we had while there were to be expected – the gorgeous mountains and lochs, the kilts, the castles, and everything you can imagine in tartan prints. But, there were also quite a few fun facts about Scotland I learned that really surprised me, and I bet some of them will surprise you too.
1. Road signs are written in both English & Gaelic
Though most people in Scotland speak English, most road signs (as well as town signs, park signs, etc.) are also listed in Gaelic. Good luck trying to sound out those words.
2. There are no old cars
You will likely not see any vehicle on the road that is more than a few years old, even in the rural areas. Coming from the U.S., this was noticeably strange. Apparently, Scotland has some pretty strict emissions standards that are about to get even more strict in the major cities.
3. Each beer is served in a branded glass
Every single beer we had (and we had a few) came in a glass with the brand of beer printed on it.
4. You can hike/camp anywhere
Thanks to their Land Reform Act of 2003 (also known as the Freedom to Roam), you are free to walk and camp just about anywhere in Scotland (as long as you behave responsibly). If you see something beautiful or interesting, just pull over and go exploring! There are, of course, a few places you can’t go.
✔PRO TIP: Make sure you grab your free packing checklist! It has everything you'll need in an easy-to-use PDF checklist that you can use over & over!
5. They drive on the wrong side of the road
Okay, okay…maybe this is debatable depending on where you are from, but they definitely don’t drive on the right side of the road (ha – see what I did there 😉). Luckily, as you pull out of most touristy spots, they have helpful signs reminding you to “drive on the left.”
6. People live in Eilean Donan Castle
As we toured the most photographed castle in all of Scotland, we overheard a guy asking when was the last time people lived in the castle and the response he got was “now!” It’s a bit odd to walk through such an old castle and see some modern furniture, photos in picture frames on the dresser, etc.
7. There are dogs in most pubs
Seriously, like 90% of the pubs we visited had a dog in it. Usually a big, friendly, black dog. No need to worry. The ones we saw were all very laid back, most of them were just laying under the bar.
8. The Diesel fuel pump is black, Regular is green
If you are from America, this could really throw you for a loop, so be careful!
9. There’s a working phone booth in Arnisdale, Scotland
Arnisdale is my very favorite place in Scotland. It is a TEENY TINY village on the west coast. There is no store, but on the side of the one lane road is a working telephone booth. Pretty funny!
WHERE TO STAY IN ARNISDALE
Arnisdale is found at the end of a 10-mile single track road running south from Glenelg. It is one of the most remote outposts in mainland Scotland. Enjoy hiking, kayaking or just relaxing away from the hustle and bustle. The views will amaze you! Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
10. People don't talk much
We went all over Scotland and hung out at a good many pubs. I kind of expected a little more interaction from the locals, the bar tender, etc. Nope. Granted, I’m from Texas and we talk to everyone. They certainly weren’t rude or anything, just not especially friendly. When Scottish people visit Texas, they must think we never shut up.
11. Restaurants & bars close early
Don’t expect to party into the wee hours. We were in Edinburgh during the Fringe (the largest arts festival in the world), and even with all of that going on, most places closed by 10:00 or so. In the rural areas, they close even earlier.
12. There is a LOT of moss in some areas
Scotland is known for being rainy, so you would expect to see some moss…some areas are absolutely covered in the stuff! Very cool!
13. It’s not easy to turn around
You’re headed down the road, looking for the Harry Potter train bridge…you see it as you drive by (because there is not much to warn you that you are getting close)…and then you proceed to drive several miles down the road before you can find a place to turn around. There are no shoulders on most roads in Scotland. Finding a place to turn around can take some time.
14. Parking is scarce
There is not a lot of parking in towns. You will typically park on the street. Just keep that in mind and make sure you ask ahead of time if the place you’ll be staying offers parking.
15. LOTS of roundabouts (aka traffic circles)
Apparently, they love roundabouts because they are everywhere! Just remember to go to the left!
16. You can buy “American Hot Dogs”
Well, they are called American hot dogs anyway. Definitely a fun fact about Scotland – this totally cracked me up! For those of you who aren’t familiar with American hot dogs…they DO NOT come in a can.
17. Highland Cows are hard to find
Again, we travelled all over the country and we had to ask a local where to find them and then go hiking (for a while) to find some.
And there you have it – fun facts about Scotland! I hope you learned a few things you didn’t know before! If you’ve been there and have more fun facts to add to the list, please comment below! If you haven’t, you MUST go! It is such a beautiful, and in many parts, virtually untouched, place to visit. A drive through the Glencoe area alone is well worth the cost of the trip! If you’d like to see my FAVORITE places, check out 3 Can’t Miss Places To Visit In Scotland!
If you are serious about planning a trip to Scotland (and clearly I think you should be), you will definitely want to read all about our trip. I’ve laid out exactly where we went, where we stayed, and what we did on our trip. Read about that HERE.
Need more inspiration to visit Scotland? Check this out: Today’s Travel Advice – Read Outlander!
Until next time…
Until next time…
About The Author
My mission is to inspire and empower families to prioritize travel now, creating unforgettable memories and deeper connections with their loved ones.
I provide guidance and practical solutions to help busy parents integrate travel into their lives, fostering joy, fulfillment, and stress-free adventures. Don’t wait until it’s too late; the time to travel is now.
Learn more about me & My Travel Obsession here.
My Favorite Travel Booking Apps & Websites
⭐MY TRAVEL OBSESSION:
- Products & Services – My Travel Obsession's travel planning products, services, and freebies!
- What To Pack – See all of my personal favorite travel items.
- Travel Resources – Resources that I use most when planning, booking & traveling.
🏡FOR FINDING GREAT PLACES TO STAY:
- VRBO – My #1 recommendation for family-friendly lodging options.
- Expedia – My favorite for hotel bookings.
🚗FOR CAR & RV RENTALS:
- Discover Cars & Sixt – My favorite sites for rental cars worldwide.
- Turo.com – Rent a car from an individual owner – It's like VRBO for cars!
- RVShare – Rent an RV for your next family road trip!
🚁FOR ACTIVITIES, EXCURSIONS, & TOURS:
- Viator & Get Your Guide – The best sites to find and book activities & excursions.
- Gypsy Guide – An AWESOME audio tour app. ALWAYS check to see if they have a tour available.
🩺FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE:
- SafetyWing – The lowest-cost travel insurance out there. Several options starting as low as $42 for 4 weeks of coverage.
✈FOR FINDING GREAT FLIGHT DEALS:
- Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) – My #1 recommendation for saving big $$$ on flights. Sign up for a free 14-day trial.
🥾FOR HIKING:
- AllTrails – THE APP for hikers. I recommend paying for the pro version so you can use the navigation feature while hiking.
Once you're done here, head to the homepage to explore or jump to one of these categories: Texas Travel ~ US Travel ~ International Travel ~ Travel Tips & Tricks ~ Travel Gear & Gadgets ~ What To Pack ~ Travel Planning ~ Shop
This is one awesome article post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
Thanks – I’m so glad you enjoyed it!