should i visit wales or scotland

• Travel Planning Guide

A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Wales vs. Scotland for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

• Which is Cheaper, Wales or Scotland? (Travel Cost Comparison)
• Which is Bigger, Wales or Scotland?

Should you visit Wales or Scotland?

Which is cheaper to visit which is more expensive for vacation.

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Wales and Scotland can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Wales or Scotland?

While it's not terribly full of people, Wales definitely has its fair share of castles. This beautifully landscaped country is practically covered in majestic castles. These castles, and the country's rich history, created a popular tourist scene in Wales after it's time in the coal industry faded. This little country to the west of England is a part of the larger United Kingdom. The UK, or Great Britain, is made up of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Remember that those are four different countries when talking to the locals. And the locals will want to talk. With a strong Celtic background, the Welsh are some of the funniest and friendliest people in the world. With the rugged landscape and wild coasts, you'd never guess that this little country is only a two hour ride fro the bustling metropolis of London. The two areas are starkly different.

The enchanting country of Scotland is made of rolling hills, lush scenery, charming villages and pubs filled with think accents and strong pints. This country is a part of Great Britain - also known as the United Kingdom - which includes England, Wales and Northern Ireland. So be careful not to refer to the Scottish as "British," and especially avoid referring to them as "English." Just being aware of the difference will make your trip much smoother. This lively and friendly country has gained a reputation for being dreary and damp. Well, the latter might true, it doesn't stop the Scots from having a grand time. Still, prepare to experience plenty of rain on your trip. With over 700 islands and 5 million people, you'll have no problem finding stunning scenery and delightful conversation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh , The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom , The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom , and The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom .

Which place is cheaper, Scotland or Wales?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

• Wales Prices UK Prices Scotland Prices UK Prices
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day Wales £ 0.00 Scotland £ 148

The average daily cost (per person) in Wales is £0.00, while the average daily cost in Scotland is £148. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Wales and Scotland in more detail.

Accommodation

• Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person Wales - Scotland £ 72
• Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room Wales £ 0.00 Scotland £ 144

Compare Hotels in Wales and Scotland

Looking for a hotel in Wales or Scotland? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Wales

Hotels in Scotland

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.

Local Transportation

• Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. Wales - Scotland £ 38

Is it cheaper to fly into Wales or Scotland?

Prices for flights to both Scotland and Wales change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.

• Food Meals for one day Wales - Scotland £ 38

Entertainment

• Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc. Wales - Scotland £ 26

Tours and Activities in Wales

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Wales.

• Snowdonia: Guided Kayak Adventure: $69

Tours and Activities in Scotland

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Scotland are as follows:

• Errichel Farm Tour : $18
• Wildlife Photography Tour in the Cairngorms: $8,142
• Alcohol Drinks for one day Wales - Scotland £ 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Scotland

Also in Scotland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

• Aberfeldy Distillery Experience: $22
• Guided Tour in Aberfeldy Distillery with Connoisseur Experience: $47

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wales and Scotland, we can see that Scotland is more expensive. And not only is Wales much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wales would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wales and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Scotland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Scotland than you might in Wales.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wales Expensive? and Is Scotland Expensive? .

Which has a larger population, Wales or Scotland?

Scotland has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Wales. When comparing the sizes of Wales and Scotland, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

Related Articles for Wales

Related articles for scotland.

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• Scotland , Wales

Scotland vs. Wales

Table of Contents

Are you ready for another UK trip? Dust off your travel gear as you embark on a new journey to let yourself loose for a little while. Leave your troubles behind and allow the best spots in Scotland and Wales to comfort you.

Their breathtaking beauty will remind you how wonderful this world is. Modern life is more often than not too stressful and fast-paced for most people’s taste. If you want a break to slow things down, Scotland and Wales are the perfect destinations for relaxation.

Aside from their gorgeous attractions, the people are friendly and cheerful too. The smiles and warm greetings that you’re going to get are simple gestures that you will always cherish. Even if you’re traveling alone, Scotland and Wales would surely make you feel happy and at home.

You can learn about the history, culture, and traditions of both places in entertaining ways. Participate in fun activities and meet amazing people while you’re on a much-needed break. A trip to Scotland and Wales can even make the simplest moments feel very special. Now, on to which one is right for you—

Is life getting monotonous or too stressful for you? You probably need to take a step back and escape the unpleasant routines to protect your health. The beautiful places and laid-back life in Scotland will help your mind and body recover.

Scottish people are known for their friendliness and hospitality. Some of them might be a little reserved at first but further interactions will make you feel comfortable. You might even meet other tourists who are spending time here for the same reasons that you have.

With good food and scotch on the table, unwinding in Scotland is a refreshing treat. The camaraderie of the people is something you should witness and experience. Bonding with them will help you restore those positive feelings about yourself and the world.

Don’t forget about the Scottish countryside’s beauty that will leave you speechless. In Scotland, the vibe is not that intense so you can catch your breath and take it easy. It’s a place where you can appreciate tranquility without compromising the things that make a vacation great.

After enjoying this kingdom’s quieter areas to regain some strength, use that extra energy by attending events. Many festivals show Scotland’s livelier side. Take a trip to Scotland and get yourself acquainted with nice people and serene landscapes.

What Makes Scotland Unique

Clackmannanshire.

Named after the stone of the Celtic god Mannan, Clackmannanshire is the smallest county in the United Kingdom.

In the Celtic language, Clackmannan means Stone of Mannan. The stone is one of this awesome town’s foundations, and you’ll find it at the west end of Clackmannan Street.

Also known as Clacks, this little Scottish town is known for brewing mills, glass manufacture, and brewing. Clackmannanshire is also a great destination for people who love nature. It’s in the middle of Ochil Hills and River Forth.

While it is famous for different industries, the busy parts of this town won’t leave you feeling exhausted. The wonderful sights can have a calming effect on people who prefer to enjoy nature without going to secluded areas. Some of the most noteworthy attractions in Clackmannanshire are Alva Glen, Dollar Museum, and Dollar Glen.

Alva Glen is a walking trail where your eyes can feast on the beauty of Ochil Hills and the waterfalls along the river. Get your body moving and breathe some fresh air while enjoying the spectacular sights around you. Dollar Glen is another beautiful trail in Ochil where you can have fun and relaxing activities.

A guided tour lets you walk, climb, and swim through the Dollar Glen Canyon. It’s also a great spot for picnics. A snack or meal in the middle of gorgeous scenery would be so nice. You can learn about this wonderful town’s history by visiting the Dollar Museum.

Opened in 1988, it’s a museum where some of the town’s most treasured items are being preserved and displayed. Come and take a break in Clackmannanshire’s rural paradise. Marvel at nature’s unbelievable beauty and have a good time with the townspeople and other tourists.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. This is a place where you can enjoy the experience of seeing Scotland’s city life. It’s impossible to miss the city’s well-built medieval and neoclassical structures.

The castle that stands beautifully in this hilly city would make you feel like you’re inside a fantasy land. Edinburgh Castle is a 900-year-old castle where kings and queens used to reside. It was also used as a military base during wars.

Edinburgh Castles have seen the rise and fall of many people throughout its existence. But the rich history of Edinburgh is not limited to the confines of this castle. Before reaching it, you’d pass through some amazing sights.

The Royal Mile used to be a processional route filled with old-timey architecture that will leave you speechless. It is where tourism takes center stage. Take a look at St. Giles Cathedral to Holyroodhouse Palace. These exceptional structures bring good vibes to anyone who’s taking a closer look.

Aside from the picturesque buildings, there are pubs and souvenir shops along the way. You can grab a drink and buy unique items that will remind you of this relaxing trip. Look around and see the smiling faces of the wonderful people around you.

Get to know Edinburgh and Scotland on a deeper level by visiting The National Museum of Scotland. The 12 million items in its collection cover a wide range of topics or interests. From stunning works of art to natural and technological wonders, there’s always something awesome to look at.

There’s more to discover in every street and every corner of Scotland’s capital. The city of Edinburgh is a perfect vacation spot for couples, families, and even tourists who travel alone. You’re not going to feel out of place because everyone is just as excited as you are when it comes to exploring.

Just an hour away from Edinburgh, you’re going to find another wonderful Scottish city. The city of Glasgow. It’s a bigger place than Scotland’s capital and it’s the third biggest city in the United Kingdom.

Like Edinburgh, Glasgow is filled with mind-blowing attractions that you should check out. You can visit both cities in a day since the two aren’t so far from each other. After a relaxing time in Edinburgh, you can enhance your Scotland vacation by going to Glasgow.

The city of Glasgow is home to fun-filled festivals and, just like Edinburgh, architectural wonders. Have a great time with the locals and other tourists by attending different music festivals. Let yourself loose and allow the uplifting songs to ease your troubles even just for a bit.

If some cheaply made whisky from who knows where turned you off, give Glasgow a chance to change your mind. This is where you’ll find the best whisky/scotch distilleries in the world. Glasgow’s culinary prowess is on full blast as well, and that’s great news for foodies out there.

Some of the best dishes in Glasgow include seafood like salmon, crab, and mussels. For an excellent dining experience, give your taste buds a treat by trying out food from two famous restaurants. The best seafood restaurants in Glasgow are Gamba and Crabshakk. Drop by and taste their delicious dishes.

Now that you’ve enjoyed the music, food, and drinks, it’s time to take a tour around the city. Looking for magnificent works of art and architecture? Glasgow is surely an amazing place for you. Complete your Glasgow trip by going to Kelvington Art Gallery, Govan Old Church, The Lighthouse, and Central Chambers.

Edinburgh is a more popular tourist destination. But you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t give Glasgow a shot. Though there’s a little bit of rivalry between the two, they’re united when it comes to representing Scotland.

Food will always play a big part in your vacation. So a Scotland trip would not be complete if you skip this wonderful country’s national dish. Haggis is a delicious meat pudding that is unique to Scotland.

Scottish people are so proud of this recipe that they even created a party for it. The said party is called Burns Supper. It’s a nod to the Scottish poet Robert Burns. He wrote a poem about Haggis because he loved it so much.

This awesome delicacy is made up of sheep’s liver, heart, and lungs. To enhance the taste, onion, stock, and other spices are added. It’s usually served with turnips and mashed potatoes. If you’re not a meat eater, there are vegan versions of Haggis that can emulate the great taste of the real thing.

A glass of scotch on the side complements the savory taste of this pudding very well. You can order a satisfying serving of Haggis in most restaurants and pubs all around Scotland. It’s also available in supermarkets and butcher shops.

Make your Scotland vacation complete by going on a food adventure. Food is a great way to introduce a visitor to a certain place’s culture and colorful traditions. The most talented cooks in Scotland would be excited to give you a taste of Haggis, so don’t forget to include it on your list.

If you’ve taken fun-filled trips to England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, there’s one more UK country left. Spend some quality time in the gorgeous kingdom of Wales. Known for its castles, stunning parks, and coastline, Wales is a perfect destination for weekend or day trips.

Just a few hours away from London, a trip to Wales would give you unforgettable sights and experiences. Discover its majestic attractions and rich culture. There are a lot of historical sites for tourists who want to take a glimpse at this country’s past.

Similar to Scotland, Wales is a place where you can have fun and take a very laid-back vacation. Nature’s ability to relieve stress is unwavering. The trees in Welsh parks and the calming breeze on its coastline would help you relax and decompress.

Let your dopamine levels go up by enjoying the view and interacting with the folks around you. Don’t forget about the culinary excellence of Wales. Traditional dishes would surely bring a tasty twist to your trip. The amazing places in Wales will assure you that everything’s going to be fine and dandy.

What Makes Wales Unique

Start your Wales trip by going to its largest and capital city. Cardiff is going to greet you with great visuals and appetizing meals. This city has the most castles in the world. If historic and treasured castles do tickle your fancy, you’ve come to the right Welsh city.

There are 20 castles within its borders, and touring a few or all of them would be great for you. Some of the city’s most visited castles are Cardiff Castle, Dinefwr, and White Castle. Each one is an absolute eye candy so it’s a neat idea to bring a camera so you can take great pictures.

After taking a glimpse at Cardiff’s jaw-dropping structures, there are more things to find and stuff to do. For a crash course on Cardiff’s history, you can take a tour inside St. Fagans History Museum.

The Wales Millennium Centre in the city’s bay area is a complex where different fun events take place. It’s a popular venue for ballet, opera, theater, and orchestral performances. The sounds of classical music can easily put more color and emphasis on the beauty of Cardiff. Let the movements of passionate performers on stage entertain you with their unbelievable talent.

It’s so refreshing to see Cardiff’s beautiful sights and thrilling performances at the Millenium Center. You suddenly heard a sound coming from your tummy. Oops! You’re hungry. You’ve been so mesmerized by everything that you completely forgot to grab some food.

Take this opportunity to taste the most delicious food in the city of Cardiff. The most famous delicacies here are Welsh cakes, Glamorgan sausages, laverbread, and rarebit. These delicacies will satisfy your cravings. After letting out a burp, you can say that the food hits the spot.

Cardiff is already a master when it comes to tourism. As the capital of Wales, you can’t expect anything less, and don’t worry because it will not disappoint. Let this city’s attractions stimulate your senses so you can experience a magical Welsh vacation.

By taking an 11-mile (17.7 km) trip outside of Cardiff, you’re going to reach the city of Newport. Since it’s a coastal city, Newport is a very active place for trade and tourism. This city is going to amaze you with the vibrancy of its tourist attractions.

Some of Newport’s most popular sites are Newport Museum and Art Gallery, Belle Vue Park, and RSPB Newport Wetlands. The Newport Transporter Bridge is also among the city’s most visited sites.

In Newport Museum and Art Gallery, you’ll find a collection of artworks and other memorabilia. Each item tells a story about how Newport dealt with different changes and events in its history. Artworks depict both the historical and the mundane scenes in the city.

A few remnants of the Roman Empire were excavated and also put on display. See the works of very talented artists like Kyffin Williams, Ceri Richards, and Stanley Lewis. From ancient to contemporary, the large collection gives you a better view of the city’s past and present.

Newport’s Public Library is also a part of the museum where years and years of knowledge are archived. Broaden your horizons and play the role of a student by giving this place a visit. A nature-loving tourist like you will enjoy a trip to the RSPB Newport Wetlands.

It’s a nature reserve where you can take guided walks, enjoy some snacks and buy souvenirs. Belle Vue Park is a Victorian public park that includes a bandstand, pavilion, and conservatories. The park is a perfect spot for chilling and recreational activities.

Aside from those three places, there is much more to see and experience in Newport. So if you’ve found your way there, don’t hesitate to explore. Tell your friends and family about this great trip and invite them to join you here next time.

Smallest House in Great Britain

Homes around the world come in different colors and sizes. On the harbor of the walled market town of Conway (Conwy), an old and small house will surely catch your eye. Built back in the 16th century, the smallest house in Britain was home to different tenants until the 1900s.

Simply known as the Quay House, this architectural oddity has been attracting tourists for years.

The last tenant to occupy the Quay House was a tall fisherman named Robert Jones. Jones was forced to move out because the house was too cramped for a big man like him. The dude couldn’t even stand up straight while he was inside.

After serving its purpose as a house for rent, it slowly turned into a tourist attraction. Your eyes can’t miss its bright red exterior paint and, of course, the odd size.

This cute Welsh home is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest house in Great Britain. Your bedrooms, kitchen, or garage are probably bigger than this little house. If you’re one of the claustrophobic bunch, touring this tiny space may not suit your taste.

But the extremely curious are more than welcome to take a tour during spring and autumn. A lady dressed in traditional clothes is going to guide you and tell you about the unique history of this house. Touring this interesting spot in Wales will cost you 1.24 to 1.86 USD.

Unfortunately, the upper floor is inaccessible because of its age and structural instability. But you can take a peek at the upper area by using a step ladder. Visiting a quirky place in Conwy, Wales for less than 5 USD is a pretty good deal.

The Royal Mint Experience

This one is going to be an absolute treat for coin collectors and enthusiasts out there. Even a casual visitor will have an amazing time at The Royal Mint’s factory. The Royal Mint is the oldest company in the UK and had been in charge of coin production for many years.

It’s a factory originally based in England, but in the 1960s, The Mint relocated to Wales. Inside, you’re going to have a chance to look at how British coins are made and minted. Coin collectors also gather here to trade or sell some precious coins from their collections.

Guided tours also include exhibitions and workshops where both kids and grown-ups can learn and have fun. This is one of Wales’ most popular tourist attractions and a secure spot for selling/trading precious metals. Everyone is welcome to visit The Royal Mint’s factory and have a wonderful experience.

The gift shop offers different items that are dedicated to coin collecting. There’s a cafe where you can take a break and order appetizing snacks and refreshing drinks. Those shiny little things are part of the United Kingdom’s currency and are exclusively made in Wales.

Learn more about the United Kingdom’s coin history by taking a tour inside. The different coins you’ve bought are great souvenir items that you can put on display when you get back home. The Royal Mint is open every day from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Admission is about 17 to 21 USD.

Which Is Better – Wales or Scotland?

Wales and Scotland are awesome tourist destinations in the UK. But because Scotland is a bigger place, there are so many places to visit and things to discover. It’s also a prettier destination, especially for tourists who love breathtaking natural sights.

The Scots are known for their friendliness so talking and getting along with them is easy. Interactions with the locals feel more spontaneous. Welsh people are very nice too but compared to Scottish folks, they’re a little shy or reserved.

They’re all polite and approachable but you might need extra effort to help them get out of their shells. The cost of a Scotland trip is almost similar to a vacation in Wales. The expenses in both countries won’t have a major effect on your decision this time.

Wales is perfect for day trips or short getaways because it’s smaller. But the number of attractions in Wales is limited if you compare it to Scotland’s tourist spots. Scotland is a prettier destination and you just can’t resist the enthusiasm of the people there.

Wales is sometimes unfairly overlooked because it’s a place worth checking out. It cannot always match what Scotland has to offer but Wales is still great for short vacations. Scotland wins because it’s filled with super gorgeous sights that you can’t easily find in Wales.

Wales vs. Scotland Tourism

Tourism is big in Wales and Scotland. Though Scotland is a more popular destination, tourism in Wales is also healthy. The regular arrival of tourists is very important to their citizens.

Wales and Scotland are making 7 billion USD per year from tourism. Aside from giving visitors memorable experiences, it helps in providing jobs to their citizens. With the money you’re spending to enjoy their attractions, you are also supporting their economy.

Is Wales Close to Scotland?

Wales and Scotland are 410 miles (660 km) apart so they’re not that close to each other. You’ll need more than 8 hours to cover the distance by car or bus. Scotland is in the northern part of the UK while Wales is in the south.

The fastest way to travel from Wales to Scotland and vice versa is by plane. A plane ride from one country to the other usually takes an hour or less. There are at least 18 direct flights from Scotland to Wales in a day.

Distance Between Scotland and Wales

The distance between Scotland and Wales is 410 miles (660 km). Traveling by land would take more time so a flight is a good alternative if you’re in a hurry. Booking a flight ahead of schedule is advised as this would help a lot in making your plane trip convenient.

Is Wales Bigger Than Scotland?

Wales is a geographically smaller country than Scotland. The land area of Wales is 8,024 square miles (20,782 km²). Scotland’s territory covers 32% of the UK, and it’s almost four times bigger than Wales. It has an area of 30,090 square miles (77,900 km²).

Are Scotland and Wales Independent Countries?

Though Scotland and Wales are separate countries, they still belong to the United Kingdom. Just like England and Northern Ireland, there’s a level of autonomy but they’re not completely independent states. The UK is under a constitutional monarchy while the Parliament takes care of political matters.

Wales vs. Scotland Hospitality

Hospitality is a big part of tourism and it involves food, entertainment, and hotel accommodations. The accommodating nature of Scottish and Welsh people is perfect for it. Both Wales and Scotland can provide great services and quality goods.

The Welsh hospitality industry generates 4.4 billion USD in a year and employs 170,000 people. Scotland has a bigger hospitality industry than Wales because it’s a bigger country and has more attractions. Hospitality in Scotland makes 6.4 billion USD annually and helps in employing 245,000 people.

Wales vs. Scotland National Anthems

All countries in the United Kingdom sing “God Save the Queen” as their official national anthem. But in some sporting events, Scotland used other songs as their anthems. These songs are “Flower of Scotland” and “Scotland the Brave”.

Wales has its unofficial anthem and it’s a song written in the 1800s. The title of this Welsh anthem is “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” and the English title is “Land of My Fathers”. Wales use this song as their anthem in sporting events.

“God Bless the Prince of Wales” was also used as the official anthem of Wales in the 1900s. Scotland and Wales sing different songs as their anthems to display their patriotism. But as members of the UK, they use “God Save the Queen” as their official song.

Scotland to Wales by Train

You can travel from Scotland to Wales by train. But train rides include some changes along the way as there are no direct trips available. Their distance by train is 302 miles (485 km), and a trip can take 6 to 9 hours.

There are 60 train departures daily, and a ticket will cost you 185 to 493 USD. The pricier ticket options include other services like meals and an internet connection. Though not the cheapest and fastest way to travel, a train ride is a great option for sightseeing.

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• 12 Reasons Everyone Should Visit...

Reasons Everyone Should Visit Wales at Least Once

If you love hearty food, the great outdoors, cosy pubs, and discovering new cultures and old traditions then Wales will be great value for your time and money. In truth, the reasons to visit Wales amount to more than a dozen – but we’ve done our best to narrow it down for you.

We have more adventures around the world with our series of Mini Trips – bookable now with Culture Trip.

The language and song

Wales of course has its own language – Welsh – which today is spoken or used by more than one fifth of the population. You’ll hear Welsh spoken in more rural parts of the country, where it is some people’s first language, and on the radio and Welsh TV channels as well as seeing it on the road signs. One sign to look out for is a place called Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch… a town in North Wales with the second longest place name in the world. Wales’ nickname of ‘the land of song’ is reflected in the sing-song sound of the language. There is a strong tradition of singing in the country, which can be enjoyed today through choirs, operas, singing festivals such as Gymanfa Ganu or at an eisteddfod – a Welsh festival of literature, music and performance, a tradition which dates back the 12th century.

The landscapes

The green rolling hills and atmospheric scenery of Wales have inspired many. The landscape is wild, rich and beautiful with plenty to explore. There are the pristine lakes and rivers, the mountains to climb, such as Snowdon, the world-class beaches and the coastal paths. Then there are the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, of which Wales has five, the 74 nature reserves and the three national parks. That Wales has all this and is still a relatively small country will give you some indication of how richly green and scenic it is.

The wildlife

If you know where to look, Wales is teeming with wildlife. There are dragonflies and butterflies at the many lakes and gardens, and on the coast you have starfish, crabs and other sea creatures in the rock pools, and dolphins, seals and porpoises in the water. It’s a great bird watching destination too, with one of the most unforgettable activities you can do being a trip to Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire coast between April and September. There you’ll see hundreds of puffins wandering around (they aren’t particularly afraid of people so you can get quite close) as well as a wealth of other birds and wildlife on this flower-carpeted island.

The food and drink

Forget France, Wales is home to some award-winning cheeses, from strong, creamy cheddars to goat’s cheese and special varieties such as Perl Las and Caerphilly. Passion for cheese is perfectly demonstrated with the famous Welsh snack rarebit: cheese sauce on toast. Other delicacies worth traveling to Wales for include glamorgan sausages (made of cheese and leeks – the later of which is, incidentally, the national symbol of Wales), Welsh cakes (preferably straight from the hot plate), laverbread (made from seaweed) and cockles. Wales is also well-known for craft beer and ales, which go perfectly with the tradition of great pubs. Surprisingly there are also some great wines being produced on Welsh soil too, as the UK wine market booms.

The myth and legends

The land of castles and dragons, the heart of Welsh culture is found in its myths and legends. What many don’t realise is that old Welsh tales such as those of The Mabinogion were the basis of countless stories, the origin of characters such as Merlin and Arthur and books including JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (Elvish was based on Welsh). These stories are all there to explore with re-tellings and performances around the country. With the flag even featuring a dragon, your visit to Wales is sure to be filled with a sense of magic.

No trip to Wales would be complete without a tour of the incredibly charming pubs where you’ll find live music, great food, top quality ales and the warmth of the Welsh people. Going for a walk along the stunning coast and spotting wildlife before ending your day by the fire in a pub can’t be beaten.

The people and hospitality

The Welsh are known for their sense of humour and hospitality. You’ll find a warm welcome and interest in where you come from at most places. They’re also lots of fun, and this is best demonstrated by going to a rugby match at the Principality Stadium. The atmosphere is guaranteed to be electric and you’ll soon find yourself singing along to a passionate rendition of the national anthem with the locals. It’s also a relatively safe country to visit: as long as you take the advice of the guide books and avoid the dodgy areas, you’re unlikely to experience any trouble.

Whether their team is expected to win or lose, sport fans flock to Wales – Cardiff in particular – to soak up the atmosphere at the large central stadiums. Cardiff is a sport fan’s dream with cricket, rugby and football stadiums all in close proximity or right in the middle of the town centre. This means the city is geared towards sport in a way other cities aren’t, ensuring you’ll have a great experience whether you’ve got tickets to the match or not.

The adventure activities

Wales is now a top destination for adventure activities and holidays, with excellent facilities and centres that provide everything you need. Try zip lining through tree tops, abseiling, coasteering, hiring bikes for a scenic ride, surfing, hiking up a mountain or going on a guided cave tour. Then there are the water sports, such as kayaking down rivers, sailing, kitesurfing, white water rafting and even scuba diving.

With the option of entire walking holidays or simply well-marked routes that can be finished in an afternoon, Wales is well built for the hiking enthusiast. While some complain Wales doesn’t exactly have a tropical climate, the temperate conditions make it perfect for a rousing walk where you’re unlikely to overheat and the lack of deadly creatures makes it a safe place, too. There are vast expanses of countryside to explore, plenty of pubs on the way to rest tired legs, mountains to ascend and coastal paths to follow. All in all a Welsh walking holiday is a once in a life time experience.

The beaches and coastline

Wales has some of the best beaches you’ll find anywhere, with several named among the best in the world. There are sand beaches beside pristine blue-green waters, dramatic rocky stretches backed by lush marshes, surf-friendly waves, coasts with a seaside holiday feel (yes, with rides and ice cream parlours), and plenty that are peaceful, secluded and unspoilt. Then there’s the rugged coast line, such as that along Pembrokeshire. Walking its grassy, flower-lined paths will give you incredible views over the sea and cliffs, with the chance to see diving gulls, seals and dolphins in the water below.

The stargazing

The lack of light pollution means several locations in Wales have been awarded International Dark Sky Reserve status. The first was the Brecon Beacons National Park, which was only the fifth in the world to be given this status, followed by Snowdonia National Park and the Elan Valley in mid-Wales. This means Wales is the perfect place to observe the night sky and ponder the universe – with the real chance of seeing shooting stars, too. There are also places with Dark Sky approval which will help you to get the most from the clear skies, such as the National Botanical Garden of Wales or the little Stargazer’s Retreat near Pen y Fan, which has a computerised telescope and an observatory.

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10 unmissable places to visit in Wales

Sep 25, 2021 • 5 min read

From the hills of Brecon to the dramatic coastlines the Gower, Wales has tons of beautiful places to visit © Roy JAMES Shakespeare / Getty Images

With three epic national parks , reams of beach-studded coastline, an underrated capital and more chocolate-box villages than you can shake a love spoon at, small but mighty Wales has a wealth of locations worth adding to your itinerary.

Planning a Welsh adventure but not sure where to start? Be inspired by our selection of the best places to visit in Wales .

Move over Bassey, forget it Tyler – with effortless beauty, an undeniable flair for the dramatic and the X factor that attracts devoted fans in their millions, you could call Snowdonia National Park the ultimate Welsh diva. Beyond its famous peaks, you’ll find ancient forests, sparkling waterfalls, historic mining towns and fairy-tale castles. Are you a thrill seeker? If so, there’s plenty to get your adrenaline pumping, from white water rafting to ziplining over the world’s largest slate quarry and surfing on an inland lagoon.

Pembrokeshire

Popular Pembrokeshire – the most westerly county in Wales – is home to some of the country’s finest beaches, a plethora of pretty seaside towns and the UK’s smallest city, St Davids . The entire coast is a national park, best explored with a hike along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path or on a coasteering tour – the cliff-scrambling sport was born right here. Lovers of wildlife won't want to miss a trip to Skomer Island, where thousands of puffins gather to raise their young come summer, while Harry Potter fans will want to make a pilgrimage to Dobby’s final resting place, Freshwater West beach. If you’re an ancient history buff, don’t miss Pentre Ifan , a prehistoric tomb hewn from the same bluestone used at Stonehenge.

Brecon Beacons 

The undulating hills and quaint villages of Brecon Beacons National Park are an irresistible draw for nature lovers and walking enthusiasts, not least because of the park’s proximity to the major towns and cities of South Wales – Cardiff, Swansea and Chepstow are all less than an hour away. Top hikes include Pen-y-Fan (come mid-week during school term time to beat the crowds) and Sugarloaf Mountain. The region is also an International Dark Sky Reserve – a dream for budding astronomers – so bring your binoculars for a spot of stargazing.

Portmeirion 

Is this Wales or the Italian Riviera? The brainchild of eccentric architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is unlike anything else you’ll see in the UK , thanks to its hodgepodge of pastel-colored Mediterranean-style buildings and manicured gardens complete with giant chess board and golden Buddha shrine. But despite its commercial theme park-esque leanings, this curated “village” will soon win you over, especially if you stay to watch the sunset over the Dwyryd Estuary. 

Cardiff has all the trappings you’d expect of a cosmopolitan city – great nightlife, vibrant culture and a burgeoning indie food scene – but it all comes in an unusually green and compact package. Wander along the River Taff in Bute Park , picking up a coffee and decadent orange brownie at the Secret Garden Cafe ; catch a musical at the Wales Millennium Centre (nicknamed “the armadillo” thanks to its copper-colored curves); browse for bargains in the capital’s Victorian shopping arcades; or tour the ornate rooms and grounds of Cardiff Castle . Whatever you do, you’ll be met with a warm Welsh welcome.

Hay-on-Wye 

For a wholesome weekend away, look no further than Hay-on-Wye. This charming market town sits snugly between the River Wye and the English border, just north of the Brecon Beacons. It’s known for its annual Hay Festival , a literary extravaganza headlined by big-name authors featuring readings, writers’ workshops and book signings. But there’s still plenty to do year-round if you can’t make the festival. Peruse the abundant antique markets and secondhand book stores, hike to Hay Bluff via Offa’s Dyke Path or opt for a spot of wild swimming at The Warren, a pebble beach on the river bank. 

Slow travel comes with a historic twist in Llangollen, a compact, culture-packed town in North East Wales. A heritage steam train trundles between Llangollen and Corwen daily from February to October, and the town is a popular launchpad for hiking the ancient national trail, Offa’s Dyke Path. Don’t miss a trip to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct : towering 125ft (38m) above the River Dee, this spectacular World Heritage Site is the highest canal aqueduct ever built and can be traversed by foot, canal or even kayak. For a livelier time, visit in July, along with 120,000 other people, to attend the International Musical Eisteddfod and Fringe Festival.

Gower Peninsula 

The UK’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), this 70-sq-mile (180 sq km) peninsula is renowned for its dramatic coastline and fabulous beaches. Following the south coast west from Swansea and the Mumbles , you’ll find a smattering of family-friendly bays (try Caswell and Langland for starters) backed by heather- and gorse-clad cliffs. Three-mile-long Rhossili Bay Beach dominates the peninsula’s west coast, spoiling visitors with broad golden sands, rolling surf and coastal walking trails peppered with ancient ruins. It’s worth saving time for a walk to Worms Head – the rocky promontory at the southern end of the beach – but keep an eye on the tides to avoid ending up stranded.

The Isle of Anglesey has two obvious claims to fame: it’s where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge lived in the early years of their marriage, and it’s here you’ll find the village with the longest place name in Europe: Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch (a selfie next to the train station’s expansive sign is a tourist rite of passage). But the real magic is found along Anglesey’s coast (another AONB), whether you’re hiking the Wales Coast Path to bird-spotting heaven, South Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve ; stand up paddleboarding on the Menai Strait; or lounging on Llanddwyn beach, a curve of pale sand backed by Corsican pines with views of Snowdonia. Beaumaris – with its Unesco-listed castle – makes a fine base from which to explore.

Machynlleth

This unassuming market town on the southern border of Snowdonia National Park is something of a cultural powerhouse. Once the capital of Wales (freedom fighter Owain Glyndŵr was crowned Prince of Wales here in 1404), today travelers come for the Museum of Modern Art and the increasingly popular Machynlleth Comedy Festival , which takes place each May. Save time for a day at the mostly open-air Centre for Alternative Technology , where you can learn about sustainable ways of living.

You might also like: The 10 most beautiful hikes in Wales The UK's longest mountain bike trail for beginners is now open How to spend a weekend in Anglesey, the eco-friendly island loved by William and Kate   

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Where to go in England, Scotland, and Wales in 1, 2, or 3 weeks

Everyone knows that a trip to England will start in London, and many visitors never actually leave the capital city. If you are here then it’s likely that you are hoping to plan a trip to more than just London, and you’ve come to the right place. Not everyone realizes that the island that contains England is officially called Great Britain and sometimes just Britain for short. So the guide below will cover the highlights of the whole island of Britain, which also includes Scotland and Wales.

I’ve lived in London in the past and have spent months traveling around the country looking for what I think are the most interesting parts. Strangely enough, this island has more than its fair share of similar towns and villages that don’t offer much of to foreign visitors, so I mention the best places to skip as well.

This article was last updated in August, 2022.

Getting around England, Scotland, and Wales

Fortunately the trains go everywhere listed below and nearly everywhere else. There is a Britrail travel pass, but it’s not good value unless you are going great distances with each leg. If you buy train tickets online at least a month or so in advance you’ll find that they are quite cheap. But if you buy them on travel day you won’t believe how expensive they are, even for a short journey.

Since 2019 the Eurail Pass has included Britain and that can be a great option for those who like to make plans as they go. If you can get a Eurail Global Pass that covers all of the countries in Europe, it can really pay off on this island because trains are so expensive unless you book weeks in advance.

Itinerary basics to get us started

If you are unsure of where exactly to go in Britain, here are the basic recommendations to get you started. If you’ve already been to London and Edinburgh you can skip down and look at all of the best options beyond those two fascinating capitals.

• 3 or 4-day itinerary: London only
• 5 to 7-day itinerary: London and Edinburgh
• 8 or more days: London, Edinburgh, and whatever else interests you most

Best options for DIY tours of Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

London (obviously): 3 or more nights.

If you’ve visited London before or for some reason want to mostly skip it, there are many great options that are described below.

>>> London prices, weather, and advice

Brighton: Day trip or 1 or 2 nights

Train from London: 1 hour

It’s small enough that you can get a good feel for the place in only a few hours so it’s a good day trip. But hotels here tend to be a bit cheaper than those in London so staying a night or two can be fun. In spite of being kind of an old fashioned destination, Brighton is rather hip and many well-heeled London workers call it home all year round. Brighton is also arguably England’s gay capital, at least outside of London.

Oxford and/or Cambridge: Day trip or 1 night

Train from London: 1 hour to either

Both towns are quite tourist-oriented with plenty of gift shops as well as hotels. Room rates in both towns are cheaper than those in London, so if you have time it’s not a bad idea to stay overnight. You won’t find much raucous nightlife, but both towns are loaded with interesting pubs and restaurants in the town center.

Bath and Bristol: Day trip or 1 or 2 nights

Train from London: 1 hour 45 minutes

Cornwall: 2 or 3 nights

Train from London: 5 hours 25 minutes

St. Ives and Penzance are two of the better small towns for tourists, and both are in that same distant area. Newquay is a larger town that is (believe it or not) England’s surfing capital. It’s a lively place to base yourself and a good place to catch a coach tour of the area, with plenty of reasonably priced hotels.

The Eden Project, near St. Austell is another top attraction. It consists of two biomes (plastic domes) that house a wide variety of plants from climates and environments all over the world.

Manchester?: 1 or 2 nights?

Train from London: 2 hours 7 minutes

Even with its famous artistic and athletic past, Manchester is mostly a dud for foreign tourists compared to all the others on this list. There isn’t much to see and most of the city center is made up of new shopping centers. Even Manchester’s most famous nightlife district, which is known as the Northern Quarter, has almost nothing to offer a visitor who has come to spend time in the bars and clubs made famous by their musical heroes.

If you want to see a football match at Old Trafford, it’s very hard to get tickets if you aren’t a member. But if you can get tickets, that could be worth doing.

Liverpool: 1 or 2 nights

Train from London: 2 hours 14 minutes

Fans of the Beatles should consider this pilgrimage as a worthwhile one, especially to visit the Beatles Story attraction on the docks. There are also many tours that point out the locations mentioned in lyrics, which give you a pretty good general Liverpool tour in the process. Aside from that, Liverpool is actually a photogenic seafront town with a large historic core. The pedestrianized area that makes up the old town is mostly chain stores, but still it’s a nice place to stroll and visit an English city other than London.

York: 1 or 2 nights

Train from London: 1 hour 50 minutes

Visiting the Minster itself won’t take more than an hour or two, but York itself is a lovely small city with a wonderful historic center and a pleasant river running through it. There are plenty of bed & breakfasts and charming hotels in and near the city center, so this is another interesting place to see a side of England that isn’t London.

Those with more time on their hands might also want to explore the photogenic rural area known as Yorkshire, which stretches out far to the west of York. Leeds is the largest city, but visiting Yorkshire is all about the small farm villages and general scenery. It can be enjoyable in a rented car, or you can find a B&B in one of the towns and stay a day or two.

Scotland has a distinctive look and culture to some degree, so it’s worth its own visit if you have the time. If you want to hit the highlights on a tour of Britain, your best options are just below.

Edinburgh: 2 or 3 nights

Train from London: 4 hours 20 minutes

Anyone with Scottish ancestry will be fascinated by Edinburgh, but even if you don’t you’ll really enjoy the place. The Royal Mile in the Old Town is the heart of the action, though the “New Town” area nearby is almost as old and also a charming place to stay. Fortunately, prices in Edinburgh are noticeably cheaper than the same things in London.

>>> Edinburgh prices, weather, and advice

St. Andrews: Day trip or one night

You can take an express bus from Edinburgh to St. Andrews in a bit under two hours each way. The scenery is gorgeous the whole way, but the real faithful may want to spend a night in St. Andrews or even try to play one of the courses there. It’s a lovely small village with lots of gift shops and such that sell golf items and more.

Inverness and the Scottish Highlands: 2 or 3 nights

By the way, Loch Ness is just south of Inverness and there are constant tours of the lake and a couple of nearby sights, but they are quite dull. The lake itself is extremely deep, but on the surface it’s nothing special and the “Nessy” tales are silly to most people. Skip Loch Ness and focus on the Highlands tours instead.

Glasgow: 1 or 2 nights?

In other words, if you are going to one Scottish city it should be Edinburgh, and if you want to also see the best natural sights then you should head to Inverness. But if you want to see another city, perhaps on the way back down south, then Glasgow is quite a nice option.

Wales is the western part of the central part of the island of Great Britain, and it’s by far the least famous of the three countries here. If you have Welsh heritage or even if you are just curious or a completist, it’s worth checking out for a few days if you have them.

Cardiff: 2 nights

The city doesn’t look very different from England, so don’t expect anything too exotic. Still, if you have a couple days and you are in the area, you will be happy you came for a visit. By the way, soccer/football fans will also have heard of Swansea, which is the other large Welsh city not far away. But save your time and skip it as it’s a bit of a dud, even compared to Cardiff.

Llandudno and Conwy: 2 or 3 nights

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Where to go in England, Scotland, and Wales in 1, 2, or 3 weeks " --> All Comments

If visiting Bath, the nearby town of Frome provides a good alternative for B&B accommodation (cheaper) and I recommend the park and ride service for visiting Bath which has limited parking at busy times of the year. Also, if heading towards the Midlands, do try and visit Stratford-upon-Avon , great for ye olde English experience and nearly all the historic sites in relation to William Shakespeare are within easy walking distance. Stonehenge can easily be combined with a day visit to Salisbury. The Dorset Jurassic Coast may well let you find and take home your own prehistoric fossil.( fish and chips always taste better sat by the seaside) whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy it

Liverpool’s waterfront is UNESCO listed and you’ve forgotten that Liverpool has two historic football clubs, with the red one having worldwide supporters. It wouldn’t marginal for its maritime, football, and music history.

Those are all fair points. I don’t think Liverpool has nearly as many international fans as United, but at least most fans know of them. Thanks for your input. -Roger

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How to Plan the Perfect Scotland Vacation

From fairy-tale castles to charming small towns, the Scottish countryside is every bit as spectacular as you've heard.

Best Times to Go to Scotland

Best things to do in scotland.

• Getting to the Scottish Highlands

Where to Stay in Scotland

With its stately castles , glass-like lochs, and voluptuous glens, Scotland has always been a showstopper. The country's magic extends from its quaint small towns to the snow-capped peaks of its romantic, rugged Highlands to its dynamic modern cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. It's home to some of the best national parks in the U.K. and more than 900 offshore islands with extraordinary wildlife like regal red stags, majestic golden eagles, humpback whales, and massive salmon (not to mention the fabled inhabitant of Loch Ness, too).

The raw, poetic beauty of this ancient land — formerly known as Caledonia — is difficult to overstate. If you're hoping to head to the U.K.'s ravishing northern nation, read on for our guide to planning the perfect Scotland vacation.

The bad news is that, like the rest of the U.K., Scotland's weather is far from reliable, even at the height of summer. But as long as you're prepared to accept that and pack a raincoat for the odd shower or two, then you'll be fine from May to September. The smart money is on visiting in June and the first two weeks of July, when Scotland basks in seemingly endless summer evenings (the sun doesn't set until 11 p.m. in some parts of the Highlands) and the British school holidays have not yet begun, so prices remain low.

For winter travelers, Scotland has the U.K.'s best ski resort at Cairngorm Mountain , while the capital, Edinburgh, hosts one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve parties, Hogmanay .

If you like the great outdoors, you'll love Scotland. It's an ideal place for hiking, biking, and generally embracing the wildly beautiful landscape. You can summit magnificent Ben Nevis in a day (the tallest mountain in the U.K., at 4,413 feet), take a ferry out to explore the Hebrides archipelago and its stunning white-sand beaches, tour scores of castles, including the Queen's favorite holiday home, Balmoral (open to the public every April through July), and dive into a quirky food scene encompassing dishes like haggis (an offal and oatmeal combo, which tastes significantly better than it sounds), deep-fried mars bars, and juicy scallops, langoustines, and mussels.

Scotland is also a mecca for both golfers ( St. Andrews Old Course is the headline act) and whisky lovers , with some of the world's best distilleries available to tour, including Johnnie Walker on Edinburgh's lively Princes Street, Glenlivet near pretty Ballindalloch, and the legendary Macallan on a sprawling country estate in nearby Aberlour.

If you enjoy driving, you'll find some of the U.K.'s emptiest, most dramatic roads here, too, (as driven by James Bond in "Skyfall"), including the latest official addition, the North Coast 500 , an action-packed 500-mile route (516 to be exact) featuring mind-boggling coastal scenery, jaw-dropping beaches, rolling hillside, quaint fishing villages, and multiple hidden gems.

And if you prefer your challenges on foot, check out the magnificent West Highland Way , the country's best-loved long-distance walking route. Snaking its way from Milngavie to Fort William, it covers some of Scotland's finest scenery over 96 miles and is normally completed from south to north.

Meanwhile, history buffs will also be agog on any visit to Scotland, thanks to its 3,000-plus castles ( Castle Sween in Argyll is the oldest, dating back to the 1100s), as well as plenty to check out in the winding wynds (narrow lanes) and twisted staircases of Edinburgh's enchanting Old Town. ( Edinburgh Castle , towering over the city, is arguably the grandest in the country, too.)

If you can, make time to visit Perth, the former Scottish capital where kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny and infamous Glen Coe, a beautiful valley full of waterfalls and deer, also known for the brutal clan massacre of 1692 (which inspired the Red Wedding in George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones ).

Where are the Scottish Highlands — and what is the best way to get there?

Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure

The clue is in its name: the Highlands are the mountainous upper half of Scotland, covering 10,000 square miles of picturesque scenery. The region's lively capital is Inverness , which sits centrally and is a superb base from which to explore, while other highlights include mysterious, misty Loch Ness, majestic Cairngorms National Park , and idyllic Isle of Skye , which has been connected to the mainland via a road bridge since 1995.

The easiest way to reach the Highlands is to fly into Inverness Airport from London or elsewhere in the U.K., or rent a car and drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. However, the way to arrive in style is on the Caledonian Sleeper train from London Euston, a chugging time machine where you can fall asleep to the sounds of black cabs and bustle of the British capital and wake up among the red deer and magical glens of the Highlands. Regularly nominated as one of the world's best train journeys , the scenery gets truly spectacular after Fort William, as the route skirts a dramatic chain of lochs before descending into lush glens and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. For the ultimate Hogwarts experience, steam locomotives work this route during the summer months, so check in advance for these special departures.

The major cities have an abundance of hotels for every budget, headlined by Glasgow's Kimpton Blythswood Square , a boutique property in the former headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, and The Dunstane Houses in Edinburgh, a pair of beautifully renovated 19th-century townhouses.

Scotland arguably does traditional country house hotels and rustic lodges better than anywhere else in the world, with Fife Arms in Braemar and Gleneagles in Perthshire being particular treats (the latter, nicknamed the "Glorious Playground" boasts three championship golf courses, its own dedicated train station, and the only restaurant in the country with two Michelin stars).

Scotland is, of course, peppered with castles, and many have been converted into hotels and B&Bs in recent years, with some of the better fortified accommodation options including Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Inverlochy Castle in Fort William, Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry, and Stonefield Castle Hotel on Loch Fyne.

Wherever you stay, you'll get a warm welcome — not to mention a hot bowl of Scottish porridge or a plate of bacon, eggs, and haggis to start the day in a spectacularly scenic country.

Related Articles

England or Scotland? Which country should you visit next?

Because sometimes you just need a little help deciding…

Lush landscapes, vibrant cities, and history thousands of years in the making – all this and more await you on an adventure in either England or Scotland but how do you choose between the two? While you could flip a coin (if you’re feeling extra spontaneous), we’ve decided to put together a guide comparing these two picturesque and excitement-filled destinations so you can spend less time googling and more time planning the holiday of your dreams.

Best for landscapes

You might instantly think that Scotland has this category in the bag but once you journey past England’s historic, royal family-filled cities you’ll soon come to learn that this country has some of the most mesmerising landscapes in all of the United Kingdom.

There’s the spectacular Jurassic Coast region (located in Dorset) with its unusual rock formations and hidden coastal areas. Or the famous Lake District where literary giants such as William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter found inspiration among its glittering lakes, deep valleys, and forests full of wildlife and native greenery. And you simply can’t go past the Peak District with its dramatic and diverse countryside featuring views you’re not going to see anywhere else. And that’s a fact.

EXPLORE THE PEAK DISTRICT ON OUR WALKING TOUR

When considering whether Scotland’s landscapes are better than England’s, there’s another ‘L’ word you need to think about it – Lochs. You can’t go anywhere in Scotland without encountering a loch or two (there are roughly 30,000 scattered all over the country), and once you catch a glimpse of their sparkling surfaces and scenic surroundings, you’ll be thankful for it.

From the famous Loch Ness with its mythical monster and great depth to the remote Loch Awe with its ancient castle from the 15th century, these magnificent bodies of water are quintessentially Scotland and deserve to be admired and explored.

You might think that’s where Scotland’s natural beauty ends, but this country’s Mother Nature-made wonders run deeper than that with landscapes such as the Scottish Highlands , Eoligarry Beach, Cairngorms National Park , and the Isle of Skye captivating both travellers and creatives for centuries. One thing’s for certain, you won’t be able to put your camera down.

RELATED: 7 MUST-SEE CASTLES IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

Best for cuisine

Your stomach is spoilt for choice when it comes to food in England and after all that exploring, you’re going to need as much sustenance as you can get. Filled with classic pubs and trendy restaurants bursting with dishes such as steak and kidney pie, traditional Sunday roast with your choice of meat, potatoes, other vegetables and of course a Yorkshire pudding, and good ol’ fish and chips, England’s cuisine is sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more.

RELATED: ENGLAND OR IRELAND?

There aren’t a lot of things that you can guarantee when travelling but not going hungry in Scotland is one of them thanks to their large and delicious range of national dishes offered at every pub or restaurant you come across – and thank goodness because exploring the country’s landscapes is famishing work.

Whether you want to try out a plate of haggis (traditionally made from heart, liver, lungs, and onions and then wrapped inside a pig’s stomach), bite into a buttery shortbread biscuit with your afternoon cup of tea, or snack on a sweet scone or two with lots of clotted cream, Scotland’s food offerings will undoubtedly have you coming back for seconds, and then possibly thirds.

But of course, you can’t have a meal without washing it down with a drink and what better way to immerse yourself within Scotland’s culture than sipping on a glass of the amber liquid it’s famous for – whisky. Stretching all the way back to the 11th century, whisky is now synonymous with Scottish identity hence why it’s pretty much impossible to travel to Scotland and not try it out, especially since there are over 100 distilleries scatted around the country.  

SIP ON SOME WHISKY ON OUR HIGHLIGHTS OF SCOTLAND TOUR

Best for cities

While London is the city that most of us automatically think of when it comes to England’s concrete jungles, there are actually a ton of other cities worth visiting, each with its own history and allure. From Cambridge and Oxford with their prestigious universities and photo-ready landscapes to Manchester with its electric vibe and captivating architecture, there is plenty to choose from if you’re looking to add an urban element to your English adventure.

One of the more famous cities to visit (outside of London) is the spectacular city of Bristol. Founded in 1155, this city is bursting with historic landmarks (after hundreds of years you’d expect nothing less), cultural spaces such as museums and theatres, and a thriving foodie culture that’s guaranteed to please even the toughest of tastebuds.

Whether you want to spend your time wandering around the Old City or shop for local, fresh produce at St Nicholas Market, you’re bound to find something to do that’ll please the whole family.

EMBARK ON OUR WALK THE COTSWOLDS TOUR

One of the best things about Scotland is that its cities are just as beautiful as its natural landscapes so no matter where you travel, you’re bound to be captivated by something.

There’s Edinburgh with its enchanting architecture and epic views. Glasgow with its modern vibe and legendary music scene. Inverness with its mythical monsters and proximity to the Scottish Highlands. And Stirling with its ancient castles and historical sites. You simply can’t go wrong.

RELATED: HOW TO SPEND 72 HOURS IN EDINBURGH

Best for history

It makes sense that a country over 800,000 years old has a lot of history and luckily for all of the history buffs out there, you can go pretty much anywhere in England and stumble upon a historical site or two. From the puzzling mystery surrounding Stonehenge and why it was built to Hadrian’s Wall with its dramatic Roman ruins and sensational scenery, there are plenty of ancient spots to inspire your imagination and keep your mind occupied.

JOIN OUR WALK THE HADRIAN’S WAlL HIGHLIGHTS TOUR

Scotland’s history dates back to a time before anyone even thought to write stuff down so you’d be right in thinking there are hundreds and hundreds of historical attractions scattered throughout the country simply waiting for you to visit.

Whether you want to wander the ruins of prehistoric settlements, marvel at towering stone pillars, admire ancient abbeys, or let your imagination run wild at medieval battlegrounds, destinations such as the Orkney Islands , the Shetland Islands , Edinburgh, and the Isle of Lewis (among others) should definitely be added to your Scottish itinerary – and afterwards, to your holiday highlight reel.

RELATED: SCOTLAND OR IRELAND?

The verdict

It’s hard to decide which country is better so we understand why you’re reading this blog instead of trying to figure it out for yourself. England arguably beats Scotland when it comes to visiting historical sites (you just can’t top Stonehenge) but Scotland has extraordinary landscapes you could easily spend months wandering around. England has the cities, but Scotland has the cuisine.

Both countries offer fascinating attractions and promise unforgettable memories so you can’t go wrong with either of them. It might be a cop-out, but this decision is too close to call. 

VISIT EITHER ENGLAND OR SCOTLAND ON OUR UNITED KINGDOM TOURS

Feeling inspired?

Kate Gazzard

When I was 11, my parents asked me whether I wanted a pool for the house or a trip to Fiji. I chose Fiji, and I've made travelling as much as I can a priority ever since.

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United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to the United Kingdom. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to the United Kingdom.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

the United Kingdom is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Tick-borne Encephalitis

Avoid bug bites

Learn more about tick-borne encephalitis at your destination .

Tick-borne Encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet.

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in the United Kingdom, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although the United Kingdom is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in the United Kingdom include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call the United Kingdom’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in the United Kingdom, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in the United Kingdom.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for United Kingdom for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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A group of friends at Perth Train Station

Travel from England & Wales to Scotland

When it comes to getting to Scotland from the rest of mainland Britain, it's very easy indeed. With the great range of rail, air and road options, you could be in Scotland in time for dinner, or even lunch!

Borders Railway

FROM LONDON

Glasgow and Edinburgh are both served by frequent direct  train services from London , and are easily reached from other main English towns and cities, though you may have to change trains en route.

LNER  depart from London King's Cross and run up the east coast via Peterborough, York and Newcastle to Edinburgh, with some continuing on to Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness.

Avanti West Coast  run up the west coast from London Euston via Crewe, Preston and Carlisle to Glasgow.

Overnight sleeper services  from London Euston also operate to a number of Scottish cities via the west coast route.

SERVICES FROM OTHER AREAS

There are a number of long-distance direct services to Scotland that begin from outside London:

Avanti West Coast  runs services from Birmingham to Edinburgh or Glasgow. 

CrossCountry  services link Cardiff, Paignton, Penzance, Bournemouth and Brighton with Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, via Birmingham.

TransPennine Express  operate direct services to Edinburgh and Glasgow from Manchester Airport via Manchester, Preston, Lancaster, Oxenholme Lake District and Carlisle.

TIMETABLES AND UK FARE INFORMATION

For all train times to Scotland and fares across the UK network, visit  National Rail Enquiries .

For any other rail travel information including rail operators serving Scotland, visit  Traveline Scotland .

Edinburgh airport

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

You can fly to Scotland with regular carriers such as British Airways and Loganair, or the budget airlines operating from airports around London and from other area hubs on routes to Scotland's major city and regional airports.

To find flights and fares to Scotland's major airports, search on comparison sites such as:

Travel Supermarket

Cheapflights

Highland cows on the coastal road between Applecross and Shieldaig

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

The two main driving routes to Scotland from the south are via the east of England on the A1, or via the west using the M6, A74 (M) and M74.

The A1, which passes by Peterborough, Doncaster, Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed, gives you the option of branching off onto the A68, which takes the hilly but scenic route over the border at Carter Bar and adds an hour or so to the journey time.

The M6 route, which goes around Birmingham, between Manchester and Liverpool and on to Carlisle, offers at least dual-carriageway driving the whole way.

As you travel into Scotland look out for scenic driving routes that include plenty of great attractions to stop off at.

If travelling via the M6 consider taking the  Borders Historic Route  to Edinburgh, following the A7, or the  Galloway Tourist Route , which begins on the A75 and travels to Dumfries before carrying on to Ayr.

From the A74 you can also join the  South West Coastal 300 , which travels in a beautiful circular route around the Dumfries & Galloway and Ayrshire coastline, or travel on towards Glasgow via the  Clyde Valley Tourist Route .

Find more driving routes in Scotland

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Plan ahead - think about your route planning and get live traffic updates.

Traffic Scotland

Information and advice on driving on Scottish roads

Park and ride locations

Find a petrol station

Find an LPG station

Bus passing Marischal College in Aberdeen

You can easily get to Scotland by road from the rest of Britain. Coach services duplicate many train routes, often with much cheaper ticket prices. The frequency of service is often similar to that of the train, although longer distance journey times are usually much longer by coach.

Coach services to Scotland are operated by  National Express , which runs routes to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

FlixBus operate daily services from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow. They also run domestic routes across Glasgow, Perth, Stirling and Aberdeen.

Megabus  cover some routes including Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth. On some overnight services, passengers have their own berth as well as a standard seat for greater comfort during their journey.

Coach routes and timetables are on the Traveline website

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Top Tips for Travelling to Scotland

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Best Road Trips in Scotland

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Train Holidays in Scotland - Getting Around by Rail

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Europe , Ireland , Scotland , Travel

The perfect scotland and ireland itinerary.

Trips to Ireland and Scotland are some of my favorites to help plan. Both countries are some of my favorites and they can be easily combined. This Scotland and Ireland itinerary will help you plan the best trip!

This post contains affiliate links.

• Should I go to Scotland or Ireland?

I often get asked by my readers which trip they should take, Ireland or Scotland? While both destinations are amazing and beautiful with so much to offer, and I always try to help them make the right choice for their needs, I don’t think this has to be an either-or choice. If you’re really struggling with the Ireland vs Scotland debate, why not choose both? When you use this itinerary to travel to Ireland and Scotland you’re getting the best of both worlds within two weeks.

Here's a Short Cut

Best Time to Visit Ireland and Scotland

Fly between scotland and ireland, ferry from ireland to scotland, ireland and scotland tours, ireland scotland map, scotland and ireland itinerary, day 1: arrive in dublin, day 2: explore dublin, day 3 & 4: take an overnight trip to the west of ireland, day 5: wicklow mountains, day 6 & 7: northern ireland and back to dublin, days 1-2: explore edinburgh , day 3: scottish highlands, days 4-6: isle of skye, day 7: depart from edinburgh.

The best time to visit Ireland and Scotland is usually off-peak in shoulder season between April-May and September-October. If you go to Ireland and Scotland during these times you’ll avoid the crowds, but still be able to enjoy nicer weather than in the winter.

Getting Between Scotland and Ireland

Trips to Ireland and Scotland offer the best of both worlds and can be done affordably too. Getting from Ireland to Scotland is easy and affordable. There are many companies that offer Ireland and Scotland tours that are great, or you can choose to take the trip on your own.

There are plenty of cheap flights from Ireland to Scotland and from Scotland to Ireland. You can fly with Ryanair for as little as $21 USD! Honestly, that’s cheaper than the cost of a nice dinner! So if you really are having a hard time deciding between Ireland and Scotland, go ahead and do both!

Learn how to find cheap flights to and from Ireland and Scotland by reading my   guide to flying for cheap or nearly free here.

If you have your own car or are using this itinerary as part of a larger European trip, you might also consider taking the ferry from Ireland to Scotland or vice versa. This would also work if you’re planning to fly in and out of the same airport. However, if you are flying into Scotland or Ireland and plan to fly out of a different airport, I would not recommend taking the ferry. Especially since flights between Scotland and Ireland are so cheap! If you do decide to go for a rental car in one country and leave it in the other, it will cost you at least $1500 USD ($500 for a cross border fee and $500 for a one-way rental fee). And then you have the cost of the ferry on top of that which is a few hundred dollars. While sailing across the North Chanel is truly beautiful, It’s not worth the expense if you will be renting a car.

Visiting Ireland and Scotland can seem a little daunting on your own and tours can be a great way to go if you’re feeling a little nervous about it. These are some great Ireland and Scotland tours that will help you get a great overview of these two destinations:

This interactive map should help you plan your Ireland and Scotland itinerary. You can click on each destination to find more information.

I outline a great Ireland and Scotland itinerary below, but if you want to skip all the planning and simply use this downloadable, printable, detailed itinerary , you can find it here.

Get the Full Itinerary I’m giving you a detailed day-by-day Ireland and Scotland itinerary. You can do this itinerary in any order you wish, but this seemed the most logical to me. This itinerary begins in Ireland and ends in Scotland, where you can choose to fly home from, or simply fly back to Ireland for a round trip ticket. The choice is yours. I recommend flying in and out of wherever you can   get the best deals .  I generally find Ireland cheaper to fly to from the United States but have occasionally found great deals to Scotland as well.

Ireland could literally take you years to explore! So if you’re planning a trip to Ireland , I’m giving you just a week in this itinerary of things to do in Ireland , but I think it will show you some of the best places to visit in Ireland in a short amount of time. If you’re interested in a longer, more detailed trip to Ireland, you can check out my full  Ireland Itinerary. 

For the first day of your Scotland and Ireland vacation, arrive in Dublin airport and adjust to the time change. Dublin is Ireland’s capital city, so you’re sure to visit places while you’re here. Keep yourself awake until a reasonable hour (between 8 pm and 11 pm) and wake up early the next morning.

Now that you’re hopefully feeling well-rested and not too jet-lagged, it’s time to explore the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Don’t miss these stops in Dublin:

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Dublin Castle
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Trinity College Library
• St. Stephens Green
• Lunch at Avoca Wool Shop & Cafe
• Little Museum of London
• Take a   Bus Tour   of Dublin
• Howth Cliffs
• Phoenix Park

Take an entire day to explore the west of Ireland. If you’re self-driving it will take about 3.5 hours to get to the west coast known as the Wild Atlantic Way. If you’re feeling nervous about driving in Ireland there are several great day trips from Galway that will take you to the west for this 2-day trip.  This amazing tour   explores the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and Killarney National Park, with an overnight stay in Dingle.

Don’t miss these stops on your trip to the West:

• Killarney National Park (learn more about   Killarney   here.)
• Muckross House & Traditional Farm
• Muckross Abbey
• Killarney Town
• Cliffs of Moher
• Blarney Castle

Spend a day in the beautiful County Wicklow. Be sure not to miss these:

• Powerscourt Estate: Dating back over 200 years, these are some of the most beautiful gardens in all of Ireland
• Glendalough: Beautiful lakes surrounded by stunning mountains!
• Silver Strand Beach: A beautiful and secluded beach
• Wicklow Gaol: This old jail is a great place to learn some interesting and sad Irish history.
• Wicklow Town: Adorable Irish town

Spend two days in beautiful Northern Ireland! You can take the three-hour drive yourself or take  this great two-day tour   that will take you to all the best sites. Be sure not to miss these:

• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
• Giant’s Causeway
• Dark Hedges

In between your exploration, make sure you also visit the city center and get to experience local dishes and listen to traditional Irish music while you’re in town!

Now that you’ve enjoyed a full week in Ireland, it’s time to hop over the Irish Channel and visit the beautiful and rugged Scotland! Most flights will take you into Edinburgh where you can either rent a car or spend a few days in the city then do some tours in the highlands. If you want to experience a great overview of the country, you can do my full  Scotland Itinerary.

I normally like to advise people to get out of the big cities and explore the countryside, but Edinburgh has so much to offer that I think it’s worth spending at least 2 days here. You can learn about what to do in Edinburgh in  my detailed guide here,   but be sure not to miss these top spots:

• Edinburgh Castle
• Holyrood Palace
• The Royal Mile
• St. Gile’s Cathedral
• Scott Monument
• Grass Market
• Princes Street Gardens
• Take a    Harry Potter Walking Tour
• Visit the Elephant House Cafe where JK Rowling ate
• Victoria Street
• Hike Arthur’s Seat
• Calton Hill
• Cairngorms National Park

If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in a castle, be sure to check out these awesome castle hotels in Scotland.

Spend day 4 exploring the highlands of Scotland. Visit Inverness and try and find the Loch Ness Monster! You can drive here or take   this easy day tour from Edinburgh.   Be sure to read my   guide to the highlands   and don’t miss these sites:

• Urquhart Castle
• Fort William

You can’t visit Scotland without taking a trip to visit the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Skye. It’s rugged beauty and history combined with its rugged island charm is sure to win your heart! Driving to the Isle of Skye can be a little scary if you don’t know what to expect. The roads are one lane so you must share the road with oncoming traffic. If you’re not comfortable driving in those conditions, it might be a good idea to take a tour to the Isle of Skye.

Rabbie’s does an amazing 3-day tour that comes with your own comedic  kilted tour guide to take you through the Isle of Skye while learning all about its interesting past and natural wonders. You can find the  tour here. 

Be sure to read   my complete guide to the Isle of Skye   before going.

Whether you decide to drive to the Isle of Skye on your own or take a tour, don’t miss these sites:

• The Quiraing 
• Old Man of Storr
• Neist Point
• Dunvegan Castle
• Fairy Pools
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Museum of Island Life & Flora MacDonald’s Grave

On the last day of your Scotland and Ireland vacation, travel back to Edinburgh and either fly home from there or fly back to Dublin to fly home.

I hope this itinerary will help plan many trips to Ireland and Scotland. They are both such amazing destinations and I know you’ll love them! If you need help planning, please feel free to reach out  Facebook   or  Instagram , or send me an email me  [email protected]

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Scotland or Ireland: Which Country Should You Visit?

Last Updated on November 21, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

There are few countries throughout the world that inspire so much awe and splendour than Scotland or Ireland. They both boast incredible expanses of green scenery, beautiful nature, rugged coastlines, ancient archaeological sites, and famously friendly locals.

However, they are two distinct places with cultures and traditions all their own. Therefore, if you only have time to visit one of these amazing countries, it can be difficult to choose between Scotland and Ireland.

Both countries have innumerable things to offer travellers and one could easily spend months and months wandering around both of them. But which is the right destination for you?

In general, choose Scotland if you want countless archaeological sites, myriad islands to explore and a well-established walking and camping culture. On the other hand, choose Ireland if you’re interested in great food, recent history and bucolic landscapes.

This article will outline the pros and cons of visiting Ireland and Scotland including things like affordability, activities, and attractions in order to help you pick the best country for your particular travel style.

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Scotland has become more and more popular each year, drawing tourists with its outstanding culture in cities like Edinburgh, mythical natural sites like Loch Ness , rugged islands like Skye and Orkney, and one of the best road trips in the world in the form of the North Coast 500 .

This beautiful country has so much to offer travellers of all kinds and, despite its relatively small size and population, keeps drawing people back year after year.

Accessibility

One of the first things you need to consider when attempting to choose between Ireland and Scotland is how accessible the destination is. Luckily for travellers, Scotland is an incredibly easy nation to get to and a fairly straightforward one to get around.

The largest airport in Scotland is located in its capital of Edinburgh. It serves countless destinations internationally and it makes an easy and convenient starting point for a Scotland trip . There are also smaller airports in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness that have connections across the UK and continental Europe.

The major cities in Scotland are all well-connected within the UK’s extensive bus and train network, with frequent connections between London and the larger cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow , and Inverness.

It is also a fantastic option to begin your Scotland trip in London and explore the thriving capital city before catching one of the most scenic train rides in the world up north. Just make sure to book it in advance if you want to get a cheaper fare!

If your time frame or Scottish travel budget doesn’t allow for a long-distance train journey through the British countryside, there are airports in all of the bigger cities in Scotland that offer affordable flights from across the UK and the rest of Europe.

When it comes to getting around Scotland, this is where the beautiful country might get marked down a few points. Outside of the city centres in places like Edinburgh and Glasgow , it can be fairly tricky to get around if you’re planning on relying solely on public transport.

As Scotland is the most sparsely populated country in the UK, bus and train links aren’t nearly as developed or frequent as they are in England and, if you want to get off the beaten path even a little bit, the easiest way by far to do this is to rent a car .

If you can’t rent a car and still want to see the incredible scenery and highlights of Scotland, it is very possible to book a day or multi-day tour of more rural areas that are difficult to reach without a personal vehicle.

Affordability

It may come as no surprise that, due to its location in the UK, Scotland isn’t easily considered a budget destination. However, it is possible to visit Scotland and not leave having to take out a second mortgage on your home. Meaning, Scotland doesn’t have to be an expensive destination. 

While there are certainly ample opportunities throughout Scotland that will have you spending all of your hard-earned cash in one fell swoop, there are just as many chances to save your money and still have an amazing experience.

For instance, if you have a sense of adventure and love the great outdoors, it is perfectly legal to wild camp most everywhere in Scotland.

If you travel with your own tent, you can sleep for free and seriously offset any accommodation costs you may have otherwise accrued. There are also plenty of amazing private rentals you can rent like this stunning cottage on Skye!

Also, while the price of meals in restaurants might be fairly expensive, grocery prices aren’t that steep and it can help save money to cook your own meals.

Another wonderful thing about Scotland is that most attractions that require entry fees (and very few actually do) rarely cost more than about £10-15. Most museums in the bigger cities are also free to enter, as they are in the majority of the UK.

All in all, Scotland can be quite affordable to visit if you do some research into your travel costs in advance and spend your money wisely.

Things to Do

Though small in size, Scotland is a gorgeous country with an incredible array of wonderful things to do. In cities, there are ample cultural events and fascinating museums with which to occupy your time.

Throughout both cities and the countryside, there are hundreds of whisky distilleries making some of the finest single-malt whisky in the world, most of which are available for tours and tastings.

The countryside is packed with walking routes and outdoor sporting opportunities. You can do anything from an easy day hike to a weeks-long trek through the Scottish wilderness in this beautiful country.

Read More: Dublin or Edinburgh: Which City to Visit?

The natural scenery in this country is incredibly beautiful and diverse and in one day, you can be scaling up Ben Nevis before seeing dolphins frolicking in the waters off the coast of Ullapool.

There are subarctic plateaus that have a completely different ecosystem to anywhere else in the British Isles and there are beautiful white sand beaches that will make you feel as if you’re in the tropics. Scotland’s nature truly cannot be beaten.

Both Scotland’s mainland and thousands of offshore islands are home to ancient and historical sites that range from grand medieval castles to majestic standing stones. Gazing upon such sites can make one feel incredibly small and truly make you appreciate just how old Scotland is.

There are so many things to do in Scotland in so many different corners of this amazing country that travellers could easily spend months on end exploring the country and still leave longing to see more. The interesting sites, breathtaking nature, and incredibly friendly people will leave you always coming back for more.

So, if you’re trying to decide whether to visit Scotland or Ireland, those are just some of the merits of the former.

Ireland is a country that continually inspires awe in those wishing to visit and the Emerald Isle has a lot to offer visitors. Much like its neighbour, Ireland is blessed with some of the most beautiful, pastoral scenery in the region and has one of the best and most renowned pub cultures in the world.

Littered with an amazing, long history, fascinating sites and nature, and some of the most friendly and helpful locals in the world, deciding whether to visit Ireland or Scotland can become an incredibly tricky choice.

The Republic of Ireland is quite a small country, both in population and in land area, and it is likely that you will fly into the capital of Dublin, which is the highest-traffic airport in the country.

Dublin airport is massive and has many flight connections to many destinations in North America and Europe. It is also conveniently located not far from the city centre so it isn’t difficult to access if you are planning on visiting the city without a car.

There are a few other airports throughout the country that you can access from airports across Europe and the UK and even the US, but it is unlikely that you will fly into one of them if you are arriving to Ireland from outside of this geographic area.

Once in Ireland, you will find it to be similar to Scotland insofar as that it can be difficult to get around if you don’t have your own personal vehicle outside of the bigger cities. In city centres like Dublin , Cork , and Galway , it is quite easy to get around by foot and if you’re only planning on visiting these cities on your Ireland itinerary , then it can be possible to go on the trip without a car.

However, if you want to get to more rural areas or are interested in stepping slightly off the beaten path, then renting a car is often your best option .

If you don’t drive or otherwise can’t rent a car, there are a number of tours available , like in Scotland, that will allow you to visit sites that are hard to reach by public transport. These typically leave from major cities like Dublin or Galway and can last for one day or multiple days.

Now that we’ve covered the accessibility of Ireland, it is time to cover, briefly, how much an Ireland trip will cost . Much like Scotland, Ireland has a reputation as being an expensive country and, depending on where you visit, this very well might be the case.

Dublin, for instance, is one of the most expensive cities in Europe and everything from accommodation costs to food costs to beer costs can seem wildly inflated. Varying activities in the Irish capital can come with an expensive price tag and there are times where it might seem that it is impossible to visit this iconic city on a budget.

If you are savvy about where you spend your money, however, you will find that you can make it stretch further than you might think. In Dublin, for instance, opt for a free walking tour rather than a paid one (do remember to tip your guide, though!). Don’t go out drinking in the Temple Bar district, where the price of a pint can exceed €8.

Everywhere in both the Republic and Northern Ireland, keep an eye out for state-run museums, which, like in Scotland, are often free. Not only will you certainly gain a better appreciation and understanding of the many fascinating aspects of Irish history, but you will also save yourself some money.

As for accommodation, opt for a private one like this restored barn in Connemara , a bed in a locally run B&B, or even a plot on a campground. Wild camping is not legal in Ireland like it is in Scotland, however, you can still find many ways to save on your accommodation costs.

If you’re weighing in on the things to do in each country, your choice might not become easier when you realise just how much there is to do in Ireland.

While the diversity of the natural scenery might not be quite as stunning around every corner in Ireland, there is still no denying that it is absolutely gorgeous.

Planning a trip to Ireland with the sole goal of spending as much time outside in the country as possible is very much worth it. The rolling green hills, the bucolic farms, and the rugged coastline are all the perfect draws to this beautiful and wild country.

Despite its diminutive population, there are numerous fun and dynamic cities to explore in Ireland as well. Dublin might take the cake when it comes to size and renown, however, cities like Cork are considered to be the gastronomic heart of Ireland and historic Galway just begs itself to be explored.

When it comes to natural sites, you can’t beat the beauty of the Cliffs of Moher , Achill Island , the Burren, or the impeccable Connemara peninsula. Ireland’s entire Wild Atlantic Way along the country’s west coast draws some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country and is considered to be one of the best road trips in the world.

In Northern Ireland , you have gritty and historic cities like Belfast and Derry to explore. Not only that but the incredible Antrim Coast and the inimitable Giant’s Causeway are unmissable attractions.

If you’re interested in hikes and walks, there is no shortage of amazing trails of various lengths you could go on. Though there aren’t the plentiful mountains that you will find in Scotland, Ireland’s countryside boasts its own unique beauty of rolling hills and daring cliffsides.

Irish history spans millennia and, just like in Scotland, you can see ancient sites and centuries-old churches and imposing castles and manors scattered throughout the Emerald Isle. There are also myriad museums in almost every settlement that will allow you to learn more about the history of this small but mighty nation.

Ireland is a country that is firmly cemented on the tourist trail for a reason: there are seemingly infinite things to do in such a small island nation.

Scotland vs Ireland: The Verdict

So should you visit Scotland or Ireland? Sometimes, it can seem as if there isn’t much difference between and it can be incredibly difficult to choose between the two. If you only have time to visit one, here is what we suggest.

If you’re interested in seeing the most diverse natural scenery in the shortest time span, choose Scotland. While Ireland’s nature is incredibly beautiful, Scotland’s is just slightly more stunning and more varied. As mentioned earlier, you can be at the top of the tallest peak in Britain in the morning and enjoying the seaside on a remote island off the coast by the evening.

Scotland might also be the best choice for you if you’re interested in ancient archaeological sites. Areas like the Orkney Islands and the Isle of Lewis and Harris are filled with standing stones and Neolithic villages, tombs, and burial grounds.

Scotland can also be the more affordable of the two, especially if are willing to wild camp. The amount of money that can be saved on accommodation just from that small aspect is enough to make many people choose to visit Scotland over Ireland. However, beyond this, there isn’t much of a price difference between the two countries.

However, if you’re choosing between the two and consider yourself a foodie, then Ireland might be the better choice for you. There is a high concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants throughout the country, the local produce is amazing, and there has been a very cool food scene happening in Ireland in recent years.

Inventive chefs reimaging the local cuisine might well be the best thing that has ever happened to the Irish gastronomic scene. Even in the smallest of villages, you can find exciting and fantastic gastropubs which are excellent eateries with incredibly high quality. The same doesn’t exist to the same degree in Scotland.

If you’re more interested in recent history, then Ireland might also be the better option. While there is a long and fascinating ancient history in the country, you can also learn about Ireland’s fight for independence in the not-so-distant past. If you happen to visit Northern Ireland, it is also worth educating yourself about the Troubles and the conflict that wasn’t fully resolved until fairly recently.

All in all, it can be a tough choice to find out if it is better to visit Ireland or Scotland. Both countries are worth visiting and spending time in their own rights and have a lot to offer travellers. It depends on your travel style and preferences to figure out which country is right for you.

Are you struggling to decide between visiting these countries? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

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Is Dublin Expensive? A Guide to Prices in Dublin

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Hi, Am planning to visit Scotland 1st week of Sep 2022, i need few details like which one is better renting a car or using public transport. 1. Can you suggest some cheapest & good car renting sites or company in Scotland 2. Can i able to drive the car with valid Indian driving licence 3. Any suggestions for accommodtion for 2 budgeted one.

As a regalar visitor to both (at least 4 times to both each a year), I can assure you, if you’re looking for richer culture, more diversity, slightly cheaper, much friendlier people, better food, a much richer Gaelic culture, etc., Ireland is your man.

Hi , I am planning for a 11 days trip to London – Ireland – Scotland . Can u help me out with a perfect iteinary . This is in last week of September. My plan is 4 days in London , 3 days in Ireland and 4 days in Scotland . Or do u suggest me skipping Ireland and doing only London and Scotland ? Will be travelling with my wife , my 9 year old son and 4 year old daughter.

With the time you have, I think it would be best to plan to only visit London and Scotland rather than heading to Ireland as well. You can find some inspiration and route ideas in this article: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/london-scotland-ireland-itinerary/

I’m planning to go UK around July 2022, duration is about 2-3 weeks, plan to start our trip at London (followed by Wales and Lake district), hesitating to go Scotland and/or Ireland. Our preference is nature scenery and pretty countryside small town. Do you think if 3 weeks for England + Scotland + Ireland is too tight? If yes, would you recommend Scotland or Ireland given our preference.

It’s really hard to choose between visiting Scotland or Ireland, especially as both countries offer what you’re after. I will say that, because you’ll already be in England ad Wales, you may want to consider Scotland over Ireland, just because it avoids having to take a flight or ferry. If you want our itinerary for England, Scotland and Ireland, you can find it here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/london-scotland-ireland-itinerary/

We are planning a trip to Scotland late June through early July 2022. There will be 6 of us. I love the idea of starting the trip in London and taking the train to Edinburgh. I have a few questions if you would be so kind to give some advice. I am overwhelmed and have never planned a trip like this:)

What would be your must do’s in London if we only have a day or two there?

Is the train route a scenic one?

We really want to spend a day or two at lake Skye. What is the best approach for this from Edinburgh?

Do you think that having a home base at an airbnb in Edinburgh is possible to still see and do lots of things? We do not plan on having a car because there are 6 of us and they look to be very expensive.

Any advice you can give would be so appreciated. I am open to all suggestions:)

Hi Shayna, thanks for your comment. We have a detailed London itinerary that I’m sure can help you plan your time there: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/days-in-london-itinerary/ The train route from London to Edinburgh is incredibly scenic and I’m sure you and your group will enjoy it. We also have a Skye itinerary that should help you figure out what to do there: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/isle-of-skye-itinerary/ Edinburgh can make an incredible base in Scotland and there are lots of day trip options, even if you don’t have a car. You can find a lot more information about all of your options in our Scotland travel guide here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/scotland-travel-guide/ Hope you’re able to plan a great trip!

I’ve lived in, and travelled through both extensively over the years.

Ireland edges it in the fun-stakes, and the interactions with people. Don’t agree with Scotland edging it regarding scenic beauty either, but it is a very beautiful country.

Thanks for your insight, Senen!

I know this article was posted some time ago, but we are really struggling with our choice and need some advice. Our plan is to go next July. My daughter and her boyfriend will be 21 and my son will be 18 and we just want them to have a good trip. My daughter would like to experience small town culture, beautiful landscapes, and maybe the odd castle. Her boyfriend likes “rocks and trees” and has never seen the ocean. My son just wants to drink beer and is quite uninterested in beautiful scenery. Lol. Please advise.

Hi Cathy – it seems like both Scotland and Ireland would suit for what you’re after, but maybe Ireland would tip the scale? Especially if your son wants to spend time drinking beer I see no better place than the home of Guinness! Beautiful landscapes, seaside scenery and the odd castle abound in both so you really cannot go wrong with either choice 🙂

Hi Maggie, Thanks for your great article. I mainly want to hike and walk in beautiful areas. I was considering basing myself in Galway and then using a car service or renting a car to get to more remote places. If I wanted to bypass big cities (Edinburgh), where would you suggesting a base location in Scotland? Thanks again.

Hi Carol, Inverness sounds like it would be a good option for you. It’s a small, quiet city with easy access to countless natural areas and historic sites. I’d recommend hiring a car here, as well. Hope this helps and you’re able to plan a great trip!

Having been to both… But then I was only 12 at the time… I was also at the whim of guided tours or my parents as they were the ones driving and paying for it all… My experience is somewhat limited. However I did enjoy Scotland more… With the exception of the blarney castle. Kissing the stone was on the bucket list for my life ever since I learned about it in a cartoon as a child. However, Scotland does have some amazing and breathtaking views! I also remember Scotland being hilly and green… Which is a big difference from England which is mostly flat in the south (I lived in England for three years near Cambridge) I also vaguely remember visiting Waterford, Ireland and being bombarded by a lot of pollution in the air. No Bueno!

So besides kissing that stone, Scotland was my favorite of the two!

Thanks for your insights, Laura! Glad to hear you had a great time in both 🙂

Scotland is amazing! I did a ten day trip without a car. Admittedly, this does limit you, but with buses running to smaller towns, it can be done. Don’t overlook Glasgow. It it wonderful and the neighborhood pubs with their impromptu “sessions” by local musicians were the best evenings in my life! No thing everyone should take the time to get to the Isle of Iona. The ferry leaves from Oban on the mainland (and site of my favorite scotch), a bus travels across the Isle of Mull and a short ferry on to Iona — paradise! The water looks like the Caribbean, as the Gulf Stream travels all the way there before turning south. It’s just a maniacal place. Iona still has a working monastic community. Originally founded by St Columba, it now is a coed, interdenominational community. Can’t wait to go back. Definitely do not go in the Spring, a total rain fest, but it was still incredible!

Happy to hear you had such a wonderful time in Scotland, Troy! Agree that it is an absolutely beautiful country to visit 🙂

It’s true that Scotland is the more beautiful of the two, but I had such a good time in Ireland that it’s impossible for me to recommend one over the other. I guess it didn’t help that two of the three days I spent in the Isle of Skye it was so foggy I couldn’t see anything. I will say that both Edinburgh and Glasgow were more interesting to me than Dublin. But Ireland is very enchanting. If you’re agonizing over which place to visit, don’t. You can’t go wrong with either choice.

It’s so true, Eric! There really isn’t a bad choice between the two 🙂

My husband and I have been married for 40 years and we have always talked about going to Scotland as his ancestry is Scottish. We have no idea where to start. Would it be best to go with a travel guide? Guided tour group? Also, what time of the year (temperature wise) would the best time to go. We live in the Midwest where our seasons are beautiful and change gradually. We may get very frigid temps in Winter but don’t usually last and it’s not consistent from year to year. Like, today, November 7, the weather was beautiful and we went hiking in short sleeve t-shirts as the temp was 72. However I’ve seen it snow on Halloween. I just want to be prepared for whatever weather we may experience.

Thanks for your comment, Sherry! I get that it can be overwhelming to begin planning a trip. If you’re looking for some more information, I recommend browsing through our Scotland travel guide ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/scotland-travel-guide/ ) where you should find answers to all of the questions you’ve asked! Hope you’re able to plan a fantastic trip 🙂

Loved reading these comments. I am a Scot with strong Irish ancestry. Both countries are beautiful. Having been all over both countries, the place I love the most is Scotland. Even my jaw dropped on the road from Fort William to the Isle of Skye – (Loch / Glen Garry) simply stunning. However, ultimately you will love both countires – Fàilte gu Alba ??????? & Céad Míle Fáilte ?? ?

Hi Maggie, Looking at a Aug / September 2020 visit to Scotland / Ireland. Tossing up whether to do 4 weeks (two weeks in each) or 2 1/2 weeks in Scotland / few days in Great Britain then pick up Ireland another time. Would be interested in your thoughts. Cheers Mark

Hi Mark, if you think that you’ll be back in the region again, then I would recommend spending all of your time in Scotland this time around. There is so much to see and do that if you have it, it is better to dedicate more time to one place. Hope you have a great time whatever your decision!

Great thank Maggie appreciate your response…..and really appreciate the effort you go to in providing information to many.

We have been debating Ireland vs Scotland for our family of 5 (kids 13,11,9). We went to Iceland in summer ‘18 and the kids really enjoyed. My husband said some of what we saw in Iceland reminded him of Scotland (he spent a semester in Scotland). What do you think would be better for a family that enjoys being out in nature (though not into long hard hikes) vs being in metro areas (London last spring break was a good trip but kids liked Iceland better) Thanks J

Thanks for your comment, Jean! Personally, if you want to spend a lot of time out in nature and enjoy some dramatic scenery, then I would recommend visiting Scotland. Ireland is certainly incredibly beautiful, however, I just find that Scotland has more surprises and more absolute jaw-dropping scenery. I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice, though! Have a great trip 🙂

We are trying to decide between touring Scotland or Ireland for the last week of March. We would like to mix outdoor activities, museums, history, shopping, and eating (not in that order 🙂 Our dates are fixed and we are wondering if the weather in late March would be more conducive to one country or the other. We are also wondering if tourist sites and amenities are closed or have reduced hours prior to April. Thank you, Jay

Hi Jay, thanks for your comment! As weather goes, you’ll temperatures between Ireland and Scotland to be more or less the same at that time of year, however, it can get colder in Scotland if you’re farther north. I don’t think you should be impacted with tourist attraction closures or reduced hours then, either. It’s the time year when people begin to travel and most places are open for business as usual.

First of all thank you so much for this! Super helpful! We’ve been debating between Ireland and Scotland for a while. Would love to do both unfortunately we don’t have the time to spend. Thanks to your article we decided to visit Scotland first. Planning on a 4 day trip in October. About to read through your other articles! If you’d have a four day trip to pack in history, nature and if you had a car what would be the must see places? We would love any recommendations.

Thank you! Laura

Thanks for your comment, Laura! If you only have four days to spend in Scotland, I would recommend basing yourself in either Edinburgh or Inverness (depending on your interests) and doing day trips from there — it will be a lot easier if you have a car, as well. If you want some more inspiration for your trip, you can have a look at all of our Scotland content to help you plan: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/tag/scotland/

We are in the very beginning stages of planning our trip to England, Ireland and Scotland. You mentioned Airbnb in your article. What are your thoughts on the safety of Airbnb over there? We are Airbnb hosts here in the US, but I was a little bit nervous about trying to use the service abroad.

Hi Lisa, there is really no difference between using Airbnb in the UK & Ireland vs using it in the US. We’ve used it all over the world and we used to host Airbnb in our flat in London and have never had a safety issue. Also, the UK & Ireland are also statistically much safer in general than the US, as well. Hope you have a great trip!

Having been to both, hands-down do Scotland. Ireland is pretty and there are many things you can go see, but Scotland has the “charm”.

Also, don’t be put off by the “Troubles” of Northern Ireland. It’s extremely safe (at least as safe as Ireland) and very easy to get around. The history in Belfast is amazing. We enjoyed Ireland, but don’t have any compelling reason to go back and explore more. The food was great and the people were very friendly.

(We flew to Belfast, AirBnB in Belfast, rented a car. Drove to Kilkenny and Waterford, then Dublin (AirBnB). 10 days total as part of a larger itinerary. If you visit Ireland, the Waterford Crystal factory is a must see).

Thanks for sharing, Dan!

Hi Maggie! Thanks for your article! I’ve been wanting to go to Ireland since I saw the movie Leap year, and moreso Scotland since I saw Half Light, P.S. I love you, and most current, Outlander (need I say why), LOL!!! I only have 13 days to split between the two, as I admittingly NEED to make a couple stops in my beloved Italy to visit friends and family- this is a must I cannot ignore, therefore I am cutting my time in the former two by five days- I know, crazy! But I’m Italian by decent and you know how the saying goes, “blood is thicker than water.” I did see that from Dublin there is an option called “Open Road” ticket, which is a hop on- hop off bus with unlimited travel for three days, for I believe around 60 Euros, that goes along the ancient east part of Ireland (or the west/ atlantic side), which has stops in must-see places like Newgrange, Wicklow Gaol (the scary place), and Trim Castle, just to name a few. I’m thinking this is definitely an option, since renting a car can bring on extra insurance, gas and parking expenses and headaches, I’m sure. Aside from those three days, I’m thinking about visiting a friend who lives in Dublin and wing it for just a couple nights, and then stay eight nights- I just might take your advice and rough it in a tent for maybe the first two nights? I’m going to definintely consider it. What are your thoughts on my planning ideas??? Thanks again!

Hi Marina, thanks for your comment! Sounds like you’re planning a great trip. One thing that is worth mentioning is that Ireland doesn’t legally allow wild camping — it is only Scotland where it is legal. In Ireland, you will need to be at a campsite if you want to camp. Hope you have a fantastic time!

I’m planning a two week trip to either Ireland or Scotland or both. The group of family and friends consists mostly of seniors so we probably won’t be doing much hiking, just sightseeing. They are all depending on me to come through with an amazing adventure, so please help. A few questions: Can we rent cars in Ireland and return them in Scotland? Should we consider a bus tour or self drive to see more of the local fare? Is the Scottish Tattoo a must see? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for your comment, Darrell. Sounds like you’re putting together a great trip!

Hypothetically, you could hire a car in Ireland and return it in Scotland, but it is going to be very expensive when you factor in the different pick-up/drop-off locations and the high cost of the car ferry, as well. It would be far more cost-effective just to hire separate cars in Scotland and Ireland and fly between the two.

If you want to go more local, I would definitely recommend renting a car rather than going on a tour. You will have infinitely more flexibility if you are in full control of your own itinerary.

As for the Tattoo, I have never been so I cannot speak as to whether it is a “must-see,” however, it is an incredibly popular thing to see and tickets there are expensive. Prices in Edinburgh will also likely increase while it is going on, as well.

I’m planning to go next year and visit both. I’ve been to Scotland and want to go back to explore Glasgow and Skye. This will be my first time in Ireland I have Irish ancestry and want to explore that a bit more too! I know 12 days is a bit of a rush but I guess I can get a taste of both and see where I’d like to return. I’m also spending a few night in London. I think I’m going to rent a car in both and do day trips still planning so let’s see but the article was very helpful! My plan Dublin -rent a car day trip from Dublin -Belfast- do a day trip tour -fly Glasgow – rent a car for day trip- London- then home

Thanks for your comment, Mera! Sounds like you’ve got a good plan for your trip! 12 days might be rushed, but I think you have the right idea to find a base and do day trips — that will save you a lot of time instead of moving destinations every 2 or 3 days 🙂

Great article. We are doing a 10 day trip in May/June 2020 and have decided to split the two countries. We plan on flying into Cork and staying somewhere around Tipperary, Athlone or somewhere near the south-central part of the country. Keep ourselves around 1-1.5 hours from most of the sights. We aren’t going to try and do everything other than enjoy seeing the country.

We will follow up by flying from Cork to Glasgow and doing something similar there. I just have to finish planning the Scotland part of the trip.

Sounds like you have a great trip planned, Matt, and thanks for your kind words! I think you have the right idea to find a base and then explore from there, especially if you have limited time. For Scotland, I would suggest maybe staying in or near Inverness — this is a great base to explore some of the most beautiful spots of the Highlands 🙂

Hi! We are planning a 3 week trip to Scotland and Ireland in September but I am struggling with which one to fly into and out of. Would it be best to visit Ireland first or Scotland? I believe we will divide out time equally between the two countries. Any suggestions as to which airports to use? Thank you! Your help is very much appreciated!

Hi Barbara, it really doesn’t matter which airport you fly into if you’re planning on dividing your time equally between the two countries. Dublin serves as more of a hub and is much higher-traffic than any Scottish airport, but whichever airport is cheapest for you to fly in and out of should be sufficient. Hope you have a great trip!

Thanks for the Article about Ireland and Scotland!!!!!!!!!!!! Firstly it was interesting to see(from just my Google Search of ‘Ireland or Scotland!?’) and here from Articles like yours exactly how Similar the Two Places are. I had no idea of this and was in the belief that they were very different places because I have only spent time in Ireland Republic and North so was unaware of how similar it sounds like Scotland actually is to Ireland particularly when it comes to The Nature side of it.

Anyway I am still not entirely sure which one to visit both have Pro’s and Con’s, Ireland is Green and Lush however sounds like it could be a little more expensive mainly with regards to accommodation because it sounds like according to you Wild Camping is Illegal and therefore frowned upon and out of the question!!!!!!!!!! Which may be the deal breaker for me!!!!!!! Scotland sounds like it may be a cheaper Trip and maybe even more Beautiful than Ireland!!!!! Basically my Heart is saying Ireland(I also have Links/Roots in Ireland(I am Blood Wise Half Irish)) therefore feel like I have more reason to go there however have been before, my Head is saying Scotland though because overall I think it will be cheaper/more affordable as well as being at least equally Stunning if not more so than Ireland if your comments are anything to go by!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again!!!!!!!! BPR.

Thanks for sharing, Ben 🙂 Hope you have a great trip!

Thank you for the article. I am struggling with planning this trip, for two years now actually. I am beginning to plan a trip for 2020, likely August or September. Had hoped to visit both countries, and wonder if, in your opinion, they are doable in a 10-14 day span? Not hitting everything, but getting a great taste of each country this time around? Renting a car for sure, also travel with a parent whose mobility is slightly restrained (so no hikes unfortunately this time). Any recommendations are appreciated. Thinking Dublin as homebase and taking day trips, possibly an overnight in another town. Then heading to Scotland. Thank you for inspiring me to get back on the trip planning, I had been overwhelmed, but ready to dive in now.

Hi Patti, thanks for your comment! Personally, if you’re just looking to see the highlights of Scotland and Ireland and don’t plan to do any hiking, then I see no reason why you couldn’t visit both countries in about a 2-week span. My suggestion would be to base yourself in Dublin and Galway in Ireland and do day trips from these cities and then do the same in Edinburgh and Inverness in Scotland. I think this would give you a good overall taste of the countries (and leave a lot of room to plan future trips!). If you want some more help planning, we have an itinerary that might be helpful for you here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/london-scotland-ireland-itinerary/ Hope this helps!

Thank you for this article. I am interested in visiting both, but only have time for one at present. I was thinking renting a vehicle and driving “off the beaten path”. I like that idea. My plan is to travel the second week of September. After reading your article, both areas sound aweinspiring, but I think I will travel to Scotland first. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your comment, Peter! Great choice in picking Scotland — no matter how much I love Ireland, Scotland is a place that continues to draw me back. I hope you have an amazing time. If you want some help planning your trip, we have a bunch of Scotland content to get you started. You can check out our itinerary here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/scotland-road-trip-itinerary/ and the rest of our Scotland archives here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/tag/scotland/ And we’re always available to answer any more questions you might have 🙂

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Looking for the best city/towns to serve as a base to travel - Scotland Forum

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I know that there is a large festival in Edinburgh during that time.

Here is what I have so far:

20th Get to Edinburgh –

21st Edinburgh

22nd Leave for Inverness – Via train. Maybe a half day tour of Loch Ness

23rd Inverness – Day Tour to Skye

24th Inverness – Maybe a whisky tour and/or leave for Glasgow via train.

25th Glasgow – Day tour of Glencoe

26th Glasgow – Day tour Loch Lomond

27th Leave from Glasgow

Please provide me with any feedback you may have. I have not booked anything yet so currently it is flexible.

10 replies to this topic

Your plan as it stands has you going over the same road twice!

Also to get to Glencoe from Glasgow you pass along Loch Lomond.

The aforementioned Festival in Edinburgh puts Accommodation costs up two sometimes three times as much.

Day tours to Skye from Inverness are not ideal.

Skye is the outlier in your plans and things would be a lot simpler if you dropped it. You could then use local tours and public transport to see the other places on your list.

Have a look at getting the train from Glasgow to Fort William and the coach back. They use different, but scenic, routes. Break the journeys if you want to explore an area, eg Glen Coe or Loch Lomond.

Or take a tour from one of the established companies like Rabbie or Timber bush.

Hope this helps.

First of all if you must see and stay in Edinburgh you need to find accommodation, what you will have to pay might change your mind.

Without a car , I would look at using a small tour group, like Rabbie's , to organise the whole thing for you. This late in the day you may find that even organised tour groups are fully booked.

Because you have no car , you should skip Inverness and Loch Ness on this trip, unless you can get on an organised tour. @Peterscot's suggestion about the train from Glasgow to FW is a good idea, as is skipping Skye , because you will probably not find accommodation there at all !

See what you can do to alter your plans and get back to us if you have more questions. Good luck !

IF you can get anywhere to stay you could go from Skye via Fort William to Glasgow , through Glencoe, in a continuous loop avoiding backtracking, much easier by car , but possible by bus/train

https://www.rabbies.com/en?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_diXg-WRhgMVn5JQBh20SADMEAAYASAAEgI1p_D_BwE

https://www.timberbush-tours.co.uk/

I think you may find these two websites helpful and could make sightseeing easier for you

Here's an alternative that would still hit most of the sights and activities you seem to desire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1TJbRg17pk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmGJbdoXU_k

#7 May not be Puffins at the end of August

"...#7 May not be Puffins at the end of August..."

Yes, somehow I got the wrong month into my mind. There might be puffins or might not, but still a fab place to visit.

Thank-you all for the very helpful information! I did try to look for a small group tour but there is only one available that meets the days we are there. I may have to take that one- but wanted to see if we could do it without a group.

Maybe stay in Edinburgh for 2 nights (assuming I can find accommodations) and either Oban or Ft. Williams for the rest of the stay as a base to see the western part of the country. I would eventually have to travel Glasgow to leave. If this makes sense, please let me know. Again, Thanks all of you are truly very knowledgeable and helpful.

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How can I see the northern lights in the UK tonight?

Scientist explains how, when and where to see the northern lights, or aurora borealis, in the UK on Saturday evening

The northern lights might be visible in parts of the UK again on Saturday after the rare phenomenon was spotted across the country overnight.

An “extreme” geomagnetic storm caused the lights, also known as aurora borealis, to be more visible on Friday evening – delighting millions of people across the northern hemisphere.

And for those who missed out, a second chance could arise.

Chris Snell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said there were sightings “from top to tail across the country”.

Looking ahead to Saturday night, he said: “It is hard to fully predict what will happen in the Earth’s atmosphere, but there will still be enhanced solar activity tonight, so the lights could be visible again in northern parts of the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the far north of England.”

He advised those hoping to see the lights on Saturday to head to an area with low light pollution and to use a good camera.

“The best chance you have of seeing the lights is if you are away from street lights and areas with lots of light pollution, as any type of light does have a big effect,” he said.

“Also, at this time of year, we are fighting the shorter length of nights, so it is unlikely that they will be visible until around 10.30pm or 11 o’clock when it gets really dark.”

Sightings in southern parts of the UK would be less likely on Saturday, although Snell said the lights might be visible through a strong camera lens.

Aurora displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles.

In the northern hemisphere, most of this activity takes place within a band known as the aurora oval, covering latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.

When activity is strong, this expands to cover a greater area, which explains why displays can be occasionally seen as far south as the UK.

• Northern lights
• Meteorology
• Northern Ireland

Most viewed

Northern Lights visible across large swathes of England and Wales as severe solar storm hits

The Sun has experienced a spike in activity in recent days that has seen six or seven eruptions on the surface of the star spit out solar material towards Earth.

By Kieren Williams, news reporter

Saturday 11 May 2024 08:45, UK

The skies over the UK were lit up in a brilliant pink and green from the Northern Lights last night due to a severe solar storm.

The impressive Aurora Borealis, usually only visible from northern parts of the British Isles, was visible across large parts of the UK overnight, including Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and, unusually, southern England.

See all the best pictures overnight here

It comes after America's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its first severe solar storm warning since 2005 yesterday as a huge geomagnetic storm raced towards Earth.

Fears were also raised that the storm could interfere with infrastructure, including the power grid and satellites.

See the latest weather forecast where you are

With plenty of clear skies in the forecast, there is a good chance of seeing the Aurora across the northern half of the UK, and perhaps further south with long exposure photography 📷 However, as the nights are shorter, the duration of any sightings may be limited ✨ pic.twitter.com/bx1QQG9qF0 — Met Office Space (@MetOfficeSpace) May 10, 2024

The huge solar storm was created by successive coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that have left space a "mess", one space physicist told Sky News.

CMEs are when a large cloud of high energy plasma erupts from the Sun, into space, and currently there is a sunspot spitting a number out - aimed right at Earth.

Scroll down to see some of the pictures from across the UK...

'Space is a mess'

Professor Mathew Owens, a space physicist at the University of Reading's department of meteorology, told Sky News: "Space is a mess right now, there's six or seven of these eruptions piling up right now between the Sun and Earth and we're predicting they're going to arrive at 2am [11 May]."

Ahead of the event, the Met Office told Sky News: "With clear spells likely for many on Friday night, there's an increased chance of aurora visibility for some, particularly across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales.

"Given the right conditions, there is the chance it may even be visible further south."

How to see the Northern Lights

Broadcast meteorologist

The good news is that many places will have clear skies overnight and it's not going to be too cold either.

The best chance of seeing the Northern Lights will be from Scotland and Northern Ireland, although the northern and western isles will be cloudier at times.

Parts of northern England and North Wales may also get lucky, especially if you can get onto higher ground away from the light pollution of the towns and cities.

It's less likely you'll see them further south, but not impossible.

It might sound obvious, but as well as clear and dark skies you need to look towards the northern horizon, so a north-facing coast is a great place.

And even if you can’t see much with your eyes, try using your smartphone or camera. Even better if you have a tripod and can set up a long exposure.

Interestingly, the solar flares will also boost UV levels. Something to watch out for over the next couple of days in the sunshine.

Read more from Sky News: Plane skids off runway injuring at least 10 people William gives update on Kate after cancer diagnosis

Professor Owens added: "The worry is there'll be effects on the power grid. I don't expect those to be significant but you never know."

The NOAA says: "Geomagnetic storms can ... potentially disrupt communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations."

Satellites are also vulnerable because they can be affected directly by radiation caused by CMEs, while power grids are affected because the solar discharge can warp the Earth's own magnetic field, impacting them.

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The solar flares and CMEs that have caused all the "mess" in space began on 8 May and picked up the pace in recent days.

The explosion of plasma and magnetic fields are focused in one sunspot that is actually visible from Earth and can be seen safely through a pair of eclipse glasses.

Huge sunspot group on our local star today! If you've got some eclipse glasses handy, you can see it with your own eyes pic.twitter.com/JSDIei5NOA — Dr James O'Donoghue (@physicsJ) May 9, 2024

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

It's difficult to predict the precise impacts, or exactly how far south the Northern Lights will reach because of natural uncertainty within forecasts and the difficulty of measuring the oncoming electromagnetic fields of the eruptions too far ahead of time.

This gives them "very little warning" to the potential severity of the impacts.

A spokesperson for Energy Networks Association, which represents the UK's electricity networks, told Sky News: "The energy industry plans for a range of events far and wide - including into space.

"We're monitoring the space weather forecast carefully."

Here are some of the best pictures we've received so far...

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Met Office Afternoon Weather Forecast 16/05/24 - Rain moving west, drier in Scotland

Posted: May 16, 2024 | Last updated: May 16, 2024

Outbreaks of rain affecting southeast England move westwards across central England and northern Wales. Southwest England should see mostly cloud with a few showers. Elsewhere remains fairly bright with the occasional shower. – This is the Met Office UK Weather forecast for the afternoon of 16/05/24. Bringing you today’s weather forecast is Alex Burkill.

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Where can you see the Northern Lights in the UK tonight?

• Northern Lights
• Saturday 11 May 2024 at 8:12pm

The Northern Lights were visible for much of the UK on Friday night and could be visible again on Saturday, as ITV News' Alex Iszatt reports.

By ITV News Producer Hannah Ward-Glenton

The Northern Lights dazzled huge swaths of the UK on Friday night thanks to an “extreme” geomagnetic storm, with further solar storms expected on Saturday.

The Aurora Borealis was best visible in Whitley Bay on the north east coast, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Wokingham in Berkshire.

It was also spotted in Suffolk, Kent, Hampshire and Liverpool, and was even visible in parts of London.

So can you spot them tonight if you missed out on Friday?

When and where can you see the Northern Lights tonight?

ITV News meteorologist and weather presenter Chris Page said it is "likely" the Northern Lights will be visible this evening.

"Tonight the solar storms are likely to continue and are likely to be visible again. However, the storm is reducing in intensity and it's thought the display won't be as potent as last night.

"Likely to see it best between 10.30pm-2am where light pollution levels are reduced."

The Met Office also said it was likely to be less strong on Saturday night, but most of the north of England and almost all of Scotland would be able to see the lights between 10pm and 2am.

It added that weaker sightings were possible further south.

Craig Snell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “It is hard to fully predict what will happen in the Earth’s atmosphere, but there will still be enhanced solar activity tonight, so the lights could be visible again in northern parts of the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the far north of England."

Sightings in southern parts of the UK are less likely on Saturday, although Mr Snell said the lights might be visible through a strong camera lens.

While short nights limit the visibility window, there’s a "good chance" of sightings on Saturday night, especially across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales, a Met Office spokesperson told ITV News.

"There could be some visibility further south, especially with long-exposure cameras."

Visibility of the Aurora Borealis will continue into Sunday night, but cloud across the UK, particularly in the West, is likely to obscure the view.

Areas in the East have the best chance at spotting the colourful skies again on Sunday, the Met Office said.

Top viewing tips

Chris Page provided his tips for spotting the Aurora Borealis:

Look to the northern horizon: The aurora is drawn towards the polar regions of the Earth. As a result you might not be able to see it directly overhead, but as it happens so high in sky look towards the northern horizon where it's likely to be dancing.

You can see it with the naked eye but cameras tend to capture it better. This is because cameras can adapt to different wave lengths better than our eyes. Give yourself time to adjust, at least 10 minutes.

Find dark, open spaces: Seek out locations away from city lights and other sources of light pollution. Open fields, parks, or remote areas with unobstructed views of the northern horizon are ideal for aurora watching.

Be patient and persistent: Seeing the aurora requires patience and persistence, as it can be unpredictable and may not appear every night, even during periods of high activity. Stay flexible with your plans and be prepared to wait for hours if necessary.

Use long exposures for photography: If you're interested in photographing the aurora, use a camera with manual settings and a tripod to capture long exposures. Experiment with different exposure times and ISO settings to achieve the best results.

Stay up late: Auroras are often most active in the late evening to early morning hours, so plan to stay up late or wake up early for the best chance of seeing a spectacular display.

How often do we see the Northern Lights?

It's rare that the Northern Lights are this visible in the UK.

Friday night's display has been classified as a G5 Extreme Solar Storm by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This last happened in October 2003.

What's the science behind the Northern Lights?

Charged particles from the sun, primarily electrons and protons, collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, typically oxygen and nitrogen.

These collisions emit light at various wavelengths, creating vibrant displays of colour in the sky, often appearing as curtains, arcs, or bands of light.

The colours are determined by the type of gas particles involved and the altitude at which the collisions occur.

Greens appear due to interactions with oxygen, red is from oxygen in the upper atmosphere while blues and purples are due to the interaction of nitrogen.

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