Your complete guide to solo travel in Scotland

Getting around

You’ll find that our cities, wild landscapes and islands are all very easy to get to. It certainly helps that Scotland is a small and compact country (but not in spirit and character, of course!).

If you’re not a driver, or just want to sit back and relax rather than worry about navigation and parking, Scottish public transport has got you covered. There are excellent rail networks, bus services, ferries, domestic flights to the northerly islands, and subway or tram networks in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Please note that some public transport providers may have cancelled certain services or routes and may be operating on a reduced schedule. 

Read our top picks of easy public transport trips to take

If you do like to drive, the completely free road network in Scotland is excellent, with a low incidence of accidents.

Check out our list of scenic drives in Scotland 

Watch our helpful video on driving in Scotland

Joining a solo travel tour

One of the easiest ways to take in the sights with logistics sorted for you, and also meet fellow travellers, is to join a tour. And we have so many to offer! Whether it’s a city walking tour, or several days across the country, there’s definitely one for you.

Please check with the tour providers directly to confirm if tours are scheduled or subject to cancellation. 

• Mary's Meanders is well suited to female travellers.
• Wander Women in East Lothian is also suited to solo female travellers.
• Haggis Adventures offers budget options for 18 - 35-year-olds 
• MacBackpackers create tours for groups aged 18 - 40.
• Edinburgh Free Tour is a chance to explore the capital with a tour guide for free. 
• Glasgow Gander take you on walking tours around Glasgow.
• Meetup activity groups allow you to get involved with the locals, and many of the activities are free.
• Check out our tour listings where you can filter based on whatever type of experience you’re looking for.

Elise Shapiro

Elise, an IT training specialist from Seattle in Washington, decided to travel abroad on a solo adventure after her husband and friends weren’t able to come along. This is what she had to say:

“I have taken a year off to travel and found that Scotland is a great country for solo travel. People are kind and friendly and public transportation has been easy to figure out. I was taking the city bus in Edinburgh on my second day in Scotland. I’ve scheduled time on group tours as well as alone, so I can meet people and make new friends, but I can also have downtime by myself.” 

“Scotland is an easy country for solo travelers. From the botanical gardens, castles and cathedrals to the museums and great restaurants, there’s tons to do, no matter what you are interested in.” 

Mary's Meanders

Heading out on a guided tour or speaking with a knowledgeable tour guide are great ways to explore a brand-new place. You can get the insider scoop on the destination and find new recommendations or hidden gems to add to your itinerary, all in the company of a friendly face. Emma Chalmers is a guide with tour company Mary’s Meanders, who specialise in Outlander experiences.

“Since we started offering Outlander Tours, we have frequently hosted solo travellers. They have increased slightly since the pandemic but what is interesting is that they now say things like “I got tired of waiting for my friends/family members to commit and decided to just go for it”, “just because my husband doesn’t want to travel doesn’t mean I can’t”. 

Emma also commented: “We have a hand holding approach, we offer zoom calls in advance of the guest booking, we are happy to answer any type of question about little things that might be worrying them. It is all about building their confidence if needed.”