20 Practical Scotland Travel Tips to NOT Look Like a Tourist (2024)

“In Scotland, there is no such thing as bad weather – Only the wrong clothes.” ~ Billy Connolly.

Ever wondered what the secret is to having the most enjoyable trip possible? Welcome to my “Be Invisible” series – your ultimate guide for how to avoid looking like a tourist on your next adventure and guaranteed to boost your entire travel experience.

Bursting with helpful tips and tricks, I’ve asked locals from particular cities around the world to share their insider knowledge on the best ways travellers can become “invisible” when visiting their city and enjoy it like a local.If you’re ready to challenge travel stereotypes, overcome language barriers and embrace what I like to call invisible tourism, you’ve come to the right place!

This post contains affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

20 Scotland travel tips to help you NOT look like a tourist

Travelling to Scotland for the first time? Want to know how to not look like a tourist? There are some simple do’s and don’ts for visiting Scotland that everyone should keep in mind. If you want to familiarise yourself with life in this beautiful country, you need to delve deeper into the history and culture while enjoying all that stunning scenery.

Having been adopted as an American expat in Scotland, I try to help my fellow foreigners learn about and fall in love with this vibrant country. Scotland is more than just the Loch Ness Monster and cheap tartan!

To have the best possible trip, here’s some common tourist mistakes in Scotland and what to do instead…

Don’t buy the Scotland tourist outfit

One of the biggest Scotland travel tips is to avoid shopping at tacky souvenir shops that sell imported stuff. You’ll find polyester tartan, cheap plastic toys, and a whole plethora of clichés. These shops are plentiful, especially on and around the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. While the prices might be appealing, these souvenirs will not last long.

Tourists in Scotland can be easily identified by their improper wearing of a kilt, any shirt with a Scottish location emblazoned upon it, and – of course – the tacky tourist hats with built-in wild red hair. Just, please, don’t.

Instead, do save up before you visit Scotland

Invest in a quality item, such as the famous Harris tweed or fine woollen clothes. If you want to remember your trip to Scotland forever, these are the types of souvenirs that will last your entire lifetime! Also remember to leave space in your luggage for such a quality item.

Don’t want to spend that much? No worries, you can still shop locally in Scotland and bring home quality souvenirs to remember your trip. Generally, locally-owned, small stores tend to sell local products while the massive chain stores import.

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, and St Andrews will all have small local shops that sell locally made products. In smaller villages and more remote areas, just ask if there’s a local artist or designer who sells products locally.

TOP TIP:In Edinburgh, Armstrong’s Vintage is a second-hand shop located right in the Grassmarket. You can find excellent quality kilts and woollen items there at a fraction of the price!

Don’t take shots of whisky

The quickest way to look like a tourist in Scotland is to order a “scotch” at the bar and take it as a shot. Don’t do this!

First of all, it’s called whisky. And when you order whisky, you order a dram – not a shot.

Instead, do savour each drop

A dram is meant to be appreciated, sipped, savoured. If you want to try a local whisky, be sure to ask the bartender for recommendations based on your taste preferences. Listen carefully to those recommendations and be respectful of the depth of history and culture intertwined with whisky production in Scotland.

TOP TIP: Don’t expect a bartender to stand there offering you detailed whisky advice on a busy Saturday night. Ask for recommendations during a slow afternoon instead.

If you really want to learn about whisky, do a few distillery tours during your travels. There are well over 100 distilleries in Scotland, so you can take your pick! Even within the cities, you can take tours and learn more about how whisky is made, what it means to Scotland, and how you can better appreciate the Water of Life.

Don’t be dumbstruck on the sidewalk

When walking around our city streets, please don’t just stop suddenly to take photos (this is really a universal thing). The views are incredible – we know – but please step aside to admire the many, many stunning views Scotland has to offer!

In Edinburgh, especially, the sidewalks (referred to as pavements here) can get quite busy during the summer festival season. Don’t forget that there are locals who are en route to work or home; they need to use these same sidewalks and don’t appreciate having to dance around the tourists.

Instead, do be aware of your surroundings

Enjoy those stunning views politely. You should absolutely stop and enjoy them, just do so with others in mind!

Look up and look down to find hidden gems all around Edinburgh. Keep your eyes up to spot beautiful castle views between buildings and unicorns all around; look underfoot to spot the Heart of Midlothian and JK Rowling’s handprints. Taking your time and enjoying these small moments is a wonderful part of touring around Edinburgh – as long as you do so respectfully.

In Glasgow, be sure to enjoy the spectacular architecture and famous street art. Do stop and take photos and appreciate all of these fabulous views! But do so politely so others can continue on their way.

This is just part of being a good tourist in Scotland (and beyond)!

Don’t overwhelm the Highlands and islands

Scotland’s highlands and islands are famous the world over. We love to see people admiring and appreciating the natural beauty of Scotland. However, please don’t take a giant tour bus to the highlands and islands.

On a large coach bus, you will not be able to safely access the more remote and more beautiful places. You also aren’t making the locals love you – those big buses can do some serious damage to the limited infrastructure in our beloved remote areas.

And large groups of people tend to entirely forget how to behave and act responsibly.

Instead, do take a small group tour

Be a better tourist in Scotland and take a small group tour. There are plenty of options for small groups (up to only 16 people) from Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Inverness. You can explore Scotland’s stunning scenery and you’ll be regaled with wonderful stories from Scottish lore. You’ll have a guide to answer your questions and you can rest assured that this smaller group leaves a smaller impact on the environment and local resources.

Or, responsibly drive around Scotland independently

It might seem more responsible to take your own car, but the driving in these remote areas can confound many an international tourist. If you do opt to rent a car, one of the most important Scotland travel tips is you must understand and acknowledge local driving laws and standards.

This means properly using single-track lanes, understanding passing places, and respecting the environment. If you rent a campervan (RV), do not dump your waste inappropriately! If you are driving in a rural area, remember that locals are also using those single-track lanes to get to work, so you must drive at regular speeds or allow them to pass. Do not park overnight in lay-bys and do not drive off-road.

Places like the Isle of Skye and the Northcoast 500 are experiencing major challenges with their infrastructure due to increased popularity. If you visit these places – and especially if you opt to drive yourself – learn the local laws and obey all of them to avoid overwhelming local communities.

TOP TIP: The Isle of Skye and NC500 are beautiful, but there are many alternative spots you could visit instead! Consider visiting the Isle of Arran to get all the highlights of Scotland on a conveniently located island – even standing stones! If you do visit Skye or drive the NC500, try to visit in the off-season instead of contributing to the tourist overcrowding of peak season.

Don’t claim to be Scottish

This is a tough one of many Scotland travel tips, especially for Americans! Please, don’t pretend you know all about Scotland because you once had a distant relative who might have possibly lived here. No matter how much family research you have done, please don’t visit Scotland and claim to know more about its history, culture, and politics than a local who actually lives here.

Instead, do bring your curiosity

Bring your curiosity! Ask questions, show interest, and learn about this incredible country’s past, present, and future. The Scots are a massively proud people who love to share their history and culture with anyone who wants to learn. They also love to talk about the present and future of their country – so don’t just focus on the past!

Asking questions and showing a sincere interest in this culturally rich nation will offer you better insight than strutting in to declare yourself laird of some castle.

Don’t go to Loch Ness

Yes, the Loch Ness Monster is such an enticing story to pursue here in Scotland. But Loch Ness is not necessarily the most beautiful loch here in Scotland. It is popular, to be sure! Which is why you should visit a different loch (or several) to instead enjoy the serenity and natural beauty of the highlands and glens.

Instead, do seek out alternative things to do

There are many castles you can stay in, hills you can walk, wildlife you can spot, and lochs you can enjoy throughout the highlands. Get off that typical tourist trail at Loch Ness and, instead, head to Cairngorms National Park or Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park for epic views and outdoor adventures.

We have so many lochs that are beautiful, picturesque, pristine, breathtaking… find one of those and rest a while. Stop at Loch Rannoch, Loch Tummel, Loch Tay, or Loch Lubnaig; the options are endless!

Find a quiet spot, bring a picnic, and rest a while. Being still might allow the red squirrels or noble stags to comfortably saunter by. And you’ll not soon forget that feeling of sitting in the Scottish highlands with nothing but the rolling hills, lochs, glens, and wild animals around you.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As suggested by local readers, ensure to bring some sort of insect repellant with you when hiking around bodies of water, especially along the west coast of Scotland. Nasty little midges enjoy having a nibble of sightseers!

Don’t complain about bad weather

Scotland is a bonnie country for one main reason: It rains… a lot. Therefore this stunning land is lush and vibrant all year-round. Even in the depths of winter when the grass and leaves all die elsewhere, Scotland remains green.

So don’t be surprised when it rains during your vacation. When – not if.

TOP TIP: The umbrella is, unfortunately, a fairly useless item here in Scotland, as rain is often accompanied by a strong wind. It’s still a good idea to carry one in case of a light drizzle, but a waterproof jacket with a hood will more often serve you better.

Instead, do pack layers

One of the most essential Scotland travel tips is to pack layers, especially a top layer that’s also waterproof. The Scots are particularly fond of that old saying “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.”

You might have days when you get all 4 seasons in a few hours! Be prepared for anything and don’t complain that your holiday is ruined by a few raindrops. Layer up, expect poor weather, and then you might be pleasantly surprised if you’re lucky and get some sunshine!

TOP TIP: Even if you’re visiting Scotland in the summer, pack layers! Layers are the best attire year-round. The famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place most evenings in August each year. And – every year – you can spot the tourists who didn’t realise how cold it gets atop a dormant volcano near the sea at this latitude. Ditch the flip-flops and tank tops, bring the socks and scarves!

Amanda is an American expat living in Scotland. She’s lived in 7 countries and loves helping people discover slow travel on her blog AmandaWalkins.com. You can follow her adventures on Facebook and Twitter!

Now you know the common tourist mistakes in Scotland, are you ready to be invisible?

Now you’ve discovered the mistakes to avoid in Scotland from a local, perhaps you’re ready to make the trip! Why not take a look at the latest Edinburghhotel deals? Or if you’d like some more travel ideas and inspiration, here’s to get you started.

Do you have any extra Scotland travel tips to add to this list? Let me know in the comments below. I hope you enjoyed this instalment of my Be Invisible series! If you found this helpful, please share it or follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok or Instagram for more!

Until next time,

Like it? Pin it! 📌

Featured image & pin image credit: Pixabay; Last image credit: Pixabay; Second pin image credit: Pixabay; All other images credit to Amanda Walkins. This post about Scotland travel tips contains some affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. I may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase and if you do, thanks for your support! This helps with the costs of running my blog so I can keep my content free for you. As always, I only recommend a product or service that I genuinely love and use myself!