Latest travel updates for visiting Scotland (2024)

FAQs

Is there any travel restrictions to Scotland? ›

Travelling to Scotland from abroad

There are no COVID-19 travel rules in place for people arriving in Scotland from abroad. You do not need to: complete a Passenger Locator Form. take any tests before you leave for Scotland, or after you arrive.

American citizens traveling to Scotland, England, Wales, or Northern Ireland do not require a visa but will need a valid passport. Before you land in the UK, you'll be asked to fill out a landing card with your name, date of birth, gender, nationality, occupation, and the address where you'll be staying in Edinburgh.

There are no longer any domestic requirements to demonstrate your vaccination status. The NHS COVID Pass is no longer required to travel abroad to any countries. If you are travelling abroad, you should review travel entry requirements for the countries you will visit or travel through.

We recommend you allow 9 - 10 days in Scotland for a satisfying tour of the country's diverse scenery and history. A 10 day itinerary, such as the Best of Scotland tour plan, would let you spend: 2 days in Edinburgh walking the historical streets and enjoying the cosmopolitan buzz.

There are no Covid-19 entry requirements for visitors to Scotland. So it's easy to come and discover this Celtic country on a trip planned by local travel experts. Immerse yourself in the ruggedly beautiful Highlands, set sail to the islands, and explore vibrant cities to soak up Scottish culture.

Your identity document (for example your passport or identity card) will be checked when you arrive at a UK port or airport to make sure you're allowed to come into the country. It should be valid for the whole of your stay. You may also need a visa to come into or travel through the UK, depending on your nationality.

Why do I need an ETA? You'll need an ETA if you are: Visiting the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study. Visiting the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession.

In Scotland, it's not unusual to experience all four seasons in one day. So no matter the season, you need a warm sweater or fleece jacket, a waterproof jacket and good walking shoes/boots for all sorts of terrain. An umbrella is always handy, and bird watchers may wish to bring binoculars.

You do not need to take any COVID-19 travel tests or self-isolate on arrival in England if you qualify as fully vaccinated. The testing and quarantine rules for international travel to England will change 11 February 2022. You can now choose a lateral flow test or a PCR test as your post arrival test.

When did COVID restrictions end in Scotland? ›

17 May: Most of mainland Scotland enters Level 2, with fewer restrictions. 5 June: Most of mainland Scotland (except for the central belt) enters Level 1. 19 July: Scotland enters Level 0. 9 August: Scotland moves beyond Level 0, effectively ending all restrictions.

There are no COVID-19 restrictions in the UK.

You can buy tests in shops but you cannot report the result to the NHS. You can get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the NHS. You do not need to take a test or quarantine when you arrive in the UK. You should check travel advice for any country you are travelling to.

To have the most sunlight and best weather, many people head to the Scottish Highlands in the summer, between May and September. Starting in October, the weather can be unpredictable — freezing temperatures, gale-force winds, and snowfall are all possible.

On average, a budget trip to Scotland is estimated to cost around £55, €62, or $66 per day.

If you have a valid American passport you can stay in Scotland for 6 months without any visa. However, if you want to move to Scotland from the USA for a longer term than 6 months or want to settle down in this country, then you need to hold a proper visa.

Do you need to be vaccinated to enter Europe? No. At the time of this writing, all European countries require no form of vaccination or COVID testing to gain entry. Instead, these countries have reverted to pre-COVID entry measures, which primarily include having a valid passport with room for stamps.