Over the last few years it has become increasing easy and cost effective to travel directly into Scotland from overseas. The growth of the low cost airlines, connecting Scotland with numerous cities across Europe and the UK, and the development of long haul services from destinations such as USA, Canada and Russia has taken the hassle out of the traditional connection in London. Getting from England is also relatively hassle-free with frequent GNER and Virgin train services linking London with Edinburgh and Glasgow. A new car ferry terminal at Rosyth in Fife now connects Scotland with Zeebrugge with ferries running daily from Europe, saving the long journey from Hull. For those driving from England the M6/M74 remains the quickest way into the Central Belt, but improvements to the A1 south of Edinburgh are speeding that route up also.

For more details on trains from London to Edinburgh check out www.gner.co.uk

For trains between London and Glasgow look at
www.virgintrains.co.uk

If you are flying to Scotland, or looking for flights from Scotland to other parts of Europe, try
www.ryanair.com or www.easyjet.com

Direct flights from the USA to Scotland are offered at www.continental.com

For the Zeebrugge to Rosyth ferry www.directferries.co.uk/superfast_ferries.htm

Due to the geography of Scotland, public transport provision is patchy across the country. The Central Belt, particularly between Edinburgh and Glasgow is well serviced by both bus and train, with frequent departures. Edinburgh and Glasgow also have good and frequent connections to Perth, Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness. There are no trainlines in the Scottish Borders, but rural bus services take up the slack. Similarly in the Highlands, where there are only four trainlines, both buses and post-buses service local and remote communities. There are very good ferry connections between the Mainland and all the Scottish Islands, with frequency related to the population size of the islands. The best way to get around the rural parts of Scotland is by car, but be aware that roads, particularly in the Highlands can be very narrow and twisty.

For train information throughout Scotland go to www.firstscotrail.com
If you are driving, always check that there are no problems on your route, all details to be found at www.trafficscotland.org

If you need to hire a car we recommend Arnold Clark
www.arnoldclark.com

Information on all ferry journeys to be found at the Caledonian MacBrayne website – www.calmac.co.uk

Acer Lodge: Exclusive Guest House in the west of the city. En-suite rooms and private parking. Good links to City Centre and easy access out to airport – www.acerlodge.com

Ard-Na-Said: Lovely villa in Edinburgh’s Southside, with good links into City Centre. Good breakfast range with vegetarians well catered for –
www.ard-na-said.com

Glenallan: Victorian house close to City Centre, with excellent facilities and private parking. Great Breakfasts – www.glenallan.co.uk

Gifford House: Good quality guest house close to University, Swimming pool and Arthur’s Seat. Always expect a warm welcome – www.giffordhouseedinburgh.com

Barony house: Superb guest house in a traditional Victorian Villa. Close to the City Centre and great service – www.baronyhouse.co.uk

Highfield: Lovely spacious guest house, near to the City Centre – www.highfieldgh.co.uk

Sandaig: Superb accommodation, less than 10 minutes from the city centre – www.sandaigguesthouse.co.uk