Scotland | ZHO Travel & Tourism

In Scotland the view changes every hour: a castle on a rock, then a green glen, then a loch fading into mist.

The destination

About Scotland

Scotland is known for its dramatic landscape of green Highlands, lochs and ancient castles. It offers a rare blend of old culture, a history full of stories and scenery that stays with you.

Journeys usually begin in Edinburgh, the capital crowned by its castle on an extinct volcano, whose Old and New Towns have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. From there you head to Glasgow and its free museums, then north into the Highlands: Glencoe, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, the Jacobite steam train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and on to the Isle of Skye and Inverness, capital of the Highlands.

We plan Scotland with a private car and a driver who knows the narrow mountain roads, and chosen hotels from city grand hotels to country castles. Edinburgh and Glasgow have many halal restaurants, and both cities have large central mosques.

The best time to visit is May to September, when the days are long and the countryside green. The weather changes in every season, so always carry a waterproof jacket.

Best timeMay to September

FlightNo direct flights to Scotland from Saudi Arabia; about 9 to 10 h with one connection (via London or a Gulf hub)

VisaSaudi citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visits of up to 6 months; residents of other nationalities usually need a UK visitor visa

CurrencyPound sterling (GBP); Scottish banks issue their own notes

LanguageEnglish, with Scottish Gaelic in the Highlands and Islands

Time2 h behind Saudi Arabia in summer, 3 h in winter

Ideal stay7 to 10 nights

Ideal for

Family travel Honeymoons Travel with friends

Regions

Where to go

01 · City

Edinburgh

The historic capital, with its castle on an extinct volcano, the Royal Mile and a centre on UNESCO's list.

02 · City

Glasgow

Scotland's largest city and its capital of culture and art, known for free museums and grand Victorian architecture.

03 · Island

Isle of Skye

An island of striking scenery, with rock formations such as the Old Man of Storr, the Fairy Pools and untouched shores.

Loch Ness stretching away beyond the ruins of Urquhart Castle

04 · Highlands

Loch Ness and the Highlands

The Highlands of green glens, Loch Ness and its legend, and the dramatic valley of Glencoe.

05 · City

Inverness

The capital of the Highlands, the ideal starting point for the north, the lochs and the castles around.

Experiences

What to do

Edinburgh Castle on its rock seen from Princes Street Gardens

Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh A fortress on an extinct volcanic rock above the capital, home of the Scottish crown jewels. Scotland's best-known landmark.Discover

The Jacobite steam train crossing the curved Glenfinnan Viaduct

The Jacobite steam train and the Glenfinnan Viaduct Loch Ness and the Highlands A steam train from Fort William to Mallaig over the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. One of the world's great train rides.Discover

The ruined towers of Urquhart Castle on the shore of Loch Ness

Nature A Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle A boat on Scotland's most famous loch to the ruins of Urquhart Castle on its shore. Half a day of history and legend. Discover

The Old Man of Storr and the Storr cliffs on the Trotternish peninsula

Adventure The Old Man of Storr walk, Skye A climbing path to a towering rock pinnacle above the sea and islands. Skye's best-known walk. Read more

Clear blue pools and small waterfalls of the Fairy Pools on Skye

Nature The Fairy Pools, Skye A chain of small waterfalls and clear blue pools beneath the Black Cuillin. A fairly easy walk. Read more

The green valley of Glencoe between steep mountains

Nature The road through Glencoe A high mountain valley in the western Highlands, among Scotland's finest drives. Stops for views and short walks. Read more

The bow of the Royal Yacht Britannia berthed at Leith

Culture and heritage The Royal Yacht Britannia The British royal family's yacht for over 40 years, now berthed at Leith. A tour of its cabins and state rooms. Read more

The red sandstone Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow

Culture and heritage Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Glasgow's best-loved museum, free, with art and natural history for the whole family, in a grand red sandstone building of 1901. Read more

Arthur's Seat rising above Holyrood Park in Edinburgh

Nature Climbing Arthur's Seat An ancient volcanic hill in the heart of Edinburgh, 251 metres high. An easy climb with views of the city and sea. Read more

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts we recommend

View all 3 stays

The Balmoral and its clock tower on Princes Street, Edinburgh

Edinburgh The Balmoral, Edinburgh Historic palace Explore

Inverlochy Castle Hotel, the 1863 castle near Fort William

Loch Ness and the Highlands Inverlochy Castle Hotel Historic palace Explore

The entrance to Kinloch Lodge on the Sleat peninsula, Skye

Isle of Skye Kinloch Lodge, Isle of Skye Countryside Explore

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

Scottish food comes from the sea and the farm: smoked salmon, Cullen skink soup of smoked haddock, Arbroath smokies and the famous butter shortbread. Halal restaurants are plentiful in Edinburgh and Glasgow, especially on Glasgow's South Side.

A bowl of Cullen skink, smoked haddock and potato soup

To tasteCullen skinkCullen skink

Scottish smoked salmon with brown bread, lemon and capers

To tasteScottish smoked salmonScottish smoked salmon

A pair of golden Arbroath smokies, hot-smoked haddock

To tasteArbroath smokieArbroath smokie

To tasteScottish shortbreadShortbread

The Palace of Holyroodhouse and the ruined Holyrood Abbey

Landmark · Edinburgh Palace of Holyroodhouse The British monarch's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile. Read more

Eilean Donan Castle on its island at the meeting of three sea lochs

Landmark · Isle of Skye Eilean Donan Castle A castle on a small island where three sea lochs meet, on the road to Skye. Read more

Landmark · Edinburgh Edinburgh Central Mosque Edinburgh's main mosque, near the university and the National Museum. Read more

Shoppers on Buchanan Street, Glasgow's pedestrian shopping street

Shopping · Glasgow Buchanan Street Glasgow's main pedestrian shopping street, lined with Victorian buildings. Read more

Journeys

Ways to see it

Itineraries drawn up by our consultants, to adapt to you day by day.

Scotland · 8 days

Scotland: Edinburgh, the Highlands and Skye

7 nights from the capital to a Highland castle and the Isle of Skye

Three nights in Edinburgh, two at Inverlochy Castle beneath Ben Nevis with the Jacobite train, and two on Skye after the road past Loch Ness and Eilean Donan.

Price On request View the package

Questions

Before you go

What do Saudi citizens need to enter Scotland?

Scotland is part of the United Kingdom. Saudi citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling for visits of up to 6 months, applied for online. Residents of Saudi Arabia of other nationalities usually need a UK visitor visa. We help with the application; the final decision rests with the UK authorities.

Does Scotland need a separate visa from the rest of the UK?

No. The same UK authorisation or visa covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so London and Scotland combine easily in one journey.

When is the best time to visit Scotland?

May to September, when the days are long and the Jacobite train and cruises run. August is busy in Edinburgh because of the festivals; June and September are quieter with good weather.

Is halal food available in Scotland?

Yes, widely in Edinburgh and Glasgow and less so in Inverness. In the Highlands and islands we rely on fish and vegetarian dishes, and ask hotels for special arrangements when needed.

Where can I pray in Scotland?

Edinburgh Central Mosque near the university and Glasgow Central Mosque on the Clyde, along with others. In the Highlands, where mosques are few, we suggest a prayer times and qibla app.

How do I get around Scotland?

Edinburgh and Glasgow are about 50 minutes apart by train. For the Highlands and Skye we arrange a private car and driver, as the roads are narrow, many single-track, and traffic drives on the left.

What should I wear in Scotland?

Light layers and a waterproof, windproof jacket in every season, with comfortable walking shoes. In summer you may want insect repellent for the midges of the western Highlands.

Is Scotland safe for families?

Yes, Scotland is safe and welcoming. The main care is with the weather and mountain roads, which is why we prefer an experienced local driver.

Scotland: castles on the lochs, roads through the Highlands