Our week-long adventure exploring Scotland’s landscapes spanned about 1,000 kilometres, making stops in cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh and scenic spots including Glencoe, Fort William, Inverness, and the Isle of Skye. The journey through Scotland offered various experiences and sights, from the towns to the countryside. If you’re planning a visit, here’s a glimpse into what you could expect from Scotland.

Driving in Scotland

If you are driving throughout Scotland, you are probably renting a car. We rented directly from Edinburgh airport as that is where we arrived, but there are numerous places to get a rental. I believe most vehicles will have this option now, but get one that offers Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as you can share your maps and directions on the screen. Google Maps is the most convenient and familiar option, and having directions on screen is very helpful as you can anticipate what lies ahead, including curves in the road and roundabouts (of which there are many). Also, your car will probably have one or more USB-C options. I found this very helpful as I could charge my devices while on the road and never worry about battery life.

The roads throughout Scotland are in excellent condition overall. For most of the drive, they are smooth and free of potholes. However, they should be because there is no space to avoid them. The narrow lanes are often twisty, with somewhat blind corners and inclines. Road shoulders are nonexistent, but there are numerous spots along the roads where you can pull off, and many people do. Be cautious driving as it can be deceiving how much space you have in your lane. There is oncoming traffic throughout the country, and although most vehicles in Scotland are relatively reasonable in size, lorries are common and leave you less space to get by.

Some roads even have one lane or what appears to be a single lane with no markings. Some older bridges can only take the width of one vehicle as well. And this isn’t just the backroads less travelled; these are roads to popular locations. Driving can be challenging depending on where you are familiar with driving. I was on the opposite side of the car from what I am accustomed to (the right) and driving a manual transmission. I’m comfortable driving a manual and have been doing so for nearly 30 years. I got used to the opposite operation quickly. More care should be considered in a town or city, ensuring you pull out of parking lots to the correct side of the road.

Costs

As a Canadian, Scotland is an expensive destination in 2024. Currently, $100CA converts to just over £56. So, although prices may look affordable in the country based on stated prices, Canadians are close to paying double what is posted. Even the smallest expenses can add up, and meals and fuel are significant. Something to remember when visiting Scotland - note how your dollar compares to the pound. I’d recommend using a credit card wherever you can if you have one that has no foreign transaction fees associated with purchases. But bring cash as well.

Weather

The weather in July in Scotland is varied, but that is the case throughout the year, with the summer months being warmer overall. You’ll encounter cloud coverage, rain showers (sometimes heavy), and beautiful sunny days. Although great photography can be accomplished in any weather, the July sun is incredible. The landscape of Scotland can be incredibly vibrant, and a beautiful sunset or sunrise can enhance those colours and assist in creating fantastic photos. Also, note that you will experience a lot of daylight in the summer months. We were getting 16-18 hours of daylight. That can be great, but if you are waiting for a sunset, it can be tedious.

The temperatures ranged between 13 degrees to around 22 degrees Celcius. This, along with sometimes high winds, is something to prepare for. A rain jacket and a fall/autumn jacket are a must. If you are exploring outside the main cities of Scotland, hiking shoes are optimal as they are versatile. One pair of good hiking shoes should be all you need for footwear.

Areas of Scotland

We drove long distances throughout Scotland. Although we visited smaller towns and areas, some restaurants, and shops, I’ll summarize some of the most popular destinations where there is a good chance you will visit if you travel to Scotland.

Glasgow

After landing in Edinburgh, our first destination was the city of Glasgow. This was a 50/50 decision as we could have looped around either way, ending in Glasgow or beginning. Glasgow, Scotland, is the most populous city in Scotland, although Edinburgh has the busier airport. Now, I will admit that I was feeling sick leading up to Scotland, and after arriving, it was probably one of the worst days of that sickness. Thankfully, after that first day, I felt much better and had the energy to explore the city, although that time was still limited.

From my understanding, Glasgow is known for its vibrant arts scene, museums, and music. I only had one full day to see the city, so I can’t say I had a thorough city experience. I was a bit uninspired from my limited time in the city. I’m not sure if it was the fact that I was just recently regaining some energy or the lack of what I felt were interesting subjects, but I rarely had my camera out of my bag. The weather was good, with no rain, but nothing motivated me. It was the trip’s start, and I started to see it after we left to explore more of Scotland.

Edinburgh

Jumping right over to the journey’s last stop, which took us to Edinburgh. We rented our car from the airport as we arrived from Halifax, so we decided that ending the trip here would be the most convenient option. The first day we arrived in Edinburgh was beautiful, with plenty of sun and warm temperatures, and the second day was periodic rain and cloudy skies. First, when exploring Edinburgh, I will say it is much busier than anticipated. I’m not sure why I assumed it would not be, but there are very popular locations in the city that bring a swath of people from all over. Our Airbnb was near some of the most popular areas, including Grassmarket leading to Victoria Street, Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Mile.

If street photography in Scotland is your focus, this is the city. There are great areas around here, as there are hundreds of potential subjects, although many will be tourists themselves. I found it easy to frame subjects without being noticed, as people are caught up with the scenes before them. Also, with the age of the city, there are a lot of unique structures and buildings and interesting streets as subjects or backdrops.

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is situated off the northwest coast of Scotland, and many people visit this area for its vast landscapes, mist-shrouded mountains, and lochs. It has some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland. If you love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, many areas on the Isle of Skye will satisfy you.

During the summer months, accommodations can get very busy, understandably. We booked a bed and breakfast as were no Airbnbs available, and it was a great option. If you stay at an Airbnb, consider purchasing food you can prepare. Eating establishments can be limited, meaning they can be booked, or their business hours may not match your arrival or departure times.

Photography Tips

During the first few days of our exploration in Scotland, I could not help but feel that I should have brought more range. I prefer to travel light with my gear, but I debated whether to bring my Canon 5D Mark II with the 24-105mm and the 70-200mm. I did so for Iceland in 2016, along with the Fujifilm X-E2 and thought the Canon would be helpful in Scotland. I didn’t bring it and had only the X-H2 with the 23mm and the 35mm. Immediately, I thought both were too wide for what I wanted, and I wanted to get closer. I adapted and embraced my limitations. After getting home and reviewing the photographs I captured in Lightroom, I’m pleased with what I got. Would I have captured great photos with that range? Maybe. Bring some range if you have the option, and it doesn’t add too much weight or inconvenience.

A tripod is a must if you want to capture silky, smooth water from a long exposure. Tripods are a pain to travel with, but if you are driving around in a car for most of the trip, adding a tripod is not much of a hassle. A good-quality tripod is an excellent investment. It’s expensive, but you’ll buy it once and never again. Cheaper tripods are just not worth it, in my opinion. They are inefficient and are never sturdy enough to hold your camera securely.

I highly recommend bringing a drone if you have one, even though there are probably many places where you can’t fly one. I believe I noticed a sign near one of the castles indicating that no drones could be used, but you can fly a drone out in the vast expanse of Scotland without issue. Scotland is made for aerial footage. If you plan to use a drone, note that you will need substantially more time in each area, as it could take some time to get the footage you want based on the extent of the region. It also can be pretty windy.

And finally, regarding the shooting conditions, be prepared for anything. The weather will vary throughout the year, but the various conditions can change quickly. Our trip was mostly favourable, with only one full day of rain. That is amazing for Scotland! We had some gorgeous sunny days and some warmer temperatures, too. However, from what I understand, that is rare, so be prepared to look for compositions and subjects in different conditions.

Conclusion

Scotland is a popular destination for travellers, and once you see it, you will understand why so many people choose Scotland. I believe that no trip to Scotland would be complete without venturing beyond the main cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh as the landscapes of Scotland should be experienced. Arrive at the airport, rent a car, and set out to explore everything that Scotland has to offer.