HOW & WHEN TO TRAVEL TO SCOTLAND FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Nordic Visitor’s self-drive tours from April to October are the best options for Scottish holidays that are longer than 8 - 10 days or for travellers who want more flexibility for hiking, sightseeing and photography. For the best Scotland summer weather, book your trip between June and August. Shorter road trips are also available in Scotland’s winter months, November to March. As in South Africa, motorists in Scotland also drive on the left.
If you don’t want to do the driving, or if you’re travelling solo in Scotland from South Africa, then a privately guided tour, available year-round, or a guided small group tour from May to September are both wonderful options. In particular, guided holiday packages in Scotland are perfect for travellers from South Africa who have Scottish ancestry or an interest in whisky tasting.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN SCOTLAND HOLIDAY PACKAGES FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Guided tours are Nordic Visitor’s most inclusive travel packages and come packed with perks like pre-paid entrance fees to attractions, whisky tastings at award-winning distilleries and some group dinners with gourmet Scottish cuisine. Tour groups are limited to 16 travellers and you’ll ride comfortably in a premium mini-coach that can navigate the narrow rural roads with ease.
As for road trips, you'll have your choice of car hire type and everything else you need for a hassle-free driving holiday, including pre-arranged accommodations, a personalised itinerary and our own Scotland travel guide booklet. We’ll also provide you with a hand-marked map of Scotland, a GPS navigation system and our own 24/7 helpline for extra assurance on the road.
CUSTOMISED SCOTLAND TOURS FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Want to add a few personal touches to your Scotland holiday package from South Africa? All of Nordic Visitor’s Scotland tours can be tailored by our local experts with extra nights at select locations, arrivals or departures in alternative Scottish cities, day tours in Edinburgh, and more. We can even a tailor an itinerary for a Scotland honeymoon from South Africa or arrange bespoke Scottish heritage tours for travellers with ancestral roots in Scotland.
WHAT TO SEE ON A SCOTLAND HOLIDAY FROM SOUTH AFRICA
As a country with over 6,000 miles of coastline, rugged Highlands, idyllic lowlands, charming villages, historic cities and numerous islands (isles) off the north and west coasts, there are many routes from Edinburgh that you could follow to see Scotland’s top attractions. It all depends on the sights you prefer, your length of stay and the pace of your travel.
Under a week: If the Scottish Highlands are on your must-see list, give yourself at least 4 - 5 days to see the top Highland attractions in the Inverness, Fort William and Loch Lomond areas. Want to visit some islands? Then spend at least 6 days to travel hrough the Scottish Highlands to the Isle of Skye or – if you’re a whisky fan – the Oban and Isle of Mull area. On this express Scotland route you can visit Loch Ness, Glen Coe, Eilean Donan Castle and other famous places.
1 - 2 weeks: For a classic Scotland experience -- and to make the most of your long-distance travels, we recommend that South Africe-to-Scotland trips last at least 10 days. In addition to touring the Highlands and Skye, you could travel up Scotland’s beautiful east coast to the famous university city of St Andrews and the “Castle Trail” region of Aberdeenshire. In 12 days or more you can extend your route to the history-rich Orkney Islands, the scenic North Coast 500 route or the pristine islands of Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
2 - 3 weeks: In 17 - 21 days you can do the ultimate Scotland tour by car, on a route including the east coast, Highlands and many of the major islands.
