Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING AROUND
Public transport in Scotland is generally good, but it can be costly compared with other
European countries. Buses are usually the cheapest way to get around, but also the slowest.
With a discount pass, trains can be competitive; they're also quicker and often take you
through beautiful scenery.
Traveline
(
0871 200 2233;
www.travelinescotland.com
)
provides timetable info for
all public-transport services in Scotland, but can't provide fare information or book tickets.
Air
Most domestic air services are geared to business needs, or are lifelines for remote island
communities. Flying is a pricey way to cover relatively short distances, and only worth
considering if you're short of time and want to visit the Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland.
Airlines in Scotland
Eastern Airways
(
0870 366 9100;
www.easternairways.com
)
Flies from Aberdeen to
Stornoway and Wick.
Flybe/Loganair
(
0871 700 2000;
www.loganair.co.uk
)
The main domestic airline in
Scotland, with flights from Glasgow to Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Islay, Kirkwall,
Sumburgh, Stornoway and Tiree; from Edinburgh to Kirkwall, Sumburgh, Stornoway and
Wick; from Aberdeen to Kirkwall and Sumburgh; and from Inverness to Kirkwall, Benbec-
ula, Stornoway and Sumburgh. It also operates inter-island flights in Orkney, and from
Benbecula to Barra and Stornoway.
Hebridean Air
(
0845 805 7465;
www.hebrideanair.co.uk
)
Flies from Connel airfield
near Oban to the islands of Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and Islay.
Bicycle
Scotland is a compact country, and travelling around by bicycle is a perfectly feasible pro-
position if you have the time. Indeed, for touring the islands a bicycle is both cheaper (for
ferry fares) and more suited to their small sizes and leisurely pace of life. For more inform-
ation, see
http://active.visitscotland.com
and the
Sustrans
(
www.sustrans.org.uk
)
webpage.
