You should do a lot of activities in Scotland. However, Scotland isn’t just a must-see. Beyond all the thrills and spills, there are several activities you should avoid. Some are due to cultural misunderstandings, some are unintentional oversights, some are typical tourist errors, and some are simply stupid. Here are some tourist-unfriendly activities in Scotland.
1. Don’t Use a Dull Scottish Accent
You won’t be able to learn since you can’t, can’t, and don’t know how. So save your time. At best, they will be undecided, and at worst, they will be offended. Because they’ve heard it all before, no one in Scotland wants to hear your poor imitation of a Scottish accent.
2. Don’t ask a lot of questions about money
Despite the fact that Scottish money and English money have the exact same value, their appearances are different. And that’s strange. But nobody in Scotland needs you to tell them that it’s strange; they already know that. Instead, familiarize yourself with Scottish money by learning about it.
3. Don’t Claim To Be Scottish
Many tourists like to think that since they have a distant Scottish ancestor, they are Scottish.
There isn’t.
Don’t go around claiming to be Scottish unless you are in fact Scottish. Locals won’t find it endearing; rather, they’ll find it annoying. Since you are not truly Scottish, be honest with yourself and stop pretending to be so.
4. Keep the Loch Ness Monster a secret from the public
Scottish folklore refers to the Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie,” as it is most commonly known. Some Scots enjoy it since it is the country’s most well-known fictional export.
Some of Scotland’s more jingoistic citizens unironically hold the bizarre half-dinosaur belief that dwells in the depths of the country’s largest loch.
5. Keep Eating Haggis
Haggis is derided by a lot of tourists. When they learn about its peculiar contents, they instantly change into teeny, whiney babies that appear to be terrified to put anything strange in their mouths.
Be more than a small baby.
Instead of focusing on the bizarre ingredients that go into haggis, which are definitely bizarre, consider how delicious it is. Although it seems strange, it is very amazing.
6. Don’t bother discussing politics.
Speaking about politics is worse than talking about soccer. Scotland does not belong to England, no (more on this here). And no, the best way to learn is not by asking Scots.
Because of the long, contentious, and complicated history between English and Scottish people, any discussion about Scottish politics (or how it connects to English politics) will result in conflict.
7. Don’t drive too slowly when traveling by car
Locals occasionally become reasonably upset by tourists driving slowly on Scotland’s famed drives (particularly the North Coast 500). It’s simple to forget that people actually live here when you’re on vacation.
Drive sensibly and cautiously. On some of the most hazardous roads, go slowly if you’re unsure. But don’t irritate the locals by irresponsibly interfering with their routine activities.
8. Never occupy a passing space
Small laybys called passing spaces are created to let traffic pass in both directions. Despite the fact that they should not be used for parking, numerous obnoxious tourists continue to do so. Avoid becoming a bothersome tourist and, instead, make good use of passing areas.
In Scotland, parking spots are identified with a blue sign with a white “P” in it. These are well-marked on maps and have signs pointing the way, making them simple to locate.
9. Never inquire about clans with others
Clans don’t matter in Scotland because neither you nor they are from one.
Not the seventeenth century. Additionally, any tourist shop that claims that your clan has a famous, recognizable tartan that you must purchase is definitely making it up. The clan stuff has been overused in movies and television shows. Refuse to believe the hype.
10. Don’t constantly emphasize how tiny everything is.
Locals don’t give a rip about how much bigger your state, country, or home is.
Small, isolated, and rural Scotland add to the country’s appeal. You won’t win them over by reminding them how adorable, modest, and out-of-date their nation is, though.
11. Never abandon anything when camping
The proverbial saying goes, “Take only pictures; leave only footprints,” when camping. And in Scotland, of course, that is the situation. It is a highly camping-friendly country, but we must work to preserve it that way by camping responsibly and with respect.
Be a responsible camper by being cautious around fires and keeping an eye out for wildlife (both human and otherwise).
12. Don’t bother discussing soccer
First of all, you’ll probably start a fight if you dare call it “soccer.” It is known as football.
Beyond that, though, Scottish (and English) football fans may be notoriously narrow-minded. There is no room for discussion because they are devoted to their local team. Any discussion of football other than the most elementary kind will almost certainly result in conflict.
