​The first time driving in any new country is daunting. Even the thought, in the lead up to the first drive, can be scary. Driving in Scotland doesn’t need to be intimidating though. In this article, I hope to put your mind at ease with all the information you’ll need. Hiring a car and driving in Scotland means you can get off the beaten track, explore areas which, if you travel by public transport, you wouldn’t be able to reach. It gives you greater flexibility and allows you to stop off for a pretty view, a toilet break or a cuppa whenever you want. 

Over the years I’ve been asked so many questions about driving in Scotland and I’ll answer them below, so when you arrive in this gorgeous country you are equipped with all the knowledge you need to really enjoy exploring by car.  

Quick (but important) note - There is no point hiring a car while you are in Edinburgh or Glasgow. The streets are busy and parking is expensive, that's if you can find a space. Think about hiring a car when you are leaving the city instead. 

Burntisland is a small town on the coast of Fife, in between Kinghorn and Aberdour, and it’s a town that’s doing something pretty special.  

​It’s a town which I’ve visited practically every summer for as long as I can remember, mainly for the Fairground that comes for the entire school summer holidays. Mum used to take us when we were kids, I went with friends when we were teenagers, I took Taylor when she was wee and now I get to take my gorgeous little nephew, Declan. I have many fond memories of the town of Burntisland. Fife has lots of amazing towns but Burntisland is one that locals seem to be drawn to. It is a tourist town but not one that ever gets a lot of tourists from abroad, it tends to be Scots that head here and it’s been like that since I was young. 

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Scotland's capital has a massive amount of things to see, do, eat and drink, you could easily spend a week here but sometimes time is limited. Do you only have one day in Edinburgh? Can you see everything you want to in Edinburgh in a day? Whether you want to see the main attractions, like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, or you are a lover of history, shopping or food this Edinburgh one day itinerary will mean you don't miss a thing. Living only 30 minutes from Edinburgh and spending a whole lot of time there over the years I know what a fantastic city this is and I want to ensure you have the best possible day, 24 hours in Edinburgh is enough to explore all the highlights, eat some gorgeous traditionally Scottish food, have a wee dram of whisky and leave feeling satisfied. 

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This itinerary is dependant on the weather, of course, as Scottish weather is famously unpredictable. I have added a rainy day alternative to any outdoor activities. Also, during festivals restaurants can fill up fast so I'd advise booking in advance if the restaurant permits. My biggest advice? Take the day at your own pace. You will enjoy the day more, and remember it more clearly, if you take your time and savour your time in the city, instead of rushing to tick items off a list.

​The TV series Outlander whisks you away to the romantic Scottish Highlands, into the wild and treacherous 17th century, and follows the love story between Jamie Fraser and English nurse Claire Randall. Visiting Outlander filming locations in Scotland is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the story, learn more about Scotland’s history, meet fellow fans and fall in love with this beautiful country. Where is Outlander filmed? Most of the Outlander filming took place in Scotland's central belt so if you are basing yourself in Edinburgh or Glasgow you are in the ideal place. 

Outlander was a series of books before it ever became a TV series. ​The series of books by author Diana Gabaldon has its fair share of fans from all over the world. The first book, Outlander, or Cross stitch in the U.K., was released in 1991 and Gabaldon has since wrote another 7 books. The ninth, Go tell the bees that I’m gone, is due for release soon. There are also several short stories, novellas and graphic novels to accompany the main stories. The legions of book fans I have spoke to over the years have long known about the draw they feel to Scotland and the country has seen a large increase in tourism since the TV series began. 

When the first season of Outlander, the TV series, was released in August 2014 these wonderful stories won over a whole new army of fans. Fans who visit the Outlander filming locations, who plan their trips to Scotland with a list of locations they want to see, who book Outlander tours with the many companies here that now offer them and who take away memories of Scotland they cherish and will never forget.
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​Scotland is a special country (I may be biased), Lonely Planet has just named it the most beautiful country in the world and I have to agree. If you have a nosy around my Scotland travel blog you’ll see why I love it so much and by exploring these filming locations I hope you begin to love it as much as I do. 

​You can visit the majority of the filming locations by basing yourself in Edinburgh and Glasgow and taking day trips to the locations. I would recommend hiring a car as this will make it far easier to  go exactly where you want to go but it is possible to visit most by train or bus. If you don't want to hire a car buses and trains are regular, affordable and reliable. A great app to plan your journey beforehand, and while you are in Scotland is TravelLine Scotland. 

Tucked away in what seems like the middle of nowhere Morton of Pitmilly is surrounded by acres of lush green fields and  picturesque forest, with views of the sea never far away. You may feel like there is nothing around you, and I relished that feeling for I was in need of a little peace and quiet, but the site is actually perfectly placed between the wonderful town of St Andrews and the cute little villages of the East Neuk. The subtle signs at the end of the long and winding single track road which leads to Pitmilly don't give away the gem that awaits you when you arrive. The adorable stone building which houses the reception, the pantry and the original cottages were surrounded by beautiful flowers in full bloom when we arrived, which made for some pretty photos before we had even stepped inside. 

I was invited along to Morton of Pitmilly to review the lodges but all opinions, as always, are​ my own

​The fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife have always been a favourite of mine in terms of places to visit, for a chippy tea at the famous Anstruther Fish Bar, to walk a section of the coastal path or to attend a festival, such as the Pittenweem Arts Festival. I’ve even spent the night there once or twice, but this week I stayed for 4 glorious nights, half way between Elie and St Monans, at the newly opened Catchpenny Safari Lodges. After a busy few weeks it was exactly what I needed, the opportunity to relax and forget about my hectic life for a few days. We were lucky enough to experience 4 of the hottest days of the year so far too so it was pretty fantastic. 

​​Catchpenny Safari Lodges are luxury tents right on the edge of the Fife coastal path with awe inspiring views over the Firth of Forth. From the decking outside our tent we had clear views of the Bass Rock, the Isle of May, Berwick Law and Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. We fell asleep to the sounds of the waves lapping on the shore below and watched lobster and prawn boats collecting their catch in the morning. We lit the fire pit at night and toasted marshmallows and spent mornings on the beach with Crusoe. We ate giant meringues and fresh strawberries from Ardross Farm Shop, watched the beautiful pastel purples and pinks transform the sky at sunrise and read books by the light of our lanterns. It was a much needed and appreciated break. 

Pittenweem is a charming village in Fife on the east coast of Scotland. The name comes from a combination of the Gaelic and Pictish words for 'place of the cave'. This pretty village is one of several along the Fife coast, collectively known as the East Neuk. There are many things to do in Pittenweem and the surrounding area so it really is an ideal place to stay for a short break, a relaxing weekend away or a wee romantic getaway. In this guide I'll show you what you can do here, how to get here, what the weather is like, where you can stay and where you can eat. 

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Edinburgh Zoo is a brilliant day out with the kids, it lets you get out of the city for a while, for a change of scenery and a break from shopping. The kids will thank you, they would mostly much prefer gazing at animals than clothes. If the kids love their animals as much as my daughter doe you can even splash out on a Keeper Experience at Edinburgh Zoo, you can read my review of our experience below.  It's easy to get to, Lothian buses number 12, 26, and 31 can be boarded near both Waverley and Haymarket train stations as well as many stops in the city centre and there is a bus stop directly outside the zoo. Make sure if you visit to wear comfortable shoes, the zoo is on a hill side and can be steep in places. There is a small bus which takes you from the entrance to the top of the zoo, where you will find the zebras and then you can slowly make your way back down if you don't fancy walking up hill. 

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It is slightly cheaper to buy your tickets online but they can be purchased on the door too (prices as of April 2019)
Adult £17.95 (online), £19.95 (on the door)
Child 3-15 £9.00 (online), £9.95 (on the door)
Child -3 Free
Concession £15.50 (online), £17.50 (on the door)
​Car Park £4.00

​Edinburgh Zoo tickets can be bought online here

When it comes to stunning places to visit, dominating mountains, mesmerising lochs and fascinating history, finding the best of Scotland is actually pretty easy, as there is so many places that are utterly gorgeous. 

Scotland is a beautiful country, there is no denying that. I feel incredibly lucky that I have a Scotland d travel blog and I get to travel around Scotland, there are so many places where I have to stop the car, just to soak up the view. I never get anywhere fast, Taylor will confirm that, she appreciates how gorgeous Scotland is but gets slightly annoyed when I can't drive for more than 10 minutes without pulling over and taking photos. Living in Fife gives me pretty easy access to Edinburgh, Dundee and Perthshire and it's not too difficult to get over to the west coast or up into the Highlands.

Glencoe is one of my favourite places to go in Scotland, and I'm not the only one. What makes Glencoe so special is a combination of things. It's atmospheric, the mountains have an allure, a mystical pull that draws you in. It’s a magical place and you can’t help but feel it, surrounded by dominating mountains, with the fresh Highland air filling your lungs. I think the best time to capture Glencoe is when the weather is dull and drizzly, it makes them even more mystical and mysterious. If you are driving to Glencoe from the south don’t forget to stop off at Rannoch Moor (below) too.

Scotland has a wonderful range of accommodation available to choose from.  There is everything from 5 star luxury hotels to cosy traditional cottages.  I, though, can often be found looking for unusual places to stay in Scotland.  I like to look for something quirky and unique, something with the wow factor, something you just can't find anywhere else.  Sometimes it will seem relatively normal and it will be the outstanding location that makes the property stand out, being on the edge of a white sand beach or tucked away in a picturesque forest, sometimes it will have facilities and amenities that I've never experienced before, a handmade wood-fired hot tub or a rustic honesty shop with fresh food from the farm, sometimes it will be so pretty that I just can't bring myself to turn it down.  I do enjoy being pampered but I'm just as happy to challenge myself without the basics if it means I get the opportunity to have a digital detox in a breathtaking location.  Accommodation in Scotland varies greatly so wherever you fancy staying and however you fancy doing it you'll probably find what you're looking for here in Scotland.  Just check out these bonnie wee places.

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