Scotland Guide
Getting around
The majority of Scots live in the central belt, with Glasgow in the west and Edinburgh in the east. Public transport in this region is efficient and most places are easily accessible by train and bus. Further south and north it can be a different story: off the main routes, public transport services are few and far between, particularly in more remote parts of the Highlands and Islands. With careful planning, however, practically everywhere is accessible, and the scenery is usually adequate compensation for a long journey.
Minibus tours
Minibus tours that operate out of Edinburgh and head off into the Highlands are popular with backpackers who want a quick taste of Scotland. The current leading operator, Haggis ( 
0131/557 9393, 
www.haggisadventures.com ), has bright yellow minibuses setting off daily on whistlestop tours lasting between one and six days, in the company of a live-wire guide. A three-day round-trip from Edinburgh starts from £89 (food and accommodation not included).
Several other companies offer similar packages, including Macbackpackers ( 0131/558 9900, www.macbackpackers.com ), which runs tours linking up their own hostels round the country as well as a jump-on-jump-off service, and Wild in Scotland ( 0131/478 6500, www.wild-in-scotland.com ), which takes in the Outer Hebrides or Orkney. The popular Rabbie's Trail Burners tours ( 0131/226 3133, www.rabbies.com ) don't aim squarely at the backpacker market and have a rather more mellow approach.