Scotland Guide
Getting around
By coach and bus
All of Scotland's major towns and cities are served by long-distance bus services, known across Britain as coaches, the majority of which are run by the national operator, Scottish Citylink ( 
0870/550 5050, 
www.citylink.co.uk ). On the whole, coaches are cheaper than trains and, as a result, are very popular, so for longer journeys it's advisable to book ahead.
There are various discount cards on offer for those with children, those under 26 or over 50 and full-time students (contact Scottish Citylink for more details). Overseas passport holders can buy a Brit Xplorer pass (in 7-, 14- or 28-day versions) in the UK, from National Express ( 0870/580 8080, www.nationalexpress.com ), or at major ports and airports; the seven-day pass costs £79, though you'd have to do a lot of bus travelling to make it pay.
Local bus services are run by a bewildering array of companies, many of which change routes and timetables frequently. Local tourist offices can provide free timetables or you can contact Traveline Scotland ( 0871/200 2233, www.travelinescotland.com ), which provides a reliable service both online and by phone. Some rural areas, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, are only served by a postbus, vehicles carrying mail and three to ten fare-paying passengers. They set off early in the morning, usually around 8am and, though sociable, can be excruciatingly slow. You can get a booklet of routes and time-tables from the Royal Mail ( 0845/774 0740, www.royalmail.com/postbus ).