How best to get from EDI to the Central Youth Hostel in Edinburgh?
Since everyone is arriving at different dates & times, it isn’t feasible for us to organize transportation from EDI to the Edinburgh Central Hostel. For this reason, you will need to make your own arrangements. There are several options ranging from public transportation, AirPort Express Bus, Uber (Lyft is not as common in the UK), or taxi’s (Option 1, Option 2). I’ve included a few links for buses and taxis below. If you decide to use UBER, please be advised that it’s been my experience that drivers in the UK use the PIN number recognition factor to ensure safe pickups. Use the list at right to coordinate trips into the city with those arriving at similar times as you.

Notify your bank & credit cards of your plans to travel overseas
Before you leave the US, I recommend calling the banks handling your checking/savings accounts and those issuing your credit cards to let them know of the dates of your trip to the UK. They may also ask you to provide some locations. This information will help you avoid having your accounts frozen when the banks begin to see unusual purchases being made overseas. While on the phone with the banks, you should also clarify any additional charges you might be facing when making purchases overseas. Some banks will charge for foreign transactions. Others may charge you for the currency exchanges made during these purchase. Another complication you might encounter is different limits for withdrawals and purchases made overseas. In all cases, try to find which of your credit cards has either no (or minimal) foreign transaction fees and plan to use that during your travels.

How much cash (US dollars) should I bring with me to Scotland?
Most places (restaurants, grocery stores, gift shops) along our route will accept payments from major credit cards (Visa & Mastercard), but please note that Discover and American Express are generally not accepted. For this reason, it is not necessary to bring large amounts of US currency with you to the UK. Instead, I suggest waiting until you make it into Edinburgh proper and then find an ATM that you can use to withdraw a little currency – perhaps 100 GBP to use for incidentals, tips, and other small purchases. Beware of currency exchange shops/booths. They will change your USD for GBP, but the fees they charge to do so are astronomical. Similarly, it is a good idea to avoid using ATMs in UK airports because of fees. Yes, you will be charged a fee and lose a little in the exchange rate at any ATM you use to withdraw money, but following the advice above will help you minimize these.

Choosing Luggage: If you are trying to decide what suitcase to bring (or which one to purchase, we suggest choosing one that is wheeled (either 2-wheel drag or 4-wheel universal rolling) to make things easier in airports and moving in/out of hostels each day. If you are adding-on a side adventure in the days before or after our trip that involves European flights, please make sure to double check the UK/European airline restrictions on the number, size, and weight allowed for carryon and checked luggage. The limits on baggage for travelers on UK/European airlines are MUCH more restrictive in terms of size and weight.

Field notebook: For most of us, a pilgrimage Scotland is a geological experience of a lifetime. If you don’t already have one, we encourage you to bring a field notebook with you to capture all of your notes, sketches, and reflections in one place. A Write-in-the-Rain notebook is a standard choice, but can be expensive. ELAN notebooks are another great (and cheaper) option.

Packing Lists

Field Gear

• Hand lens: 10 power Hastings triplet or equivalent

• GoreTex rain jacket: it rains in Scotland… a lot. Look for lightweight & vents for comfortable wear during hikes (poncho ok)

• Full-length GoreTex gaiters: we strongly suggest Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters

• Sturdy boots: over-ankle height, waterproof (GoreTex) if possible

• Trekking poles: Do not underestimate the usefulness of having at least one pole – a definite must for hiking through bogs. Pack these in your checked luggage with the points inside something (e.g., boot) to protect the rest of the contents and your bag from punctures.

• Rain cover for backpack: if your pack doesn’t already have one, these help keep your gear dry on rainy days

• Wool hiking socks: keep feet warm and blister free, even when wet

• Midge head net: keep Scottish gnats off… finer the mesh the better!  Something like this.

• Lightweight gloves: more to cut wind and keep warm than keep dry

• Waterproof, wide brim hat: did we mention that it rains in Scotland… a lot

• Mechanical pencils & ballpoint pens (for notes) and Sharpies (for rock samples)

• Field clothes: neat, comfortable, but okay to get messy - synthetics are great because they dry fast

• Handkerchiefs: bring several

• Small, personal first aid kit: stock it with things you already know you’ll need the most.... admit it

• Daypack: sturdy construction, comfortable size but large enough (~30L capacity) to carry water, food, rain gear and clothes on long hikes. Also useful size for carryon luggage during flight

Note: bedding is provided all all accommodations. Towels are either provided or available for rent (£1-2/day). If you tend to be cold at night, you might consider bringing a fleece blanket.

Night 1: Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel, 9 Haddington Pl, Edinburgh EH7 4AL, UK, +44 131 524 2090

• Premier Inn, 33 E Market St, Edinburgh EH8 8FR, United Kingdom +44 3332 346430

Night 2: Glasgow

• Glasgow Youth Hostel, 7-8 Park Terrace, Glasgow G3 6BY, UK, +44 1413 323004

Night 3: Glencoe

• Glencoe Youth Hostel, Glencoe, Ballachulish PH49 4HX, UK, +44 1855 811219

Night 4: Portree

• Portree Youth Hostel, Lisigarry Ct, Portree IV51 9EW, UK, +44 1478 612231

Night 5: Ullapool

• Ullapool Youth Hostel, 22 Shore St, Ullapool IV26 2UJ, UK,  +44 1854 612254

Night 6: Durness

• Durness Smoo Youth Hostel, A838, Durness, Lairg IV27 4QA, UK, +441971511264

Night 7: Inverness

• Inverness Youth Hostel - SYHA, Victoria Dr, Inverness IV2 3QB, UK, +44 1463 231771

Night 8: Pitlochry

• Pitlochry Youth Hostel, Knockard Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5HJ, UK, +44 1796 472308

Nights 9-11: Newcastle-upon-Tyne

• Albatross Hostel, 51 Grainger St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5JE, UK, +44 1912 331330

Night 12: Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel, 9 Haddington Pl, Edinburgh EH7 4AL, UK, +44 131 524 2090

• Premier Inn, 33 E Market St, Edinburgh EH8 8FR, United Kingdom +44 3332 346430

Medical Insurance & Important Documents

Make sure to talk with your family & determine the nature of your medical coverage abroad. You may want to consider exploring additional coverage during your time in Scotland.  Make photocopies of all of your important documents (passport, drivers license, medical insurance card, credit cards) and keep copies in a safe place separate from your wallet.

In case of emergency, call 999

In the United Kingdom there are four emergency services which maintain full-time Emergency Control Centres (ECC), to which 999 emergency calls may be directly routed by emergency operators in telephone company Operator Assistance Centres (OAC). These services are as follows, listed in the order of percentage of calls received: (1) Police, (2) Ambulance Service, (3) Fire Brigade, and (4) Coastgaurd

Who to call in case of NON-emergency

Need the police? Dial 101 any time it isn’t 999. 101 makes it quicker and easier to contact the police when you don't need an emergency response. 101 replaces all local police station numbers with one easy-to-remember number, which you can use to contact police anywhere in the country. Existing local phone numbers will be phased out gradually. 101 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It costs a flat rate of 15p per call from landline and mobile networks, no matter what time of day or how long you are on the phone.

Hostel Gear

• Travel power adapter: outlets are different in the UK

• Shower gear: flip-flops, lightweight towel (although they can be rented at most hostels), and washcloth (optional, but washcloths are essentially nonexistent in the UK)

• Combination lock: for locking up valuables in hostels

• Light: Head lamp or flashlight

• Laundry bag: cloth or plastic bag to keep your dirty stuff. Most hostels will have coin-operated washers & dryers

Items for Carryon Luggage

• Health: we strongly suggest bringing a few N95 masks, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer to use when in crowded airports and airplanes – it would suck to get sick on the way to Scotland.

• Comfort: earplugs, water bottle (empty before security!!!), eye mask, neck pillow, etc.

• Medicines: carry all essential prescriptions & OTC medications with you onto the plane

• Passport & pen: you will need to fill out a customs card with your passport #, flight information on the plane

• Entertainment: bring a book, headphones, power bank, and a charging cable... many international flights have seats equipped with plugs

Optional Gear

• Camera: to catch all the spectacular views we’ll see

• Geologic hammer: pack it in your checked luggage with the head inside a boot to avoid damaging your possessions

• Pocket knife: ones with a few extra tools are nice. Pack this in checked luggage

Wednesday, May 22th

• 8:00 - Glen Roy

• 10: 00 - Drive to Eileen Donan Castle

• 13:00 - Drive to Isle of Sky, Kilt Rock, & Quiraing

• Spend night in Portree

Thursday, May 23rd

• 8:00 - Drive to Fairy Pools for hike

• 10:30 - Drive to Carbost & Talisker distillery

• 11:45 - Drive to Ullapool

• 14:15 - Grocery shopping, Tesco

• 15:15 - Free time in Ullapool, spend night in Ullapool

Friday, May 24th

• 8:00 - Drive to Knocken Crag

• 10:00 - Drive to Ardvreck Castle & section at Assynt

• 12:30 - Drive to Newton Overlook

• 13:30 - Drive to Scourie for mapping activity

• 16:00 - Drive to Laxford Bridge & Lewisian Gneiss

• 17:30 - Drive to Durness, spend night in Durness

Saturday, May 25th

• 8:00 - Smoo Cave

• 9:00 - Drive to Loch Eriboll for hike

• 12:30 - Drive to Inverness

• 15:30 - Free time in Inverness, spend night in Inverness

Sunday, May 26th

• 8:00 - Grocery shopping, Tesco

• 9:00 - Drive to Banff for activity

• 15:30 - Drive to Pitlochry, spend night in Pitlochry

Monday, May 27th

• 8:00 - Drive to Newcastle

• 11:45 -  Grocery shopping, Tesco

• 17:00 - Free time in Newcastle, spend night in Newcastle

Tuesday, May 28th:

• 8:00 - Drive to Roman Army Museum & Hadrian’s Wall

• 11:30 - Drive to Vindolanda

• 2:30 - Drive to Hexham, free time in Hexham

• 17:30 - Drive to Newcastle, spend night in Newcastle

Wednesday, May 29th:

• 8:00 - Drive to Nenthead Mines for tour

• 13:00 - Drive to Killhope Mines for tour

• 17:00 - Drive to Newcastle, spend night in Newcastle

Thursday, May 30th:

• 8:00 - Drive to Edinburgh

• 10:30 - Free time in Edinburgh, spend night in Edinburgh

Friday, May 31st:

• 8:00 - End of trip, check out of Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel

Driving Directions

• Day 1 - Edinburgh walking tour: Google Maps

• Day 2 - Edinburgh, Siccar Point, Dunbar, Glasgow: Google Maps

• Day 3 - Glasgow, Hunterian Museum walking tour: Google Maps

• Day 3 - Glasgow, Tesco, Glencoe: Google Maps

• Day 4 - Glencoe, Glen Roy, Eileen Donan Castle, Kilt Rock, Quiriang, Portree: Google Maps

• Day 5 - Portree, Fairy Pools, Talisker, Ullapool: Google Maps

• Day 6 - Ullapool, Knockan Crag, Ardvreck Castle, Newton, Scourie, Loch Laxford, Durness: Google Maps

• Day 7 - Durness, Loch Eriboll, Inverness: Google Maps

• Day 8 - Inverness, Banff, Pitlochry: Google Maps

• Day 9 - Pitlochry, Tesco, Newcastle, Albatross: Google Maps

• Day 10 - Newcastle, Roman Army Museum, Vindolanda, Hexham, Newcastle: Google Maps

• Day 11 - Newcastle, Nenthead, Killhope, Newcastle: Google Maps

• Day 12 - Newcastle, Edinburgh: Google Maps

There are many places in the northern UK with spotty or nonexistent cellular signal. To help ensure your ability to navigate regardless of connectivity, we suggest that you download Google map data. Once you have downloaded these data, use will be able to use the Google Maps app just like you normally would to guide you to your destination with full signal or a wireless connection. The instructions below will work for both iPhone or Android devices.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps App .

2. Tap your profile picture or initial in the upper righthand corner, then choose Offline Maps.

3. Near the top of the next screen, tap Select your own map.

4. Adjust the map according to the area you want to download by navigating to Scotland & northernmost England and positioning the map as shown at below & tap Download.

Scotland and northern England are too big to be covered in a single download. For this reason, we suggest you perform two map downloads – one that captures northwestern corner of Scotland & the Isle of Skye, and a second download that covers central & southeastern Scotland, and the portion of northernmost England that includes Carlyle and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Using your cel phone in Scotland

We strongly recommend that you check your cellular surface provider’s options for using your cel phone to make calls or use cellular data while in Scotland. The ability to make phone calls is pretty important (e.g., emergencies), but data is not essential (most hostels have free wireless) and data roaming can be turned off. However, major carriers often offer affordable (or at least cheaper than penalties) daily or weekly plans that will give you the ability to use your cel phone for calls and data while overseas.

Calling a Scottish number from a US number

• First dial 011, the US exit code.

• Next dial 44, the Scotland/UK country code.

• Then dial the 2–5 digit area code plus the local number for a total of 10 digits.

Calling a US number from a Scottish number

• Dial “00” on the phone first. Dial the UK's international calling code into your phone, which is 00. ...

• Dial “1” for the country code. After you dial 00, press 1 on your phone's keypad. ...

• Dial the area code of the U.S. region. ...

• Dial the remaining seven digits…