How Not to Annoy the Locals When Holidaying in Scotland

How Not to Annoy the Locals in Scotland

Being a tourist is sometimes hard. You have to watch out for inevitable culture clash, be prepared not to understand the language or the accent, and be aware of your surroundings, so you don’t get lost in an entirely new city or country. With all this to keep in mind, you may not know when you are annoying locals with your selfie sticks, loud cultural critiques, or overall behaviour. Don’t worry; there’s hope for you yet.

In the U.K., it’s especially essential to wrangle your manners. In Scotland, even though the Scottish are perhaps the friendliest in the U.K. region, you’ll still have to watch yourself. In Edinburgh especially, here’s how not to annoy the locals.

You Are Not in England

This is the ultimate faux pas in Scotland. You have to know that you’re not actually in England, although Scotland still technically remains a part of Great Britain. If you get this wrong, the Scottish people will really be offended.

Only Wear a Kilt When Appropriate

That’s right; the Scottish don’t wear tartan year round. In fact, kilts are reserved for special occasions only. If you decide to buy and wear your kilt down a crowded street on a day that it is not one of these holidays, then prepare for all the Scottish onlookers to know that you are indeed a tourist and not a particularly bright one.

It’s True What They Say: Stop Talking So Loudly

American tourists are known for their voluminous voices. Keep in mind that not everyone wants to hear your conversation. Just take it down a few notches so as not to annoy anyone sitting near you.

J.K. Rowling Spent A Lot of Time Writing in Cafes, but Not This One

It is widely believed and even advertised that a local cafe in Edinburgh called The Elephant House was where J.K. Rowling wrote most of what was to become Harry Potter. This isn’t entirely true. While Rowling did visit the cafe while writing the first of the novels in the beloved series, it isn’t the place where she spent the most time writing it. Not only that, but the cafe is now overrun with tourists trying to get pictures of the somewhat ordinary interior.

Mind Your Bus Fare

It is well known that Edinburgh has an excellent bus system. If you do plan on taking the bus, you’re in for a treat because bus drivers are usually friendly when it comes to helping you find your way. But always make sure that you pay your fare in exact change. The bus driver won’t give you change back.

Mind the Queue

A valuable lesson in both Scotland and England is to mind the queue. If you’re confused as to what a queue is, it is a line you wait in. Queuing correctly is an essential display of manners in Scotland, and you’ll be sorry if you barge into a line that you haven’t previously been waiting in.

Keep All This in Mind and…

You’re well on your way to blending in, just like a local!