Thoughts on traveling alone?

[seasaidhlinne]

I am saving for a trip to Scotland and it is a long ways off mind you(Between student loans and real life) and I want to have all my family research thoroughly done as I want to find the resting place of my great great uncle who died around the age of 6-10 shortly before my family immigrated so I want clear information and would love to find some family connections. So the areas I would likely do would be Inverness and Edinburgh(where I think I have physical family I WOULD love to come into contact with)

However I started thinking about traveling alone and as a young female it carries extra risks, but has everyone ever solo tripped to Scotland? What was your experience?

I mean I suppose I could find a travel companion, but I just feel very drawn to do this alone, but part of me knows it's a stupid IDEA. I just like to take my time when I go places I could spend a totally of 8 hours in one museum just taking it all in, and I like to wander at will....

One option I thought was if I could connect with members here from the area so I would "Know" someone.
(The offer also extends if anyone ever drops by into my beautiful Nova Scotia I'd show you around, and feed you!)
This is a bit off, this trip like I said just wanted to see what others experiences were

[Carlo]

Well I travelled around Scotland on my own before.
As far as I can say Scotland is as safe as any other western european country (Only know these). I never had any problems but then I'm no young lady.
Edinburgh, Inverness and even Glasgow nowadays seem to be much safer than one might expect, but then our local friends might give you an update on that.

[Father Bill]

We wandered around Glasgow (wife & I) and got into one rough looking section in the evening. Glad I was with her, but like any major city, there are parts you're wiser to avoid at night. Otherwise, like all cities, they're pretty good.

[seasaidhlinne]

I would love to connect with a local!
Inverness would be my main local
The idea of traveling with someone else bothers me but I wouldn't mind meeting up with a local....I LOVE seeing beyond the normal touristy stuff.....
Than there is part of me that knows I'm going to want to hike, and bike and all that and I should find someone to go with me......

But in experience even traveling around my local area as a young woman is iffy the only difference is I "know" where to avoid and "whom" to avoid locally....

That being said when my friend was a live (He died three years ago) I used to go with him and alone to distribute much needed items to some of the rougher parts of several areas.... and continued going alone after he died ...the only difference was they knew who I was so I was welcome and even some of the rougher gang-like people had respect for me. So I know my way around 'the rougher crowd', but always had a protector even among their ranks. And I know that in travel I would like incorporate some volunteer activity in there.....

and I can see myself stumbling into areas I ought not.....

And I MOST def. WILL not consider my sister as a travel companion.
THAT would be the worst trip ever.

[Jordan]

Not being a girl I can't really speak. However I traveled alone in the opposite direction(San Francisco) earlier this year and I pretty much tried to avoid dodgy areas or people who looked dodgy (whether that fair or not) and dark alleyways etc at night.

I would imagine that most places are pretty safe if you stay in public and don't go wandering off with anyone.

Just my tuppence.

[EagleJCS]

If you'd like to incorporate some volunteer work on your journey, may I suggest contacting the British Scout Association? They may even be able and/or willing to help you make some contacts/find a local guide/place to stay. They'd definitely know about the hiking/biking, etc.

[Pleater]

Results just published indicate that violent crime is decreasing here - but I have been going about alone for quite some time now and have to admit that the most dangerous person in most areas I have been in was me.

Sensible shoes and clothing - nothing you couldn't run for a bus in would be advisable as there is likely to be a lot of walking about to find things.

In a summer some time ago I stayed at Sterling University, they rent out the student accommodation.

A GPS device might be a good idea - they are so useful for finding your way in unfamiliar places, though some brands can be difficult about getting the maps for other countries, wanting to charge a lot of money even for downloading when you are in the country you want a map for, so it might pay to do some research. You would need to check battery life too - the one we have for the car only has a battery life of an hour or so.

I'm afraid that I am about as far from Scotland as possible and still be able to walk there, eventually, so I'm not much use for your tour. My mother in law used to take coach trips all over Britain, and went to Scotland several times. She chose ones with lots of guided tours of places, but there could be ones which suit what you want to do and they are considered suitable for 'ladies travelling alone' as normally there is either a guide travelling with the coach or one is waiting at the hotel on arrival at any place.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Carlo]

A GPS device might be a good idea - they are so useful for finding your way in unfamiliar places, though some brands can be difficult about getting the maps for other countries, wanting to charge a lot of money even for downloading when you are in the country you want a map for, so it might pay to do some research. You would need to check battery life too - the one we have for the car only has a battery life of an hour or so.

Some tablet computer have an inbuilt GPS (ex. Samsung Galaxy Tab II) there is an app where you can use OpenStreetMap. These maps are free and downloadable. That way you can safe on the maps and on mobile download-costs. Obviously they are not perfect but If you know where you want to go write down the coordinates beforehand in case the adress is not yet on the map.
I'm not a fan of tablet computers but on a holiday they might come in handy.

[Jock Scot]

GPS and mobile phone navigation have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, BUT BE WARNED. In the Highlands there is often no signal and journeys in rough country often take longer than planned and battery power is all important. ALWAYS take a good map AND a compass and know how to use them. I cannot tell you how many times that I have come accross people totally lost and all they are navigating by is some form of electronic navigation. Towns are fine, at least, you can ask someone, out on the hill is another matter entirely! Sorry to be boring about this, but............

[creagdhubh]

GPS and mobile phone navigation have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, BUT BE WARNED. In the Highlands there is often no signal and journeys in rough country often take longer than planned and battery power is all important. ALWAYS take a good map AND a compass and know how to use them. I cannot tell you how many times that I have come accross people totally lost and all they are navigating by is some form of electronic navigation. Towns are fine, at least, you can ask someone, out on the hill is another matter entirely! Sorry to be boring about this, but............

Precisely, Jock. Absolutely spot on advice for the Highlands.