Whether you have Scottish ancestry, are infatuated with Scotland's Celtic culture or simply enjoy visiting the many countries of the world, going to Scotland can make for a memorable experience. Scotland is dotted with medieval castles and country pubs, offers scenic views of the mountainous Highlands region and is home to two of the United Kingdom's best-known cities: Glasgow and Edinburgh. If you are planning a trip to Scotland, there are many travel tips that can help.

When To Travel
According to the travel resource website Lonely Planet, two of the best months to visit Scotland are in May and June. During May, the landscape is typically gleaming with colorful wildflowers, while the mountains still posses lingering traces of snow. In June, most of the Highland snow is typically gone and is replaced by blossoming rhododendrons. And while many tourists flock to Scotland in July and August, when the days are long and the temperatures are warm, these periods often coincide with rainy weather. In addition, this "high-season" of Scottish tourism often means that hotels and other accommodations are booked up, and cities are crowded with festival-goers. As the above source mentions, September is also a good time to visit Scotland, as you avoid the summer rush. Just keep in mind that between November and March, many Scottish ferries and tourist destinations are closed.

Money
Don't bring your Euros to Scotland. As Lonely Planet notes, while some major tourist destinations and hotels accept them, the country's primary form of currency is the British pound sterling, known colloquially as quid.

You can exchange money at all of Scotland's major airports in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and can also use MasterCard, Visa and other major credit cards to take out pounds from an ATM.

Etiquette
According to the travel resource website iExplore, when you meet someone in Scotland for the first time, a handshake is customary. Also, if you are invited to a Scottish family's home for dinner or some other occasion, etiquette dictates that you should bring a small gift or token of gratitude, such as a desert or flowers. When dining in Scotland, it is polite to wait for everyone to receive their food before you begin eating.

Riding the Rail
While you could travel around Scotland in a rented car, in which case you would have to cope with driving on the left side of the road, an alternative is to travel by train. As iExplore notes, Scotland offers good rail services, especially between the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. You can even travel by train through the Highlands.