The Magic of the Young Scot Card: and where it can take you
By Emma Conkle
Image: The Isle of Skye, Emma Conkle.
If you attend St. Andrews but haven’t applied for a Young Scot Card yet, what have you been doing? Just kidding. If no one told you, the Young Scot Card is free of charge for 11 to 25-year-olds living in Scotland. It has many perks and discounts available, but one of the best things about the card is that it gets you free bus travel.
While travelling by bus isn’t all glitz and glamour, it is the cheapest way to travel around Scotland, and there are so many places you can explore just using your Young Scot Card. In this article I’m going to discuss my top 3 places you can visit on Scotland’s buses; however, I would warn that, in my experience at least, buses are usually not on time and sometimes not on schedule. With that in mind, always make sure you have a backup plan or are travelling with someone else, so you don’t get stranded alone somewhere in the highlands…
More information about places you can reach by bus can be found here: https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/travel/scenic-bus-journeys/
1. Edinburgh
As I’m sure you know, Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and a true Scottish gem. It is also accessible directly by bus to and from St. Andrews, meaning you don’t have to risk transfers by stopping to get on and off. It takes somewhere between 2 and 2.5 hours to reach Edinburgh via the bus (I usually take the X59). There is also an expansive bus system in Edinburgh which you can use to get around the city. Whether you like to hike, learn about history, eat, or go out, Edinburgh has something for everyone.
Looming over the landscape is Edinburgh Castle, where you can get caught up spending an entire day learning about the history of Scotland and Edinburgh itself. It is one of the most famous castles in Scotland and has been a military fortress, royal residence, and prison of war throughout Scottish history.
Another highlight is Arthur’s Seat, one of Edinburgh’s most famous locations. A lovely hike brings you to the top of this ancient volcano and you’re rewarded with beautiful views. You can also climb Calton Hill for more views and monuments.
Finally, for the museum fanatics out there, Edinburgh is full of them, from the National Museum of Scotland to the Writer’s Museum to the National Galleries of Scotland.
Edinburgh is a wonderful and rich city to explore and I highly recommend taking a trip (or 8) down to Scotland’s capital as a study break.
https://www.timeout.com/edinburgh/things-to-do/best-museums-in-edinburgh
2. Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, but you certainly wouldn’t be able to make a day trip out of it. On the bus, it is a full day of travel and you would likely have to depart from Edinburgh and take the Citylink buses, which would add time onto the journey. But the castles, nature, and scenery on Skye make it 100% worth it.
Some of the most famous places on Skye are Dunvegan Castle, the Fairy Pools, the Quiaring, and Old Man of Storr, to name just a few. You can also go to one of Skye’s three distilleries for a little break from hiking. Skye is one of the most magical natural places I’ve been, and I would recommend it to anyone. (Don’t believe me? A quick Google search will show you just how breathtaking it is). However, I have heard that the buses on Skye can be a bit troublesome so, again, I would recommend approaching the trip armed with a backup plan.
https://www.planetware.com/hebrides/isle-of-skye-sco-hgh-skye.htm
https://www.earthtrekkers.com/isle-of-skye-best-things-to-do/
3. Loch Lomond
This is another one that will delight all of the hiking and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Loch Lomond is about four hours by bus, and while it does require some transfers, the views are certainly worth the trouble. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park are littered with hiking trails, small villages, and outdoor experiences. If you’re a fan of boats, they have a lot of those too!
One of my favourite hikes in the area was the Inchcailloch Summit hike, although it is accessible only by a small ferry (but that sometimes happens with islands). Another of my favourites was Conic Hill, which allows beautiful viewpoints. I wasn’t able to visit these places because of time limitations, but you can also visit The Loch Lomond Sea Life Centre and The Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, which have a multitude of animals and experiences to try. Loch Lomond is also near Balloch Castle, which boasts beautiful gardens but unfortunately no tour of the castle itself.
https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/loch-lomond/see-do/
I love my Young Scot Card (not sponsored), and it really makes travelling budget-friendly. I have been able to visit and explore some pretty amazing places around Scotland, even for day trips! I also suggest looking at the histories of and activities to do in villages and towns around St. Andrews because you never know what you’ll find!
Please note: All links used in this article are external and not affiliated with ST.ART Magazine.