United Kingdom - Scotland
About United Kingdom - Scotland
| Currency | Pounds sterling (GBP) |
| Language | English and scots |
| Capital | Edinburgh |
Scotland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom (UK) located north of England. The United Kingdom is part of Europe but is separated from Europe by the North Sea and the English Channel.
The government of the UK is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a queen as chief of state and a prime minister as head of government. The parliament consists of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Scotland is divided into the Highlands, the Midland Valley, and the Southern Uplands. In the first century AD, Romans invaded and occupied areas of southern Britain. Their expansion was stopped by the fierce fighting tribes in the northern area that is now Scotland. Celtic people from Ireland, the Scots, settled Scotland about the 5th century. Anglo Saxons settled the Lowlands, and for centuries, there was continual conflict between the groups.
From about 1296, battles for independence from England began led by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Wallace was captured and executed. Robert the Bruce won a major battle at Bannockburn in 1314 against Edward II. Finally in 1328, Scotland’s independence was formally recognized by Edward III. Conflict between England did not formally end until 1707 with the Act of Union, which merged Scotland and England and established the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Banking and business services make up a large part of employment in Scotland. Tourism has grown and is becoming another important sector of the economy. Tourists can enjoy the many castles, museums and the culture of Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Palace of Holyrood house, as well as watching for the Loch Ness monster in the Highlands.
Recommended Vaccinations For United Kingdom - Scotland
For Some Travellers
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccine is often recommended for travellers to this country.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a low risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, however, the vaccination is recommended.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine
Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended if travelling where contact with ticks might occur (camping, hiking, outdoor activities) during early spring to late autumn.
Polio Vaccine
NathNAC recommends that all travellers complete a polio vaccination course according to the UK schedule or their national programme.
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with wild animals or bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).
Recommended Medications For United Kingdom - Scotland
There are no recommendations for United Kingdom - Scotland at this time.
Diseases To Be Aware of for United Kingdom - Scotland
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis A
There is a low risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B occurs in this country.
For Some Travellers
Tuberculosis
Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with an infected person.
Measles
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
Tick-Borne Encephalitis
There is a risk of Tick-borne Encephalitis in some areas of this country. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn.
Polio
The United Kingdom reported circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) detected in environmental (sewage) samples in London in May 2022. All travellers should take care with personal and food hygeine.
Rabies
Rabies has not been reported in the United Kingdom and is considered a low risk for travellers, However, it may occur in bats.
Safety & Security in United Kingdom - Scotland
Personal Safety
Scotland maintains crime rates below pre-pandemic levels and ranks among the safest regions in the United Kingdom. In the year ending December 2024, police recorded 298,308 crimes across Scotland, a 1% decrease from the previous year. The national crime rate stands at 545 crimes per 10,000 population. Most recorded crimes fall into categories like dishonesty and non-sexual violence, with common assault making up the majority of violent crime statistics. Scotland’s overall crime rate is lower than England and Wales. Major cities show higher crime rates than the national average. Glasgow has the highest rate at 812 crimes per 10,000 people, while Edinburgh records 679 per 10,000. Dundee reports 847 crimes per 10,000 residents. Fraud and theft offenses have increased in recent years, with pickpocketing occurring in crowded tourist areas and shopping districts. Cyber-related crimes are growing, particularly in categories like sexual crimes and dishonesty. Police clearance rates remain reasonable, with 56% of crimes cleared up in 2024-25. Certain crime types like crimes against society show clearance rates above 93%, while property crimes have lower rates around 35%.
Extreme Violence
Serious violent crime in Scotland has declined from peak levels recorded between 2003 and 2011. Serious assault and attempted murder accounted for 4% of non-sexual crimes of violence in 2024-25. Murder and attempted murder rates remain low. The number of non-sexual crimes of violence was 70,637 in the year ending December 2024, showing a 2% decrease from the previous year. Robbery incidents have increased by 34% over the ten-year period from 2015-16 to 2024-25, though they represent just 3% of violent crimes. Terrorism threat levels are managed by UK security services. Scotland avoided the far-right violence and riots seen in parts of England and Northern Ireland during summer 2024. Police Scotland monitored these events closely but reported no intelligence suggesting similar incidents would occur in Scotland. The country’s distinctive civic identity and political climate contributed to this outcome.
Political Unrest
Scotland experiences peaceful political protests and demonstrations regularly. Police Scotland facilitates numerous protests throughout the year and works with organizers to ensure lawful gatherings. The approach emphasizes protecting rights to peacefully protest while maintaining public safety. Major events like COP26 in Glasgow saw large-scale demonstrations that were largely managed without serious incident. Anti-racism demonstrations took place in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Dumfries in 2024, drawing significant support. Recent political demonstrations have focused on climate action, anti-racism, and international issues. Counter-protests also occur but are typically managed through police liaison teams. Abusive or threatening behavior intended to disrupt events poses risks to safety and is not considered legitimate protest. Scotland’s protest environment differs from some other UK regions, with immigration being less of a polarizing political issue locally.
Areas To Avoid
Glasgow shows higher crime rates than other Scottish regions, particularly in central areas like Anderston, City and Yorkhill. Crimes of dishonesty including pickpocketing are the most common violations in these districts. Neighborhoods on the periphery of Glasgow including Possilpark, Govan, and Drumchapel experience higher rates of certain crime types. Edinburgh’s city center remains generally safe, though areas like Lothian Road and Grassmarket can become busy with intoxicated individuals on Friday and Saturday nights. Tourist areas across major cities see opportunistic crimes like theft and pickpocketing, especially during festival periods. Central railway stations in Glasgow can feel intimidating during late hours on weekends due to crowds and reduced police presence. Most tourists and business travelers experience no safety issues when visiting standard tourist areas and business districts. Remote rural areas pose no significant crime concerns though some locations rely on private water supplies requiring additional consideration.
