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Travel Advice for Visitors to South West Scotland
last updated 6th September 2021
We love welcoming visitors to our beautiful corner of Scotland. In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, it is vitally important for the protection of all that we do that as safely as possible.
Current Restrictions in Scotland
- Masks are still worn indoors in public places and on public transport (unless exempt).
- Food & drink businesses will still take your contact details for track and trace.
- Travel restrictions may be introduced if required.
- Events of more than 2,000 indoors or 5,000 outdoors will need to apply for permission.
There are no restrictions on:
- What businesses can open
- Opening hours
- Group numbers indoors and outdoors
- Physical distancing
Remember each business may have made adjustments for their staff and customers, so you may still find limits on capacity, adjusted timetables or opening hours, or other special circumstances.
Planning Visits
If you are thinking about visiting our region, we want to reassure you that tourism businesses across our region have worked hard to put in place the necessary processes to keep you safe. Any business will be able to tell you whether you need to book in advance and what safety measures they will be operating when you visit.
But we do ask all visitors planning to come to the region to also play your part.
Please stay informed, the UK and Scottish Government guidelines are constantly evolving, so it’s important to be aware of the latest guidelines and advice as it applies to you.
Please plan ahead, many businesses, attractions, outlets etc now require booking, have limited access or group sizes etc, so please reach out to them ahead of your visit and check that they are opening and can accommodate you. Some attractions which have been unable to accommodate social distancing rules have remained closed so please check in advance that where you wish to visit is open.
Please protect yourself and others by being considerate to local communities and following the Scottish Government guidelines which are there to keep us all safe.
Contact Tracing App
All residents and visitors should download the Protect Scotland app for free from the Apple and Google Stores. The app will alert you if you have been in close contact with another app user who has tested positive for Coronavirus. It supports contact tracing and works through Bluetooth anonymously, protecting your privacy.
Visiting from other parts of the UK & Republic of Ireland
You can now travel around Scotland and stay overnight from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
Visiting from outside of the UK & Republic of Ireland
The rules you must follow on your arrival depend on what country/ies you have been in in the ten days prior to your arrival. You can check which list that/those country/ies are on here.
Green list country
Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Before you travel:
- Log into the CTM portal and order your on-arrival PCR test, at least 72 hours before your trip.
- Take your pre-departure test, no more than 72 hours before your trip.
- Fill in a passenger locator form, within the 48 hours before your trip.
When you arrive in Scotland:
- Take your on-arrival PCR test by day 2 of arrival in Scotland.
Amber list country and fully vaccinated *
Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic (Czechia), France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United States.
Before you travel:
- Get a European Digital COVID Certificate for EU, or CDC card for US
- Log into the CTM portal and order your on-arrival PCR test, at least 72 hours before your trip.
- Take your pre-departure test, no more than 72 hours before your trip.
- Fill in a passenger locator form, within the 48 hours before your trip.
When you arrive in Scotland:
- Take your on-arrival PCR test by day 2 of arrival in Scotland.
*This exception applies to:
- UK (including as part of UK vaccine rollout overseas)
- EU member states
- European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)
- Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City
- USA
Other Amber list country or not fully vaccinated
China, India, Russia, United Arab Emirates.
Before you travel:
- Log into the CTM portal and order your on-arrival PCR test, at least 72 hours before your trip.
- Take your pre-departure test, no more than 72 hours before your trip.
- Fill in a passenger locator form, within the 48 hours before your trip.
When you arrive in Scotland:
- Quarantine on arrival in Scotland for 10 days.
- Take your on-arrival PCR test by day 2 of arrival in Scotland.
- Take your second on-arrival PCR test on day 8 or 9 of arrival in Scotland.
- Receive your results, up to 48 hours after you take your test.
- If the results are negative, your quarantine ends at 12.01am on day 11.
Red list country
Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey
Before you travel:
- Log into the CTM portal to book your managed quarantine hotel, and order your on-arrival PCR tests, at least 72 hours before your trip.
- Take your pre-departure test, no more than 72 hours before your trip.
- Fill in a passenger locator form, within the 48 hours before your trip.
When you arrive in Scotland:
- Quarantine on arrival in Scotland in a managed hotel for 10 days.
- Take your on-arrival PCR test by day 2 of arrival in Scotland.
- Take your second on-arrival PCR test on day 8 or 9 of arrival in Scotland.
- Receive your results, up to 48 hours after you take your test.
- If the results are negative, your quarantine ends at 12.01am on day 11.
Find out more on health checks when entering Scotland.
Links for the latest updates:
Scottish Government Guidelines for retail, tourism and hospitality customers
