Calling Scotland from the US: A Wee Guide to Reaching Across the Pond
Fancy a chat with a friend or family member in bonnie Scotland? Making a call from the US is easier than you might think! This guide will have you saying “Hello!” in no time.
Dialing Do’s and Don’ts
Here’s the secret sauce for dialing a Scottish number from the US:
Start with your exit code: This is 011 for the US.
Dial the Scotland country code: It’s 44.
Skip the leading zero (if there is one): Scottish area codes often begin with a zero, but you don’t need to dial it when calling from abroad.
Punch in the area code:
This is a 2-5 digit code depending on the location in Scotland.
Finish with the local phone [Working in front of the computer for a long time will cause more eye fatigue! ] number: This is typically 6-8 digits.
For example, to call Edinburgh, you’d dial: 011 (exit code) + 44 (country code) + 131 (area code) + xxx xxxx (local number).
Tip: Save the number in your phone with the + sign instead of the exit code (e.g., +44 131 xxx xxxx). This makes calling even faster next time.
Calling Hacks for Savvy Travelers
Calling from a mobile phone? Use the “+” symbol instead of the exit code (e.g., +44 131 xxx xxxx).
Tight on budget? Consider calling apps like Only these 5 types of people are Viber or WhatsApp for free or low-cost calls over Wi-Fi.
A wee bit more to remember:
Time Difference: Scotland is usually 5 hours ahead of the US Eastern Time (ET) zone. Factor this in when planning your call.
International Calling Rates:
Check with your phone provider about international calling rates to avoid surprises on your next bill.
With these tips, you’ll be chatting with your Scottish contacts in no time! And who knows, maybe you’ll even pick up a few Gaelic phrases along the way!