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To dial internationally to Scotland, first enter your country's exit code, then 44 (Scotland's country code), followed by the local area code—minus any initial zero. For instance, to reach Edinburgh, dial [your country’s exit code] 44 131, and for Aberdeen, use +44 1224.
Don't forget to consider the time zone difference!
Calling Scotland from the US or Canada
Start by dialing your country’s exit code: 011 for the US, 11 for Canada. Next, enter “44” for the UK, and then the local number—skipping the initial zero in the area code (e.g., 0131 becomes 131).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Understanding Dialing Codes
When calling Scotland from abroad, you’ll need to enter your country's 'exit code' before dialing the Scottish number. Common exit codes include 00 and 011. You can search online for '[your country] exit code' to find the correct one. This code, also known as the international access or IDD code, is necessary to dial out of your country to anywhere in the world.
- For example, 011 is the exit code in the US, Canada, and several Caribbean nations, while 00 is common in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. Australia uses 0011.
- Some countries have specific exit codes. In Russia, it’s 8 (pause) 10, while Brazil’s exit code depends on the telecom provider.
Dial 44 following the exit code. This is the United Kingdom’s country code, which covers Scotland along with England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You’ll use the same country code to call any of these regions.
Enter the area code for the location you’re calling. Look up the local code for the city or region you wish to contact. Typically, these codes range from 2 to 5 digits. Here are the codes for major Scottish cities:
- 1224 for Aberdeen
- 1382 for Dundee
- 131 for Edinburgh
- 141 for Glasgow
Dial the local phone number. This number will typically be 5 to 7 digits long. When combined with the area code, the total should usually add up to 10 digits, though some regions may have a 9-digit total. If you’re unsure of the number, try searching in the British Telecom Directory.
Combine all the dialing codes. Your dialing sequence should include, in this order: the exit code from your country, 44 for the UK, the local area code, and the local phone number. The total length of the number can range from 12 to 17 digits, depending on your location and the destination.
- For calling Glasgow from the US: 011 – 44 – 141 – xxx – xxxx.
- For calling Langholm from the US: 011 – 44 – 13873 – xxxxx.
Understanding the Best Time to Call
Consider the time difference. Scotland follows GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) from the last weekend in October to the last weekend in March, and British Summer Time (one hour ahead of GMT) from March to October. You can check the current time in GMT or BST, then compare it with your local time to figure out the time difference. Avoid calling Scotland late at night unless the recipient has specifically requested it.
- Shops in Scotland typically operate from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. Businesses in smaller towns or rural areas often have more limited hours than those in large cities.
- If it's 8pm in Los Angeles, 11pm in New York, 5am in Paris, and noon in Shanghai, it would be 4am in Scotland. Make sure to check the time difference before calling!
Make calls during off-peak hours for lower rates. Calls to Scotland made between 6pm and 8am GMT (local time) are often less expensive than those made during peak hours. However, it's important to respect the preferences of the person you're calling and schedule the call at a convenient time for them.
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International calls can be costly. Consider using a prepaid international calling card, or make calls via VoIP services like Skype or Vonage to save money.
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All Scottish and UK phone numbers begin with 0. For international calls, drop the leading zero. For instance, 0141 123 4567 becomes 011 44 141 123 4567.
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If you're calling Scotland from another UK country, you can use the exit code (00) along with the country code. However, it's simpler to just dial 0 before the area code and local number.
