Scottish Citylink operate most of the long distance coach routes in Scotland, many of which also double as local bus services with passengers allowed to purchase tickets on board. This can present a problem - more of which below.
As far as comfort goes, a coach is a coach and these are no better or worse than any others. Most coaches have an onboard toilet and on longer routes there is usually at least one stop of 5-10 minutes for a toilet/smoke break or just to stretch your legs.
I've always found them to be very punctual - perhaps surprising considering the vagarities of road traffic, although their timetables do take into account the likelihood of slightly longer journey times at busy periods of the day.
Staff in my experience are mostly friendly and helpful. In most cases they're also happy to drop you off more or less where you request, even the middle of nowhere! Likewise, in rural areas, they will pick up more or less anywhere. Just remember to pick a spot where it's safe for the coach to stop!
It's recommended that whenever possible - especially during the summer - you book your coach ticket in advance. The Citylink website allows tickets to be downloaded and printed off by yourself, or to be sent to your mobile phone - both very useful innovations.
The only real problem arises on those routes where the coach also acts as the local bus service - picking up and dropping off passengers at often quite remote locations. Fine if you have a ticket booked. But beware if you're hoping to catch the coach back to your hotel after a day on the hill and have not booked! I've seen a number of disappointed folk left stranded by the roadside during the summer months because there were simply no seats left. And coaches do not allow standing. Just because you have bought a return ticket on the bus in the morning, you are not guaranteed a seat on a coach home in the afternoon. So be warned!
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Jul 18th, 2008
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