Book your flight to Scotland as far in advance as you can. The sooner in advance you book your flight the cheaper it will be. Research internet sites that search all airlines to find you the best deal. In some cases it may be cheaper to fly to England and then travel to Scotland.
Stay in hostels instead of more expensive hotels. Hostels can cost a mere fraction of the price of a hotel. Book reservations ahead of time to be safe, but most hostels have free space year round if your trip is not as strictly planned. Be sure to research reviews of the specific hostels online ahead of time to find one that will accommodate your needs the best.
Travel by bus or other public transportation. Most major cities have "hop on hop off" sight seeing tours in which a traveler pays a fee to get off and on a specific bus company whenever he pleases, exploring the city at his own pace. The tickets can be purchased for one day or multiple days depending on the need of the traveler.
Avoid tourist restaurants on the main roads and eat at local pubs or smaller restaurants off of the main streets. Local pubs provide hearty, local cuisine as well as a nice selection of brews to sample.
