How to Call Scotland From The US: Country Code, Dialing Steps & Examples

Author: Ankit Dudhwewala

Updated : February 10, 2026

You dial a Scottish number from your US phone. The call drops. Calling Scotland from the United States requires different dialing rules than other UK regions.

Most guides say dial 011-44 and the number. What they skip is the hidden structure that trips up US callers. Scottish numbers have a trunk prefix: zero at the start of area codes, which you must remove for international calls.

Then you need a service that makes international calling affordable because at $3 per minute through traditional carriers, even correct dialing becomes expensive fast. In this guide, I have covered everything for you.

Step-by-Step Guide to Call Scotland from the USA

Let me walk you through how to call Scotland from the US the right way. This works whether you’re calling Edinburgh, Glasgow, or a mobile number in the Highlands. Here is how to dial Scotland from the US:

1. Dial 011- the US Exit Code

Start with 011. This is the exit code for US, and it tells your US carrier you are making an international call. Every call to Scotland from the US starts here when you’re using a traditional phone line.

On mobile phones, you can use the plus sign (+) instead. Hold down the zero key until the + appears. Your phone automatically converts this to the correct exit code for whatever country you’re calling from.

Here’s the catch most people miss: If you’re using a landline or older office phone system, the + won’t work. You must use 011.

2. Enter 44 – Scotland Country Code

Next comes 44, the UK country code. This routes your call to the British phone network.

Type it immediately after 011 with no spaces or pauses. Your complete start looks like: 011-44

If you’re on a mobile using the + method, it looks like: +44. Don’t add extra zeros here. I’ve seen people dial 011-044 or +044 because they’re used to seeing 0044 in written formats. That extra zero will kill your call.

3. Add the Area Code (1-2 digits)

Here’s where everyone makes mistakes. You see a Scottish number like 0131 123 4567, and you need to dial all of it. You don’t. That zero at the front? It’s only there for people calling inside the UK.

So Edinburgh is 0131, but you dial 131. Smaller places have longer codes. Aberdeen is 01224, so you’d use 1224.

4. Dial the Local Number (usually 7 digits)

After the area code, you add the real phone number. Most of them are 7 digits, but that varies by city.

Edinburgh: 011-44-131-456-7890, Glasgow: 011-44-141-234-5678

The total string of digits you dial must have the exit code, country code, area code, and local number.

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Major Scotland Area Codes You Should Know

These are some of the major Scotland area codes that you should know:

Calling Different Number Types in Scotland

Scottish phone numbers have distinct formats depending on whether you’re calling a landline, mobile, or special service number. Getting this wrong costs you money and failed connections.

1. Calling Landline Numbers

Most landline local numbers in Scotland start with 01. Some UK-wide numbers start with 02. When calling from outside the UK, drop the leading zero to reveal the area code.

From the US, dial:
011-44-[area code without 0]-[local number]

Calls to landlines usually cost less than calls to mobiles with US carriers. If a business lists both, the landline is often the cheaper option.

2. Calling Mobile Numbers (Start with 07)

UK mobile phone numbers usually start with 07. These numbers are not linked to a specific city or region. When you call a Scottish mobile number from a US cell phone, the dialing format changes slightly:

011-44-7XXX-XXX-XXX

Before you dial, you need to check your international calling rates. In many cases, VoIP services cost much less than traditional carriers and give you clearer pricing upfront.

3. Toll-Free & Non-Geographic Numbers

Scotland uses special number ranges that don’t fit the standard geographic pattern:

• 0800 and 0808 numbers: You can make free calls within the UK. When you call from the US, they’re NOT free. Your carrier treats them as regular international calls, sometimes at premium rates.
• How to dial: 011-44-800-XXX-XXXX or 011-44-808-XXX-XXXX
• 0845, 0870, 0871 numbers: These are “non-geographic” numbers. They cost extra, even for UK callers. From the US, they’re expensive: often $0.50+ per minute.
• 03 numbers: These are newer alternatives to 0800 numbers. They cost the same as calling a landline from the UK, but from the US, you pay standard international rates.

Alternative Ways to Call Scotland

Traditional carrier calls are not your only option. Here are some methods that work better for specific situations:

1. VoIP Services

With VoIP, you can make calls over the internet instead of regular phone lines. CallHippo is one such service that lets you call Scotland at a fraction of traditional carrier costs.

2. Wi-Fi Calling

Most newer phones have this built in. It’s different from VoIP apps because you’re still using your carrier’s system, just over Wi-Fi instead of cell towers.

People see your actual US number when you call. The audio usually sounds clearer than regular cell calls.

Most carriers still charge you international rates even though you’re on Wi-Fi. Check your specific plan. Wi-Fi calling lets you make international calls using your internet connection. But it also depends on your phone’s compatibility and a stable Wi-Fi network.

3. Calling Cards

Physical calling cards still exist and sometimes offer the cheapest per-minute rates. You buy a card with prepaid minutes, dial an access number, then dial the access number for Scotland.

Cards from convenience stores often advertise “500 minutes to the UK” but include connection fees and hidden charges that cut your actual talk time to 200 minutes.

The better approach: Online calling card services give you a local US number that redirects to any international number you preset. You dial a Houston area code, and it connects you to Edinburgh. Your carrier thinks it’s a domestic call.

This method costs less than traditional carriers but more than VoIP. It’s useful when you need to call from a landline that can’t access internet-based services.

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 4. Apps Like WhatsApp, Viber

WhatsApp and Viber offer free voice and video calls between app users. If both you and the person in Scotland have the same app installed, calls cost nothing beyond your data usage.

You cannot call regular Scottish phone numbers through these apps for free.

Real scenario: You’re calling your cousin in Glasgow who has WhatsApp. Open the app, tap their name, and hit the phone icon. The call is free regardless of duration.

If you’re calling a Scottish business that only lists a traditional phone number, WhatsApp won’t help. You need actual dialing capability, which brings us back to how to call Scotland from a US cell phone using either carrier minutes or a service like CallHippo.

The overlooked tactic here: For regular business calls to Scotland, set up a CallHippo number that forwards to your cell. Give Scottish contacts this number instead of your personal line. When they call you back, it routes through VoIP rates instead of them paying expensive international mobile charges. This makes your Scottish partners more likely to call you rather than just email.

Scotland Time Zone & Best Time to Call

Getting the timing wrong means waking people up at 3 AM or calling businesses after they’ve closed. Scotland’s clock runs ahead of every US time zone.

GMT vs BST (When They Apply)

Scotland switches between two time systems every year.

• Scotland observes GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) between the last weekend in October and the last weekend in March.
• BST (British Summer Time) starts from late March through late October. Clocks jump forward an hour to UTC+1.

In 2026, those dates are March 29 and October 25. The US switches to Daylight Saving on different dates. For about two weeks in spring and fall, the time gap between you and Scotland shifts by an hour.

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Tip: Use world clocks or apps to quickly check the current time in Scotland to avoid calling at odd hours.

Scotland is 5-8 Hours Ahead of the US

How far ahead Scotland is depends on where you are in the US and what time of year it is.

• Scotland is generally 5 hours ahead of Eastern Time (EST).
• From Central Time: 6 hours ahead normally. 7 during the overlap periods.
• From Mountain Time: 7 hours ahead. 8 during overlaps.
• From Pacific Time: 8 hours ahead. Sometimes 9.

Best Calling Window (9 AM-5 PM Scotland Time)

The best calling window for business calls to Scotland is between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM local Scottish time. For personal calls, you can call in the evenings from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Scotland, which is generally more convenient.

Calls Getting Unanswered? Leave a Message Instantly

Use CallHippo’s voicemail drop to send a pre-recorded message whenever your Scottish contacts can’t pick up.

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Cost of Calling Scotland from the US

International calls to Scotland carry widely different price tags depending on your method. Most people overpay because they don’t know the actual numbers.

Carrier Calling Rates

VoIP vs. Mobile Carrier Cost Comparison

If you call Scotland five times a month for 20 minutes each (100 minutes total), here’s how different options compare:

Why VoIP Makes Sense:

• Huge savings: compared to T-Mobile’s $300/month plan, VoIP saves ~$297–$299 every month.
• Affordable alternative to pay-per-use plans from AT&T or Verizon.
• Easy to use with your existing number for calls to Scotland.
• No need to give out separate numbers. Perfect for small businesses or frequent callers.

For regular calls to Scotland, using VoIP (like CallHippo, Google Voice, or Skype) is the smartest, most cost-effective strategy. You get the convenience of your regular number, avoid expensive international charges, and save compared to traditional carrier rates.

How to Reduce International Calling Charges?

Beyond switching to VoIP, here are specific ways to cut costs:

Strategy 1: Bundle your international calls

Instead of calling Scotland five separate times for 20 minutes each, schedule one longer 100-minute call. Many services charge connection fees per call (even if they’re small). Fewer calls mean fewer fees.

Strategy 2: Call Scottish mobiles through forwarding

Direct calls to Scottish mobile numbers cost more than landlines with most services. If you’re calling the same person regularly, set up a CallHippo virtual number that forwards to their mobile. They save the virtual number as if it’s a landline. You call the number at landline rates. The system forwards to their mobile on the Scotland end, where local forwarding is cheap.

Strategy 3: Use local access numbers

Some international calling services give you a local US number that connects to Scotland. When you dial this number, your carrier thinks you’re making a domestic call (free on most US plans), while the calling service routes it internationally. This works great if you call the same Scottish number repeatedly. It’s inefficient if you call different numbers each time.

Strategy 4: Schedule calls during off-peak hours

Some older VoIP services charge different rates for peak versus off-peak times. Peak typically means 9 AM to 5 PM Scotland time on weekdays. Most modern services like CallHippo use flat rates regardless of time, but if you’re using a calling card or older service, check if they offer cheaper night and weekend rates.

Identify Legit Scottish Numbers & Avoid Scam Calls

Phone scams using fake Scottish numbers have increased since 2024. Knowing how to verify numbers protects you from fraud before you dial or pick up.

1. How UK Number Structure Helps Spot Real Scottish Numbers

Legitimate Scottish numbers follow specific patterns. Understanding these patterns lets you instantly identify suspicious calls.

Geographic landlines:

• Start with 01 or 02
• Follow with 3-4 digit area codes
• Have 6-7 digit local numbers
• Total length: 10-11 digits, including the leading zero

Valid: 0131 496 0000 (Edinburgh landline). Invalid: 0131 49 (too short). Invalid: 0131 496 000 000 (too long)

Mobile numbers:

• Start with 07
• Follow with 3-4 additional digits
• Have 6 remaining digits
• Total length: 11 digits

The structure test: Real Scottish numbers always have 10 or 11 total digits. If someone gives you a 9-digit “Scottish number” or a 12-digit one, it’s fake or incorrectly formatted.

When you receive a call showing a Scottish number on your caller ID, count the digits after the +44. You should see 10 digits total (the 11-digit UK number minus the leading zero).

2. Premium-Rate & High-Cost Numbers to Avoid

Certain Scottish number ranges cost significantly more to call. Scammers deliberately use these ranges because they earn money when you call back.

• 090 numbers: Premium-rate service numbers. These cost £1.50+ per minute, even for UK callers. From the US, your carrier might charge $4- $ 6 per minute. Never call back a 090 number unless you’re certain it’s from a legitimate paid service (like a tech support line you intentionally contacted).
• 091 numbers: Premium-rate entertainment and adult services. Similar costs to 090 numbers.
• 070 numbers: Personal numbering service. These look like mobiles (starting with 07) but cost as much as premium numbers. Legitimate businesses rarely use 070.
• 084 and 087 numbers: Basic-rate and higher-rate non-geographic numbers. These cost more than landlines but less than premium numbers, typically $0.50-1.50 per minute from the US.

The scam pattern: You receive a missed call from a 090 or 070 number. The scammer hangs up after one ring. Their goal is to make you curious enough to call back, generating revenue for them at premium rates.

If you need to call Scotland from the U.S. for legitimate business and the only number provided starts with 084, 087, 090, or 070, search for the company name online. Most businesses list alternative landline or mobile numbers on their website.

3. Red Flags That Indicate Fraud or Spoofing

Scam calls from Scotland have patterns you can spot:

• One-ring scam: Phone rings once, stops. They want you curious enough to call back. Don’t. That callback costs you premium rates and they get paid.
• Pressure tactics: Someone with a Scottish accent says they’re from the tax office or your bank. They need payment NOW or information IMMEDIATELY. Government agencies don’t work like this. Banks don’t either. Hang up.
• Too-good offers: “You won the UK lottery!” or “You’re owed a tax refund from HMRC!” If you didn’t buy a UK lottery ticket or pay UK taxes, it’s fake.
• Number mismatch: They claim to be the Royal Bank of Scotland, but the callback number they give you isn’t on RBS’s actual website. That’s your sign.
• Vague voicemails: Real callers leave details. Scammers leave “Call us back immediately about an urgent matter” without saying who they are or what it’s about.
• Spoofed caller ID: Your phone shows a local US number, but the voice is Scottish and claims to be calling from Scotland. They’ve faked the display to make you answer.

4. How to Verify if a Scotland Number Is Genuine?

Before you call back, check if the number’s real:

Method 1: Google the exact number

Copy the whole thing, including the +44. Search it. Put quotes around it like “+44 131 496 0000” to get exact matches.

If it’s a real business, their website or directory listing pops up. If nothing shows or you only see scam reports, don’t call.

Method 2: Reverse lookup sites

Sites like who-called.co.uk and tellows.co.uk track reported scam numbers. Type in the number, see if others have flagged it.

This works better for numbers scammers use repeatedly. Brand new scam numbers won’t have reports yet.

Method 3: Check the company’s website directly

Say they claimed to be from a specific Scottish company. Don’t click any links they sent you. Go to the company’s actual website yourself. Find their contact page. Compare.

Example: Got a call from +44 131 550 0000 saying they’re the Edinburgh Tax Office. You search “Edinburgh Tax Office contact number” and the official HMRC line is 0300 200 3300 (that’s +44 300 200 3300 from the US). Numbers don’t match. It was fake.

Method 4: Call the main number first

Instead of calling back that sketchy number, look up the company’s main switchboard on their official site. Call that. Ask to be transferred to whoever supposedly called you.

If nobody there knows about the call, it was a scam.

The CallHippo Tip: When you use CallHippo to dial Scotland from the US, it logs everything, every number, timestamp, all of it. If someone calls you back claiming you dialed them first and you didn’t, you can check your history. Protects you from scammers who say “you called us” to sound legit.

Conclusion

Calling Scotland from the US fails for most people because they follow incomplete instructions. The exit code and the Scotland country code are just the starting point. You need to drop the trunk zero, differentiate between landline and mobile formats, verify numbers before calling expensive premium ranges, and time your calls across a 5-8 hour gap that shifts twice yearly.

CallHippo handles the formatting automatically, strips connection fees, provides verification tools, and lets you schedule calls across time zones. The specific tactics that separate successful Scotland callers from people wasting money: batch your calls to reduce connection overhead, use call forwarding to reach mobiles at landline rates, and implement number verification before returning suspicious callbacks.

FAQs

1. How do I call a +44 number from the US?

To call a +44 number from the US, you have to dial 011, then 44, and enter the UK number without the leading zero. On smartphones, you can dial +44 directly and the phone handles the exit code.

2. Is +44 the same as 07?

No, +44 is not the same as 07. +44 is the UK country code, while 07 is used for UK mobile numbers. The country code routes the call internationally, and 07 identifies mobile lines.

3. How do I call Scotland from the US on my iPhone?

Open the Phone app and dial +44 followed by the Scottish number without the leading zero. Your iPhone automatically converts the plus sign to the correct exit code.

4. Can I use my US cell phone in Scotland?

Yes, if your phone is unlocked and roaming is enabled. Most US carriers offer daily international plans, but charges can add up without a global plan.

5. Do I need a SIM card for Scotland?

You only need a SIM card for Scotland if you plan to use mobile data or make calls without Wi-Fi. Messaging apps work fine over Wi-Fi without a SIM.

6. What is the area code for Edinburgh, Scotland?

The area code for Edinburgh, Scotland, is 0131. When you call from the US, you need to drop the zero and dial 011-44-131 followed by the local number.

7. How do I call Glasgow, Scotland, from the US?

Glasgow’s area code is 0141. From the US, dial 011-44-141 and then the seven-digit local number, or use +44-141 on smartphones.

Published : February 10, 2026

Ankit Dudhwewala

Ankit Dudhwewala is the CEO and Co-founder of CallHippo, a leading virtual phone system designed to optimize business communication through AI and automation. With a strong background in marketing and business administration, Ankit has successfully built and bootstrapped CallHippo. Ankit’s leadership and innovative approach have made him a prominent figure in the SaaS industry, driving growth and shaping the future of business communication solutions.

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