If your serious and want to goto a design college/uni. Then I think your kinda fucked if your in Scotland all the good ones are down south I think. Correct me if I'm wrong though.
I went to my local college for a bit about a year back on a design course but it was really shit, I mean the quality of tutors and lessons plans were pathetic and the student work was horrendous. I still learnt things though mainly about printing, pantone and all that jazz, which still unfortunately confuses me somewhat but I digress thats another story.
Alot of people I have met are self taught. Many got into 'design' by accident. I myself kind of fell into it. I was doing a software development course about 4 years back and we were asked to design a magazine cover (dont ask me why, it was at the start of the course) using ms publisher LOL. It was then I realised what I wanted to do and since then I been pissing about trying to get it done. Basically what I'm trying to say is, if you have the natural ability and skills and work hard then working in design will be fulfilling and you will love every second of it, even the shite bits. One piece of advice though, is dont become lazy, always do something design wise, carry a sketchbook with you wherever you go, doodle every little idea that comes into your head and practice everything you can all the time.
Wow thats the most I have typed for awhile, my hand hurts now.