former viola player. Like others have said, rent first. The rental will include the appropriate bow as part of the deal. When you go to a stringed instrument store, let them know that your interest is in fiddling not classical. A "fiddle" (which can be a viola, not just a violin, just sayin') has a more flat bridge so the fiddler can hit two strings at the same time without applying as much pressure. Also, makes for a quicker transition from one set of strings to the next set of strings (ex: playing both A/D then to a D/G-viola open strings).
If going from viola to guitar is any indicator, you will find it kind of awkward to hold and press the strings and apply the correct pressure to the bow. However, it is worth the effort! I love both instruments and I anticipate that, if you want to play fiddle, you will enjoy learning violin/fiddle.
FYI-most fiddlers play violin.
I played viola (classical) and futzed around with fiddling on the viola.
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