Practical Information

Practical Information

Banking


The majority of banks are open Mon-Fri 0900-1700 with some city centre offices open Saturday morning. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available throughout the area and most are linked to Cirrus, Maestro or Plus international money systems. Visitors are advised to check with their local bank prior to travelling.

Bureau de Change


Bureau de Change facilities can be found at the airports, train stations, most city centre banks, Tourist Information Centres and travel outlets. Glasgow, Abington and Hamilton Tourist Information Centres operate Bureau de Change and Western Union Money Transfer Services.

Credit Cards


Most hotels, restaurants and shops in Scotland accept major credit cards such as VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and JCB.

Currency


British currency is pound sterling (£) and is made up of 100 pence (p). Several Scottish banks issue their own notes in denominations of £5, £10, £20, £50 & £100 which are legal tender in England and Northern Ireland. Bank of England and Northern Ireland banknotes are legal tender in Scotland. Coins come in denominations of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 & £2. Currency Converter

Customs and Duty Free


For information regarding customs and duty free allowances, please visit HM Customs and Excise.

Driving In The UK

The UK drives on the left hand side of the road. To drive in the UK, you require to have a current driving licence. A foreign licence is valid in the UK for up to 12 months. It is compulsory to wear seat belts in the front seat and if your car has seat belts in the back, they must also be worn. If travelling with your own car you must be properly insured and it is advisable to check your policy prior to your journey. For additional information on driving in the UK, maps, travel insurance or road service, contact the Automobile Association or the RAC (Royal Automobile Club)and for up to date traffic and roadworks information see the NADICS - National Driver Information web site.

Electricity


The standard voltage in Scotland is 240V AC, 50Hz. North American appliances need a transformer and an adapter; Australasian appliances need only an adaptor. Plugs have 3 square pins and adapters are widely available.

Embassies & Consulates


Foreign embassies can assist travellers with lost or stolen passports and provide assistance in emergencies. Information is available here for European Union Embassies in the UK

Emergency Services


For Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance and in some areas, Mountain Rescue or Coastguard, dial 999.

Health Care


EU citizens are entitled to free or reduced cost medical treatment at National Health Service hospitals. With the exception of accident and emergency treatment, all non-EU members will be charged for medical treatment and must have adequate health insurance when travelling.

Information for the Disabled


For details of access and facilities available please contact any Tourist Information Centre or visit www.glasgowaccesspanel.org.uk.

Newspapers on the Internet


The Herald
The Sunday Herald
The Scotsman
Evening Times
Daily Record
Sunday Mail

Postal Services

Most post offices are open Mon-Fri 0900-1730 and Saturday 0900-1230 with stamps available from most stationery shops and Tourist Information Centres. Comprehensive details on postal services are available from the Royal Mail. Glasgow's principal post office, at St.Vincent Place, is open Monday -Friday from 0830 - 1745 and on Saturdays from 0900 - 1730
Public Holidays 2009
City of Glasgow
New Year 1st & 2nd Jan
Easter 10th & 13th April 
May Day 4th May
May Bank Holiday 22nd & 25th May
Glasgow Fair 20th July
September Weekend 25th & 28th
St Andrew's Day 30th Nov (optional)
Christmas 25th & 28th Dec
Quarantine Regulations
Please visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/ for comprehensive information on British quarantine regulations.
Radio Stations on the Internet
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 5
BBC Radio 6
BBC Radio 7
BBC World Service
BBC Scotland
Clyde 1
Clyde 2

Smoking

On Sunday March 26, 2006 Scotland introduced a new law which bans smoking in public places. The law includes all enclosed or partley enclosed public areas.  For more information please visit http://www.clearingtheairscotland.com/

Telephone Service

Most public telephones accept coins (10p, 20p, 50p, £1), with a minimum connection charge 20p. An increasing number of kiosks also accept credit cards and offer e-mail and internet access.

Television

There are 5 main terrestrial television stations in central Scotland. BBC1, BBC2, Scottish Television, Channel Four and Channel 5 offer a wide range of programming to suit all tastes. Satellite, Cable and BSkyB are also available in selected hotels.

Time

Time in Scotland is consistent with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) except from late March to late October when Daylight Saving Time is in effect (clocks are put forward one hour). US Eastern Standard Time is 5 hours behind GMT and Australian Eastern Standard Time is 10 hours ahead of GMT. Most public transport timetables use the 24 hour clock.

Tipping

  There are no hard and fast rules for tipping in Scotland. If you are happy with the service, a 10-15% tip is customary, particularly in a restaurant or café with table service. Tipping in bars is not expected. For taxi fares it is usual to round up to the nearest pound (£).

Travel Insurance

It is strongly recommended that visitors to the UK arrange travel insurance to cover the loss of possessions and money as well as health and dental treatment.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required prior to visiting Scotland.
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
All purchases in Britain, with the exception of food and books, are subject to VAT, which increases the cost of an item by 15%. Visitors from non-EU countries can claim a refund of VAT from selected shops on goods to be taken out of the country under the Retail Export Scheme. For information on the scheme, please visit HM Customs and Excise.
Videos
The UK uses the Phase Alternative Line (PAL) system for videos. Videos are available in SECAM and NTSC formats in souvenir shops and Tourist Information Centres for use abroad.
Visas
EU members may travel and work in the UK with no visa requirement. Citizens from the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand do not require a visa to visit the UK but are prohibited from work. Citizens from other countries require a visa which can be obtained from their nearest British Consular office. For additional information on UK immigration and visa requirements visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office web site.
VisitScotland
VisitScotland provides information on accommodation, transport, visitor attractions and events for the whole of Scotland. For links to all Scottish area tourist boards, please see our Useful Links page.
Weights & Measures
The United Kingdom now uses the metric system for weights and measures, however non-metric equivalents are still widely used. For example many distances are still shown in miles. Food, drink and petrol are sold in metric measures.