Scotland Travel Notes

Corner of the Aldwych and the Strand. Nearest Tube station: Temple) Tel +44 (020) 7379 4334 Fax +forty four (020) 7240 5333 www.uk.embassy.gov.au

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Great Britain / The European Union

The United Kingdom consists of Great Britain, which covers England, Wales and Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom belongs to the European Union, together with the twenty-seven different nations which have joined the European Union (EU) since its inception in 1958 as the European Commission. The United Kingdom joined in 1973.

England is on GMT time which means that it's 10 hours behind Australia. During Daylight Saving Britian is 11 hours behind Australia. Begins: Last Sunday in March at 1.00am Ends: Lat Sunday, in October at 1.00am. To acquire the current local time and date in cities and nations in all time zones. www.worldtimeserver.com

Great Britain use 240 volts (50Hz). Plugs have three flat prongs in a T shape. www.korjo.com/Adaptor-Guide

To obtain the most recent exchange fee chances are you'll wish to go to www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

Although the United Kigdom is a member of the European Union, it isn't a part of the EURO-zone and due to this fact at present retains its local currency, the good British Pound (GBP), typically represented by the symbol £. 1 Pound = a hundred Pence. Coins are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Pence and 1 and 2 Pounds. Notes are in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 Pounds.

Credit card and ATM machines

ATMs are the best approach to access your money. They're frequent in all vacationer towns and cities. Most accept Visa, MasterCard, Electron, Cirrus, Maestro and InterBank cards. ATMs generally run dry on weekends in smaller towns.

Mobile telephones Most mobile telephones work in Great Britain and protection is superb. Check along with your local provider that your phone can swap on ‘Global Roaming’ and that your supplier has protection in the places you're visiting. Mobile phones could be very helpful for SMSing (particularly should you get lost!). International calls are often expensive, as is checking your message bank as calls need to be routed through Australia.

Should you choose to buy a local sim card please test with your native present prior to departure to verify your telephone is unlocked and will accept one other sim card.

Internet Internet access is widespread and available throughout Great Britain. Many resorts and cafes now provide access, some it's good to pay whereas others have free Wi-fi zones.

Business Hours in Great Britain

Shops 10.00-18.30* Monday-Saturday, 11.00-17.00* Sunday. *Larger shopping areas and centers might keep open later, generally up to 22.00, particularly in busy intervals. Banks 09.00-17.00 Monday-Friday, 09.00-12.30 Saturday (limited branches) Post Offices 09.00-17.00 Monday-Friday, 09.00-12.30 Saturday (fundamental offices solely).

Shopping & VAT Australian guests to the United Kingdom and Ireland can reclaim the value Added Tax (at present 20%) on sure purchases. VAT can only be claimed on items you bodily carry out of the country, comparable to clothing, electrical items and gifts and many others. You will need to reclaim VAT earlier than you depart the European Union - when you return to Australia it is simply too late. For extra details please check with the ‘A Traveller’s Guide to the Retail Export Scheme’ out there at customs factors.

- We strongly advocate using a money belt to maintain your cash, cards and travel documents in. This ought to be kept under your clothes always. It is a precaution that ought to be taken anywhere due to the difficulties that can be skilled in trying to substitute stolen items.- Take photocopies of all essential paperwork (passport, credit score cards, airline tickets, thetravelnotes.com insurance) and keep one copy securely in your luggage and go away another copy at dwelling.- It is generally useful to take a enterprise card from the resort you are staying at. This will assist vastly should you get misplaced. In case you also have a key card for your resort, be certain that you retain these two playing cards separate otherwise you run the chance of permitting a thief entry to your room.- Take further care in crowded locations and try to not ‘advertise’ the very fact that you simply may be carrying valuables by having one thing like an costly digital camera over your shoulder. Put it in your bag or underneath your coat. And men, attempt to keep away from keeping your wallet in your hip pocket.

Clothing (general) The time of the 12 months you visit this destination will dictate the kind of clothes it is suitable to carry. It could all the time be advisable to take a rain coat or a water proof windbreaker. For daytime actions, we recommend a wardrobe that is flexible, informal and snug. It is strongly recommended that "layered" clothing may provide one of the best comfort in quite a lot of circumstances. Always anticipate the weather to be changeable. During some of our tours you'll be attending evening performances. Formal evening put on shouldn't be required, however, smarter casual wear could be appropriate (no denims).

- comfy walking sneakers (very important) While on tour you can be visiting towns cities and websites that often have uneven cobblestone pavements or rough paths hence flat shoes with grip are really helpful.- sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat- folding umbrella and/or light raincoat- ladies ought to have a scarf with them at all times in case it's required to cover shoulders or head when entering religious sites- prescription medicines for the complete duration of your time away and a written copy of your prescriptions together with what they're for, supplied by your physician- extra prescription eyeglasses (if required)

Tipping Staff in Scotland eating places are sometimes paid very low wages and tips of 10% are anticipated. When dining as a group on ASA tours, this 10% tip is included in your tour value, however when dining alone remember so as to add this tip unless you consider the service to have been unsatisfactory. Some restaurants embody a service cost which makes it pointless to tip. Taxis will even expect a 10% tip on high of the fare, as will upmarket bars, although you are not anticipated to tip in an area pub.