Money isn’t the sexiest aspect of travel, but without it you don’t get very far. Get acquainted with Scotland’s notes and coins, plus a few other crucial bits of information, and you’ll minimise the chances of awkwardness, theft or abuse. Here’s what you need to know.
Currency
Britain's currency is the pound sterling, which is divided into 100 pence (100p). Notes are issued in £50, £20, £10, and £5 values. Coins are issued in £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p values. Scottish coins are the same as English ones, but Scottish notes are issued by three banks: the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and the Clydesdale Bank. They have the same face values as English notes, and English notes are interchangeable with them in Scotland.
Exchanging Money
Most city-center banks have a bureau de change (usual banking hours are weekdays 9:30-4:45). The bureau de change at the Tourist Centre, Waverley Market, is open daily. There are also bureaux de change at Waverley Station, Edinburgh Airport, and Frasers department store, at the west end of Princes Street.
Currency exchange
American Express Travel Service
139 Princes Street
Edinburgh EH2 4BR
Tel 01317 182505
Fax: 01312 256116
Bureau de Change
Edinburgh and Scotland Information Centre
3 Princes Street
Edinburgh EH2 2QP
Tel: 01314 733800
Fax: 01314 733881
Lloyds TSB
59 Leith Walk
Edinburgh EH6 8LT
Tel: 0131 554 7272
Fax: 0131 554 9402
Lloyds TSB
28 Hanover Street
Edinburgh EH2 2DS
Tel 0845 3003398
Fax: 0131 2201863
Lloyds TSB
67 Morrison Street
Edinburgh EH3 8YJ
Tel: 0845 8450829
Fax: 0845 8460829
Exchange Services
International Currency Express (PHONE: 888/278-6628 for orders, www.foreignmoney.com). Thomas Cook Currency Services (PHONE: 800/287-7362 for telephone orders and retail locations, www.us.thomascook.com).
Tipping
Some restaurants and most hotels add a service charge of 10%-15% to the bill. In this case you aren't expected to tip. If no service charge is indicated, add 10% to your total bill, but always check first. Taxi drivers should also get 10%, hairdressers and barbers 10%-15%. You are not expected to tip theater or movie theater ushers, elevator operators, or bartenders in pubs.
