If you're heading to Edinburgh for the first time, it can be all too
easy to tie this Scottish city in with the likes of London and
Manchester. This unique city however, has a few rules of its own,
along with its very own currency we might add, so whether you're
heading there for business or pleasure this guide to Edinburgh prep
could be the best thing you read all day, ensuring your trip to this
amazing city is nothing short of unforgettable first time round.
Documentation For Edinburgh
If you were travelling to Scotland as a citizen of the UK or
Republic Of Ireland, you won't require a passport, however if not,
you'll need a passport as usual to travel to this magnificent
country. You'll have to pass through border control as normal which
will require your passport or photo ID but just because you're
through
doesn't mean you can put the ID away.
In Scotland, you'll find they operate a very strict “Challenge 25”
policy. This means, if you're looking to grab some alcohol or
tobacco, you'll be asked for your ID if you look under 25. This is
simply to ensure that those who may not usually 'need' ID are still
within the legal age limits to make the purchase.
Get Your Beer Money At The Ready
While most who venture to the UK and travel onward to Scotland
continue to use the Great British Pound, symbolised by the '£', you
can actually grab Scottish bank notes too. These are notes which
have been printed by the Bank Of Scotland, Royal Bank Of Scotland as
well as the Clydesdale Bank. They each have
different designs so try not to fret if
after a few days in Edinburgh you find yourself with four different
£5 notes in your pocket. They're all perfectly legal and will all
pay for that beer you've been longing for since you hopped off your
flight.
If you have no cash on you, don't fret, as you'll still be able to
pay by card. Depending where you've travelled from however, you may
find yourself being charged transaction fees, otherwise known as
exchange fees, so you may want to bear that in mind when using your
card. While these fees aren't very high, they soon add up when
making lots of small purchases.
The Great Scottish Language
While many assume that English is the only language spoken in
Scotland, they're actually wrong. There are in fact three different
official languages that are spoken in Scotland. These are English,
Scots and Gaelic. Before you begin to search for a Scots and Gaelic
translation book, don't worry.
Everyone speaks English so communicating
with the locals won't be a problem. It's worth remembering that
locals will indeed speak with a Scottish accent, with a few slang
terms thrown in such as “wee” which means small and “aye” instead of
yes.
If you'd really like to explore Edinburgh and all it has to offer,
then why not join us on one of our many free tours that guarantee to
show you a side of Edinburgh you just wouldn't get to experience.
From our
Harry Potter tours
to our
Ghost Tours
and of course, our Edinburgh specific tours, which will give you the
rich history of this amazing city, along with an unbridled view into
its fabulous culture. Book online now!
Oh, and one last thing, don't forget your umbrella, unless you like
getting caught in the rain…
