Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Scottish banks issue their own banknotes, meaning there's quite a variety of different
notes in circulation. They are harder to exchange outside the UK, so swap for Bank of
England notes before you leave.
ATMs
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Automatic teller machines (ATMs - often called cashpoints) are widespread.
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You can use Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Cirrus, Plus and Maestro to withdraw cash from
ATMs belonging to most banks and building societies.
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Cash withdrawals from non-bank ATMs, usually found in shops, may be subject to a
charge of £1.50 or £2.
Credit Cards
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Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, though some small businesses will charge for
accepting them.
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Charge cards such as Amex and Diners Club are less widely used.
Money Changers
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The best-value place to change money is at post offices, where no commission is
charged.
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Be careful using bureaux de change; they may offer good exchange rates but frequently
levy outrageous commissions and fees.
Tipping
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Tip 10% in sit-down restaurants, but not if they've already added a service charge to the
bill. In classy places they may expect closer to 15%.