Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
accessory, therefore, is a good
wet suit
(ideally a
5/3mm steamer), wet-suit boots and, outside
summer, gloves and a hood, too.
Many of the best surf spots are surrounded by
stunning scenery, and you'd be unlucky to share
the waves with other surfers. However, this
isolation - combined with the cold water and big,
powerful waves - means that many of the best
locations can only be enjoyed by experienced
surfers. If you're a beginner, consider a
lesson
with
a qualified coach such as Craig “Suds” Sutherland at
Wild Diamond Watersports in Tiree (
T
07793
063849,
W
surfschoolscotland.co.uk).
Surf shops rent or sell equipment and provide good
information about local breaks and events on the
surfing scene. Two further sources of information are
Surfing Britain and Ireland
by Nelson/Taylor (Footprint;
£14.99), which details breaks around Scotland, and the
Surfing Great Britain website (
W
surfinggb.com).
least £75 each per day. If you're renting a car, staying
in comfortable B&Bs or hotels and eating well, you
should reckon on at least £100 a day per person.
Crime and personal safety
For the most part the Scottish
police
are approach-
able and helpful to visitors. If you're lost in a major
town, asking a police o
cer is generally the quickest
way to get help. As with any country, Scotland's
major towns and cities have their danger spots, but
these tend to be inner-city housing estates where
no tourist has any reason to roam. The chief urban
risk is
pickpocketing
, so carry only as much money
as you need, and keep all bags and pockets
fastened. Out in the Highlands and Islands, crime
levels are very low. Should you have anything stolen
or be involved in some incident that requires
reporting, contact the local police station (dial
T
101
from any location);
T
999 (or
T
112) should only be
used in emergencies - in other words if someone is
in immediate danger or a crime is taking place.
SURF SHOPS AND SCHOOLS
Coast to Coast Surf School
13 High St, Dunbar
T
07971 990361,
W
c2cadventure.com. Year-round surfing lessons and surf safaris across
Scotland.
Boardwise
14 Lady Lawson St, Edinburgh
T
01312 295887. Surf
gear, clothes and short-term rental (board and wet suit £20/day).
Clan Surf
45 Hyndland St, Partick, Glasgow
T
01413 396523,
W
clanskates.co.uk. Combined surf, skate and snowboard shop.
Lessons also available.
Granite Reef
45 The Green, Aberdeen
T
01224 252752,
W
granitereef.co.uk. Sales, hire and boards available to try before you
buy. Boards available to rent and try before you buy.
Tempest Surf
Riverside Road, Thurso
T
01847 892500. At the
harbourside, you'll find lessons, a shop and a café that may tempt you to
remain snug indoors.
Wild Diamond
Watersports
Isle of Tiree,
T
07793 063849,
W
surfschoolscotland.co.uk. Professional instruction and hire for
surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and kayaking.
Discounts
Most attractions in Scotland offer
concessions
for
senior citizens, the unemployed, full-time students
and children under 16, with under-5s being
admitted free almost everywhere - proof of eligi-
bility will be required in most cases. Family tickets
are often available for those travelling with kids.
Once obtained,
youth/student ID cards
soon
pay for themselves in savings. Full-time students are
eligible for the International Student Identity Card
or
ISIC
(
W
isiccard.com), which costs around £12
and entitles the bearer to special air, rail and bus
fares, and discounts at museums, theatres and
other attractions. If you're not a student, but you're
25 or younger, you can get an International Youth
Travel Card or
IYTC
, which costs the same as the
ISIC and carries the same benefits.
Travel essentials
Electricity
Costs
Scotland is a relatively
expensive
place to visit, with
travel, food and accommodation costs higher than
the EU average. The minimum expenditure for a
couple travelling on public transport, self-catering
and camping, is in the region of £30 each a day, rising
to around £50 per person a day if you're staying at
hostels and eating the odd meal out. Staying at
budget B&Bs, eating at unpretentious restaurants and
visiting the odd tourist attraction, means spending at
The current in Scotland is the
EU standard
of
approximately 230v AC. All sockets are designed for
British three-pin plugs, which are totally different
from the rest of the EU. Adapters are widely
available at airports and electronics stores.
Emergencies
For
police
,
fire
and
ambulance
services phone
T
999.
