Edinburgh, Scotland

What to wear in Edinburgh, Scotland

During any season in Scotland, a warm sweater and waterproof rain jacket are necessary, plus comfortable walking shoes, and hiking boots for the countryside.

Spoken language in Edinburgh, Scotland

English is the official language of Scotland. Enjoy the accent!.

Electricity in Edinburgh, Scotland

The standard electrical current in Scotland is 220 volts/50 cycles AC, and wall outlets use two round prongs, so both a converter and an adapter will be needed to use North American appliances.

Customs information for Edinburgh, Scotland visitors

We strongly recommend that you verify the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Entry

A valid passport is needed to enter Scotland, but no visa is required, for stays up to 90 days.

Scotland (UK) Customs

Visitors at least 17 years of age can enter the United Kingdom with 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco; one liter of alcohol over 44 proof, or two liters of fortified wine, sparkling wine, or other liqueurs, 60 ml of perfume and 250 ml eau de toilet, and any other items worth no more than $200.

US Customs

Returning US citizens who have been away for 48 hours or more are allowed to bring back, once every 30 days, $800 worth of merchandise duty-free. You will be charged a flat rate of 10% duty on the next $1,000 worth of purchases. Be sure to have your receipts handy. On gifts, the duty-free limit is $100. You cannot bring fresh foodstuffs into the United States; tinned foods, however, are allowed.

American Consulate

Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland 121099, phone 44-131-556-8314 or 44-131-260-6495, fax 44-131-557-6023.

Advising for Edinburgh, Scotland visitors

Scotland is a stable and modern country that benefits from generally low crime rates. However, as in all countries, travelers are advised to take certain precautions, from travel and health insurance, to taking care of personal belongings, to knowing who to contact if something does go wrong.Crime Incidents of pick-pocketing, mugging, theft of mobile phones, watches, and jewelry, as well as theft of unattended bags (especially at airports), are not unusual. Pick-pockets target tourists, especially at historic sites, restaurants, on buses, and trains.Travelers should avoid using unlicensed taxis or private cars posing as taxis that may offer low fares, but are often uninsured and may have unlicensed drivers. In some instances, travelers have been robbed while using these cars. Every licensed taxi has a yellow roof sign identifying it as a taxi.Visitors should take steps to ensure the safety of their passports. Visitors to the UK are not expected to produce identity documents for police authorities and thus may secure their passports in hotel safes.Clothing The style in Scotland is similar to the US. Visitors can sightsee in ultra-casuals if they choose, but they certainly will want to have some semi-elegant clothes on hand for the many fine restaurants and cultural activities that are available in Edinburgh (some of which require a jacket and tie for men). Dressing in layers to accommodate the rapidly changing weather is a good idea. During any season in Scotland, a warm sweater and waterproof rain jacket are necessary, plus comfortable walking shoes for the cities and hiking boots for the countryside.General Health Conditions While medical services are widely available, free care under the National Health System is allowed only to UK residents and certain EU nationals. Tourists and short-term visitors can expect charges roughly comparable to those assessed in the United States.To stay healthy, visitors are recommended to drink only bottled or boiled water. They should avoid drinks that contain untreated water, including tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.Travelers should consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.If your clients are taking prescribed drugs, advise them to carry a copy of their prescription (described by the generic name) together with a cover letter from their doctor, just in case they need additional supplies.