For international visitors travelling from abroad!

If you're visiting from abroad, there are a few practical things to know before you go.

Travel

• Please note that you may need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) or visa for entry into the UK.

• You do not pass through any tolls of border checks whilst travelling between countries in the UK.

• The UK uses a three pin plug, so be sure to bring travel adapters.

• Be prepared to be without phone signal in remote locations!

• Visit Scotland has tons of information on their website about visiting Scotland, so do check it out!

• If you're arriving from overseas, UK border control may ask about your accommodation and return travel, so have that info handy.

• Scotland uses the same currency as the rest of the UK, which is the Great British Pound.

Supermarkets

• Common supermarkets you find in the UK (in order of cheapest to most expensive): Aldi, Lidl, Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose

• You will have to pay to use carrier bags!

• Supermarkets operate on shorter opening times on a Sunday, usually 10am-4pm.

• In Scotland, you can only buy alcohol in supermarkets between 10am-10pm.

• Supermarkets have a medication section where you can buy simple medical supplies and basic medication such as painkillers etc.

• Most supermarkets offer 'meal deals' or ready-to-eat sections, super handy if you want lunch on the go.

• Most smaller villages may only have a small Co-op or Spar, so plan ahead if you want access to bigger supermarkets.

• If you’re in a motorhome, some larger Tesco and Morrisons stores have spacious car parks suitable for motorhomes.

Pharmacies

• The most well-known pharmacies found in the UK are Boots, Superdrug and Lloyd's pharmacies. Very large supermarkets will sometimes have a pharmacy too.

• You’ll often need to speak to a pharmacist directly before purchasing some medications. Some 'simpler' medications can be bought off the shelf.

• In remote areas, pharmacy hours can be limited. Plan ahead if you think you’ll need anything.

Emergency numbers

• In the UK if you need to contact the emergency services, dial 999.

• This includes the fire service, ambulance service, police, mountain rescue and coast guard.

• For non-emergency enquires you can dial 101.

Money

• In Scotland the currency is the Great British Pound £.

• Tipping isn't expected, but appreciated, mainly in restaurants! If you would like to tip, then 10% is generally a good amount.

• Carry cash (coins) - especially for car parks!

Driving in the UK

• The speed limits are in mph.

• They drive on the left-hand side of the road.

• You cannot turn right or left on a red light under any circumstances.

• Check out our travel tip on 'DRIVING TIPS' for more information.

• Roundabouts are very common, always give way to traffic coming from your right.

• Fuel stations are less frequent in rural areas, fill up when you can, especially in the Highlands.