Page 210 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

208  SUR VIV AL GUIDE PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  209

Smoking and Alcohol
UK, non-residents can redeem Standard Time and ten hours
VAT on goods purchased from It is illegal to smoke in all public behind Sydney. From the
shops in the Retail Export places in Scotland, including middle of March to the end
Scheme. Refunds will be given public transport systems, taxis, of October, the clocks go
if goods are faulty and are train stations, theatres and forward one hour to British
returned with the receipt as cinemas, bars, restaurants Summer Time (which is one
proof of purchase. and shops. hour ahead of GMT). To check
There is a general ban on the correct time, you can dial
drinking in public in Greater 123 to contact the Speaking
Student Travellers
Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Clock service.
Full-time students who have an Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, home of the area, although public drinking
International Student Identity National Trust for Scotland is discouraged throughout DIRECTORY
Card (ISIC) are Scotland. This ban is usually
often entitled properties close during the lifted for the New Year Embassies and
to discounts winter months, so check street party at Hogmanay Consulates
on travel, ahead before visiting. (31 December). Australian High
sports facilities Commission
Glamis Castle, one of the sights that charges admission to visitors and entrance Historic Scotland Conversion Chart Australia House, Strand, London
fees. North Student ISIC card WC2B 4LA. Tel (0207) 379 4334.
Travelling with Children
accompanied by an adult. The American An agency within the Scottish Britain is officially metric ated ∑ uk.embassy.gov.au
Public holidays and school legal drinking age is 18. students can also get medical Government, Historic Scotland, in line with the rest of Europe. Canadian High Commission
holidays (July–mid-August) cover but it may be very basic manages some 400 key heritage However imperial measures Canada House, Trafalgar Square,
have most to offer in the way of (see p210). ISIC cards are sites around the country. are still very much in com mon London SW1Y 5BJ.
children’s entertainment. Many Admission Charges available from STA Travel, or Admission prices, though usage, including road distances Tel (020) 7004 6000.
places have activities suitable These vary widely, from a the National Union of Students. gener ally very reasonable, soon and speed limits (measured ∑ canadainternational.gc.ca
for children over the Christmas nominal fee to a more sub- Inexpensive accommo dation is add up if you have an interest in in miles and miles per hour).
period, particularly pantomimes. stantial charge for popular also available (out of term time) Scottish history, making their Imperial pints and gallons New Zealand High
Discounts for children and family attractions. Reductions are often at the university halls of residence annual pass well worth con- are 20 per cent larger than Commission
New Zealand House,
tickets are available for travel, available for groups, senior in the main cities. This is a good sider ing. Both Edinburgh Castle US measures. 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TQ.
theatre and other entertainments. citizens, children or stu dents. way of staying in central loca- (see pp64–5) and Stirling Castle Tel (0207) 930 8422.
ScotRail allows two children The majority of local churches, tions when on a tight budget. (see pp124–5) are included in Imperial to metric ∑ mfat.govt.nz
aged between 5 and 15 to museums and art galleries are An International Youth the pass, while a membership 1 inch = 2.5 centimetres
travel for free with an adult. free, unless a special exhibition Hostel Federation card pack, a quarterly magazine, 1 foot = 30 centimetres United States Consulate
Accommodation that is showing, but donations are enables you to stay in one of mem bers-only tours and lec- 1 mile = 1.6 kilometres 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh
pro vides family rooms (see frequently expect ed. Some Scotland’s many youth hostels. tures, and discounts at Historic 1 ounce = 28 grams EH7 5BW. Tel (0131) 556 8315.
pp172–7) is generally child- attractions in Scotland are run Contact the Scottish Youth Scotland shops and cafés also 1 pint = 0.6 litres ∑ uk.usembassy.gov
friendly, or opt for self-catering privately, either as commer cial Hostels Association directly help justify the cost. Members 1 gallon = 4.5 litres Student Travellers
(efficiency apartments). Many ven tures or on a charitable basis. (see Directory) for more also receive half-price admission
hotels provide baby-sitting or detailed information. at over 500 other historic attrac­ Metric to imperial International Youth Hostel
baby-listening services, and Opening Hours tions in England and Wales. 1 millimetre = 0.04 inch Federation
offer reductions or free accom- 1 centimetre = 0.4 inch Tel (01707) 324170.
modation for the very young. Many shops in Scotland open National Trust Electricity 1 metre = 3 feet 3 inches ∑ hihostels.com
for Scotland
Many restaurants welcome on Sundays, particularly in the 1 kilometre = 0.6 mile National Union of Students
children, providing highchairs city centres. In the Western Isles, Many of Scotland’s historic The voltage in Scotland is 220/ 1 gram = 0.04 ounce Tel (0131) 556 6598.
and special menus (see pp181– however, Sunday is still very buildings, parks, gardens, and 240 AC, 50 Hz. The electrical plugs 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds ∑ nus.org.uk/en/nus-
9). Pubs often admit children, if much regarded as a day of rest, vast tracts of countryside and have three square pins and take scotland/
and shops, cafés and restaurants coastline are cared for by the fuses of 3, 5 and 13 amps. In order Scottish Youth Hostels
are likely to be closed. Monday National Trust for Scotland «. to use your foreign appliances, Time Association
to Friday hours are around 9am Entrance fees can often be such as hair dryers, you will Scotland is on Greenwich Tel (01786) 891400.
to 6pm, but shop hours do vary, relatively high compared to fees need an adaptor. Most hotel Mean Time (GMT) during the ∑ syha.org.uk
opening late one evening a week at other sights, so if you plan on bathrooms have two-pronged winter months – that is, five
– usually Thursday. Museums visiting several NTS properties, it sockets for electric shavers. hours ahead of Eastern STA Travel
and art galleries generally open may be worth taking out annual Tel (0333) 321 0099.
for fewer hours on Sundays. membership, which allows free ∑ statravel.co.uk
Many attractions open on access thereafter to all NTS Heritage Sites
public and bank holi days, but properties, as well as free
almost all are closed on Christmas admission to National Trust Historic Scotland
Day and New Year’s Day. properties in England, Wales Tel (0131) 668 8600.
and Northern Ireland. Mem- ∑ historicenvironment.scot
bership also includes a sticker
VAT and Refunds for free parking at all NTS sites, National Trust for
Scotland (NTS)
Value added tax (VAT) is charged along with a Trust magazine Tel (0131) 458 0200.
Playing with interactive exhibits at at 20 per cent on most goods three times a year. Be aware, ∑ nts.org.uk
Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood and services. When leaving the however, that many NTS Bars lining historic street in the town centre of Perth

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