Page 213 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  211

Lost Property
handbags on your lap,
not on the floor. And If you are unlucky enough to
in pubs, do not put lose anything or have any thing
your bag over the stolen, go straight to the nearest
back of your chair; police station to report your
use the bag clips on loss. If you want to claim on
the underside of tables Police car insurance for any theft, you will
where available. need a written report from the
It is advisable not to local police. All of the main bus
carry too much cash and train stations have lost
or jewellery with you; property centres. Most hotels
leave it in the safe in disclaim all responsibility for
the hotel instead. Or valuables not kept in their safe.
keep most of your cash It is advisable to make photo-
in a money belt worn copies of your vital documents
under your clothing, Ambulance such as passports and travel
with smaller amounts papers. If you lose your pass-
more easily accessible port, contact your embassy or
in a shoulder bag or consulate in either Edin burgh
pocket. Pick pockets or London (see p209).
tend to fre quent
crowded places like DIRECTORY
markets, busy shops
and public transport. Police, Fire
If you are travelling Fire engine and Ambulance
alone at night try to Services
avoid deserted and poor ly lit Police Tel 999. Calls are free (24-hour
buildings and places such as The sight of a traditional British phoneline).
back streets and car parks. bobby patrolling the streets in a
When driv ing, try to park in tall hat is now less common than Hospital Accident
well-lit areas where it will be the police patrol car, usually and Emergency
difficult for some one to tamper with wailing sirens and flashing Departments
with your car with out being lights. But the old-fashioned Aberdeen Royal
noticed. A steering wheel lock police constable does still exist Infirmary
is a good visual deter rent. If in Scotland, particularly in rural Tel (0345) 456 6000.
you are the victim of crime, areas and crowded city centres, Edinburgh Royal
contact your local police station. and continues to be courteous, Infirmary
It is often necessary to report approachable and helpful. Tel (0131) 536 1000.
a crime in order to make an Unlike in many other countries,
insurance claim. the police in Scotland do not Glasgow Royal
carry guns. If you are lost, the Infirmary
traditional advice to ask a Tel (0141) 211 4000.
Women Travelling policeman or woman still applies.
Alone Inverness Raigmore
Traffic wardens may also be Tel (01463) 704000.
Scotland is safe for female solo able to help with directions. NHS 24 Helpline
travellers, but commonsense If you have lost property it is Tel 111.
precautions should be worth contacting the local ∑ nhs24.com
taken. Caution is police station as someone
advisable in may have handed it in. Perth Royal Infirmary
deserted places, In a crisis, dial 999 to Tel (01738) 623311.
especially after reach police, fire and Emergency
dark. It is best to ambulance services Dental Care
summon a licensed who are on call 24
taxi (see p223) hours a day. Calls Chalmers Dental Centre
rather than walk are free from any 3 Chalmers St,
through a lonely Logo of the Royal National public or private Edinburgh EH3 9EW
area of a city at Lifeboat Institution phone, but they Tel (0131) 536 4800.
night, especially if should only be made
you do not know the area well. in real emergencies. In Scotland’s Disabled
It is illegal to carry any offensive coastal areas this number will Helpline
weapons, including knives, also put you in touch with The Disability Helpline
guns, mace or tear-gas, even Britain’s voluntary coastguard Tel (0808) 800 3333.
for self-defence. Personal rescue service, the RNLI (Royal ∑ scope.org.uk
alarms are permitted, however. National Lifeboat Institution).

210-211_EW_Scotland.indd 211 10/23/17 12:59 PM