Page 214 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

212  SUR VIV AL GUIDE PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  213

Banking and Currency money from most Scottish Currency
banks. Check that your bank Britain’s currency is the pound sterling (£), Clydesdale Bank. The notes represent the same
Visitors to most Scottish cities and large towns will find a card is compatible with the which is divided into 100 pence (p). There are value as an English note and can be accepted
number of options for exchanging currency. High-street cashpoint you are us ing or you no exchange controls in Britain, so you may elsewhere in Britain, although it is often with
banks, post offices and bureaux de change offer this service may be charged a fee or have bring in and take out as much cash as you like. reluctance. Note: the Scottish £1 note will not
at different exchange and commission rates. Cashpoints your card rejected. Scotland’s own currency, the pound Scots, be accepted outside Scotland. Bank of England
You can also obtain money by
and Northern Ireland notes can be used
was replaced by the pound sterling in 1707.
(ATMs) are found at many locations and can be used to contacting your own bank and Today, Scotland has its own pound sterling throughout Scotland; you will receive change
dispense cash via your debit card. Credit cards, prepaid asking them to wire cash to the notes, which are printed by the Bank of in Scottish notes. All three countries use Bank
currency cards and traveller’s cheques are the safest methods nearest Scottish bank. Branches Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the of England coins.
of bringing currency with you to Scotland. of American Express will do this
for you. Visitors from the US can Bank Notes
have cash dispatched through Scottish notes are produced in
Western Union to a bank or post N denominations of £1, £5, £10, £20,
office. Take your passport as proof E £50 and £100. Always get small
of identity. Banking hours vary M denominations, as some shops may
from bank to bank, but the mini­ I refuse the lar ger notes. Although
mum opening times are 9:30am C Scotland has a £1 note, the English
to 3:30pm Monday to Friday. E £1 coin, and all Bank of England
P currency, is accepted.
Credit Cards S
Credit and store cards are widely
accepted through out Scotland, N
One of many banks to offer bureau de change facilities but some smaller shops, guest­ £100 note E
houses and cafés may not take M
Bureaux De Change Banks them. Visa, MasterCard, Diners N I
Although bureaux de change As well as Scottish banks, there Club and Ameri can Express are E C
are often more conveni ently are branches of some major the most widely used cards. You E
located than banks and have international and UK banks in may be able to obtain a cash M P
longer opening hours, the the main cities in Scotland. advan ce against your credit card I
exchange rates can vary Most banks have a cash point at an ATM, although the interest C S
considerably and commission (ATM), as do many building rate may be quite high. E £50 note
charges can be high. societies, large supermarkets P
Reputable firms such and garages, from which you S N
as International Currency can obtain money with a bank Prepaid Currency Cards E
Ex change and American or credit card and your personal Currency cards can be a useful £20 note
Express offer good exchange identification number (PIN). alternative to traveller’s cheques, N M
facilities. Interna tional Currency Some of the most modern which can mostly only be I
Exchange has just one branch machines have instructions in exchanged at post offices and E C
at Edinburgh Airport; both several lan guages. Card holders bureaux de change. Currency M E
Thomas Cook and American from principal English banks, cards are preloaded with money I P
Express have branches such as NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds from your bank account and C S
throughout Scotland. Bank and Barclays, can withdraw used like a debit card to pay for E £10 note
things and withdraw money P
Scottish Banks from an ATM. S
Branches of the three main Scottish banks (Royal Bank of Scotland, £5 note
Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale), will be found in all cities and many DIRECTORY
towns. English banks such as NatWest and Barclays are rare outside Coinage
the main cities. Most Exchange Facilities Coins currently in use are
banks offer exchange American Express £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p
facilities, but proof of Tel (0870) 850 7814. and 1p. The same coins are
identity may be required ∑ americanexpress.com produced and accepted
and the commission Bank of Scotland logo International Currency throughout the UK.
charges will vary. 2 pounds (£2) 1 pound (£1) 50 pence (50p)
Exchange
Tel (0844) 800 3974. ∑ iceplc.com
Thomas Cook
Royal Bank of Scotland logo Tel (0844) 335 7260.
∑ thomascook.com
Western Union
Tel (0808) 234 3943.
∑ westernunion.co.uk
Clydesdale Bank logo NatWest logo 20 pence (20p) 10 pence (10p) 5 pence (5p) 2 pence (2p) 1 penny (1p)

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