FAQ's and Tips for the Traveller Q. Do I need a Visa to visit Scotland? A. Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are generally allowed to stay six months without a visa. Q. What Vaccinations are necessary before travel? A. There are no known health risks in visiting Great Britian - no vaccinations are necessary to travel into the country. However, if you contract a virus or disease you feel may be harmful to others, please notify your doctor and discuss the situation.

Oban Scotland

A note on Healthcare: All U.S. citizens are encouraged to take out medical care before travelling overseas. Please check with your medical insurer to discuss the policies for healthcare outside the United States. With most know insurers healthcare is covered outside the United States. The water in Britain is perfectly safe to drink.

Q. What is the electricity wattage in Scotland?
A. Electricity: 240V, 50Hz - converters are available in most drug stores or department stores, as well as at the airport.

Q. What's the weather like in Scotland?
A. Below is an average temperature chart:

Month	Celcius	Farenheit
January	6	42
February	6	42
March	8	47
April	11	52
May	14	58
June	16	61
July	18	68
August	18	68
September	16	61
October	12	54
November	9	49
December	7	45

Q. How should I pack?
A. May through September are the warmest months of the year, however, a warm rainjacket is always a smart item in Scotland. Sweaters and jackets are usually necessary for outdoor or evening events. Pack as little as possible, and in one suitcase and one carry-on bag. And remember to leave room for new purchases - that fabulous Scottish wool is always priced right in Scotland, but these items can be thick. More items to remember:
· Label your baggage clearly
· Pack your medications, extra eyeglasses, and essential items that may not be replaceable
· Just in Case! Pack a copy of your Passport in case it's misplaced. This won't get you out of the country, but it will make the replacement process easier. If you do lose your passport, contact the U.S. consulate as well as the local police.
· Bring a written copy of important phone numbers and charge card numbers, as well as traveler's checks and the information for your airline ticket. Leave this information at home, in a safe place where others can find it if necessary. · Make a copy of your itinerary to leave at home, and make sure someone has a key to your house.

Money & Expenditures
· The currency throughout Great Britain is the Pound Sterling. Coins are called Pence.
· Scotland issues their own pound notes, however, British notes are also accepted and are generally more common. Both type of currency are worth exactly the same.
· Visa/Mastercard are accepted in most large shops/hotels/restaurants. Smaller establishments may accept cash or travellers cheques only.
· Cash machines (ATM's) are available throughout Scotland and most are linked with credit cards. There is usually a fee to use these machines.
· The sales tax is 17.5% and, in certain instances, may be reclaimed in customs on your way back.
· Restaurant servers and taxi drivers expect to be tipped an average of 10%

· Meals:
o Budget: US$5-10
o Moderate restaurant: US$20-$40
o High-end restaurant: US$45 and upwards

· Hotels:
o Budget: US$45-$60
o Moderate: US$100-$125
o High-end: US$200 and upwards

As in any country, the larger and more popular cities in Scotland tend to be a bit more expensive than the small cities and countryside villages.

Transportation

Caledonian Travel provides transportation for all tours from the Airport to hotels, to all tour destinations and all events. However, there is always a certain amount of freetime for tourists to do some shopping, sightseeing, or browsing on their own. Scotland's train and bus lines are very popular and used by most citizens. There are also boats which run from the mainland to many of the Scottish islands. Bus-fares in Scotland are very reasonable and comparative to the United States, while the train fares can run a bit high. Daily, weekly and monthly bus/train passes are available at most stations.

Cancellation Insurance

Cancellation Insurance is highly recommened for all travel outside the United States. The cost of cancellation insurance is only a fraction of the total cost of the trip and deletes any hassles and worries should an unpleasant situation arise that would cause you to cancel or postpone.

Accommodations

Caledonian Travel books accommodations at a number of different establishments throughout Scotland, with Hotels being the most and Guest Houses or B&B's coming in second, depending on the size of the tour and the length of stay. It's important to know the difference between accommodations as they relate to the United States.

Hotels:
There are a variety of hotes in Scotland. Some are called "county house hotels" which are just that -- country houses which have been either built as hotels or modified to become hotels. Many others are run by major hotel lines. The rooms are sometimes smaller in comparison (everything in America is bigger, as they say ...) One thing to note is the fact that even some of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in Scotland do not have central air conditioning, for the simple fact that it is rarely necessary. On the extremely odd occasion when the weather rises above 75 degrees Farenheit, this usually happens during the daytime hours and the weather cools off at night.

Guest Houses/Bed & Breakfasts
These establishments in Scotland may offer a variety of meals and/or activities included in the room rate. However, daily maid service and room service are not included. For example, the rooms are not made up and the towels are not changed daily. And an in-room menu may not be availalbe. Because Guest Houses/B&B's are usually run by a family rather than a hotel chain, they offer a visit which includes Scottish culture and a more "at home" atmosphere, usually with a Great Room available and a central fireplace & Television.

Phone Calls

· In any emergency, dial 999 from any phone for an operator. This works the same as 911 in the U.S.
· For long distance calls, the country code for Great Britain is 44.
· All telephone numbers begin with 01 when dialing from a UK phone.
· Dial 100 to speak with an operator.
· Phone cards are available from convenience stores, grocery stores or post offices, and operate with special card phones throughout Britain.
· Below are the toll-free numbers for popular long distance carriers. Any of these numbers will connect you with an operator for assistance.
o AT&T USA Direct (tel. 0800/89-0011)
o MCI Call USA (tel. 0800/89-0222)
o Sprint Express (tel. 0800/89-0877).