Practical Matters
Although the UK is part of the European Union, it has kept its own currency rather than switching to the Euro. The currency is the pound sterling £, commonly known as simply the pound. VAT, the tax on produce is currently at 17.5%, and is almost always included in the displayed price. Tipping is optional, but 10% is common in restaurants and taxis.
ATMs are commonplace around Edinburgh and the Lothians and most businesses accept credit and debit cards with Chip and Pin verification. Banks tend to open from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am until lunchtime on Saturdays.
Time
Edinburgh observes Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the winter and British Summer Time (GMT+1) in the summer. Clocks go forward one hour on the last Sunday in March and go back one hour on the last Sunday in October.
Phone
The international dialing code for the UK is +44
Electricity
UK electricity runs on a 3-pin 230V system. Therefore electrical appliances from the continent will require an adaptor.
Emergency Services
In an emergency, when you require either the police, fire brigade, coast guard or an ambulance, then call 999 for assistance.
Health
Accident and emergency facilities can be found at the Royal Infirmary, St Johns in Livingston (West Lothian) and, for children under 12, the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. A minor injuries unit can be found at the Western General, open everyday from 9am until 9pm. Contact details for those hospitals are included below. In an emergency, phone 999 for medical assistance.
Royal Infirmary
51 Little France Crescent
Old Dalkeith Road
Edinburgh
EH16 4SA
T: 0131 536 1000
Western General Hospital
Crewe Road South
Edinburgh
EH4 2XU
T: 0131 537 1000
St Johns Hospital at Howden
Howden Road West
Livingston
West Lothian
EH54 6PP
T: 01506 523000
Royal Hospital for Sick Children
9 Sciennes Road
Edinburgh
EH9 1LF
T: 0131 536 0000
