Money in Scotland.

It’s impossible not to be interested in the currency used if you’re planning a trip to Scotland! It’s worth noting that the pound sterling is used there, as it is in the rest of the UK. However, there are a few pitfalls to avoid, so you can save on your budget and spend your money wisely.

The pound sterling in Scotland

A few subtleties

In Scotland, you pay in pounds, but there are two types of pound:

• the British pound
• and the Scottish pound.

There are no real differences between the two, apart from the representation of the banknotes. They are indexed to the same currency rate, and therefore have the same value. The only real difference is that the Scottish pound is not systematically accepted outside Scotland: you may be refused it in England, for example.

So we strongly advise you to spend all your cash on the spot: you might not know what to do with it if you decide to liquidate it elsewhere.

Bank charges: the right thing to do

In general, making a withdrawal in Scotland with your bank card will incur substantial bank charges. This can be a costly operation, forcing you to carry around large sums of money…

We therefore recommend that you pay with your card as often as possible, without using an ATM.

However, it is possible to change your money before you leave: this can be advantageous if you insist on leaving with some cash in your pocket. There are also numerous exchange offices in the area, at airports, banks and some tourist offices. Some are even open on Sundays, in case of emergency.

Bank cards

Don’t worry, credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard or American Express are widely accepted: perfect for paying for hotels, meals and other activities. Beware, however, of some pubs, which prefer cash payment only.