Money in Scotland (2024)

FAQs

Money in Scotland? ›

The pound Stirling (£), commonly abbreviated to GBP, is the official currency used in Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom. One pound is written as £1 and is divided into 100 pence (p).

Our Scottish currency is the British Pound (GBP) and all notes that say “Pound Sterling” are accepted. Both Scottish and English notes are widely used in Scotland. We use the same coins in Scotland and England, so they are fine too.

Foreign currency is rarely accepted, but don't worry, it's easy to exchange any foreign currency in Scotland. Banks, hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks can be found at our international airports and also in most of our city centres.

The monetary unit in Scotland and the rest of the UK is the pound sterling, often represented by this symbol £ or abbreviated as GBP. Most people just call it the pound, and some use the slang term "quid" for it. For reference, one pound sterling equals 100 pence.

Great Britain's currency is the pound sterling. However, some euro-friendly businesses in central Edinburgh and Glasgow will accept euro coins and notes. The easiest and best way to get cash away from home is from a cash machine or cash point. The Cirrus (tel.

There are no hard and fast rules for tipping in Scotland. If you are happy with the service, a 10-15% tip is customary, particularly in a restaurant or café with table service.

Contactless payment either by card or phone is also very common in Edinburgh and has a limit of £100. Note: Those travelling to parts of Scotland outside of Edinburgh are encouraged to carry some cash on them, as some more rural businesses may not support card payments.

Tip in the local currency

Whenever you tip during your trip to Scotland it is important to use the local currency, that is - British pounds. Otherwise you'll leave your service providers with cash they can't use without paying high fees on currency exchange.

On average, a budget trip to Scotland is estimated to cost around £55, €62, or $66 per day.

For credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, while American Express and Discover are less common. US debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo will work in any European ATM.

Do American credit cards work in Scotland? ›

You will find that all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard & American Express) and debits cards are widely accepted. The same is true of Travelers cheques which should be in GBP to avoid extra exchange rate charges. There are also a multitude of ATMs available throughout Scotland so you will have easy access to cash.

Despite this, Edinburgh has a reputation as being one of the most expensive cities in the UK. But, if you know the tips and tricks on where to find the best deals, you can visit the Scottish capital on a budget.

A recent census has established that the majority of the country practices Christianity.

To have the most sunlight and best weather, many people head to the Scottish Highlands in the summer, between May and September. Starting in October, the weather can be unpredictable — freezing temperatures, gale-force winds, and snowfall are all possible.

Spending time in Edinburgh

Scotland has its own banknotes, but English notes are accepted everywhere in Scotland. (You'll find a few shops in England that don't repay the favor.)

The difference between English and Scottish money

While Scottish money holds the same value as English pounds the design and issuing authorities are different. English banknotes are issued by the Bank of England, distinct from the Scottish banknotes issued by the three Scottish banks mentioned above.

What's classed as legal tender varies throughout the UK. In England and Wales, it's Royal Mint coins Opens in a new window and Bank of England notes. In Scotland and Northern Ireland it's only Royal Mint coins and not banknotes. There are also some restrictions when using small coins.