Helpful Tourist Tips

Hand luggage when travelling?
Checking out of your Hotels
Can I use my electrical equipment in Scotland?
How much do I tip in Scotland?
What happens if I become ill on holiday?
What is the weather like in Scotland?
What side of the road do I drive on in Scotland?
Security of your belongings?

Hand luggage when travelling?2
From time to time our clients have the misfortune of arriving in Scotland before their luggage / Golf clubs. This is normally due to luggage not making connecting flights in time. Although the Airline normally will deliver delayed luggage by Courier to your hotel on the same day of arrival, it is certainly worth playing safe and having a change of clothing in your hand luggage. If you are scheduled to play golf on your arrival, your Airline will normally compensate you for any cost incurred in hiring golf clubs

Checking out of your Hotels
Official check out times at hotels vary in Scotland but it rarely stretches beyond Noon. Most Hotels will be happy to store your lug#gage after vacating your room until you leave the Hotel. Hotel guests are expected to settle their ‘extras’ bill at Reception prior to departure.

Can I use my electrical equipment in Scotland?
Voltage is 240v 50Hz. Most establishments in Scotland have square pin sockets for 3, 5 and 13amp fuses. You can buy an adapter at your departure.

How much do I tip in Scotland?
There are no definite rules for tipping. If you feel that you have received good service then you may wish to leave a tip. This is most common in restaurants, where the tip can be up to 10% of the bill, but you should check to see if a service charge has already been included. Tipping in hotels is also at your discretion. It is not normal to tip bar staff, although they may be offered a drink. Taxi drivers are often given a tip, particularly on longer journeys and if they carry your luggage, with £1 normally being sufficient. Where tipping plays an integral part of the payment process is with Caddies who will expect a tip of £10 - £15 in addition to their standard fee for a round of golf.

What happens if I become ill on holiday?
Holidaymakers who become ill while in UK are eligible for free emergency treatment at National Health Service accident and emergency hospital departments. If however you are admitted to hospital as an in-patient or referred to an out-patient clinic, you will be asked to pay unless you are a citizen of a European Community country, or a national/resident of a country which has a reciprocal health-care agreement with the UK. It is very important to take out travel insurance cover before travelling (Drumgolf can provide guidance on where to purchase insurance).

What is the weather like in Scotland?
Scotlands position on the edge of the European continent with sea on three sides means that the weather is very varied. Records show that May and June are usually drier than July and August (when the average monthly rainfall, for example, in Edinburgh is at it highest). Even so, Edinburghs annual rainfall is only slightly greater than Londons and many of the East coasts towns have less annual rainfall than Rome. Generally speaking, the East coast tends to be cool and dry, the West coast milder and wetter. More importantly, if it rains, with Scotlands ever-changing weather patterns, it will probably not last for long. Besides, with Scotlands longer summer daylight hours – the midsummer sun sets in Shetland at 2234hrs – you have plenty of time to fit in your excursions. Average temperature in the summer is 15-22 degrees centigrade.

What side of the road do I drive on in Scotland?
Remember to drive on the left hand side of the road. Remember to give way to the right on roundabouts. Many of the roads in the Highands and Islands are single track with passing places. Driving on them demands a slow speed and awareness of cars coming the other way. By law it is compulsory to wear seatbelts in the front of any car, and in the back if you have them.

Security of your belongings?
No country is immune to the problems of theft and Scotland is no exception. Clients are advised to keep a close eye on their luggage at all times. We strongly advise that you do not leave your Golf Clubs or any other luggage overnight in your vehicle and once again would recommend that you arrange travel insurance prior to travelling to Scotland.