Travel to Scotland Question: Money Exchange

**ThistleDown** · 15th June 16, 07:17 PM

You have it all together, Knight. Now have a superb time.

**Macman** · 16th June 16, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by ThistleDown

You have it all together, Knight. Now have a superb time.

Yes, above all. Have a great trip!

**ctbuchanan** · 16th June 16, 11:53 AM

One final note: Even though my bank Santander has branches in the U.K. I was charged an ATM fee, while in the U.S. I am not. International fees were not waived. But with your connections you may have a better handle on it.

**tpa** · 16th June 16, 04:50 PM

Comment removed as it has already been covered.

**dutchy kilted** · 16th June 16, 06:25 PM

If you are a AAA member you can get cash at the best exchange rate before you leave. Just visit any AAA location and they should be able to help you out. Last time we had to do this it only took two days.

Enjoy your trip!

**Knight** · 17th June 16, 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by dutchy kilted

If you are a AAA member you can get cash at the best exchange rate before you leave. Just visit any AAA location and they should be able to help you out. Last time we had to do this it only took two days.

Enjoy your trip!

Oh! We are! My father has kept us supplied with AAA memberships since we were in college. I'm going to look into that. Thank you!

**Knight** · 7th July 16, 09:07 AM

Just a follow up: My wife and I survived the Brexit and thrived in Scotland. We wound up getting a Visa card with zero international fees the day before we left (bank cut it awful close, there), and were able to draw cash from the ATMs. Our bank waived the withdrawal fees, thanks to my wife's aunt being a branch president and giving us the primo-account features. A lot of stress about nothing.

Thanks for everyone who offered their two cents. I'm a better traveller for the experience, and I definitely want to go back and explore the Highlands a bit. We spent about six days total in Edinburgh, exploring the nooks, crannies, and castles, a day total on trains/planes/automobiles transitioning between Edinburgh, Inverness, Loch Ness, and then London (ugh), and I left feeling like I'd only scratched the surface. I chickened out on renting a car in Inverness because the traffic systems and signs spooked me, having only driven in the US and Canada, but I'll give it a shot next time.

Just for kickers, here are our grateful faces on top of the NMS, overlooking Old Town and pointed at Edinburgh castle. I'm the uglier, bearded one. Thanks for the advice, XMTS!

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**bicyclebradley** · 23rd July 16, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Knight

I chickened out on renting a car in Inverness because the traffic systems and signs spooked me, having only driven in the US and Canada, but I'll give it a shot next time.

DO rent a car and give it a shot, it is BEAUTIFUL driving thru the country side!! Wifey and I just did 11 days in Scotland in April. Honestly the car rental/driving thru the little two-lane country roads was one of the top three highlights.

As long as you have navigation, and a co-pilot on watch, you'll be fine. remember, RIGHT ARM on the center line! LOL!

**neloon** · 24th July 16, 03:01 AM

If you do rent a car or bicycle and get to the far north, don't miss the NC500 round our north coast.
https://www.northcoast500.com/home.aspx

Alan

**California Highlander** · 27th July 16, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Knight

J...
I chickened out on renting a car in Inverness because the traffic systems and signs spooked me, having only driven in the US and Canada, but I'll give it a shot next time.

Just for kickers, here are our grateful faces on top of the NMS, overlooking Old Town and pointed at Edinburgh castle. I'm the uglier, bearded one. Thanks for the advice, XMTS!

Definitely go for it! Renting a car in the Highlands helps you see much more than you would otherwise. Last year almost 1 year to the day, I took the train to Inverness from Edinburgh, a cab to the car rental place, got the car, they gave me 2 seconds of instruction (diesel, not gas!) then sent me off. I said whoa! "How do I get to the A9?" "turn right, then 2 blocks, then right and you're off!" No mention of the roundabout, then the larger roundabout (good thing we have those in California). Drove up to Wick stopping along the way, beautiful but a long day. Then there was a drive from Thurso to Wick for a ceilidh, then a trip "home" in the dark on a very narrow road trying to keep up with my host in the car ahead of me...but that's another adventure.

Glad you had a good time. If you get back there, you'll have an opportunity for more adventures!