Currency in Scotland UK: A Comprehensive Guide

In Scotland, the official currency is the Pound Sterling, just like the rest of the UK. You'll see it denoted as GBP on currency exchange rates.

You can exchange your money for Scottish Pounds at currency exchange offices, banks, or even some hotels. Don't worry, you won't have to worry about finding an ATM to withdraw cash, as they're widely available.

The Scottish Pound is divided into 100 pence, just like the rest of the UK. This means you can pay for small items like a cup of coffee with coins, or larger purchases like a meal with notes.

In Scotland, you'll find a variety of banks with different types of accounts to suit every need. Most banks are open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:00pm, and many are also open on Saturday mornings.

You'll have no trouble finding cash machines (ATMs) in larger towns and cities, and even in rural areas, there's usually at least one place where you can withdraw cash. These ATMs will accept international bank cards and credit cards, as long as they have a four-digit PIN code.

Here are some common types of cards you might use in Scotland:

It's worth noting that credit cards may come with additional fees for overseas transactions, including international transaction fees, exchange rate margins, ATM fees, and potential cash advance fees.

The UK uses the pound sterling as its official currency, represented by the symbol £ and the currency code GBP.

The British pound is the legal tender throughout the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Scotland uses its own banknotes, printed by Scottish banks, in addition to the standard pound sterling.

The pound sterling is widely accepted and used in everyday transactions across the UK.

Banking in Scotland is a well-established industry with a long history, dating back over 300 years. Most banks in Scotland are open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:00pm, with many also open on Saturday mornings.

You'll find a variety of banks and building societies in Scotland, each offering different types of accounts to suit your needs. Our cash machines (ATMs) are widely available, especially in larger towns and cities, and can be used to withdraw cash with international bank cards and credit cards, as long as they have a four-digit PIN code.

If you're planning to use your bank card in Scotland, it's worth knowing that contactless payments are increasingly common, with a limit of £30 per transaction. Some of the best travel money cards include debit, credit, and prepaid cards.

Using a card with a Visa or Mastercard logo will give you greater ease when making payments, but you may encounter trouble using American Express or Diners Club cards, especially outside major cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Here are some pros and cons of using different types of plastic money in Scotland:

In general, it's a good idea to check with your bank before traveling to Scotland to see what fees may be incurred for overseas transactions and to plan your withdrawal strategy accordingly.

Scottish and Irish banknotes are a bit different from those issued in England and Wales. They're not considered official legal tender in England or Wales, but they're typically accepted.

You might have noticed that Scottish and Irish notes have their own unique designs. These notes are issued by three Scottish retail banks: the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and Clydesdale Bank. Clydesdale Bank's notes are a bit harder to spot, but they're out there!

Businesses outside Scotland aren't obligated to accept Scottish and Irish notes, but it's rare for them to refuse them. Most banks will swap them out for English notes without a fee. This is convenient, especially when traveling or shopping outside Scotland.

The standard denominations for Scottish banknotes are £5, £10, £20, £50, and £100. A rare £1 note is still used in circulation.

In Scotland, you'll find coins in circulation with denominations of 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2. These coins are minted by the Royal Mint, the same issuer as coins found everywhere else in the UK.

The Royal Mint issues all coins in Scotland, ensuring their designs match those found across the UK.

The backs of all the pence coins were redesigned in 2008 to show different segments of the Royal Shield.

You'll want to exchange your currency for pounds once you arrive in Scotland, but be aware that currency exchange outlets at ports of entry, like train stations and airports, often offer terrible exchange rates and fees.

Don't bother changing Bank of England issued pounds, as they're accepted everywhere.

If you need to pick up currency, there are ways to do it beyond the border entry points.

You'll find currency exchange outlets in banks, foreign exchange counters, and hotels, especially in big cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Dedicated exchange bureaus might be open later than banks and on weekends, but they tend to charge higher commission rates.

If you're headed to London first, exchange your currency there, as you'll normally find better rates in England's capital.

Here are some options to consider:

In Scotland, you'll find that the three Scottish retail banks - Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Clydesdale Bank - issue their own notes with unique designs. These notes are usually accepted throughout the UK, but it's worth noting that they're not technically official legal tender in England or Wales.

To avoid any issues, it's a good idea to use your Scottish notes first when you're in Scotland. Most British banks will exchange Scottish pounds for English ones free of charge.

If you're planning to travel to Scotland, here are some practical tips to keep in mind:

In the UK, Scottish banks print their own banknotes, but they're not technically official legal tender in England or Wales.

You can use your Scottish pounds in Scotland and England without issue, but it's always best to use your Scottish notes first.

Most British banks will exchange Scottish pounds for English ones free of charge, so you don't have to worry about getting stuck with Scottish notes.

The pound is the official currency of the UK, represented by the symbol £ and the currency code GBP.

Don't forget to exchange your money if you're planning to cross from Northern Ireland to Ireland or vice versa, as they use different currencies.

You can use your English banknotes anywhere in Scotland, so there's no need to worry about using Scottish notes in England.

Travel money cards can be a convenient and cost-effective way to manage your finances while traveling in the UK. Avoid using currency exchange bureaus at airports, as they charge epic fees.

Having the right travel money card can make a huge difference in your savings. Research and arm yourself with the best card for travel, as it can take a hit to your bank account if you have the wrong card.

The right card for you depends on your situation. Some travelers prefer to use credit cards for huge purchases, while others prefer to reserve cash for smaller wins. Save your card for big purchases like hotels and car hire, and use cash for transport, attractions, or meals out.

If you do choose to use a credit card, be aware of the potential fees for overseas transactions, including international transaction fees, exchange rate margins, ATM fees, and cash advance fees.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing a travel money card:

Some popular travel money cards include those offered by 28 Degrees, which are designed for frequent travelers.

If you're heading to Scotland, buying your pound sterling before you leave can save you a pretty penny. You'll get the best deals by exchanging your AUD for GBP before you head overseas.

There are three standard ways to exchange AUD for GBP before you leave: buying currency online and having it delivered or collect it in-store, buying from a currency exchange outlet, or buying the currency at your home airport. Scratch that last option, as Australian international airports are notorious for having some of the worst exchange rates and fees in the world.

Ordering your currency online through a money changer like S Money is a great idea – they offer the exact same exchange rate you'd find on Google or XE. You can also use Travelex and Travel Money Oz, but be prepared to wait between two and five business days for the order to be delivered or ready for pick-up.

If you do decide to buy currency online, make sure to ask for a mix of denominations – £20 and £10 notes are a good idea. This will make it easy on the Scottish vendors and reduce the likelihood of having to carry wads of notes around.

Here's a quick rundown of the three ways to exchange AUD for GBP before you leave:

In any case, it's a good idea to research and arm yourself with the best card for travel for big savings.

You can find cashpoints connected to every bank and within supermarkets, convenience stores, and petrol stations. Just be aware that ATMs in these smaller establishments tend to charge more.

Most UK ATMs accept international cards with chips and PINs, particularly those with Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, and Plus logos.

You may face a range of additional charges, including a small fee for withdrawals from non-UK accounts.

Your own bank might also hit you with fees for currency conversions, overseas withdrawals, and over-the-counter payments.