Banks: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 12:00 Saturdays
Post Offices: 08:30 to 17:45, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 17:30 Saturdays
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 18:00, daily
Museums: 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday; 11:00 to 17:00 Fridays and Sundays
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Glasgow is still a relatively safe travel destination compared to other major metropolitan areas. Its steady increase in popularity as a tourist hot spot, however, has only increased the levels of theft and the like. Muggings are still a fairly common occurrence at night in some of the seedier neighbourhoods, but as long as visitors keep informed of the dangerous parts of town and use common sense they shouldn’t encounter any trouble.

The edges of downtown, away from the City Centre and Merchant City districts, are where most of the crime occurs. Visitors should be extra careful when travelling through those areas. Keep a low profile, don’t flash fancy cameras or cash in public and take care after dark. Rental cars are also popular targets for professional thieves. Don’t leave anything valuable in your car, and try to park it safely inside the confines of your hotel at night. Traveller’s insurance is useful in that it covers any loss by theft or damage.

Police: 999 
Electricity:240V AC, 50Hz; three pin plugs used throughout the UK.

Glasgow offers no significant health threats to visitors. The tap water is okay to drink, but it’s always suggested that you stick to bottled water when travelling in a new environment. The city’s restaurants are also inspected and monitored by the city government, so dining out should be fine. The biggest threat in Glasgow comes from its inclement weather. Scotland can be damp and cold even in the summer so always carry something warm to wear and an umbrella when you venture out.

Minor colds and illnesses can be dealt with by visiting the local pharmacies. For anything serious there are excellent hospitals and clinics right in Glasgow. Doctors and staff all speak English, and are well trained. Travellers should check with their health insurance beforehand to see if they are covered for medical emergencies in Scotland. If not, it’s suggested that you buy some travel insurance. The cost of a Scottish hospital bill will surely be higher than the travel insurance.

Ambulance: 999
Glasgow Rayal Infirmary: +44 141 211 4000

Scotland’s official language is English, though most Scots speak it with a heavy accent that may be difficult to understand at first. Glasgow in particular is known for its distinct dialect which even other Scots cannot understand. But the effects of global television and radio have done a lot to iron out the rolling burrs of Scottish English.

Since Scotland is part of the UK, the pound sterling (£) is used in Glasgow. One pound sterling consists of 100 pence, and a nickname for a pound is a ‘quid’. Notes come in denominations of £5, £10, £20, and £50. Coins come in denominations of £1 and £2, as well as 50 pence, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p. Scotland prints its own money as well, so you may see Scottish pounds used alongside the pound sterling.

In Glasgow you’ll need to have a supply of British pounds sterling on hand to cover the cost of daily sundries like taxis, snacks and the like. There are currency exchange offices at the airport, or you use Thomas Cook or American Express in the city centre. Many of Glasgow’s banks also offer currency exchange services. ATMs are the easiest way to withdraw small amounts of local currency in Glasgow. Most ATMs in the city can access your bank account back home, with Cirrus and PLUS being the most prevalent networks.

Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard, and to a lesser degree American Express, are readily accepted at most retailers. Paying by credit gives you a good exchange rate and makes managing local currency easier. You can also get cash advances from many of the ATMs around town.

All visitors from outside the European Union can bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 litres of wine, 1 litre of spirits, 60cc of perfume, and £145 of personal goods like gifts or souvenirs.

In general, the people of Glasgow are very open-minded and easy to get along with. There aren’t any social rules unfamiliar to those from most Western cultures so as long as you’re friendly you should find the Scots an equally welcoming bunch. One thing to remember, however, is that people from Scotland are called Scots, not Scotch (which is the whiskey). It’s a foot in the mouth kind of mistake, and they’ll let it slide. But if you call a Scot an Englishman you he will not like it.

Dining Etiquette
Glasgow’s dining etiquette is the same as in the rest of the UK, Europe and North America. Most restaurants with servers also have a host who will greet and seat you. If not, just grab a seat and order from the waiter. If you are eating out with a group of friends, it’s normal to pay for what you ate and drank unless you want to be a star and cover the entire bill yourself, which will instantly win you friends for life. Waiters expect to be tipped a minimum of 10 per cent if they perform their job.

Scotland is part of the United Kingdom (UK) so the same visa rules apply. Anyone travelling from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa need only show a valid passport. No special visa is required from these citizens. Occasionally customs might want to check to see that you have a return ticket. If you are travelling from another country check with your local British embassy concerning the visa regulations which apply to you.

Glasgow has a wonderfully helpful tourism office on George Square in the centre of the city. During the busy summer season, the office is open from 09:00 to 19:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00 to 18:00 on Sundays.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board
11 George Square
Buchanan Street metro station
Phone: +44 141 204 4400