Visitors to Scotland (and the rest of the UK) must hold a valid passport before starting their journey. Please note that children may require their own passports.

Citizens from the European Union can stay as long they want. Citizens from other European countries can stay up to three months. Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, can stay up to six months, as long as they are in possession of a return ticket and funds to cover their stay. If you are visiting from anywhere else you'll need a visa. All overseas nationals who wish to enter the UK must satisfy the immigration officer at the port of arrival that they meet the requirements of the UK immigration regulations.

The west coast tends to be warmer and wetter than the east coast of Scotland, which can be quite chilly even in summer. The weather can be changeable and it is a good idea to pack a raincoat. In the summer, midges can be a bit of a nuisance, but there are now several excellent midge repellents on the market.

You do not have to pay any tax or duty in the UK on goods you have bought tax paid in other EU countries which are for your own use, and which have been transported to the UK by you. 'Own use' includes goods which are for your own consumption and gifts. You cannot bring back goods for payment, even payment in kind, or for re-sale. These goods would then be regarded as held for a commercial purpose.

If the Officer is satisfied the goods are being brought into the UK for a commercial purpose, and are not for own use, the goods, along with any vehicle used to transport them, will be liable to seizure and may not be returned. For serious offences you could also be liable to imprisonment, heavy fines or driving disqualification.

Travelling From Outside the European Union

You are entitled to an allowance of goods only if you travel with the goods and do not plan to sell them. Make sure that you don't bring anything into, or take anything out of, Scotland, that you shouldn't. Check the HM Customs list of prohibited and restricted goods, for example, drugs, weapons and live animals, if you are unsure.

Travelling with Pets

Dogs, cats and ferrets meeting the necessary requirements may move between EU member states if they are accompanied by an EU pet passport. If you are thinking of bringing your dog, your cat, or even your ferret, into Scotland without the need for quarantine, useful information online can be found on DEFRA (www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm) and HM Customs and Excise (www.hmce.gov.uk) websites.

Scotland has an excellent road network with motorways and dual carriageway roads linking many of the main cities and towns. The primary road network extends over most of the country except for a few remote areas, where there are single track roads with clearly marked passing places (this means that you have to draw in to let others pass or overtake). There are no tolls on the roads in Scotland but there are two bridges which have a toll charge - the Forth and Tay bridges. Please remember that in Scotland, as elsewhere in the UK, driving is always on the left-hand side of the road.

The holder of an overseas driving licence may, for a period of up to one year, drive a motor vehicle in Britain. Visitors bringing their own cars from overseas require green-card insurance and the car registration documents.

You are strongly advised not to drink and drive. If caught and convicted, the criminal penalties can be severe.

Unless otherwise signposted, speed limits on UK roads are

• Motorway: 70 mph/ 112 kph
• Dual Carriageway: 70 mph/ 112 kph
• Single Carriageway: 60 mph/ 96 kph
• Built-up areas: 30 mph/ 48 kph

Please be aware that unmarked police cars patrol regularly, particularly on motorways and roads considered to be particularly dangerous. Speed cameras are positioned on many roads, not just in towns but also in villages.

Many petrol stations throughout Scotland are open 24 hours a day and all provide unleaded petrol and diesel; a smaller number also provide LPG. In remote areas, distances between stations are greater and opening hours may be shorter. Fuel is priced and sold by the litre.

Seat Belts

It is compulsory to wear seat belts, both front and rear. Small children and babies must travel in an appropriate child seat or carrier. Child seats should be ordered when you book your car.

No vaccinations are required for entry to the UK. EU citizens are entitled to free medical treatment at National Health Service hospitals on production of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Australia, New Zealand and several non-EU European countries have reciprocal health-care arrangements with the UK. Citizens of other countries will be charged for all medical services except those administered by Accident and Emergency (A&E) units at NHS hospitals. In other words, if you've just been hit by a car, you would not be charged if the injuries simply required stitching and setting in the emergency unit, but charges would be payable if admission to a hospital ward was necessary. Health insurance is therefore extremely advisable for all non-EU nationals.

Pharmacists can dispense only a limited range of drugs without a doctor’s prescription. Most are open standard shop hours, though in large towns some may close as late as 10pm; local newspapers carry lists of late-opening pharmacies, or you can contact the local police for current details. Doctors' surgeries are usually open from about 9am to noon and then for a couple of hours in the evening. If you require treatment outside surgery hours, you should go to the casualty department of the local hospital. In the case of an emergency, dial 999. The operator will ask you which emergency service you require (Fire, Police, Ambulance) and will put you straight through to whichever service you need.

Even though EU health care privileges apply in Scotland, we recommend that visitors take out an insurance policy before travelling to cover against theft, loss and illness or injury. If you do take medical coverage, check whether benefits will be paid as treatment proceeds or only after you return home, and whether there is a 24-hour medical emergency number.

Before paying for a new policy, however, it's worth checking whether you are already covered: some all-risks home insurance policies may cover your possessions when overseas, and many private medical schemes include cover when abroad. Students will often find that their student health coverage extends during the vacations and for one term beyond the date of last enrolment.

Most travel insurance policies usually provide cover for the loss of baggage, tickets, and cash or cheques, up to an agreed amount, as well as the cancellation or curtailment of your journey. Most of them exclude so-called dangerous sports unless an extra premium is paid: in Scotland this can mean scuba-diving, windsurfing and skiing. When securing baggage cover, make sure that the per-article limit - typically under £500 - will cover your most valuable possession. If you need to make a claim, you should keep receipts for medicines and medical treatment, and in the event you have anything stolen, you must obtain an official statement from the police.

Smoking

It is against the law to smoke in the majority of Scotland's indoor public places, including pubs, restaurants and cafes; most public buildings in Scotland, and within airports and on most forms of public transport. The new regulations came into force on 26th March 2006 and are intended to create a healthier and fresher environment for residents and visitors to Scotland.

The law also affects accommodation establishments. All enclosed public areas of hotels, boarding houses, guest houses, inns and hostels such as bars, lounges, restaurants, reception and lobby areas, etc. are included in the smoke-free ruling and smoking is not permitted in these public areas. However, some establishments have designated dedicated bedrooms where smoking is allowed, and if these are required, you should contact the property directly to check if they offer this facility.