Public Holidays

Date 2005 Occasion
January 1 New Year's Day
January 2 Bank Holiday 
March 25 - 28 Good Friday - Easter Monday
May 1 May Day Bank Holiday
May31 Bank Holiday
August 1 Summer Bank Holiday 
December 25 Christmas Day  
December 26 Boxing Day

Weekend: Saturday, Sunday

Weights & Measures

Metric.
Distance is measured in kilometers.

Electricity

240v, 50 Hz . Adaptors are generally available in cities, but it might be cheaper to get one from home

Customs & Duties

Britain has a high VAT rate of almost 18%, but if you come from outside Europe, you can reclaim it. You can either have your shopkeeper/seller of goods arrange for the export and not charge the VAT . This means the goods will be directly shipped to your home.

But if you want to take back your precious purchases in the safety of your suitcase, you'll have to go through the procedures of the Retail Export Scheme, which involves filling out a form and having it stamped at your last EU stop.

Post & Communications

Post offices are open weekdays 8.30 – 5.30.
English newspapers are available and so is television in this predominantly English speaking country.

Tipping

The Scots expect a little something in return for their generous smiles and friendly service, and you should customarily put in at least 10% in restaurants, unless the service was really bad. Cabbies get about the same percentages.