FAQ

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

* In order to enter the United Kingdom, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
* We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
* There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
* If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to [goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](https://www.goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements?tourCode=SC6) and searching the code SCS.

Question 2

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

* You’ll walk for at least two hours daily across moderately uneven terrain—including cobblestone streets and unpaved trails—with some steep hills and stairs.
* You should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
* You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
* Go Ahead Tours, and the Tour Director who accompanies your group, are unable to provide special mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and they cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
* If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

* Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Glasgow and depart from Edinburgh. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
* Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
* A round-trip ferry between Oban and the Isle of Mull is included in the price of the tour.
* On most departures, a ride on the Jacobite Steam Train and a ferry from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye are included in the price of the tour.
* All other included transportation is by private motor coach.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

* Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and modes of transportation, like trains, ferries, and flights.
* Contact your airline(s) for specific baggage size and weight restrictions, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip airfare to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
* Some airlines may impose additional charges on checked luggage or if any bags exceed their size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
* Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

* We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
* A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
* You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
* It’s preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

* At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at **[cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/)**.
* If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour, as well as any possible delays you might encounter.
* If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to [goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](https://www.goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements?tourCode=SC6) and searching the code SCS.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

* Scottish cuisine relies on readily available ingredients like game, dairy, and fish, with little use of exotic spices. Pickled kippers (butterflied whole herring) and smoked salmon are popular, as are hearty dishes like Scotch broth (a stew of meats and root vegetables) and haggis (a savory pudding of sheep innards). Scotch whisky is a legendary local spirit, and Scottish ales are world-famous.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

* The United Kingdom operates within 230–240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
* We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
* The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
* Hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

* The United Kingdom is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
* When it’s noon in New York, it’s 5pm on tour.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

* You will use the pound sterling on tour.
* Better exchange rates are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank ahead of time to use when you first arrive.
* We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
* You can use most debit and credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
* Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
* International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

* At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
* We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10–$12 per person, per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3 per person, per day for your driver.
* If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2 per local guide.
* Tips can only be paid in cash.

Question 13

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

* Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you’re on tour.
* Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
* Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
* Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See the last page of your tour itinerary for more information.

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