Frommer's Scotland 8th Edition - To Parent Directory

56CHAPTER 2 . PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO SCOTLANDFor Residents of Canada: Passport applications are available at travelagencies throughout Canada or from the central Passport Office, Departmentof Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3(& 800/567-6868; www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/passport).For Residents of the United Kingdom: To pick up an application for astandard 10-year passport (5-yr. passport for children under 16), visit yournearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency or contact theUnited Kingdom Passport Service at & 0870/521-0410 or search its websiteat www.ukpa.gov.uk.For Residents of Ireland: You can apply for a 10-year passport at thePassport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (& 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). Those under age 18 and over 65 mustapply for a €12 3-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork(& 021/272-525) or at most main post offices.For Residents of Australia: You can pick up an application from yourlocal post office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedulean interview at the passport office to present your application materials.Call the Australian Passport Information Service at & 131-232, orvisit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.For Residents of New Zealand: You can pick up a passport applicationat any New Zealand Passports Office or download it from their website.Contact the Passports Office at & 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.Pets Great Britain has finally eased a 100-year-old mandatory pet quarantine,but rigid requirements are still in place. Now pets need no longerfear a long separation from their Britain-bound families if they pass severaltests and can wait long enough. The animal must also be comingfrom a country that is approved by Britain. All countries in the EuropeanUnion such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Italy, and France areparticipants in the PETS program, but the United States is not. For information,check out www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm.Police The best source of help and advice in emergencies is the police.For non-life-threatening situations, dial “0” (zero) and ask for the police,or 999 for emergencies. If the local police can’t assist, they’ll have theaddress of a person who can. Losses, thefts, and other crimes should bereported immediately.Restrooms Public toilets are clean and often have an attendant. Hotelscan be used, but they discourage nonguests. Garages (filling stations)don’t always have facilities for the use of customers. There’s no need totip, except to a hotel attendant.Safety See “Staying Safe,” earlier in this chapter.Taxes There’s no local sales tax. However, Great Britain imposes a standardvalue-added tax (VAT) of 17.5%. Hotel rates and meals in restaurantsare taxed 17.5%; the extra charge will show up on your bill unlessotherwise stated. This can be refunded if you shop at stores that participatein the Retail Export Scheme (signs are posted in the window); see“Getting Your VAT Refund,” earlier in this chapter.