Yes, all US citizens are required to hold a valid passport for the entire duration of your stay. For international travel, it is recommended that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after your visit.

Effective January 8, 2025, all U.S. citizens transiting through or traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences, or short-term study for 6 months or less will require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel. If you’re visiting Edinburgh from overseas, head to the following website for more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

230 V/ 50 Hz. Plug sockets are type G which is different than plugs in the US. You will need an adapter to use/charge your devices. For plug types, you can reference the international guide: https://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/

The currency in the UK is the Pound Sterling (GBP). Make sure to pay attention to the current conversion rate which can fluctuate. To check current conversions, you can visit websites such as the ones listed below. Credit/Debit cards are widely accepted in the UK but check with your financial institution to inform them of your plans. Some banks may lock your card due to suspected fraud with international charges but informing them of your plans ahead of time may avoid these issues. ATMs are also widely accessible. Website: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=USD&To=GBP

Tipping isn’t generally expected in Scotland but it's appreciated for great service. If you are staying in a hotel, a few pounds for anyone helping with your bags and a few pounds per day of your stay for the housekeeping staff is appreciated. when enjoying a pub, 10 percent would be appreciated, but isn’t expected. If utilizing a taxi, rounding up to the nearest pound should suffice. Lastly, if you are joining a tour, it is customary to give at least five pounds for a short tour or 10 percent of the bill for longer, more extensive tours to the tour guide.