DESTINATION INFORMATION FOR BELMOND ROYAL SCOTSMAN What You Need to Know Before You Go PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION In order to enter the United Kingdom as a citizen of the United States, you will need: A signed, valid passport that will remain valid for the length of your trip. Please be aware that most countries require that your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the completion of the current trip. While this is not a specific requirement of your trip, this requirement could change without notice. We therefore strongly recommend that you follow this 6-month passport validity guideline. U.S. citizens traveling from the United Kingdom to other countries in Europe, or changing planes in the United Kingdom en route to onward destinations, should have 6 months remaining validity in their passport. Make sure your passport has enough blank visa pages available for entry and exit stamps. Contact our partner, VisaCentral for easy, efficient passport and visa processing. Call 844-823- 1224 and reference A&K s account number #73001 or visit our Travel Store at abercrombiekent.com/travel_store. If you are not a citizen of the United States, your entry requirements may vary. Please consult the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries you will be visiting. CONSULAR INFORMATION The US Department of State provides Country Specific Information Sheets for every country in the world, as well as Travel Advisories. Find this information by calling 888 407 4747 or 202 501 4444 or online at travel.state.gov. CURRENCY The unit of currency for the United Kingdom is the pound sterling. Items on board Belmond Royal Scotsman are priced in Pounds Sterling. MasterCard (Access), and Visa are accepted as payment. Hotels, shops, restaurants and many other venues accept all major credit cards and ATM access is widespread We suggest travelling with some U.S. dollars to be exchanged for local currency and at least two major credit cards. If you have a Chip and PIN card, be careful to shield your number from view while entering it on a keypad; never disclose your PIN verbally. Unattended self-service payment kiosks such as those in parking garages, train stations or gas stations only accept a Chip and PIN card or cash. Notify your credit card company of your travel plans prior to your departure to avoid any fraud concerns. Exchange currency only at authorized outlets such as exchange kiosks, banks and hotels and exchange only what you think you will need during your trip. Save all receipts from any currency transaction. You may be asked to produce them when you exit the country, and they are required if you intend to reconvert local currency. We do not recommend traveller s checks as they are not widely accepted. HEALTH
It is important to familiarize yourself with any potential health issues or concerns related to your destination, and so we strongly recommend consulting the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for up-to-date information on required and recommended vaccines and medications. Visit them online at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel or call 800 232 4636. Plan to visit your doctor or local travel clinic at least 4-6 weeks before departure to allow time for any vaccinations to take effect or to fill any prescriptions. Required vaccination: None WEATHER The weather for all the countries in the United Kingdom is quite similar although there are differences due to proximity to coastal and mountainous regions. Winds and the sea tend to make the weather quite unpredictable. In general, winter-time temperatures rarely fall below freezing; however the dampness makes it feel colder and Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be colder than England. Snowfalls are generally light. The hottest and driest months are July and August with temperatures averaging in the 60 and 70s, rarely climbing above the 80s. Spring is sunny with sudden showers between March and May, while September and October are usually balmy and pleasant except in Northern Ireland where it can always be rainy, windy and cool by the coast. Use a website such as weather.com to find average temperatures and rainfall during your travel times. ELECTRICAL SERVICE The United Kingdom and Belmond Royal Scotsman 220/240 volts and 50 hertz Be sure to pack a universal travel adapter. You can purchase one through A&K s Travel Store at usa.thetraveloutfitter.com. WHAT TO PACK Daytime attire: Pack comfortable, casual clothing in natural, breathable fabrics that you can layer. Smart casual is the standard for daytime excursions and relaxing on board the train. Cotton and other light fabrics are comfortable choices for summertime. Spring and autumn temperatures dictate medium-weight clothing selections. Evening attire: On board Belmond Royal Scotsman, there are formal and informal dinners, usually on alternate nights. (For example, on the Classic journey two formal dinner evenings are scheduled on board.) For gentlemen, a tuxedo, elegant dark suit or kilt is appropriate with corresponding eveningwear for ladies. On less formal evenings, a jacket and collared shirt, with or without a tie, is acceptable attire for gentleman. Guests may wish to contact local companies in Edinburgh for tuxedo or kilt rental. Additional charges would apply and you would need to make your own arrangements directly with the rental company. You can visit http://www.kinlochanderson.com or email: theshop@atkinlochanderson for tuxedo & national dress rental. For informal dinners, smart casual attire is appropriate. Cathedrals, churches, and other religious sites require conservative dress. Arms and shoulders should be covered no shorts. This applies to both men and women. Guests aboard Belmond Royal Scotsman Western route who choose to take an optional excursion to Steall Waterfall (if available) are advised that lightweight hiking boots and a waterproof jacket are recommended for this activity. You can request walking boots and waterproof jacket to be provided by RSM staff on the day of the optional excursion. Comfortable, walking shoes with low or no heels
Sweater or lightweight jacket Lightweight raincoat and/or umbrella Swimming suit Sunglasses, sun block and a sunhat Simple first-aid kit Prescriptions and medications (We recommend you carry these in their original bottles and/or packaging.) Charging cables for electronics Voltage converter and adapter plugs Note: Laundry service is available at your pre/post hotels. Laundry service is not available on board Belmond Royal Scotsman. Cabins on board Belmond Royal Scotsman have only limited space. We recommend that each guest travel with one suitcase and one carry-on bag. Twin Cabins have luggage storage space under each bed which is 28 x 9 high. Single Cabins have no luggage storage space underneath the bed. The Train Manager reserves the right to refuse to carry luggage deemed excessive. As a preventative measure, it is recommended that all luggage be secured with a TSA approved lock.
What You Need to Know When You Arrive TIME ZONES The United Kingdom operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). At 9:00 a.m. in these countries, it is: EST CST MST PST 4:00 a.m. the same day 3:00 a.m. the same day 2:00 a.m. the same day 1:00 a.m. the same day LANGUAGE The official language throughout the United Kingdom is English. Gaelic is still spoken in the Highlands and islands of Scotland. AIRPORT INFORMATION At most international airports, passengers cannot be met inside secured areas. This includes Immigration, Customs halls and Baggage Claim. Your A&K representative will greet you as you exit these restricted areas; look for the person holding the distinctive yellow A&K signboard. Before departing, remember to tag your checked luggage with the A&K luggage tags provided. These brightly colored markers help identify you and your luggage quickly. PROTECTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS Use the safes where available in your accommodations to secure your valuables, especially passports, medications, jewelry, money and electronics. There is a safe on board Belmond Royal Scotsman where valuables can be deposited; please ask the Train Manager for assistance. If you must carry valuables, keep them on your person at all times. Be mindful of your surroundings and take extra caution in crowds. Photocopy the personal information pages of your passport; leave one copy with a family member or friend and pack another separately from the passport itself. You may want to scan and email a copy to yourself for easy, online access. This will help speed up the replacement process. ETIQUETTE AND PHOTOGRAPHY Unless you are shooting a crowded public scene, it is considered courteous to ask permission before taking pictures of local people, especially small children. Please be respectful of local people who do not wish to be photographed. Photography is not permitted at some locations, which may include government buildings, museums, art galleries, private houses, etc. These areas are usually clearly marked. If in doubt, please ask. Be sure to pack ample amounts of batteries and memory cards or film for your camera and video equipment, along with the appropriate charging cables. A dustproof case or sealable plastic bags and lens brush are also recommended.
FOOD AND DRINK Tap water in the United Kingdom and on board Belmond Royal Scotsman is considered safe to drink. Regardless of precautions, changes in water and diet can result in mild abdominal upsets and nausea. To prevent serious illness, avoid suspect foods such as uncooked vegetables, peeled fruit, un-pasteurized milk and milk products. Beware of any food or drink sold by street vendors. If you have severe food allergies please be aware the kitchen quarters on board Belmond Royal Scotsman are small and compact and as such, it may not be possible to completely remove trace elements of specific food substances normally used in cooking. Please ensure that Abercrombie & Kent is made aware of any special dietary requests or allergies(food related or not) you may have in advance so that staff on board Belmond Royal Scotsman can make your journey as pleasant as possible. The first meal service available on board Belmond Royal Scotsman is a traditional Afternoon Tea served at around 3:30 pm. It is recommended that passengers have lunch before arriving at the train station on departure day. During your train journey, meals will be served on-board Belmond Royal Scotsman, and/or locally-arranged venues (depending on the tour s day-by day scheduled itinerary). Meals are served in the two dining cars of the train. The "Swift" dining car can accommodate 20 guests with 5 tables for 4; and "Raven" dining car can accommodate 20 guests with tables for 6 and 8 persons. Tables are not assigned or reserved. Generally, breakfast is served from 7:30 AM, lunch between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM and dinner between 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM. (Alternatively, guests may request continental breakfast in their cabins, and tea or coffee there any time.) SHOPPING Many A&K guests enjoy the chance to purchase items that reflect their destination, and so as a courtesy, your guide may recommend a particular shop or arrange a shopping visit. Please note, however, that these recommendations should not be taken as A&K s endorsement of the shop, merchandise and/or pricing. You assume all responsibility for any transactions that take place, including shipping arrangements that are made. The decision to shop while travelling is a personal choice and shopping is never compulsory. If at any point during your journey you feel pressured to shop or make purchases, please immediately discuss the matter with your Abercrombie & Kent representative. To avoid disappointment, we suggest the following guidelines: Compute the exchange rate and thoroughly review credit card receipts before signing. Take your purchases home with you whenever possible. Airfreight can take many months and actual shipping charges can be excessive. Customs delays, fees and regulations can further complicate the issue. If you choose to ship purchases, we suggest taking a picture of the item(s) and/or marking them in some way to ensure you receive what was purchased. For example, you could write your name on the backside of a rug. Determine if your shipment will be delivered door-to-door or to the nearest customs facility, as is often the case. Most goods shipped from other countries to the United States are subject to Customs duty. Duty taxes, if applicable, are paid as you re-enter the United States. Regardless of assurances by merchants, these cannot be prepaid on your behalf. Currently, each person is entitled to an $800 duty-free exemption, however, may only bring one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars.
Keep all sales receipts for items purchased throughout your trip and try to pack all items that you will need to declare together. This will ease the Customs process upon re-entry into the U.S. Consult the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for more details. http://www.cbp.gov/ COMMUNICATIONS Contact your cellular telephone provider to determine if your phone operates on the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and what, if any, activation may be required. If your phone is not GSM-enabled, you may find that renting a phone specifically designed for use overseas is the most practical option. There is a cell phone on board Belmond Royal Scotsman, but in certain areas of Scotland transmission may not be possible. There is no live Internet connection available on board Belmond Royal Scotsman. The train manager will have access to e-mail messaging via a satellite system and this service may be used by guests in case of an emergency only. TIPPING GUIDELINES Signature or Tailor Made Journeys For Signature or Tailor Made Journey, we suggest the following gratuities (noted in U.S. dollars): Local Guides Drivers Airport Transfer Drivers Belmond Royal Scotsman Hotel Porters Housekeepers Room Service Restaurants $25 per person, per day (full day) $15 per person, per day (full day) $5 per person, per transfer $10-$15 per person, per day Gratuities accepted on board the train and shared among the staff. $2 per bag $2 per person, per night 10-15% unless already added 10-15% unless already added LIFE ON BOARD The dimensions and layout of the train are not suitable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with severe walking difficulties. Belmond Royal Scotsman has a small manual wheelchair available for occasional use in the event of a walking difficulty on an excursion; however, dining cars and the Observation car do not have wheelchair access. Although a ramp is available for access via the train s main doors, it may be quite steep in some stations. The motorcoach used for sightseeing excursion is accessible by stairs only and some sightseeing stops do not have wheelchair access. Passengers with slight walking difficulties should travel with a companion, as local guides or staffs are not able to provide special care. Please advise Abercrombie & Kent if you have walking difficulties. For safety reasons, the Train Manager reserves the right to refuse boarding to any passenger who has failed to disclose the extent of their mobility restrictions.
All Belmond Royal Scotsman tours depart from Waverly Rail Station in Edinburgh, Scotland. Please note that departure time and check-in information for your specific train journey will be indicated in the itinerary sent in your final pre-tour materials. In general, check-in takes place at the Balmoral Hotel located adjacent to Waverly Station. Luggage is left with the Concierge and you make your way to the Gallery. (Keep handbags and/or smaller bags you can carry with you.) You are greeted by the Belmond Royal Scotsman Host and Stewards and your luggage is taken to the train. The Belmond Royal Scotsman Host will advise departure arrangements and escort you on the short walk to the station to board the train. Check-in begins 90 minutes prior to departure and you should plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to departure. You are asked to call the Belmond Royal Scotsman Office 48-hours prior to departure to reconfirm the train s departure time. You do not require your ticket to board the train. Staff on board the train includes the Train Manager, a Host and the Stewards, who serve guests in the Dining Cars, Bar Car and provide housekeeping in train cabins. There are nine carriages in total including the Observation Car, two Dining Cars, Spa Car, Crew Car and five State Cars. The train has 15 twin, three Double and four Single State cabins including an interconnecting cabin. The Haybarn Spa Car consists of two inter-connecting treatment rooms provided spa services such as facials, massages, manicures and pedicures. Treatments are available at an additional cost and can be booked on board. Each cabin has lower bed(s), a dressing table, a full-length wardrobe, a hairdryer, electricallycontrolled central heating, a cooling ceiling fan, opening windows, an electric service call button, and private bathroom that features a shower, sink, toilet and a constant supply of hot water. Bathrobes and slippers are provided for passenger use while on board. Each bed is furnished with two hypo-allergenic pillows, duvet (non-feather) and cotton quilted bed covers. Cabins have their own lock and key, and there is a lockable drawer inside the dressing table for small items. Belmond Royal Scotsman is stationary every night, stopping in a quiet siding or station each evening and is no longer pulled by a steam engine on any of its journeys. At some points in the journey, where the track layout does not allow for the entire train to turn around, the train engine will be attached to the Observation car until such time the correct running order can be resumed. Occasionally, due to climatic conditions or engineering works, the train route may need to be altered and itineraries, departures and arrival times may be subject to change. In compliance with legislation and safety standards, smoking is not permitted anywhere on board Belmond Royal Scotsman. Additionally, smoking is not permitted in railroad stations or on platforms. This ban incudes e-cigarettes. For passenger safety, sensitive fire alarms are provided throughout the train. Passengers have the opportunity to play golf at Boat of Garten Golf Club instead of visiting Rothiemurchus Estate during the Classic journey. It is not essential that golfers have a handicap certificate with them to play this course. Golf clubs may be loaned out at no additional cost provided Abercrombie & Kent is notified in advance; however, golfers need to bring their own golf shoes with them. Passengers on the Classic (4-night) or Grand North Western (7-night) journeys who are interested in optional fishing excursions should advise Abercrombie & Kent as soon as possible, as these excursions are on request and have to be pre-arranged and may not be available on your journey. Highland dress in the Belmond Royal Scotsman s own unique Tartan is custom-made by Kinloch Anderson and you can make arrangements for a fitting in while in Edinburgh. On the morning of your train journey s departure, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Kinloch Anderson showroom for a fitting appointment. You will be measured up for your purchase (men s kilts and women s skirts are custom-made) and then taken back to Edinburgh in time for the train s departure. Your garments will take up to 10 weeks to be delivered to your home, but in the meantime Kinloch Anderson will loan you a complimentary set of Highland Dress to wear while on
board (although please note, this will not be in TRS Tartan). This option is not to be confused with the regular kilt rental service offered. Please advise your interest prior to departure so that Belmond Royal Scotsman can make arrangements and schedule the fitting appointment on your behalf. Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, 2017