ATM ripoffs in Inverness

It appears that there is likely nothing unusual about this, you were on machines that were trying to get you to accept DCC - dynamic Currency Conversion -by telling you what amount ion your dollars this would cost, with the increase in your exchange rate being for their convenience, not yours (as in if you don't accept this we cannot guarantee the conversion rate- balderdash, it will be the standard network rate). An immediate warning of this is the fact that the machine is telling you your cost in your home currency.

Just decline DCC, you have to clearly read the machine's instructions on the screen and possibly even say "no" twice, and your withdrawal will be in GBP at the standard interbank conversion rate back to your account. And that is all that it will reflect--you asked for "X" GBP, and that is what you withdrew.

This warning holds everywhere that you are not indoor home country, for both ATMs and credit card or point-of-sale purchases. the entire transaction needs to be in local currency, ot you will lose significant money while adding to the bank's profit line.

Don’t accept DCC and if you spend more than £20 in cash in the UK you must be really committed to cash. £300 is more cash than I have spent in 5 years.

Perhaps I'm old school, but I prefer to use cash whenever possible. A couple of the B&Bs where we're staying prefer cash, and it's a lot easier to use cash in small shops, restaurants, and chippies. Plus I don't like carrying a lot of receipts with me. I'm anal about keeping receipts until I receive my bank statement. I'm hoping that my Clydesdale Bank notes will be collector's items one of these days, since they were bought out by Virgin, who only issue English pounds.

Glad to know about those DCC rates. I really freaked out when that information flashed up on the screen!

Oh, wait a minute, I am old school! And proud of it!

Mike (Auchterless)

Mike, I'm glad you're happy in your own skin; it's a rare blessing.

I would not be happy in that particular skin. No cash for me if I can possibly avoid it. BTW, my own experience at a Bank of Scotland branch in Dornoch was flawless. 150 GBP at the going exchange rate. Caddie was ... not exactly happy with 50 pounds as my share of the foursome, but I don't care; he wasn't a very good caddie.

I do understand you are wanting "old school" but I will just add that I used my Apple Pay almost exclusively for my last 2 trips to UK including England plus time in Aberdeen, Orkney and Shetland. You get a running tab on your Apple Wallet of expenditures so no need to carry receipts either. I've never had an error on the posting to my CCs in the end either.

PS - So good to see you back posting! You were missed!

Mike, I never had any problems, but I'm mostly a credit card person and rarely use cash.

And like Pam said, I'm so happy to see you here! Although I'm sorry about the crappy cash rate. I was thinking about you a few weeks ago and wondering if you were going to make it to Scotland. I remember you saying this was your year to go, so I'm happy you made it there! I hope you are having a wonderful time with Mrs. A. I know we'd all love to hear about your trip if you have time when you get back!

Perhaps I'm old school, but I prefer to use cash whenever possible. A couple of the B&Bs where we're staying prefer cash, and it's a lot easier to use cash in small shops, restaurants, and chippies. Plus I don't like carrying a lot of receipts with me. I'm anal about keeping receipts until I receive my bank statement. I'm hoping that my Clydesdale Bank notes will be collector's items one of these days, since they were bought out by Virgin, who only issue English pounds.

Clydesdale notes are now only issued from Virgin Money ATMs, with Bank of Scotland and RBS picking up the pieces at other ATMs that were Clydesdale. It also looks like Clydesdale notes are also being removed from circulation to a degree since Virgin took over, and it is possible that the new owners, Nationwide Building Society, may not continue to issue them even in the more limited way Virgin has for a few years. In Norn Iron the First Trust bank stopped issuing notes a few years back.

Clydesdale were my favourite notes back along, but the RBS really, really raised its game with the polymer notes. If they do stop issuing notes, it will be strange that Robert Burns and King Robert I will disappear from our notes.

It was a big change because at one time Clydesdale Bank were at nearly 50% of Scottish banknotes by value. They have given up £50 notes altogether.

Clydesdale notes are now only issued from Virgin Money ATMs

Not true. The cash I received from the Bank of Scotland branch were Clydesdale Bank notes.

We need to get rid of the things before we leave Edinburgh.

You'll get the notes in a bank from all the banks, irrespective of the brand depending on the float. From the ATMs, only that banks 'brand'. So Clydesdale notes only from Virgin Money ATMs whereas before TSB, Santandar, ASDA all loaded up with Clydesdale are now loaded up with BofS or RBS notes.

From the ATMs, only that banks 'brand'. So Clydesdale notes only from Virgin Money ATMs

Again: wrong. BoS ATM dispensed Clydesdale Bank notes. 20's and 10's only.

Than you have found a unique hole in the wall. I have NEVER experienced a Scottish bank that issues notes stocking any of its Scottish ATMs with anything other than their own notes. Not a single one. Ever.

The Virgin ATM in Inverness had a notice beside it stating that dispensed English bank notes, and that's exactly what I received.

Mike (Auchterless)

The Virgin ATM in Inverness had a notice beside it stating that dispensed English bank notes, and that's exactly what I received.

At least they gave you warning! ;-)

PS, welcome back Mike. Good to see you.

At one time the Scottish banks would only ever give out their own notes, with the others being cleared in Edinburgh like cheques, ie physically swapping the notes with each other on a regular basis. I think they are a little more relaxed today but it is certainly rare for an ATM to issue a competitor's note. Mixups do happen though - I once received a load of Bank of Scotland notes from a machine in England.