Cash or credit cards in Edinburgh?

Credit cards!

In our 16 days in Scotland in 2022 I don’t recall using cash in Edinburgh at all. The only two places that we required cash was a Bed and Breakfast in Mull and at a micro brewery's restaurant in Glasgow.

Definitely credit card or some other form of electronic payment (i.e., Apple Pay, Google Wallet, etc.). The only times I needed cash in Scotland were on the Isle of Skye (the gift shop at the Museum of Island Life and the tiny laundromat under the hostel in Portree).

Most definitely credit cards! Edinburgh is very much tap-and-pay at this point.

I stayed there for 6 days last year and 5 days this year (with the other 4 days of my visit being based in Glasgow), and I'm pretty sure the only occasions on which I used cash were to give a tip to the driver/guides on my day trips out of town.

An initial ATM withdrawal of 100 GBP lasted me two years, and I still have a tenner left over for my next trip. :)

I use credit cards (usually via Apple Pay) all over Europe and the UK and never have had a a problem. I was in Scotland last year for 3 weeks and almost 6 weeks in England this year, and used credit cards for every transaction, except one.

See the answers to your question about London.

To echo everyone else, credit card. In three weeks last year, I never pulled out a even a credit card, using my Android for "Tap to pay" instead. Even tiny transactions, like a single beer or a postcard. There are occasional B&Bs or boat trips that are cash only.

The problems start when you have bills left over and try to spend them in England, and get funny looks, or refusals. Shouldn't happen, but it does, and has, to me.

How about on hop on hop off buses or Airlink 100 from airport to hotel? Did you use tap/card payment or did you need to purchase tickets prior to riding on them.? Thank you for any advice on this.

Shouldn't happen, but it does, and has, to me.

Scottish notes are not legal tender and retailers in England , Wales or Northern Ireland can accept or refuse them at their destination.