IPhone charging in Scotland

Hi, magbats,

Unless your iPhone has the capability to charge at 120 and/or 240 volts, you'll need to bring along a converter. Make sure that it includes the standard British plug (triangular prong pattern - one vertical shaft, two horizontal shafts) adapter. If your iPhone will charge at both voltages, you only need the adapter. But make absolutely sure, otherwise you'll end up with a fried iPhone.

Converters are relatively inexpensive, and readily available.

Good luck, and happy travels!

Mike (Auchterless)

I would doubt they have a dedicated charging station that you would plug a USB connection directly in to. Bring your charger and cable that you use at home and plug that into your UK adapter that you have plugged into the room outlet. You should not need a voltage converter, only an adapter.

We have USB sockets next to the bed in our B&B (on Skye) and another in our guest sitting room. However, I think we are probably quite unusual (my husband is very techie!). You'll need to bring your plug I think.

Just as in the US, it is impossible to predict whether any individual accommodation will have USB plugs (I think that's what you mean.) Although many places lend plug converters, they also can run out of them, because guests walk off with them. A plug converter would be a good investment for any traveler. Yes, you have to develop a collection of them over years of travel.

Look at your iPhone charger. It has a regulated "RATING" on the side, almost certainly "100-240VAC". Look hard, in a good light until you can find it. If it matches what I quoted, you can plug it into any plug-converter anywhere in the world. That's why Apple designed it that way. They make it with different male plugs, but the guts of the charger are all the same.

Do the same for your camera, toothbrush, hair care devices, and anything else that uses line (wall) electricity.

Look at your iPhone charger. If it says 120/240v then all you need is the adapter plug. No converter. I think all Apple products are dual voltage (120/240v).

I agree no converter necessary, just an adapter.

All you need is a U.K. plug adaptor (they are quite large). Then plug your regular Apple charger and cable into that. No voltage converter.

Thanks everyone!

You can buy it here on sale.

https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/uk-power-adapter

Rather than expose my ipad, camera or cell to "possible" damage... I take a couple portable chargers.
I charge these and then let them do the actual device charging. But as another said, most wall plug ins are rated up to 240v and "should" work just fine,,, BUT... being the classic Worry Wort... I add that extra step using a portable.

You might want to bring an extension cord as well. In older B & B’s, outlets are few and far between.

You do not need a converter. You need a plug adapter.

Whatever you do, with the UK/IRL plug, don't stand on it! If you think a Lego brick is painful, it has nothing on a British Standard Plug.

We only take the regular charger and cord plus the Rick Steves adapter. We never have problems. Besides, there is a lovely Apple store on Princes Street down near Rabbies/Calton Hill if you need assistance.

I've started just buying a USB charger when I arrive (for a few bucks). They tend to be smaller than the all in one's from home and work better. For some reason, I wasn't able to use my phone when my original charger was plugged into the travel adapter, but worked fine with the USB one I bought.