Useful Information

Letter of Invitation

Please email the Conference organisers if you require a letter of invitation to attend the conference to support your visa application. Letters of invitation will only be issued for legitimate conference delegates. Include in your email all relevant details of your current work and/or study and how the conference is relevant to you.

Visas

Information regarding visa requirements to enter the UK can be found at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa It is advisable to allow at least 2 months for processing of your visa.

Herbarium

If you wish to use the Herbarium please let us know and we will arrange access and a workspace. If you are bringing your own specimens to work with then you will need to send them in advance as they will need to be frozen for a week before being allowed in the herbarium.

Customs

Delegates carrying commercial goods or samples may need to obtain permits for their goods depending on the nature of the goods, regardless of value. Quarantine and wildlife regulations and other restrictions may also apply to certain goods. For more information visit http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_Home

Gardens

You will be entitled to free entry to the glasshouses with your conference badge for the duration of the conference, otherwise there will be a charge of £5.50, or £4.50 (concessions).

Prayer Room

A prayer room will be available for use throughout the conference. Several mosques can be found within half an hour of the symposium venue.

Banking

There are RBS, TSB and HBOS Banks with ATM facility within 5 minutes of the Garden.

Weather

Be prepared for reasonably warm days (usually between 15 – 20 ⁰C) and cool nights (7 – 11 ⁰C). It can rain at any time so please bring an umbrella and/or a waterproof jacket.

Emergency

In the event of an emergency the following telephone numbers will be helpful:

Emergency services (police, fire, medical) – dial 999: Non-emergency police dial 101.

Garden Reception – dial 0 from a Garden phone, 0131 552 7171 from an outside line.

Changing Money

International airports and major hotels provide money-changing facilities. Banks are generally open from Monday to Friday from 9.30am – 4.00pm. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available.

Credit Cards

Major credit cards, particularly VISA and Mastercards, are widely accepted.

Currency

All prices quoted are in Pounds Sterling (GBP).

Electricity

UK electricity supply is 230V, 50Hz. The connection for appliances is a flat 3-pin plug.

Language

English is the official language of the Conference.

Tax Free Shopping

International travellers can sometimes claim a tax refund of the goods bought in the UK. For details visit https://www.gov.uk/vat-consumers/taxfree-shopping.