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Doing business & staying in touch

Businesspeople are generally expected to dress smartly (suits are the norm for men and women). Appointments should be made and punctuality is expected. The exchange of business cards is customary.

It is common practice to shake hands when greeting a business contact and to use his or her surname until both parties agree to use forenames (although formalities are often dispensed with straight away).

Clients are usually well entertained by their Scottish hosts, most likely taken to lunch in a restaurant or pub (depending on the formality of the business) or to a restaurant in the evening. It is not usual for clients to be invited to one's home. If this is the case, however, visitors should take a gift of flowers, chocolates, wine or whisky, the latter single malt rather than a blend, and always Scotch.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1700/1800.

Economy: 

The UK is a member of the G8 group of the world's leading industrial nations. Engineering (especially of military products), chemicals, electronics, construction and textiles are the main components of the industrial sector. Among service industries, tourism, media, retail, financial services, telecommunications and computer services are the most important and have undergone rapid growth, while heavy industries have suffered relative decline. Unemployment in 2006 stood at 2.8%.

The UK's external economic relations are now dominated by the EU (which accounts for 70% of all UK trade), and the overriding issue facing the government is the extent to which they are willing to integrate into the European economy.

The argument is now focused on whether Britain should adopt the Euro. Many political and business leaders favour membership, but there is huge opposition in the country at large. The conclusion of the debate may be decisive to Britain's economic future.
The Business Tourism Unit of VisitScotland deals with enquiries relating to conference and incentive travel. It supplies a range of publications and guides to help the meeting or incentive planner.

Telephone: 

There are numerous public call boxes. Some boxes take coins, others phonecards or credit cards.

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is mostly good, but can be patchy in rural areas.

Internet: 

There are Internet cafés and centres in most urban areas. Some multimedia phone booths, often located at main railway stations and airports, offer touch-screen access.

Media: 

The media are free and able to report on all subjects. The variety of publications reflects the full spectrum of political opinion. Scotland's main national newspapers include The Scotsman, The Herald, and the tabloid Daily Record. All UK networks broadcast in Scotland, with substantial national Scottish input, mainly in the news, sport and current affairs sectors.

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