Amanda Shammas is a frequent visitor to the UK, but she says she made several mistakes on a recent trip to Edinburgh and she learned some valuable lessons in the process
Michael Moran Audience Writer
13:49, 21 Nov 2025
Amanda admitted that she probably missed some of the castle’s sights(Image: Claudiac8 via Getty Images)
Edinburgh Castle stands as one of the city’s most visited attractions. However, one American visitor has warned that simply turning up at the 900 year old fortress without proper preparation isn’t the best approach.
Experienced traveller Amanda Shammas believed her regular visits to the UK meant she’d navigate a recent Edinburgh trip without difficulty. Yet she’s admitted to making several blunders that left her feeling “like a total tourist.”
Among Amanda’s biggest errors, she reveals, was attempting to save £3.50 by skipping the castle‘s official audio guide: “After we purchased our tickets,” Amanda explained to Business Insider. “The website offered an option to add an audio tour to listen to while walking around the grounds. However, my friends and I decided not to purchase it.”
That decision proved regrettable, Amanda acknowledged: “Without the audio guide, though, it was hard to make sense of everything, and we ended up wandering about aimlessly, hoping we didn’t miss anything too important.”
Looking back, she reckons she likely overlooked numerous significant features.
Airport bureaux de change are probably the worst places to swap your money(Image: jaanalisette via Getty Images)
Amanda noted that finances presented another considerable challenge. Nowadays, it’s straightforward to simply use a credit card whilst travelling abroad; it’s far less hassle than attempting to estimate how much cash you’ll require.
However, Amanda advises that carrying some local currency is worthwhile, regardless of your destination. She said: “For example, we visited a pub that didn’t accept my type of credit card, so my friend had to cover the cost for me.
“Plus, there were moments when I wanted to tip impressive street performers, but I only had US dollars.”
For those planning to take foreign currency on holiday, experts recommend preparing in advance. Monitor exchange rates and aim to exchange your money around a fortnight before departure.
Remember that foreign exchange markets close at weekends, meaning rates are typically less competitive to protect against market changes.
Whilst airports, hotels and tourist areas usually have the poorest exchange rates and steepest charges, online bureaux de change or specialist currency transfer providers typically offer better rates and reduced fees compared to high street banks.
Amanda got quite sweaty hunting down that perfect Highland cattle photo [stock image](Image: Simon11uk via Getty Images)
Amanda also stresses the importance of carefully planning your clothing choices. She said: “When I started planning what clothing to pack for this trip, my mind immediately went to all the outfits I’d saved on Pinterest – things like trench coats, boots, tights, and sweaters.
“However, none of that accounted for the amount of walking I had to do in Scotland, or the variety of terrain I encountered.”
Her stylish tourist outfits proved impractical on challenging hiking paths whilst attempting to capture the perfect shot of a Highland cow: “Next time, I’d definitely pack some athleisure and a good pair of walking shoes,” she admits with regret.