Travel to Scotland Question: Money Exchange

[Knight]

Hi,

My wife and I are taking a ten-day (or twelve, we'll see) vacation to Edinburgh, Inverness, and London at the end of June. We've never travelled overseas before, and have zero experience with using anything but the greenback.

We've asked around our families for advice from other experienced travelers, and we even went into our bank today to ask for advice/assistance (that was a mess; they had no clue and spun their wheels for almost fifteen minutes trying to save face).

I've been told that banks have both higher and lower exchange rates. I've been told airport have both higher and lower exchange rates, but the Syracuse International doesn't have an exchange so that doesn't matter. I've been told that the exchange in Edinburgh ought to be fair, and that they scalp. It seems like no one can give advice that isn't contradictory to something else I've previously been told, and to be frank, I just want to know how to make sure my wife and I have a good time. I'm sort of at my wit's end with this, and we're running out of time.

Therefore, I was hoping that either one of the true-blue Scots or some of the seasoned travelers who've visited the country can give a younger fellow some advice on the subject. What is the best way--or at least most frugal--to exchange my US Currency for Scottish bank notes or GBP? Which should I use while in Edinburgh/Inverness and/or London?

Thanks!