Scottish politicians are calling for the visa facility at the American consulate in Edinburgh to be reinstated as new United States rules require that some tourists get a visa before visiting the country.

The US security measures say anyone whose passport expires after 26 October this year must have a passport containing biometric data, such as a fingerprint or digital photograph. As Britain can't introduce such passports until 2005, a visa is needed instead.

Scottish travellers who need a visa, and anyone living far from London, will face a long journey and huge expense to obtain the documents which are only available from the US embassy in London. To get a visa, you have to arrange an interview at the embassy which will decide whether you are suitable, and you must pay around £30 ($55).

The US consulate in Edinburgh hasn't offered visa services since 1988, and says it has no plans to reintroduce them. A spokesman for the US Embassy in London (020 7499 9000) said there would be a very small percentage of people who would be forced to apply for a visa.

He advised Scottish people to renew their passport before 26 October if it was due to expire after that date and before the introduction of the UK biometric passports.

Scottish Nationalist MP Angus Robertson met the US Consul General Cecile Shea earlier this month to discuss the issue. He pointed out that the US consulate in Belfast provided the service.

Graham James, managing director of Scottish travel agent chain DP&L Travel (01382 227232), said bookings had not been affected so far because the exchange rate with the dollar was so good, but he warned: 'There are people who if they have to travel to London and possibly pay another couple of hundred pounds, will be put off.'