I'm off to Moscow for a few days in late August (first trip as a tourist). I know that my company uses a London courier company for obtaining visas through the embassy but was thinking, on costs grounds, of doing it myself. It's not that I can't afford the couroer company but I'm tempted to minimise the cost of what at the end of the day is a weekend break!

I have a hotel booked (the Sheraton) and they are offering to provide the invitation and hotel voucher.

Am I completely mad to be even considering doing this myself? I'm happy to take my passport etc down to the Consulate in London if that will speed things up, or alternatively I have heard good things about the Consulate in Edinburgh.

Any thoughts/experiences?