Random one this: I’m flying to Heathrow with various bits of baggage, and due to change planes to Edinburgh. Both flights are with the same airline, but I’m handing over a bag to a friend at Heathrow – so will I have any problems checking my baggage just to Heathrow, rather than all the way to Edinburgh?

You should be okay but the airline will only issue you a boarding card for your first leg of the flight, so this will leave you with all the hassle of having to get back into the terminal (maybe even transfer terminals?), recheck in, clear security again etc which will take some time so dont leave yourself rushing to catch your connecting flight.

My biggest worry would be the attention you might bring to yourself? Depending on your original departure airport it might raise a few alarm bells in their ‘dodgy geezer’ passenger profiling checks.