For the original poster and question(s)
1a. There is a CAA publication (Lasors) free PDF download on their website which lists all training schools in the UK, so this could be a useful source of info to you.
1b. Depending on where you live, you might be better going a bit further than local to Central Ecosse becaue it will be quicker to drive somewhere on a motorway than fighting along A roads behind McTavish's tractor.
1c. Therefore you might also consider taking a more intense 3 week course further away (in the UK still).
2. If you are planning to buy a 44, I'd say train on one and get used to the systems and drills for one type from scratch.
h-r