Anyone ever been to Edinburgh, Scotland?

[JohnnyBoots]

Heading there in late Feb. Any advice on the town or local customs? Thanks.

[PassingFair]

1. Love, love, LOVE it!

Make sure you get up to the castle!

The old town reminds me of a Harry Potter set.
Spent a wonderful weekend there looking for bagpipe
accoutrements!

[JohnnyBoots]

2. Nice, hotel is by there so will be sure to check it out! Thanks.

[PassingFair]

3. How long will you be there?

Are you going for business or pleasure?

A fact:

The Edinburgh accent is the most cultured
and sexy accent in the world. Be prepared.

[JohnnyBoots]

4. Going to watch Scotland play France in the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament

amongst other things. I'll be there about a week.

[geardaddy]

11. Who are you rooting for, Scotland?

Expect to be disappointed.

[SwissTony]

5. Edinburgh is brilliant

and that's hard for a Glaswegian to say.

Edinburgh has some wonderful museums and galleries.

The Old Town is wonderful, but if you have transport, go and see the Lothians. Beautiful countryside.

If you're into sport, you could go to Murrayfield to watch the Six Nations Rugby match between Scotland and France on the 26th. If you're into soccer, the two main teams are Hearts (Heard of Midlothian) and Hibs (Hibernian). And, of course, there's a bit of golf splayed in the region.

[JohnnyBoots]

7. I'll be backing Scotland vs Les Blues at Murrayfield for sure. Going to

be sore from my own match on the day before. Can't wait.

[LibertyLover]

6. My husband and I have been several times and love it

The Castle is a must. Also, although it's bit touristy, the Whiskey Heritage Center on the Royal Mile just below the Castle is a fun way to learn about scotch. The Witchery Restaurant next door is excellent. We had a wonderful lunch there and really enjoyed it. If you are going now, the Christmas fair should be up and running in the Garden, land between Princes Street and the Royal Mile. It's not a German city's Christmas Fair, but it's not bad. If you have the time, take the train down to York. It's about 2 hours. York is a great walking city. Also if you have time, take a couple of the day trips out into the countryside. Several companies run them and you can get up to the edge of the Highlands. Go to Sterling Castle. It's pretty close to Edinburgh and has the most amazing banqueting hall. On the way back to Edinburgh have the guide point out Castle Droon where Monty Python and the Hole Grail was filmed. Better yet, go to Castle Droon and ask for the coconuts so you can do the proper sound effects. The Scottish National Museum in Edinburgh just underwent a multimillion dollar renovation and looks pretty good. Don't miss Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parlement building at the other end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle. Listen for the 1 o'clock gun fired from the castle every day at 1 pm. Sadly, Tam the Gun is no longer in charge of firing it, having died a few years ago of colon cancer. Visit Mary Queen's Close and see the underground city of Edinburgh. It's pretty spooky. Have a good visit!

[stuntcat]

10. Castle Droon, yah!

All of this is great advice!

Maybe I'm just in love with Edinburgh, but it really is one gorgeous thing after another in that city.

Walking around the cemeteries was another part of the visit we enjoyed.

[bikebloke]

8. Recently

Only 34 years ago. I didn't know at the time, but my direct ancestor immigrated not far from Edinburgh exactly 300 years earlier.

[stuntcat]

9. we went last year and loved it!

Maybe try Henderson's vegetarian restaurant, it's been around forever, like an Institution or something!

And maybe go to Leith.

And maybe take the tour of Mary Queen's Close, that was a lotta fun!!

And if you feel sporty, climb up Arthur's Seat.


We can't wait to go back there someday, it's just beautiful. Have a great trip!

[TreasonousBastard]

12. Only spent a few days there a while ago, but it's one of my favorite cities...

There once was a thing called the Scottish Rail Rover which let you ride all the trains, buses, and ferries for about 25 bucks a week, and the Scottish trains are a great way to see the scenery. Some are legendary. The trains let you off at a particularly pretty spot and there are marked trails through the hills or the moors to the next station. Since I was there, though, the trains have been privatized and may not offer the same level of service. (But the views are the same.)

Edinburgh is one of the great walking cities, and you will get your exercise wandering around all those hills. (You will notice the women there are all fit and have great legs-- there's a reason for that.)

The Scottish Tourist Board (or whatever it's called now) was one of the best in the world. Should you decide to spend a next night in Inverness, Kyle of Localsh, or wherever, the local Edinburgh office will set you up with a room and give you a little map how to get to the place. Cost a pound for the service when I was there.

Stuff on Princes Street can be more expensive than here, although you'll want one of those Burberry coats, but there was a street where they sold seconds really cheap-- and if you get some of those neat wool sweaters, don't forget to get the form to get your VAT back. BTW, a shot of Scotch is definitely more expensive than here, so drink their fabulous beer unless there's a "Single Malt of the Day" deal.

The Edinburgh Dungeon was as touristy as it gets, but it was a lot of fun.

You will be there way off the tourist season, so you'll see the natives in their natural habitat. Scots are great people and the local food is not really that bad. Some is quite good, although they'll never admit it. (I asked someone about local food, and he said "We dinna eat that shit-- we go to Pizza
Hut.")

Have a great time.

On edit...

Just noticed the rugby game. Edinburgh is mostly cool, but I saw some pubs further north with large "No football colors allowed" signs. Scots are laid back and great, mostly, but there are a few it is just too easy to piss of, and you don't want to do that.

[RebelOne]

13. Yes, great place to visit.

Take a tour out to Loch Ness and see Nessie. The scenery is fantastic. And be aware all the roads in Edinburgh go uphill.

[abbeyco]

14. Edinburgh is wonderful!

The castle is great - make it a priority. I'm also a fan of Saturday tea at The Balmoral - JK Rowling maintains a suite there when writing and the Brian Setzer Orchestra was there for a wedding reception I saw. The just got a pair of pandas at the zoo and they should be on display by the time you arrive. If you can, get a tour of the Underground Vaults (http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp) - totally worthwhile and very, very cool.

Enjoy your visit - I was there twice in November for work and now can't wait to go back to do more sightseeing.

[NV Whino]

15. Take all the warm clothes you can pack

I was there Feb to April (years ago), and it's coooold.

See the castle, Sir Walter Scott's monument, climb to the Folly (at the end of Princess Street), hit the pubs, see if you can get into the National Library. I was invited by the BBC film crew to a (relatively) private concert by Murray Perahia during the Festival on my second trip there. What a treat! There's a great pub across from the library (where the BBC guys plied me with single malts the day before filming the concert, and why I got invited to said concert). I seem to recall that there is a nifty toy museum there, and of course all sorts of other museums. Get out to the countryside, too. Sterling castle and Loch Ness are a must. If you like scotch, check out some distilleries. They serve a wee dram for a taste... or did when I was there. They may charge these days.

I love Edinburgh!

[geardaddy]

16. I was there when I was 14.

I loved it. Edinburgh Castle was fantastic.

[ohiosmith]

17. It's great. Try the Scotch.

:toast:

[RebelOne]

18. But forget about the beef. Worst and toughest steaks I have ever eaten.

I am a vegetarian now, so I will not be ordering steaks in Scotland.

[ohiosmith]

20. Or anywhere else for that matter.

:rofl:

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. I wish!!

[WolverineDG]

21. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you MUST visit the Elephant Room Cafe

Sit in the back room for dinner & tell me that Edinburgh Castle was NOT the inspiration for Hogwarts. I dare you!!

dg

[Seedersandleechers]

22. I went there a few years ago and was

only going to be there for a short while - but I fell in love with the city and stayed much longer. Local food such as haggis, black and white pudding is nasty. While I was there I ate indian and asian food.

[MichaelMcGuire]

23. Lived for over 6 years in Edinburgh