Calling All Scots....

[kyshel]

Edinburgh is calling me! I have opportunity for 48 hours in Edinburgh end of the month.
I know we have some "locals" in this community, so I'm looking for advice/suggestions for my first trip.
We're staying in the City Centre. Any advice is welcomed! Thanks!

[thepiranha]

Kyshel, lucky you! Definitely check out Edinburgh Castle. It's a huge, towering fortress sitting on basalt rock from an extinct volcano. You get incredible views from the castle. If you have time, go to the Edinburgh Zoo. It's one of the world's top breeding and research zoos and they were the first zoo in the world to breed penguins. They're also the only British zoo with koalas and polar bears. Try some haggis if you're feeling brave. Edinburgh is the only place where I've ever eaten pizza with peas as a topping. I don't know if that's a Scottish tradition or if I was in a unique restaurant. The Scots are well known for their smoked salmon. Too bad you don't have more time so you could go to some of the islands. We drove our car onto a ferry to get to Skye, which is very pretty. We also went to Loch Ness but didn't see Nessie. There's a little museum there with shreds of evidence that he/she exists. When are you going?

[kyshel]

How fabulous to get a reply from thepiranha regarding Edinburgh! Thanks! I think I have to check into the pizza thing--we frequently choose local pizza [all over the world] for a lunch snack and that's a new one for me, too!
With limited time, we'll surely do the castle--I would never have know about the zoo's reputation. Haggis, I know about, and will certainly pass...smoked salmon is on my list--one of my fave ways is on a white cream pizza--maybe on this trip?!

[snapyou]

Hi kyshel!



I'm an Edinburgh "local" so please feel free to ask for any info.

Do you know where you're staying yet?

What kind of things are you into? Culture/art/history/drinking/eating/clubbing etc etc?

Edinburgh's a lovely city:a nice easy walkable city centre.

Only one thing spoiling it at the moment:there are roadworks everywhere due to a tram system being laid down.

Today,the city's looking lovely:bathing in blue skies and sunshine.

Have you been to Scotland before?

Watch out for the ever changing weather:4 seasons in half an hour isn't unusual here.



Look forward to hearing your queries!



Och aye,the noo!

[kyshel]

I knew you were lurking around the community, snapyou! Thanks for checking in!

I understand the castle is a priority, so it shall be #1.
We're in city centre (Novotel). Appreciate the warning about the trams/construction. My husband went this past fall but it will be a first for me. I enjoy my adult bevs and he's a soda/waterr kinda guy, so pubs aren't a big deal. We'd like some good food and if it's a good walking city, we've got the comfy shoes to "hoof it". History! Culture!
Clothes-wise: leather jacket? Jeans? Hold the blues skies for us, please!

[snapyou]

Hi Kyshel,



The Novotel is in a good location for wandering around:it also has a rather nice pool/sauna in the basement.



The Castle is only 5/10 mins walk away and well worth a visit then you can stroll down The Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace(the Queen's Edinburgh residence).

Check out all the little "closes" (little alley ways ) on the way.There are also some hidden gardens(http://www.greenyondertours.com/tour...engardens.html).

Just down from The Castle is Gladstone's Land (http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/25/) and also on The Royal Mile are The Museum Of Childhood(http://www.cac.org.uk/) and,my personal favourite,The Peoples Museum(http://www.culture24.org.uk/sc000138).



Edinburgh is split into two:The Old Town(Royal Mile side) and The New Town(lovely Georgian buildings:the posh side).In The New Town,check out The Georgian House(http://www.aboutbritain.com/GeorgianHouseEdinburgh.htm).



IF the weather's nice The Royal Botanical Gardens are lovely for picnics.



You should be able to see Arthur's Seat from most parts of the city(an old volcano)in Holyrood Park( a couple of nice,small lochs) and great views of the city.



Also,on The Royal Mile is Mary King's Close : a long lost underground part of the Old Town(well worth the visit!): http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/





At night,i recommend one of the great ghost/haunted Edinburgh tours (http://europeforvisitors.com/edinbur...f-the-dead.htm).Watch out for The Mackenzie Poltergeist though!



If you have enough time and the wether's good and want a wee trip out of town,then you can get a train (every hour)to North Berwick(7 return).Only takes half an hour and then you're in a lovely seaside town with lovely beaches and islands in the Firth of Forth(you can go on boat trips to them).And climb The Law(a hill where you get great views of over the landscape).Also,just outside North Berwick are two great old Castlesirleton and, Tantallon(which is pretty spectacular with its location on a cliff top).



When is is you're coming over ? I 'll look into events that might be ob then for you if you like.



Art wise,the National Gallery of Scotland and The Portrait Museum are good.

Modern Art:the Museum of Modern Art and the Fruitmarket Gallery.

OH! A walk along the Water of Leith is great too:you feel like you're in the country when you're in the middle of the city.



Eating Out? Really depends on budget,but for a rather special dinner in amazing locations:The Witchery(just down from The Castle:all gothic with great food)

and Rhubarb at Presonfield House:mmmmmmmmmmmm!!



Or if you can't afford that:have a deep fried Mars Bar(yeugh!)ifrom a chip shop if you want a hear attack,that is!



Oh,another thing:if you're feeling fit climb up The Walter Scott Monument on Princes Street(superb views though quite a climb).



Calton Hill is also good for views nand an easy walk.







Hope that's given you a few wee ideas but if you'd like to know any more,just ask away!



As for clothes? Scottich weather can change from summer to winter and all in between within half an hour so hard to say.



Have fun in "Auld Reekie" !!!

[mary-j]

snapyou,

what a brilliant summary of places for Kyshel to visit. I totally agree about dining at The Witchery. It is truly unique and although it is expensive, it is a must if you are in Edinburgh.

it is a shame that you will be visiting while the new tramways are being built and as from this week "Princes street" is closed to traffic for 8 months but you will still be able to walk along, but shame you are going to see all the building work going on. it will still be amazing though. Where in the world can you see a street on one side lined with shops and department stores and across the road is a castle?

One other place I should mention if youhave time to visit, especially for a "kodak moment" are the Forth Bridges. The Forth Road and the Forth Rail bridges are parallel to each other and look amazing.Kyshel, youwill probably have seen them in photo's and the best place to view them where you get uninterupted views of them both isfrom a spot just after a little village called Newton which is just before you come to the Bridges. The views from there are amazing!!! Either that, or you can go into the village next to the Bridges called South Queensferry where you will be able to see them too and it is a lovely quaint village and can take a stroll along the waterside. Lots of little places to have lunch too.

Pity your visit will be so short as there are so many places to see but will be impossible on such a short visit.

You must tell us all about it when you return.



Hope the weather is kind to you. Although the last few days have been quite mild for this time of the year.



I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

[kyshel]

Thanks to everyone, but due to the massive amounts of snow covering New York as I write, the flight was canceled. I was fortunate to get back home yesterday morning and hopefully my husband will be able to get home late today. From what I understand, the weather in Edinburgh won't be the most pleasant those days, so the postponement was providential. Keeping the "tips" for future use!

[thepiranha]

Sorry that you won't be taking your trip. Maybe there will be a silver lining in the clouds and you'll get to visit Scotland when the weather is much better. My wife and I were in southern Wales at this time of year many years ago and the weather was miserable. We were living in southern California at the time and everybody we met on the trip thought we were crazy for visiting Wales at that time of year. The best part about traveling to that part of the world at this time is that there are very few tourists.

[snapyou]

Sorry to hear of your snow problems,kyshel.



Hope you get to Bonnie Scotland another time.



August is the BEST time to visit Edinburgh : it's when Edinburgh holds the biggest arts festival in the world with performances everywhere

and the streets are full of visitors from all around the world.



http://www.edfringe.com/



http://www.eif.co.uk/



http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/



http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/