Visiting Edinburgh Sep 21 - Oct 4

[kirkpoore1]

Guys, I'll be making my third trip in your direction starting next Thursday. I'm coming with a Canadian friend and staying in Edinburgh for most of the trip. [Yes, my credit card is screaming at me.] We'll be doing a couple of short side trips to Inverness, but bus tours out of Edinburgh for most stuff. We do have a list of things to see (mostly medieval & Industrial Revolution) but if you have any must-see suggestions I'd certainly add them to our list. If the weather clears up for a day I'm also going see if I can rent a bike and take a run along a river or lake trail, so I'd welcome suggestions in that area. No, we're not planning on distillery tours, but maybe a place to scrounge used hand tools would be a good alternative.

I realize this is super short notice. Between the strycsitten, windmill, and stuff I've had going on earlier this summer I just haven't given this trip the research it deserves.

Also, if any of you in the area would like to get together for a meal or a beer, please PM me and let's see what we can do. Gary, my Canadian friend, has relatives in the area and wants to get with them some, so I may be on my own if he doesn't want to drag me along.

I do need to take a decent bottle of Scotch back for a friend. I can't stand the stuff, so suggestions where I can find a good selection would be handy. And of course I've got to buy Christmas presents, and even my ex-wife wants a T-shirt (she'll get it as a present from my son, though). We will do our part to jumpstart the Scottish economy, I promise.

Thanks!

Kirk

 

[clogs]

only been to Scotland twice....early summer, both times it snowed........

bought my first Harley there, too much money for the locals I guess.....

think if I ever wanted to visit it'd have to be a virtual tour......to hilly.....hahaha......

 

[SamQ aka Ah! Q!]

Droogs - on here - is "your man". He lives near the foot of Leith Walk, I think.

 

[RogerS]

Droogs - on here - is "your man". He lives near the foot of Leith Walk, I think.

Suggest you PM Droogs as he's pretty busy at the moment. Very hospitable chap, though.

 

[Blackswanwood]

Brilliant city - I lived there during the week up until a few years ago with work and the family loved coming up for weekends.

Mary Queens Close while a bit touristy gives a good insight into Old Edinburgh.

A trip to Roslin is memorable. Obviously there is the Castle and the National Museum of Scotland is excellent.

You won't be short of places to buy a bottle of Whiskey. Biggest Choice I have seen is at the Whiskey Experience which is found right at the top of the Royal Mile. I know you have said that you cannot stand the stuff but I'd still suggest doing a whiskey tasting as there's one out there for every taste.

For a run or a bike ride you have Arthurs seat on the doorstep if you venture a bit further a train ride up to St Andrews is good and there are quite a few bike rental places up there.

I'd have arranged to be in Edinburgh with work and had a beer and a natter but unfortunately will be out of the UK with work. Good traditional pubs include The Bow Bar, The Oxford Bar and The Halfway House.

Enjoy!

Robert

 

[AndyT]

A frustrating part of visiting any city is that it's easy to see the outsides of buildings but much harder to see interiors and furnishings.

On my only trip to Edinburgh so far I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the National Trust for Scotland's property Gladstone's Land, which is on the Royal Mile. It's a seventeenth century house, arranged to show how it was occupied over the years. The very friendly guides will explain what you can see and how the building was used.

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/gla ... /the-house

Also note that the weekend of 23-24 October is a special "Doors Open" day, when lots of historic places are free, though this may mean that some places are booked up in advance for free tours.

 

[Lurker]

I’m aware that you have been here before so this might be pointless.
Don’t underestimate how long it will take to get from Edinburgh to Inverness ( or sneckey as the locals call it!)

 

[Tiresias]

Okey dokey. This may take a while.

I was born on the ‘burgh, and have lived there on and off for 30 odd years.

All the touristy things you can find on the usual websites.

I personally like the Portrait Gallery (the one on Queen Street). Big red sandstone building, you can’t miss it.

Bars.
(some of this may be a bit dated, because I was forbidden them by my consultant a few years ago).
The Oxford. Young Street. In the Rankin novels. Old school ‘Front room’ boozer. Although it has a back room for the wusses. Be careful where you stand. Some parts of the front bar are sort of sacred, and the left hand end as you go in in is known as ‘cardiac corner’. I probably don’t need to explain that. Gain knowledge points by saying that you knew the bar when it was run by Wullie Ross, and then Harry. Kirsty is, as far as I know, the landlady now. Harry’s cousin (?). Deuchars IPA is what you want. Although it is a Belhaven pub IIRC.

Kays Bar. Jamacia Street. Lovely and quiet. Fire in the cooler months. Again a quieter back room. Food, although limited is fine if you like that sort of thing. Barman (waxed mustachios) can be a bit prickly, but is fine.

Sandy Bells. Forrest Road. Not my sort of thing, but knocked around with some folk musicians for a while and they liked it.

The Cumberland. Not far from my house. Again a bit old school, and trad. But if you are in that part of the New Town, it is perfectly OK.

Restaurants.

TBH we normally go to Harvey Nicks for lunch. Get a seat by the window, and look to the right and you can see where I live. And also good view down George Street – probably the better choice.

High end, Wisharts on The Shore. I think it still has its star. Bit sepulchral, unless you liven it up.
I don’t really rate the Withchery.

Café St Honore. Thistle Street Lane.

Continis. George Street. Used to be Centotre, but the Contini family fall out on a daily basis.

Others

And finally; if you are at all interested, the Royal Botanic Gardens down Inverleith way.

As for your cycle ride, why not try the Union Canal. Contour canal (so no gradients) that runs all the way to Falkirk. Where you can see the wheel. A pointless thing, but nonetheless impressive.

Ach, there is a lot more, but my typing finger is getting tired.

I hope you have a good time.
.

 

[kirkpoore1]

I’m aware that you have been here before so this might be pointless.
Don’t underestimate how long it will take to get from Edinburgh to Inverness ( or sneccy as the locals call it!)

We'll be either on a tour bus or a train, so our schedule isn't our own anyway.

We were already planning on the Castle. Gladstone's Land sounds interesting, and I'll add Roslin to the list. Train to St Andrews will now be on the list along with a possible bike ride.

Thanks!

Kirk

 

[kirkpoore1]

Okey dokey. This may take a while.

I was born on the ‘burgh, and have lived there on and off for 30 odd years.

All the touristy things you can find on the usual websites.

I personally like the Portrait Gallery (the one on Queen Street). Big red sandstone building, you can’t miss it.

Bars.
(some of this may be a bit dated, because I was forbidden them by my consultant a few years ago).
The Oxford. Young Street. In the Rankin novels. Old school ‘Front room’ boozer. Although it has a back room for the wusses. Be careful where you stand. Some parts of the front bar are sort of sacred, and the left hand end as you go in in is known as ‘cardiac corner’. I probably don’t need to explain that. Gain knowledge points by saying that you knew the bar when it was run by Wullie Ross, and then Harry. Kirsty is, as far as I know, the landlady now. Harry’s cousin (?). Deuchars IPA is what you want. Although it is a Belhaven pub IIRC.

Kays Bar. Jamacia Street. Lovely and quiet. Fire in the cooler months. Again a quieter back room. Food, although limited is fine if you like that sort of thing. Barman (waxed mustachios) can be a bit prickly, but is fine.

Sandy Bells. Forrest Road. Not my sort of thing, but knocked around with some folk musicians for a while and they liked it.

The Cumberland. Not far from my house. Again a bit old school, and trad. But if you are in that part of the New Town, it is perfectly OK.

Restaurants.

TBH we normally go to Harvey Nicks for lunch. Get a seat by the window, and look to the right and you can see where I live. And also good view down George Street – probably the better choice.

High end, Wisharts on The Shore. I think it still has its star. Bit sepulchral, unless you liven it up.
I don’t really rate the Withchery.

Café St Honore. Thistle Street Lane.

Continis. George Street. Used to be Centotre, but the Contini family fall out on a daily basis.

Others

And finally; if you are at all interested, the Royal Botanic Gardens down Inverleith way.

As for your cycle ride, why not try the Union Canal. Contour canal (so no gradients) that runs all the way to Falkirk. Where you can see the wheel. A pointless thing, but nonetheless impressive.

Ach, there is a lot more, but my typing finger is getting tired.

I hope you have a good time.
.

Thanks, Tiresias! This fills in a lot of holes in between playing tourist. Can you recommend any place with local music? Or maybe a comedy club? We have to fill in the evening hours with something other than just alcohol.

Kirk

 

[Blackswanwood]

Two pubs that do live folk music are Sandy Bells on Forrest Road and The Royal Oak on Infirmary Street

The Comedy Club is on the Lothian Road.

Whistle Binkies on South Bridge is good if you like live rock music.

It’s worth also visiting the Johnnie Walker rooftop bar. Book a table in advance. I think it has some of the best views of the City.

 

[Tiresias]

We have to fill in the evening hours with something other than just alcohol.

Kirk

Sorry, I'm Scottish, I don't understand this bit.

But comedy: The Stand, York Place (extension of Queen Street). Where I have seen a schoolmate die a death in front of an audience of four. All comps.

Whilst I respect what has been said before I'd be a little bit cautious of Whistle Binkies. I've seen it kick off a couple of times in there. Still, I found if your companion is a 6ft+ irish/scot with mad whirling eyes, you can get away with a lot.

 

[kirkpoore1]

... Still, I found if your companion is a 6ft+ irish/scot with mad whirling eyes, you can get away with a lot.

Ha! He's Canadian! Have you ever seen a good Canadian hockey fight? Besides, his dad (and maybe his mom) is from Scotland, so he's almost a native.

Really, though, we're both over 60 so we'd be more likely to work our backs to the wall and comment on the throw down.

I'll add the Stand to our list. Maybe your friend won't be there that night.

Kirk

 

[Stargazer]

"Train to St Andrews"

Be aware that you can only get a train the Leuchars, which is approx 5miles from St Andrews, bus or taxi from there.

StarGazer (lived in St Andrews for 4 years)

 

[kirkpoore1]

"Train to St Andrews"

Be aware that you can only get a train the Leuchars, which is approx 5miles from St Andrews, bus or taxi from there.

StarGazer (lived in St Andrews for 4 years)

Thanks!

Kirk
Waiting out a 2 hour delay in Toronto

 

[AndyP]

If you make it into a comedy club up there Kirk I hope you that your are treated to some of the classics.

What’s the difference between a Rolling Stones song and Scottish hill farmer?

One says “Hey you, get off of my cloud”
The other “Hey McCloud, get off of my ewe”

Sorry folks.

 

[John Brown]

Brilliant city - I lived there during the week up until a few years ago with work and the family loved coming up for weekends.

Mary Queens Close while a bit touristy gives a good insight into Old Edinburgh.

A trip to Roslin is memorable. Obviously there is the Castle and the National Museum of Scotland is excellent.

You won't be short of places to buy a bottle of Whiskey. Biggest Choice I have seen is at the Whiskey Experience which is found right at the top of the Royal Mile. I know you have said that you cannot stand the stuff but I'd still suggest doing a whiskey tasting as there's one out there for every taste.

For a run or a bike ride you have Arthurs seat on the doorstep if you venture a bit further a train ride up to St Andrews is good and there are quite a few bike rental places up there.

I'd have arranged to be in Edinburgh with work and had a beer and a natter but unfortunately will be out of the UK with work. Good traditional pubs include The Bow Bar, The Oxford Bar and The Halfway House.

Enjoy!

Robert

I think they drink more whisky than whiskey in Edinburgh...

 

[RogerS]

If you make it into a comedy club up there Kirk I hope you that your are treated to some of the classics.

What’s the difference between a Rolling Stones song and Scottish hill farmer?

One says “Hey you, get off of my cloud”
The other “Hey McCloud, get off of my ewe”

Sorry folks.

Ah, reminds me of this one that did the rounds at the BBC back in the day.

"What's the theme tune of unmanned transmitter sites ?"

"Sheep may safely graze".