Things to do in Edinburgh

Peter_ · 25-06-2009, 19:46

I am off to Edinburgh shortly on a short break and was wondering if anyone had any tips for entertainment, places to eat and places to visit ( we have been before so done the castle and the Royal mile )

We do not want high end restaurants just good food.

fireman328 · 25-06-2009, 22:26

Turn round and head for England ASAP

**Derek** · 25-06-2009, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman328

Turn round and head for England ASAP

Thats not very helpful

Get on a train and come to Glasgow instead.

How long are you up here for?

The parliament building is seemingly quite worthwhile, if only to gasp at them spending so much money on a building which is a monstrosity outside.

Cobbydaler · 25-06-2009, 22:32

If you're into Rankin's Rebus do a literary walk...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tra...cle6538104.ece

http://www.rebustours.com/

Peter_ · 25-06-2009, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

Thats not very helpful

Get on a train and come to Glasgow instead.

How long are you up here for?

The parliament building is seemingly quite worthwhile, if only to gasp at them spending so much money on a building which is a monstrosity outside.

3 days Derek and by train.

joglynne · 25-06-2009, 22:36

I assume you have checked out the Edinburgh Tourist Board site.

http://www.edinburgh.org/

moaningmags · 25-06-2009, 22:37

Glasgow's definitely better. The people are friendlier for starters.

Peter_ · 25-06-2009, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by moaningmags

Glasgow's definitely better. The people are friendlier for starters.

It is SWMBO who wants to go to Edinburgh and you know how implacable women are when they have something set in their minds.

**Derek** · 25-06-2009, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by moaningmags

Glasgow's definitely better. The people are friendlier for starters.

And if you don't agree we'll chib ye!

3 days is a decent time. I've not been over to Edinburgh for leisure purposes for a while but Britannia down in Leith is quite good. The inside of the parliament is impressive.

Aside from that you have the usual pubs, clubs and shopping.

Oh and Glasgow a short train ride away

admars · 25-06-2009, 22:42

Holyrood house at the other end of the royal mile
the camera obscura is good if it's a nice day
Edinburgh Dungeon is good fun if you like that sort of thing
it's a good walk up to Arthur's seat if the weather is nice
Calton Hill/Edinburgh's shame is worth a walk to also.
food - there's an all you can eat Chinese food near the train station, it's not amazing quality, but not bad

We went to 2 vegetarian restaurants, one off the royal mile, was very good, and teh other was ok, the other side, near Hard Rock Cafe.

moaningmags · 25-06-2009, 22:43

That's ok then, if she hates it she'll blame you anyway

---------- Post added at 22:43 ---------- Previous post was at 22:42 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

And if you don't agree we'll chib ye!

Aye but in a friendly way of course

Peter_ · 25-06-2009, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

Oh and Glasgow a short train ride away

That sounds like a plan for a day trip, any pointers of where to go.

---------- Post added at 22:45 ---------- Previous post was at 22:43 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by moaningmags

That's ok then, if she hates it she'll blame you anyway

We have been before to Edinburgh and what Derek says sounds like a good idea as Glasgow is only a train ride away.

**Derek** · 25-06-2009, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moldova

That sounds like a plan for a day trip, any pointers of where to go.

Loads. Depends what you like, loads of shopping, museums, pubs, etc.

Personally if you like museums at all you can get the train to Queen St, jump on the underground and get off in the West End for parks, museums, pubs etc.

heero_yuy · 26-06-2009, 11:38

Edinborough runs a "Hate the motorist"* policy so go by public transport.

* I once tried to get into Edinborough by car during a tour of Scotland. Ended up on a rutted raceway where every sign told you how to get OUT of the city. Not how to get to the historic waterfron, Arthurs seat etc. Needless to say I left.

**Chris** · 26-06-2009, 11:46

Public transport in Edinburgh city centre is all screwed up as well at the moment. They've dug up Princes Street and Leith Walk to put tram lines in.

Get down to Waverley Station and take one of the express shuttles to Glasgow. They depart every 15 minutes and will have you in a far more interesting and lively city in one hour flat.

The Kelvingrove gallery and museum in the west end is worth a visit. It currently has the touring Doctor Who exhibition.

Glasgow Science Centre is ideal if you have kids. Even if you don't it's worth popping in there to go up the science tower and take in the view from the top.

If you want to sell Glasgow to SWMBO, point out to her that Edinburgh only has one shopping street and it only has shops down one side. Glasgow's city centre shopping area is absolutely vast. At least one survey has ranked it top in the UK outside of central London.