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Scotland in Early June
Posted on 12/13/24 at 10:20 am
Posted on 12/13/24 at 10:20 am
Gents - We are taking a large family trip in June over to Scotland. We plan on flying in to Edinburgh and spending a few days there before going somewhere else (undecided at this point). If any of yall have any recommendations for lodging ( 4 couples), food recs, or sigh seeing things, please let post about it!
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Posted on 12/13/24 at 11:26 am to b-rab2
Edinburgh area is quite nice and caters to tourists in the summer. You might plan on 4 days. Check any guidebook. Town-to-town hiking is quite popular if your group is healthy...LINK Nearby Rosslyn Chapel is fun if you read/saw Davinci Code...( spoiler, chalice may not be there.)
For a 2nd city some people like Glascow, but I prefer Aberdeen the main port for North Sea oil & gas activity. Visit the Maritime Museum... great exhibit about Piper-Alpha disaster...(aka How everything did go bad on an offshore platform).
If you want serious tweeds skip tourist stores and go to Walter Slater's in Edinburgh...LINK
Outstanding seafood everywhere but oysters are very expensive.
For a 2nd city some people like Glascow, but I prefer Aberdeen the main port for North Sea oil & gas activity. Visit the Maritime Museum... great exhibit about Piper-Alpha disaster...(aka How everything did go bad on an offshore platform).
If you want serious tweeds skip tourist stores and go to Walter Slater's in Edinburgh...LINK
Outstanding seafood everywhere but oysters are very expensive.
Posted on 12/13/24 at 12:12 pm to Tree_Fall
Thanks for the advice. Hotels are quite high there.
Posted on 12/13/24 at 2:58 pm to b-rab2
Following since we'll be in Edinburgh for a few days in May. Would love any pub and restaurant recommendations.
This post was edited on 12/13/24 at 2:59 pm
Posted on 12/13/24 at 3:31 pm to b-rab2
The only thing I know from people that have been to Edinburgh and Glasgow is that in one city you can understand them and in the other you wonder what the frick they're saying. 
Posted on 12/13/24 at 5:03 pm to b-rab2
At least do a daytime up to st Andrew's. Pretty college town on the sea. There will be a bunch of Americans there to play the golf course. Took the train over the firth of forth. There are 3 bridges there. Each built in a different century. Great area, enjoy.
Posted on 12/13/24 at 6:00 pm to b-rab2
My gf (no pics) and I went last June. It was absolutely incredible. Take a jacket with you everywhere. It'll be sunny and beautiful then a giant rain cloud will pop up and it'll rain for 30 minutes, then it'll be sunny again. And the rain is cold.
We stayed the first two nights close to the Royal Mile at the Apex Hotel in the Grassmarket area. Had a room with a view of the Edinburgh Castle. There are tons of things to do and see within walking distance. St Giles' Cathedral was definitely towards the top of the list of must-see things. If you (or anyone in your party) are Harry Potter fans, the area is where the books were written and where scenes were inspired. You can also find several graves of characters from the books in the graveyard nearby. There's also several castles and monuments you can walk to from the area as well.
After the first two nights, we drove up to the Highlands and stayed at an Abbey in Fort Agustus. I HIGHLY recommend that. The drive was absolutely beautiful. Again, lots of Harry Potter filming and 007 filming locations along the way you can pull off at and see. I'll post some more info and pictures later.
Any questions, feel free to ask here or through PM.
We stayed the first two nights close to the Royal Mile at the Apex Hotel in the Grassmarket area. Had a room with a view of the Edinburgh Castle. There are tons of things to do and see within walking distance. St Giles' Cathedral was definitely towards the top of the list of must-see things. If you (or anyone in your party) are Harry Potter fans, the area is where the books were written and where scenes were inspired. You can also find several graves of characters from the books in the graveyard nearby. There's also several castles and monuments you can walk to from the area as well.
After the first two nights, we drove up to the Highlands and stayed at an Abbey in Fort Agustus. I HIGHLY recommend that. The drive was absolutely beautiful. Again, lots of Harry Potter filming and 007 filming locations along the way you can pull off at and see. I'll post some more info and pictures later.
Any questions, feel free to ask here or through PM.
Posted on 12/13/24 at 6:40 pm to HogPharmer
Edinburgh is about my favorite city in the world. We stayed at B+B Edinburgh in Old Town a few days a few years ago and were very impressed. Nice rooms and an excellent Scottish breakfast in the morning. You can’t go wrong eating at any of the pubs. Order haggis, neeps, and tatties. I would stay a few days in Edinburgh to see the castle, St Giles Cathedral, Arthur’s Seat.
Taking day trips to St Andrews and going through Fort William to Loch Ness and Inverness is a must.
Taking day trips to St Andrews and going through Fort William to Loch Ness and Inverness is a must.
Posted on 12/13/24 at 7:40 pm to b-rab2
Following for info.
This post was edited on 12/13/24 at 7:41 pm
Posted on 12/13/24 at 9:28 pm to zippyputt
quote:
Following for info.
Same. Being a golfer, and Presbyterian, Scotland is high on my list.
Posted on 12/13/24 at 10:36 pm to b-rab2
The closest I've been to Scotland is Leeds, but I'll never forget looking at all the Brits in the room when a Glaswegian was speaking. Everyone took two beats to look at each other trying to figure out what the hell was being said. Leeds and Glasgow are only 200 miles apart. The UK is special.
I don't know if Scotland is like Ireland (ROI, not Northern Ireland), in that there may be awesome ruins in rando places. If that's the case (others that have been to Scotland can chime in) plan less than you think you need to, and leave some freedom to people to say, "what's that? It looks cool!"
Plan a picnic. I had one of the most memorable lunches of my life (I just re-read this, and it seems sad, but it was soooo relaxing and green, and fresh) breaking out peanut butter and bread from Tesco in a golf course parking lot in the back of my Nissan Micra, just looking at the scenery (somewhere between Galway and Moate, I think,) would be a great family moment.
I don't know if Scotland is like Ireland (ROI, not Northern Ireland), in that there may be awesome ruins in rando places. If that's the case (others that have been to Scotland can chime in) plan less than you think you need to, and leave some freedom to people to say, "what's that? It looks cool!"
Plan a picnic. I had one of the most memorable lunches of my life (I just re-read this, and it seems sad, but it was soooo relaxing and green, and fresh) breaking out peanut butter and bread from Tesco in a golf course parking lot in the back of my Nissan Micra, just looking at the scenery (somewhere between Galway and Moate, I think,) would be a great family moment.
Posted on 12/14/24 at 8:24 am to b-rab2
Edinburgh is an amazing city. The weather is terrible though. We went in August and it barely got to 60 and was windy and on/off rain the whole time so be prepared.
The Witchery is a great restaurant and I would definitely at minimum do a tour of the highlands if not spend a night up there.
The Witchery is a great restaurant and I would definitely at minimum do a tour of the highlands if not spend a night up there.
Posted on 12/14/24 at 9:04 am to b-rab2
Ed in bra is amazing, but do yourself a favor and go north, stay in castle and get lost in the countryside
Posted on 12/14/24 at 10:06 am to b-rab2
Can't really speak to Edinburgh, but I can second that St. Andrews would be a cool day trip even if you are not into golf. A lot of history and a very small walkable city.
If you go, try to coordinate to go eat dinner here: Steak Barn
It's only open certain days of the week.
If you go, try to coordinate to go eat dinner here: Steak Barn
It's only open certain days of the week.
Posted on 12/14/24 at 10:22 am to HogPharmer
The fish and chips are obviously a staple. We had mussels a couple of times that were excellent. The biggest surprise was the pizza we had at Beaufort House Pizza in Fort Agustus. I got a Haggis pizza (when in Rome, right?). It was basically a little house this couple owned and cooked out of. Beautiful area and would absolutely recommend taking the scenic route on a drive up to that area. We stayed at The Highland Club. It's right on Loch Ness and such an incredible place to explore.
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View from our room at the Apex hotel of the Edinburgh Castle
St Giles' Cathedral
The Highlands. One of these is where Hagrid's Hut was in the Harry Potter films. Also, the train from the movie.
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Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh
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Loch Ness
The Abbey we stayed at in Fort Agustus
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[/url][/img] View from our room at the Apex hotel of the Edinburgh Castle
St Giles' Cathedral
The Highlands. One of these is where Hagrid's Hut was in the Harry Potter films. Also, the train from the movie.
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[/url] Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh
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The Abbey we stayed at in Fort Agustus
Posted on 12/14/24 at 2:13 pm to HogPharmer
Very cool. Thanks!
Posted on 12/14/24 at 9:55 pm to b-rab2
All good stuff… Try the haggis. I ended up loving it and ate it every day.
Posted on 12/15/24 at 8:35 pm to b-rab2
For food, I recommend the Devil's Advocate in Old Town and Bon Vivant in New Town.
I went to Edinburgh in late June in 2023. Weather was awesome. 72 every day. The day that I went to Stirling was a little cloudy and chilly but the only heavy rain was late one night. From what I hear, tat never happens. I got lucky with the dry weather.
In Edinburgh, I recommend taking the light rail down to the port area (Leath). Touring the Royal Yacht was fun, but it was nice seeing another area of the city. Walk to where all the locals live in Leith and have a good meal. Don't just stay right around the Royal Yacht.
I went to Edinburgh in late June in 2023. Weather was awesome. 72 every day. The day that I went to Stirling was a little cloudy and chilly but the only heavy rain was late one night. From what I hear, tat never happens. I got lucky with the dry weather.
In Edinburgh, I recommend taking the light rail down to the port area (Leath). Touring the Royal Yacht was fun, but it was nice seeing another area of the city. Walk to where all the locals live in Leith and have a good meal. Don't just stay right around the Royal Yacht.
Posted on 12/15/24 at 8:39 pm to b-rab2
We went this summer for the Open. We stayed 4 nights in Edinburgh and 3 in Glasgow. Did a day trip to St Andrew’s and played a round at Kingsbarn. Highly recommend Cheval Old Town Chambers in Edinburgh- right in the heart of the royal mile. Our room looked out over St Giles cathedral.
Here’s a note I’ve got saved on my phone that I’ve shared with some folks:
Edinburgh restaurants:
Old Town
-Arcade Haggis & Whiskey Bar (great pub food, whisky flights)
-Luckenbooths - inside Cheval Old Town chambers, great breakfast
-Worlds End Pub
-Bertie’s Fish & Chips
New Town
-Dishoom: Indian (great atmosphere, sat downstairs)
-Fishers In The City: seafood
-The Dome: drinks
-Bramble Bar (didn’t go here but travel agent recommended)
-Rose Street has a lot of pubs
Stockbridge
-Scran & Scallie: upscale pub food
-The Raeburn: we had drinks outside
To do:
-Edinburgh Castle- try to get morning tickets; less crowded
-Palace of Holyrood House
-Victoria Street (Diagon alley)
-Deans Village
-St Giles Cathedral
-Grassmarket in Old Town- lots of pubs and great view of castle at the end of the square
-day trip to Stirling Castle, Doune Castle - look into Explorer Pass if doing 2 or more castles
-Loch Lomand & Trossachs National Park
-day trip to St Andrews
-Deanston distillery warehouse experience - we did this after Stirling castle, in the area
Here’s a note I’ve got saved on my phone that I’ve shared with some folks:
Edinburgh restaurants:
Old Town
-Arcade Haggis & Whiskey Bar (great pub food, whisky flights)
-Luckenbooths - inside Cheval Old Town chambers, great breakfast
-Worlds End Pub
-Bertie’s Fish & Chips
New Town
-Dishoom: Indian (great atmosphere, sat downstairs)
-Fishers In The City: seafood
-The Dome: drinks
-Bramble Bar (didn’t go here but travel agent recommended)
-Rose Street has a lot of pubs
Stockbridge
-Scran & Scallie: upscale pub food
-The Raeburn: we had drinks outside
To do:
-Edinburgh Castle- try to get morning tickets; less crowded
-Palace of Holyrood House
-Victoria Street (Diagon alley)
-Deans Village
-St Giles Cathedral
-Grassmarket in Old Town- lots of pubs and great view of castle at the end of the square
-day trip to Stirling Castle, Doune Castle - look into Explorer Pass if doing 2 or more castles
-Loch Lomand & Trossachs National Park
-day trip to St Andrews
-Deanston distillery warehouse experience - we did this after Stirling castle, in the area
Posted on 12/16/24 at 2:32 pm to b-rab2
quote:
going somewhere else
Glasgow
Loch Lomond
Isle of Skye - this is my #1 recommendation
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