OT: Going to Scotland!
EMiriamD
for the Edinburgh Festival! There will be free time to explore both Glasgow
and Edinburgh, so I'd love any recs for fun (and not too expensive)
restaurants, sights to see, places to buy stuff you can't get in the U.S., and
what to wear, i.e. what's the weather like at that time of year.
TIA, y'all!
P.S. Did I say I am soooooooooo psyched?!
EMiriamD
"No fashion is ever a success unless it is used as a form of seduction."
-- Christian Dior
Stacy Ferguson
"EMiriamD" <emir...@aol.com> wrote:
> I am, like, so totally psyched! I'm going to Scotland in mid-August, mainly
> for the Edinburgh Festival! There will be free time to explore both Glasgow
> and Edinburgh, so I'd love any recs for fun (and not too expensive)
> restaurants, sights to see, places to buy stuff you can't get in the U.S., and
> what to wear, i.e. what's the weather like at that time of year.
Have fun! I haven't been there but I'd be watching Border Collies at work.
The only advice I can give from personal experience is: DON'T TRY THE
HAGGIS! :)
Stacy
Cornhuskeress
My brother tried haggis when he visited Scotland and liked it.
>
> Stacy
--
Geri
"We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."
- Hillary Clinton
Lindsay
>I'd love any recs for fun (and not too expensive) restaurants,
I would recommend Henderson's if you enjoy simple, wholesome
vegetarian food at a very reasonable price. It's in the city centre
on Hanover Street, a short road that runs off Princes Street in
Newtown (Georgian). It's an informal bistro style place with no
pre-booking - just turn up for lunch or dinner. Inevitably it's a bit
crowded during the Festival.
Should you find their cooking to your taste they have produced a small
cook book.
>i.e. what's the weather like at that time of year.
Variable! (This is Scotland). You would be wise to have something
rain proof available but, beyond that, I think it's about layering to
keep pace with the weather's changing moods. It rarely gets above the
mid 20s, say 75F, though you might be lucky. Any breeze out of the
East or North makes life a little chilly.
I dare say you'll have only a limited amount of time so it may be
worth calling in to the Tourist Information Centre at Waverley Station
(east end of Princes Street) to see what's going on.
Have a lovely time and tell us about it on your return.
Lindsay
wantonsong
I recommend shopping at Hamilton and Inches. They make their own
silver. We have bought silver and cufflinks from them. The website (
www.hamiltonandinches.com )gives directions and tells why they are
special. Great staff.
For whisky go to Royal Mile Whiskies ( www.royalmilewhiskies.com )and
especially Cadenhead's ( www.wmcadenhead.com ). You will be able to
buy whiskies that you can only dream about in the States.
The headquarters of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society are in Leith, and
there are excellent restaurants nearby.
Haggis is great, as is blood pudding. Don't neglect to have kippers
for breakfast.
One word of caution, Edinburgh is quite crowded during the festival.
wantonsong
Vicki in DC
Girlfriend, I owe you an email and/or call and will once I get my RC
outta the way today. But I can give a few quick recs; there's a fairly
decent mall/food court complex next to the train station and when I
was there in January 91 (unfortunately the last time I was there, I'm
sure much has changed) there were many sales on many great clothing
items, accessories and souvenirs. Princess Street is the high street
- shopping area - and don't miss, on pain of death, Marks and Spencer.
The clothes aren't trendy, trendy but they have well made classics and
the food hall isn't to be missed...mmmm, chocolates.
For sightseeing don't miss the castle in the "upper" section of
Edinburgh. Not far from there, also in the upper city is the kilt
factory. I didn't go and still regret it. It'll be near the top of my
list next time we're there. One pleasant surprise is Edinburgh is
less pricey all around than England.
Have a GREAT time, I know I'll talk to you a few times before then!
Xoxo,
Vicki in DC
Maurey Lancaster
>> and Edinburgh, so I'd love any recs for fun (and not too expensive)
I'm so jealous! sounds like we will be crossing one another in the air, as I'm
going to NY for August. The festival is brilliant--you will love it.
First of all, gird your loins for the expense. It WILL be expensive, I'm
afraid, as the US dollar is terrible against the pound right now. Since you're
going at festival time, just hanging out and soaking in the atmosphere is the
best cheap entertainment you can get. Going to see the shows is also quite
pricey. Don't know when you're going, but if you are there after the Fringe
First awards are handed out, pay attention! They really recognise excellence
in shows and keeping an eye out for the award winners and booking instantly
(they will sell out quickly) is the best way to do it. i went early one year
and the awards hadn't been given out--i saw some real turkeys---and at £11 a
crack, it gets expensive seeing crap theatre!
secondly, bring a light waterproof jacket, an umbrella and at least one jumper
(sweater) and perhaps a cardigan. It's not all that hot in Scotland, though
they have the rare heat wave. And most of all--enjoy!
PS I love haggis... and in Glasgow, you must try a deep fried mars bar at a
local fish and chips shop. Sounds horrible but is delicious!
Maurey (remove "no junk" from my address to email me)
____________________________________________________________________
"Home is within me. I carry everyone and everything I am with me wherever I
go"
~Suheir Hammad, Palestinian/US poet
Stevie
"EMiriamD" <emir...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040714224045...@mb-m27.aol.com...
> I am, like, so totally psyched! I'm going to Scotland in mid-August,
mainly
> for the Edinburgh Festival! There will be free time to explore both
Glasgow
> and Edinburgh, so I'd love any recs for fun (and not too expensive)
> restaurants, sights to see, places to buy stuff you can't get in the U.S.,
and
> what to wear, i.e. what's the weather like at that time of year.
>
> TIA, y'all!
>
> P.S. Did I say I am soooooooooo psyched?!
>
EMD
I have a friend who lives there. She's a transplant from Austin.....
Give me an email (mind the publication spam block) and I will introduce you
to her via email. she rocks!
and so do you
Stevie
Jrgboj M. Gpkgbdfike Jr.
1- It is going to be mind-numbingly expensive. (i.e. 2x NYC prices)
2- There are a few "not-mind-numbingly expensive" things to see/do in
Edinburgh, especially if you like the hiking/walking sort of thing. This is a
very walky/bikey city with neat views all around, such as Edinburgh Castle, the
Royal Mile , St. Giles Cathedral, the John Knox House, The Palace of
Holyroodhouse, Holyrood Park and Scott's Monument.
3- If you feel particularly cultural, try: Royal Museum of Scotland, Royal
Scottish Academy, National Gallery of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery of
Modern Art, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, The Writer's Museum (Lady
Stair's House).
4- For edibles, stick to the "ethnic"
(Indian/Italian/Chinese/Pakistani/Bangladeshi/etc./etc.) places like The
Verandah or Est!Est!!Est!!!, or the snazzier sort of pub like the Zinc Bar or
Babity Bowster in Glasgow. These places will not be mind-numbingly expensive,
only wildly expensive.
5- Have you gotten hotels yet?
-Joe in SoFla
The short answer is "no."
The long answer is "no-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o."
Caryperk39
since I usually had meals included in my hotel tariff. If you can arrange to
book rooms with breakfast, you can probably get by with a snack mid-day and a
great dinner. That'll help you save for more important things, like shopping.
I like to buy something in scottish tartan every trip - I have a collection of
pretty kilts, scarves, and blankets, and some scottish jewelry...I really like
scottish tartans! And, best of all, I'm not scottish, so I don't have to stick
to a particular clan. I just buy the pretty ones!
One time I bought a simple gray nubby wool kilt, and a matching sweater, and
it's lovely. These pieces go in and out of style, and aren't the type of thing
you ever get rid of, so I suggest hitting a Scottish tartan shop (it's best if
you get off the main drag and hit one in a small village) and bringing home a
classic.
The (gosh, what is it called? I've lost my marbles) bagpipe show in the
courtyard of the castle at night is simply wonderful, and I hope you can get
tickets to that - then a stroll down the hill and into town for ice cream or a
cocktail at the bar sounds like fun.
My last trip to Edinburgh was in 1980 with my boyfriend JUST after I first met
my (now) husband...it was during this trip that we broke up in Paris! Breaking
up in Paris! How awful! Thank goodness I had TSM waiting for me in
Minneapolis! He and I went to Scotland several years later and erased all the
bad European memories from my earlier fiasco!
The stores have probably all changed, but I do remember buying some great shoes
in Edinburgh...and a beautiful gold charm with a thistle. Maybe I"ll wear that
bracelet today!
cary