Things to do in Edinburgh

[semi-pro waster]

The National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street is usually worth a look and the majority of it is free entrance, it's not too far away from the Royal Mile - if you wanted to walk it from Princes Street for instance you'd head up the Mound, along George IV bridge, past Greyfriars Bobby's Monument and you'll soon see it.

Frankensteins on George IV Bridge is easy after the Museum for a quick pint although noisy and pretty commercial usually, Bar Kohl (same street) is normally quite lively and worth having a look at the shots selection. Rose Street (between Princes Street and George Street) has a fair selection of decent(ish) pubs. George Street is fine if you don't mind a certain amount of poseurs and it is normally quite pricey even for Edinburgh (notable exception of the Standing Order which is a Wetherspoons and you can find them anywhere). The Grassmarket is usually a fair bet for decent pubs and some lively nightlife with benefit that if you don't like any one pub the next is barely a drunken stagger away.

//edit and if you get a nice day then take a wander up Arthur's Seat, the views are pretty spectacular.

 

[Tom|Nbk]

Lovely drive up the A1. Really enjoyed it myself. Head off up the A19, just be prepared to pay the tunnel at the tyne. Just try to keep away at rush hour (applies to both the A1 and the A19)

It'll be the same for me it's about 100 odd miles on the A1, I'm driving from the Teesside area.

 

[Biohazard]

Ah yea the room was only booked last week on laterooms, is there no way I could do that then?

I guess booking is in advance?

Is the Zoo worth checking out over the castle say if we had to do one?

http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp

Have a look cause I cba p), but I would recommend it. Although I have seen them scooping up groups of visitors on the royal mile before, so you may be ok on the day.

I'm sure the mercat tours go down to the old city.

It was built over to try and stop the black death. Horrible history and some amount of ghosties I believe!

 

[LeJosh]

Mercat is just down from the tron at hunters square?

 

[Tom|Nbk]

http://www.mercattours.com/home.asp

Have a look cause I cba p), but I would recommend it. Although I have seen them scooping up groups of visitors on the royal mile before, so you may be ok on the day.

I'm sure the mercat tours go down to the old city.

It was built over to try and stop the black death. Horrible history and some amount of ghosties I believe!

That actually sounds awesome and is right down my street!

I'll keep an eye out for them anyway.

 

[Biohazard]

Grove Street next to Dundee Street-Fountain Park with my maw. And sometimes with my dad way up in the styx of Midlothian, Woodburn. :\ The 3 is the biggest PITA ever.

Ah yeah I've got you

Hahaha you go to jewel and esk?

I lived in newtongrange at one point my good man. I know exactly what the sticks are like.

Is woodburn social club still on the go?

That actually sounds awesome and is right down my street!

I'll keep an eye out for them anyway.

If you like that sort of thing just stick to the centre to start with, it'll all fascinate you! there are a lot of mini museums that specifiy in certain areas too. Just go for a walk and see what takes you, the city is on the whole very user friendly. If your lost just ask.

The National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street is usually worth a look and the majority of it is free entrance, it's not too far away from the Royal Mile //edit and if you get a nice day then take a wander up Arthur's Seat, the views are pretty spectacular.

Do them things too. ^^

The museum, while undergoing a part revamp, you will LOVE Tom.

I used to go nearly every weekend for years as a kid.

 

[Tom|Nbk]

Oh I've just had a look and the mercat tours are reasonably priced which is the best one to do though, theres quite a few. I guess they will all be of the same quality?

8 quid seems very good to me!

 

[Tom|Nbk]

Thanks a lot for the help so far you've all been mighty helpful

 

[LeJosh]

Ah yeah I've got you

Hahaha you go to jewel and esk?

I lived in newtongrange at one point my good man. I know exactly what the sticks are like.

Is woodburn social club still on the go?



If you like that sort of thing just stick to the centre to start with, it'll all fascinate you!

Nah, not jewel and esk, stevenson to do my computing course.

Did you like newtongrange? (or nitton!) I know my way around the place but hardly anybody there.

Woodburn club is still going man! I still see pre-teens and oaps flooding out at weekends. lol

I stay very far away from the club like.

 

[LeJosh]

Thanks a lot for the help so far you've all been mighty helpful

Yeah mercat has a lot of positive reviews plus 5 stars from the tourism board (if that means anything) Really easy to find it.

 

[Biohazard]

Oh I've just had a look and the mercat tours are reasonably priced which is the best one to do though, theres quite a few. I guess they will all be of the same quality?

8 quid seems very good to me!

Dunno, just make sure that whatever your getting it involves you getting access to the vaults.

8 quid does seem good value but I would just check to avoid dissapointment.

Also, just pick up one of the 'Welcome to Edinburgh' booklets peppered everywhere touristy (read hotels hostels etc).

It'll have a map, and probably give some other ideas.

 

[Biohazard]

Nah, not jewel and esk, stevenson to do my computing course.

Did you like newtongrange? (or nitton!) I know my way around the place but hardly anybody there.

Woodburn club is still going man! I still see pre-teens and oaps flooding out at weekends. lol

I stay very far away from the club like.

I applied for stevenson but course full, went to eskbank J&E instead.

I liked nitten it because most of the girls fancied me and I worked in one of the only chippies so got a fair bit of exposure to them quick, but other than that it bored the hell out of me. I didn't really know anyone, I moved in as a young teen. Made a few good friends though, the nice people there.

You know the lady vic pit?

The biggish white houses across/down from it before the red wheel turn off into the high street, the old managers houses on the A7 road, I lived there.

So I was in nitten, but not right in nitten if you know what I mean (making my excuses lol)

I miss nitten for the close access to the country side. I do not miss it for the bams from gorebridge & mayfield.

Great to be so close to the country side though. Brilliant when it snows out there too, you can't do anything!

 

[LeJosh]

Aye, I know exactly where you're talking about, where are you now? I probably know the chippy too, just the hole in the wall next to a cafe now. I know the Lady Vic too.

hehe that's funny I applied for J&E but they were full at Eskbank so went to stevenson instead.

Man, gorebridge and mayfield I do despise those places.

Edit - funny thing, the snow is always worse up there, than the likes of woodburn. Though I did see about 4 busses stuck a junction near my house because of ice, they couldn't move. Wassn't happy, had to get off at Dalkeith.

 

[ICEx21]

If monies no object you could also go for a meal at The Witchery!
Worlds End is a good pub which most of the tourists seem to like as well.
They also do some good pub food too.

 

[LiamC]

Visit Bains Pie shop at stenhouse for the best mince pie EVER!


Bar Kohl - Can be very busy and quite expensive ( ~£4 a shot ) however after about £20 you will be legless (Absinthe, Eggnogg etc). Although they do some nice pitchers.

Vat & Fiddle - Decent pub, Only been a couple of times but i enjoyed it. Decent price and is located on Lothain road --- Very close to princess street. Its also next door to a nightclub called Karma ( Which is also not too bad ).

The Standing order - Located on George St. Very busy place with no music, However if your into sports youll enjoy it as they have a large projector. Cheap Too.

Cant think of much more as i dont really drink up town..

 

[a1ex2001]

Dinner at Maison Bleue is a must for me on a trip to Edinburgh.

Also the former Royal Yacht Britania is moored next to a shopping centre and well worth a quick visit.

 

[LiamC]

^^^

Ocean terminal shopping center

 

[daz.rathbone]

Mercat tours are good, also look at City of the Dead (the McKenzie polt., in the Covenanters Prison).

For free you can spend some time walking round Greyfriars graveyard - interesting in there, with the Flodden wall etc, and the Cov prison is in there too (but locked, access only with the CotD tour).

Awesome city - me and the Mrs have been loads of times now and never get bored in the old town.

Also each of the "ghost" tours can be done on the day. Usually run every 30mins or so, and most meet at (or around) the Mercat cross. Just join when you see the group gathering up, and off you go. Some of them are excellent.

Mary Kings Close is another one, but we found it very theatrical. Interesting place, just a shame about the guides/actors.

Vaults are really good - I'd be doing as many of them as you can fit in.