Edinburgh - things to do and see, great pubs and more

[geminisnake]

You are the best ever travel writer!

Do Paris next! (There's a cool tall metal thing somewhere. Pogo might know what it's called).

I haven't been to Edinburgh for years and I have a brain injury so forget names/places. Disablist Tbh I wasn't impressed with the tall metal thing. The Notre Dame however was
My travel guide for Paris would be avoid if possible, if you must go get round some of the cool street markets and avoid overpriced tourist tack like the Tower etc Also go in off season when it doesn't smell so bad.

 

[equationgirl]

Geminisnake means Dynamic Earth (near Holyrood) and the Modern Art Gallery at Dean (I think). There's also the Chambers Street Museum (see the awesome clock chime on the hour) and the National Portrait Gallery. Lots of free stuff at the museums. It's worth a wander through the New Town.

http://www.dynamicearth.co.uk/

 

[equationgirl]

Anyway, she was quite descriptive, it was easy to work out where she means

 

[pogofish]

Also bike hire and a nice stretch of the Union Canal towpath to cycle, from just off the back of Lothian road.

Chocolate Soup is in Hunter Square, on the Mile - and yes, its hot chocolates are excellent. Any number of quirky cafes in and around both the Old and New Towns, esp down some of the lesser/side streets but no names come to mind - Similar in Stockbridge, which is worth a wander in itself. Had some good shops/charity shops etc but can be a mite pricy.

The Chambers St Museum is very much worth a look and you get one of the best views in the city from the terrace on top - all free. If you are there for a few days, it might be an idea to go to different bits on different days as the whole place can be a bit much for kids all at one go.

The Forest Café/Arts co-op was under serious threat for a while but I think its still going. It moved to Lauriston Place though.

Various kids events/activities listed here. Most not free but some quite cheap:

http://www.list.co.uk/events/kids/location:Edinburgh(55.949,-3.1625)/distance:10/

 

[geminisnake]

Anyway, she was quite descriptive, it was easy to work out where she means

I did forget to mention the BIG pond/lake at the front of the Gallery though!

 

[heinous seamus]

I'm pretty sure Chocolate Soup is gone and has been replaced by one of those tourist shops that are everywhere in the centre.

There are now 2 Mosque Kitchens just around the corner from each other as well - both claiming to be the original To be honest while the Mosque Kitchen is definitely cheap, the food isn't that great in my opinion. I'd recommend 10 to 10 in Delhi which is also on Nicholson Street and serves good, cheap indian food and tea.

 

[Superdupastupor]

i think the botanic gardens would be a nice day out.

i can't remember if they charge or not

 

[weepiper]

i think the botanic gardens would be a nice day out.

i can't remember if they charge or not

The gardens are free but there's a charge to go round the tropical glasshouses. It's all ace though and loads of running around space for kids, mine love the rockery garden and it's lovely in the summer

 

[weepiper]

Another vote for the Museum of Childhood. Camera Obscura's great too although seriously not free. But possibly my kids' favourite thing in Edinburgh.

 

[Superdupastupor]

The gardens are free but there's a charge to go round the tropical glasshouses. It's all ace though and loads of running around space for kids, mine love the rockery garden and it's lovely in the summer

i remember years and years ago they were fretting about one of the palm trees breaking through the greenhouses.

yeah i've not been down in years. lots of happy memories though with my ma and gran there. .

i have never seen such happy squirrels

 

[starfish]

Then you'll be happy about choosing Edinburgh. Don't take kids to Glasgow..nothing but pubs, sock sellers and rangers/celtic supporters.

I must admit (reluctantly, very very reluctantly) but Edinburgh is the prettier city.

(but Glasgows still better, its pretty things are just more spread out)

 

[weepiper]

Glasgow has the Riverside Museum and the Kelvingrove Museum which are pretty ace for kids.

 

[The Boy]

Forgot about the Botanics. Ace day out, and free.

 

[teuchter]

What about the Falkirk Wheel

http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk/about-the-wheel-

I think the design's a bit stupid and I've never been. Is it worth going?

 

[The Boy]

What about the Falkirk Wheel

http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk/about-the-wheel-

I think the design's a bit stupid and I've never been. Is it worth going?

I keep meaning to cycle out to it along the canal, but by the time I get to Linlithgow I've lost the will to live..

 

[pogofish]

Falkirk Wheel is everything you think it might be - daftly over engineered and totally out of place in the landscape but still impressive in action. Well worth a visit.

Access to the wheel, basin, parking - on the North side anyway (5 min walk along canal) and visitor centre is free. Boat trips through the wheel are charged for.

 

[Miss Caphat]

I didn't do much touristy stuff while I was in Edinburgh, but I think it's a great place to just walk around and explore.
One thing I really wish I had done was to tour Mary King's Close. I think kids might love it. http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

eta: never mind, expensive

 

[DexterTCN]

Glasgow has the Riverside Museum and the Kelvingrove Museum which are pretty ace for kids.

Yeah...the trouble is you've got to go through Glasgow to get to them.

 

[geminisnake]

Leave it out Dexter, none of that shite in here thank you

 

[8115]

I am visiting someone with kids but I am also having a day on my own.

Thanks for all the ideas. The Museum of Childhood, Observatory, Botannic Gardens all sound good. I would quite like to climb Arthur's seat. I reckon maybe the Forest Cafe if possible.

On my day I think I might go to the Modern Art Museum and charity shops, and Mosque Kitchen for lunch

I know my friend will know these places but she hasn't been living there for that long and different people like different things.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

Leave it out Dexter, none of that shite in here thank you

It took three whole posts before the fucking tedious "Go to Glasgow" lolfest

 

[geminisnake]

It took three whole posts before the fucking tedious "Go to Glasgow" lolfest

I did expect it to be post 2 tbh. It's not really something to be proud of either. I never understood the divide. I was born in Glasgow but prefer the NE myself

 

[Quartz]

I think the design's a bit stupid and I've never been. Is it worth going?

The people who work there with whom I've spoken are very nice.

 

[teuchter]

Although the "train to glasgow" joke may be overworn it is arguably still necessary as for some reason Edinburgh still seems to be the default option for tourists seeking to tick off Scotland on the "countries I've been to" form. So many people I talk to say "oh yes I've been to Scotland" and I ask them where and they say Edinburgh and I have to raise an eyebrow.

 

[Sue]

Although the "train to glasgow" joke may be overworn it is arguably still necessary as for some reason Edinburgh still seems to be the default option for tourists seeking to tick off Scotland on the "countries I've been to" form. So many people I talk to say "oh yes I've been to Scotland" and I ask them where and they say Edinburgh and I have to raise an eyebrow.

A friend's just spent a couple of weeks in Glasgow for work. She really enjoyed it -- think she'd only been to Edinburgh before -- but now has a completely wrong idea about what the weather's like . (I told her to pack jumpers/be prepared to for it to rain a lot. Oops.)

 

[Dreich]

The People's Story and Museum Of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile are worth a visit, too. Both are free. Holyrood Park is just minutes from the Royal Mile and fun to explore.
Both Mosque Kitchens are great- there's two due to a falling out within the Mosque. The prices and food are similar so I tend to go to the Mosque itself if it's weather for sitting outside, and the indoor one if it's not.

 

[danny la rouge]

by the time I get to Linlithgow I've lost the will to live..

The song Glen Campbell should have sung...

 

[teuchter]

Whereabouts in edinburgh would one find second hand clothes shops and can anyone recommend any charity shop hotspots?

 

[gosub]

some vintage (ie premium price)round grass market. Foot of Leith Walk and junction Street got quite a few charity shops

 

[geminisnake]

Corstophine Rd used to be good for charity shops but it's a few years since I was down that way.