Edinburgh/Glasgow: What should I see?

[Naira]

Hello fellow TrekBBSers!

I am planning a business trip in Edinburgh and Glasgow in a week or so. I've never been in Scotland or in UK in general before so I am very excited.

Have you ever been there? What do you think I should see/do while being there? I'll be spending 1 1/2 days in Edinburgh and a couple of days at Glasgow.

 

[T'Bonz]

The two main castles: Edinburgh and the Palace of Holyrood. While the former has great views and is awesome from the outside, I preferred Holyrood. Then again, I'm a big fan of Tudor History so my viewpoint is colored by that.

For a history of Edinburgh and its people, try The People's Story:

http://www.gnws.co.uk/edinburgh/peoples_story.htm

I missed this (had to have reservations but I found out too late but the Mary King's Close seemed like a cool thing to see:

http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

Pretty much, start at Edinburgh Castle and work your way down to Holyrood. There are plenty of things to do along the way.

Take a day tour to the Highlands. We used this company and it was awesome:

http://www.rabbies.com/

In Glasgow, I didn't get to see much, but if you like history and old houses, try The Tenement House. I loved it.

http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Tenement-House/

Have fun! I was just there in July and had a blast.

 

[kirsten187]

For Edinburgh, go down the Royal Mile (starts at the Castle). Arthur's Seat is pretty cool. I live in Edinburgh.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

In Glasgow....
The Transport museum.
The Peoples palace.
Gallery of modern art.
Burrell collection.
City chambers.
KelvinGrove art gallery and museum.
Glasgow cathedral.
The Necropolis(A big graveyard).
Botonic gardens.
Mackintosh house.
SECC.
Any chippy in the city for a pie supper and a can of iron bru(Diet) LOL

 

[Naira]

Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[Gaith]

Definitely consider going to Loch Lomond, which is a half-hour's bus ride from Glasgow to a town called Balloch. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

 

[Deckerd]

If you want to know where Scots go, go to Stirling Castle. It's breathtaking. It's a 30 minute train journey from Glasgow and 30 mins from Edinburgh. That and Kelvingrove Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

 

[StolenThunder]

I've always thought the tour bus in Glasgow does a good job. Sure it's more expensive than public transport, but it'll take you to the main sights and you get a wee bit of history along the way.

 

[Stephen!]

There's Wild Haggis roaming around Scotland, or so they say
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_haggis#Haggis_abroad

 

[Haggis and tatties]

^^They only come out one night a year, but only to the smell of special 55 year old Scottish malt whiskey thats been filtered through very special haggis luring bagpipes, that are locked in a secret vault under Edinburgh castle, which are then played on the dot of midnight, on a specific part of Ben Nevis, with a very specific tune, only known to a few..........you know i have said to much already.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Most of the sights I can think of have been mentioned - there are quite a few ghost tours as well, some of which are really good - and yes, the big graveyard is featured there. This time of year they should be especially good.

Rosslyn Chapel is not far from Edinburgh - one of the buses takes you straight out there, if you're so inclined. From what I understand, though, access has been limited recently, due to the extreme volume of people who have visited it since DaVinci Code came out. I consider myself fortunate to have been both inside, as well as up on the surrounding scaffolding during its restoration to look above it from the top - a view not many have seen in its long history.

It's been over 8 years since I was there, but was one of the best cities I ever visited. I am NOT a city person by any estimation, but if I were to settle in one, that would be it. You should also walk the Royal Mile, up and down from the castle. Lots of great shops and a bagpiper on almost every corner - GOOD bagpipers too, in perfect tune.

One day I'll get back there and visit Glen Coe, the place of my ancestor's birth - one of the lucky few who made it out of the massacre in 1692.

 

[Deckerd]

So what did you end up doing? Bonz's post here is the first I've heard of where she went, so I'd like to hear what you decided to do.

 

[Naira]

^ I'll post updates when I return. I am actually on my way there at the moment, waiting at the airport in Athens.

Unfortunately, I only have one day to spend at Edinburgh and there are so many options!

 

[Sean Aaron]

Although the Tenement House in Glasgow is interesting, it's only a couple of rooms and rather expensive for that. I think a free museum like the Kelvingrove is a better deal so I would have steered you there (I also happen to live mere blocks from it).

I presume you've been and gone already - hope you enjoyed your stay!

 

[SmoothieX]

Definitely the toilets.

 

[23skidoo]

I was going to suggest the Royal Mile, too. And when you get down to Holyrood Palace, look for the Royal flag: if it's up, the Queen's visiting.

I've always had a thing for bridges, and the two times I visited Edinburgh I got to enjoy the view of the Forth Bridge from the shore below the south end of the bridge. It's just one of those places you go if you want to take for yourself the classic postcard shot!

I don't know if the Walter Scott Monument is still open to visitors. When I last visited in 1991 it had been closed for years for refurbishment. When I went the time before in 1979 you were presented with a cool certificate if you climbed the stairs to the top. I don't know if they still do that or not.

Alex

 

[Deckerd]

re the Scott Monument; it's open but you don't get a certificate. It's a helluva climb, especially that first spiral.

 

[Naira]

I am heading back home tomorrow morning so I guess I won't be seeing more stuff than I already have. I loved Edinburgh! It is such a lovely city. I did lots and lots and lots of walking downtown near the Royal Mile, Princes street, the old and the new town etc. I went to the Edinburgh castle and I enjoyed it a lot. The Royal Symbols exhibition was not that interesting to me but the castle itself was very nice and I also got there just in time for a short guided tour which was very nice. I also visited the Camera Obscura museum which was fun. I wanted to visit some other museums as well but did not have enough time.

Glasgow is also a nice city. I guess it must be large but the city center is very compact and you can walk anywhere. I went to the City Champers, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Hunterian Museum at the University. I think I liked the last one the best. I wanted to take one of those red tour buses as suggested here to have a quick glimpse of other places but, once again, there was not enough time.

I had a very nice time in Scotland, I hope to returm some time.

 

[Sean Aaron]

Was it the Hunterian Art Gallery or the Museum with the natural history stuff? The latter has been closed for much of the last few years and I've been keen to get in again. Apparently soon after the grand reopening there were structural issues with the roof and it had to close again. There's a brilliant reconstruction of a plesiosaur and a nice Triceratops skull.

 

[Naira]

It was the museum with the natural history stuff. I also visited briefly the gallery across the street but the natural history and the medical stuff of the museum was much more interesting to me.