My husband and I are traveling to Dublin Ireland and Edinburgh Scotland for 10 days and would like to stay in each location and take trains or tours from either city. We would appreciate any and all suggestions for the best pubs, tours, lodging, etc. and the highlights of what we should not miss in such a limited time while still having some relaxed time to just wander in the Old Town and enjoy!!!! Thank you!
Posted by
Washington DC
27063 posts
What you should spend your time doing depends on your particular interests. That's where a good guidebook is useful.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4080 posts
We're going to Scotland in June next year and research has begun. I can't make specific recommendations to you but if you're on Facebook, join Scottish Travel Society. It's an incredibly responsive group.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
There are a lot of interesting day trips from Edinburgh. It depends on what you are interested in seeing.
- Glasgow is an easy quick train ride away. You can visit the old cathedral, the Tenement House, the new Riverside Museum, and Kelvingrove. The botanic gardens are not far from Kelvingrove. Ther are lots of other things to see and do in Glasgow.
- Stirling--This is the home of one of the great castles of Scotland. It's an easy train ride. The Rennaisance Palace has been restored in the last few years, the great hall, and the chapel are all impressive. Its setting is stunning. Its history is amazing.
- The Borders--you can sign up for day tours that will take you to abbeys and/or see Roslyn Chapel. Other tours might feature Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scot's home.
- St. Andrews--this is a train ride plus a short bus or taxi ride. It's best known for the golf course, but there is also an interesting castle. The history from the Covenanter's times is interesting. I suspect that there may also be tours that might add on a visit to Falkland Palace and the East Neuk villages.
- Dunkeld and Birnam--if you want to get out into the countryside then take a quick train ride to Birnam and Dunkeld. You can walk in Birnam Wood, or you to the Hermitage walk into the hills a little bit, or walk along the Tay. In Dunkeld you can visit the Cathedral and have lunch at the Taybank.
There are a few suggestions. This could be a bit more tailored if we knew more about your interests.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all for these suggestions! We are going to do a train trip to Glasgow one day for sure and then not quite sure. I thing seeing history is what we are most interested in:)
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
While searching for Borders day Tours I found this interesting article. There are people who will recommend a day trip to the Highlands. Personally, I think that there is enough to see nearer to Edinburgh does not require as much screen time. I encourage people to come visit again. :)
Rabbies Tours is a company to consider. For example, they have a tour of Roslyn Chapter and Melrose Abbey. They have other suggestions.
If you like history then you should look into Stirling. Also, on the history front, look for Nigel Tranter's novels to give you some nice historical background in a fiction format. They are quite good. He has an eccentric style, but he tells a good tale.
Posted by
Los Angeles
954 posts
We spent 3 nights in Edinburgh and could’ve used more time. I recommend Edinburgh Castle and the free guided tour, a walk along the Water of Leith, the Royal Botanical Garden, whisky tasting at Cadenheads. This combined with a day to St Andrews is all we had time for. My girls wanted to shop one afternoon so we did that in New Town. We didn’t have much time to stroll, take in the pubs, visit Calton Hill or any museums. I would’ve loved to go to Stirling Castle, have dinner in Leith, see Holyrood Palace.... I hope to get back!