Visiting Edinburgh in May 2016 and hoping to stay in good, local B & B. Hubby, myself and 19 year old daughter. First timers (hubby and daughter). I visited when I was sixteen (am 52 now). So a lot has changed. My favorite B & B is no more...planning on taking walking tours/coach tours. Any recommendations? Hubby would like to see St. Andrew's (he's a golfer, as is my daughter). Also loves his beer so will be happy to visit pubs. She is very into the Gabaldon show, Outlander, and would like to see some of the sites in the show (castles, Firth of Forth, etc.). Any recommendations? Restaurant suggestions? We are trying to do this on the cheap. Appreciate any and all help. We will be coming from a five day stay in Gloucester,U.K. Think we'll be taking the train from Gloucester to Edinburgh, if it isn't too expensive. Thanks.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
HI Andrea, Since the TV series is so new, many of the tours have just started this tourist season, although as one tour operator points out some started based on the books. I've not done specific tours, but i have visited Doune Castle which is a great castle even without the Outlander connection!
The tours range from a one day Edinburgh Mercat Tour (I've done other tours by them and they were quite good) to 7 days with Rabbie's Tours (I've not taken one of their tours, but many on this forum speak highly of them.) There is this page that lists Edinburgh Tour Guides who offer outlander tours. Here's one that is strictly based on locations from the series. And last but not least, Diane Gabaldon, herself lists some tours.
There are some reviews on TripAdvisor as well.
Pam
Posted by
bedford, indiana
459 posts
I would recommend www.adriahouse.co.uk They are within walking distance of the royal mile, the castle, and other sites. We walked to the B&B from the last stop on the tram, which we took from the airport. The hosts are friendly and love helping with planning, breakfast is great. We chose a room on the bottom floor that did not have a bathroom ensuite but it was just outside the room and was absolutely private and was not an issue. The room was large enuff for three if you plan to share a room with your daughter. The B&B location and rooms are quiet and private. The B&B is "up a hill" so what you gain while walking out to sites you lose when you return. You probably would need a cab from the train station to the B&B on your initial approach with baggage, maybe the bus.
Posted by
40 posts
I will be in Edinburgh on a solo trip to Scotland in September. It's been over 20 years myself since I was there; I looked into B&Bs that were close to the city centre/Old Town. Could not find any to my liking/price range. I went with the GrassMarket Hotel. Rooms are very reasonable www.grassmarkethotel.co.uk
Also spending time in Aberdeen, Inverness, and finally Dublin to visit friends. Can't wait!
Posted by
Seattle
287 posts
I'm taking an Outlander 7-day tour in October from celticjourneys.us . They have been running Outlander tours for over 10 years and Diana Gabaldon provides a link to them from her website. There's info on the Celtic Journeys site about their tour itinerary, so I'm sure you'll get some useful tidbits.
Diana's website also carries info on other tours, so you may want to check them out as well. This is the page from her website that lists these companies: http://www.dianagabaldon.com/resources/outlander-based-tours-of-scotland/
Posted by
100 posts
Was in Edinburgh five nights last month, first time. Being on my own, my B&B was fine, but look around for what is better (read about it plus all my Edinburgh reviews on TA...I'm "nagled"...includes places to eat, and the two daytrips I did: Highland Express to the west (Stirling Castle, Loch Lomand, Glengoyne Distillery) and Rabbies to the east (main thing was St. Andrews...and it was the Saturday during the Open!). Recommend them. Enjoy.
Posted by
824 posts
andrearmster,
We just LOVED the Kew House B&B a couple years ago. Beautiful B&B and the service beyond reproach. The cooked-to-order breakfasts were a delight and they even proved a continental breakfast tray in room refrigerator the night before we were to leave on an early morning coach tour.
The Kew House is located within easy walking distance, for most able-bodied, of downtown. It's also on a main bus line and less than a kilometer (~ 1/2 mile) from the Haymarket train/tram stop. It's very convenient.
They also have one or more self-catered apartments which sleep three - might be right up your alley as you are traveling with your daughter.
Good luck and have a wonderful trip.
Posted by
72 posts
Hi Andrea! I am a big fan of the Diana Gabldon books and the show. If your daughter hasn't read the books, I highly, highly recommend it. Diana has posted on her website about tours she was familiar with, or had taken, before the tv show came out. I would recommend looking at the recommendations on her site and go from there.