Getting from Glasgow to Edinburgh

When you get to Glasgow airport and get through customs go out the front door of the terminal at ground level. There is only one door. There is the sidewalk, a street and a bus stance. Watch for traffic coming from your left. Go to the bus stance and ask the drivers who are standing around for the bus to Queen Street Station. At Queen Street Station you will buy a train ticket to Edinburgh. The ride is one hour. You will arrive at Waverly Station. kGet off the train and through the surnstiles and follow the crowd up the stairs to street level. There is a tourist information office in the plaza there. Go in and ask directions to your hotel. Have a dram.

Thank you so much - step by step is exactly what we needed! A dram is very definitely on our list!

Hilary, I very much appreciate yourkind comment. If we can help further let me know. The Rough Guide to Scotland has been our standby on six trips. Their approach is step-by-step. Glasgow is our favorite city and the Isle of Islay our favorite place. On Islay we can help person-to-person if you wish. I'm sure you will enjoy your trip. Be patient and do not hesitate to ask anyone if you need help.

Monte nailed it for you. It is one of the easiest ground transportations from an airport in one city to another where there is no airport train! I've arrived at the airport from the US at around 10:30 AM and been at my Edinburgh Hotel before noon! Like Monte I love Scotland and the whisky is part of the allure! There are lots of wonderful places to visit, music to listen to ( not just bagpipes!), food to eat, scenery to admire, history to learn, glens to explore, and each day capped with a pint and or a dram! ; ) Pam

Let's go!

I think every answer for requests for directions should end with "have a dram/drink/beer"!! Too funny.

Yes it should, and we end every day while on a journey with our "afternoon medicine". Monte The Nailer

I'm ready to leave right now! Thank you for recommending the Rough Guide - I will be purchasing that for sure. If you have suggestions for places to learn about and sample a wee dram in Edinburgh, or places that are not to be missed in the city, I'd love to hear about them. We've already ordered out tickets for the tattoo, and are very much looking forward to that. So thankful for your friendly advice and guidance!

That would be the Scotch Whisky Heritage Center. From Waverly Station at the top of the stairs you can stop in the Visitors center or proceed past it and walk up the sidewalk to North Bridge, a major pedestrian and traffic bridge over to the Royal Mile. Bear left as you walk up the hill. When you get to the Royal Mile turn right unless you want to stop in the St. Giles Kirk to straighten things out with your maker befor plunging into the dram scene. OK, you've turned right. Keep going up the hill towards the Castle. As you are walking be aware of the shop fronts on your left. You will eventually see the Scotch Whisky Heritage Center (Centre). Besides whisky you can get a bite to eat at a reasonable price. You will find all this out in the Rough Guide. Our opinion of the Castle is that the entrance fee is too much when there is also a lot of history around. You will also want to investigate some of the other parts of town listed in Rough. Also New Town. There's some darn good shopping there. Stop in Denner's along Princes Street.

I'm going to disagree with Monte re the Castle. I think it is fascinating and there is a ton to see. But if you are going to be in Scotland for a while and find that you are interested in history, you should check out the Historic Scotland website and see if the are HS places that you want to visit. Stirling Castle is fantastic and is Historic Scotland. They offer discount passes. I bought a membership and got the quarterly magazine. Pam

I will happily defer to Pamela. She has more experience in Scotland than we do, and she is full of good information. Castles just aren't my thing.

I agree with the comments re: Edinburgh Castle. If you are going to be in Scotland for a while, skip Edinburgh Castle. Stirling Castle is my favorite along with Glams Castle which was the Queen Mother's childhood home. Edinburgh has a lot of other things to see and do. If you have the energy and want the view, climb Arthur's Seat. A walk down the Royal Mile from the Castle to Holyrood Palace is a good day too. I toured the Scottish Parliament buildings the last time I was there. They are not loved much by the locals but I thought it was quite beautiful.

I too toured the new Scottish Parliament. I would strongly recommend it. It is particularly interesting today because of the current independence debate going on in Scotland. The Scottish National Party is trying to set up a referendum on independence. As you might imagine there are many discussions including issues around defense, monetary systems and membership in the EU. Pam

N.B. THIS POST IS OVER 18 MONTHS OLD.