I arrived in Edinburgh 4 days before the RS tour and took a cab from the airport to the Bonham Hotel in new town. The cab fare was around $15.00. Most of the cabs I saw were large sort of minivan things with the middle seat removed. The Bonham was a short walk to Haymarket station, new town, the Royal Mile, the tram and of course the Scottish National Gallery Modern (1 and 2) (Fabulous). There is a free shuttle that runs from the Modern to the Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery. The Modern 2 has a very good café with coffee, eggs benedict, pastries. The Art Museums are FREE. I also walked the waters of Leith and around Stockbridge. I found lots of shopping in New Town on Rose Street along with pubs and restaurants, my favorite being the Cambridge Bar on Young Street. The House of Fraser in New Town on Princess Street has a busy café on the first floor and a very civilized Tea and Coffee room on the top floor, along with lovely bathrooms. Tiso on Rose Street is a really excellent shop if you find you need more weather gear. I stood next to the Scott Monument and listened to two guys discuss Texas football. I ran into plenty of American tourists. I took the train to Abbotsford. Planning my next trip!!!
Posted by
New York
1206 posts
Your 4 days solo sounds wonderful. It really is nice when all goes well and you get to see and do things that are fun and different. Nice to read your report. I have been to Edinburg but it has been many years now. But I still remember the National Gallery where I saw the wonderful painting Lady Agnew! Where to next?? I just spend four days solo this year in Vienna after my GAS tour and Vienna was excellent. So much to see and do and went to concerts at night and even an opera.
Posted by
63 posts
Thanks for posting this. I'm visiting Edinburgh in May and your post has lots of useful suggestions and information that can't be found in guidebooks. I appreciate your taking the time to report.
Posted by
Chicago
8164 posts
hey did you sample any scotch whiskey worth mentioning. and is Arthur's seat is it hard to get up there?
Posted by
8 posts
I went to Edinburgh in May of 2015 for 8 days and it was fabulous. It will be a bit cool, so take a warm jacket! Lots of great places to eat and have afternoon tea. Took the train to Stirling for the day to see the castle and one day took a tour to Rosslyn Chapel and Melrose Abbey. The castle is wonderful to tour and takes about a half of a day. The city is very safe and clean. I went on the Greyfriar's Kirk and coventer's prision cemetery tour and it was very interesting. Lots of history there. I made all of my arrangements, but reading RS always helps make the trip easier.
Posted by
Michigan, United States
703 posts
Sounds fantastic! We are traveling to Edinburgh in May. I can't wait to wander around exploring the city.