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+--- Thread: Travelling to Scotland soon (/thread-16608.html)
- TheEngineer - 02-02-2005
I've never been to Edinburgh before. Not a serious scotch drinker so any other things I should look out for (or should I just join the merry scots and scotch it up). Any recommendations anyone?
Anything would help.
[This message has been edited by TheEngineer (edited 02-02-2005).]
- hotwine - 02-03-2005
We were there in Sept.... will try to dig up details on restaurants etc and post later today. In the meantime, highly recommend the MacDonald Holyrood Hotel for accommodations.... very close to the new parliament building, and across the street from the Scotsman newspaper... good restaurant, too.
- hotwine - 02-03-2005
Jackson's on High Street is an excellent restaurant; had dinner there one night. For details on that and others see http://www.edinburghrestaurants.co.uk/
We flew British Airways into Gatwick north of London and took a connecting flight up to Edinburgh, but on the way back we took a first class express train to London... a very nice way to travel, smooth as silk at speeds up to 150 mph.
You won't need a rental car in Edinburgh; it's a very compact city and you can walk everywhere. But expect the weather to be cold and wet.
Ask a bartender for a Scottish lager.... some of the best west of Bavaria.
Currency is still the British pound sterling.
- hotwine - 02-03-2005
Places in Edinburgh not to miss:
Edinburgh Castle - at least 1000 years old. Wear good walking/climbing shoes.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse - the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh. Also see the Queen's Gallery nearby; once the Queen's chapel, it was bombed by the Luftwaffe and rebuilt and is now her art museum.
The Royal Mile - the length of Princes Street between the castle and the palace. Good shopping for anything.
The Scottish Tourist Board has extensive offices downtown, with brochures on everything from geneology to tours of distilleries and golf courses.
There are reported to be superb wine shops in Edinburgh, but I didn't visit any..... was dragged instead to art galleries and antique shops. Brought back one bottle of scotch, the Glenmorangie Cellar 13 single malt.
If you're in London for even one day, have dinner at La Bouchee, 56 Old Brompton Road, tel 020-7589 1929. It's tiny, it's French, and the food is fantastic. Especially recommend the escargot. There are two wine shops in the same block.
[This message has been edited by hotwine (edited 02-03-2005).]
- Thomas - 02-03-2005
And when you are eating breakfast in Scotland, do not ask about what is on your plate...
- TheEngineer - 02-03-2005
HW, Many thanks for your efforts. I'll be sure to look out for them. Kinda excited myself.
As for breakfast, I've had Hagus, and blood pudding .....and a few other things that you should not do to lamb. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]
- Skeeter - 02-04-2005
If your cholesterol level is fairly low, there's always the Deep-Fried Mars Bars to sample in Scotland.
http://yumfood.net/recipes/deepfriedmars.html
I wouldn't recommend it, though. It's supposed to taste fabulous, but causes you arteries to shriek in terror at the sight of it.
[This message has been edited by Skeeter (edited 02-03-2005).]
- Thomas - 02-04-2005
Oh yeah, engineer, forgot to mention: drink French wine--RED for the cholesterol.
- PinotEnvy - 02-04-2005
You can get a variety of deep fried candy bars like that "on a stick" at the Minnesota State Fair every year. Never have partaken myself. I am more for the bucket of chocolate chip cookies then belly up to the all you can drink milk booth.
- TheEngineer - 02-13-2005
Hey,
This is a pretty city! And you were right about looking for Scottish ale. Tried some today in the Rose street area and it was just fine! Eating lots, drinking lots....somewhere in the mix here, I've got to work.....
Walked into a Marks and Spencers too for the after about a 5 year separation. Got a few bottles of the inexpensive M&S wines that the writers on Wineanorak have talked about. I'll get back on these some....