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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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*edinburgh girls*
Okay, so we are definitely heading there, without kids, for 2 days/1 night in December. We are deciding between the Witchery and Oloroso and Tower Restaurant. Anyone have any opinions on these?
Also, anything we shouldn't miss? We have both been before but when we went together we didn't stay long, just a few hours, so we will have way more time this time.
Thanks!
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Re: *edinburgh girls*
Never been to any of the restaurants, I'd never even heard of Oloroso and didn't know the name of the restaurant in the National Museum. I'd probably go off reviews to choose which one you want for a fancy meal.
As for things to do, I got a kick out of seeing Dolly (first cloned sheep) in the National Museum. For ?13 (or whatever it is) I don't think going into the castle is really worth it, unless you're really into that sort of thing. You can get good views and pretty close to the castle right at the entrance.
Also for views of the city Calton Hill is really great, or the Scott Monument. With only 2 days I wouldn't bother hiking up Arthur's Seat (unless you are big outdoorsy/hiker types). Calton Hill or Scott Monument both offer respectable views and won't take up an entire half day.
If you'll be there before January 6th the Christmas market would be worth a trip for some gluhwine (mulled red wine). Not sure when Primark on Princes Street is opening but it'll be sooner than later if you want some ridiculously cheap goods.
I never went into the Palace but I think it would be cool to see. A jaunt down the Royal Mile is necessary, but I wouldn't do more than a pub lunch on there as far as eating goes. Take a look at the fug architecture of the Parliment.
You know, if it's cold I'd probably drop the cash for a hop on/hop off tourist bus. Edinburgh is very walkable, though.
I'm rambling. What is your travel style? Once I know that I can come up with more. (I'm not the one to go into every museum/castle/church I see. I'm happy to view it from the outside then head to the nearest pub, and eat every local delicacy/treat/traditional meal I can find.)
Not an Edinburgh girl, but butting in anyway.
H's coworkers recommended the Witchery to us when we went to Edinburgh. It looked like a cool place, but ended up not going cause we had W with us. Sad. I think if you go there it would be good to make a reservation.
rita, I kind of liked the architecture of the Scottish parliament building.
Ha, some do some don't. It's way too out there and bird nest-esque for my taste.
Primark opens Dec 10th at 9 am. I'd skip the castle - the last time DH and I were there, it wasn't worth the ?30 something for the entry fees plus the history lesson on tape thing that we rented as well.
We loved the castle!! You're talking about Edinburgh Castle, right? That's an amazing view of the whole city. We skipped the audio guide there. Holyrood Palace was cool, too. We had just been on a tour of Buckingham Palace so it was cool to be able to compare them.
I have never seen it myself, but I have friends who enjoyed this. They went and toured the Britannia, The Royal Yacht. That might be something interesting and unique to check out.
http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/
Yes, I'm talking about Edinburgh Castle. When we went, it was mostly empty, and the whole thing was packed, so it took a good half of a day to get through the whole thing. The view would have been spectacular had it not been raining when we went.
Between the restaurants I'd go with the Witchery probably. It's very 'old timey' and right on the Royal Mile so it's a fun location. The Tower Restaurant is very contemporary and has a great view of the castle though. I have never heard of the third place on your list! You defniitely will want a reservation at any of these places, December can be a really busy time of year here.
I love the Christmas market but it can be very, very crowded. Worth stopping by during the day for a drink and a browse of the little stands.
I loved Edinburgh Castle! it was my first ever castle though so who knows. It's expensive so it depends where your priorities are. I would probably do something like this - start at the castle in the morning so you can see the views of the city, etc, wander down the Royal Mile (passing the Witchery on the right) and just checking out the little shops, etc. It's obviously super touristy but I still love it. You'll end up at the Palace at the end and can see the (I agree with Rita, ugly) Parliament building and Arthur's Seat and go into the Palace if you want.
They just reopened the National Museum (in the tower Restaurant building) and it's meant to be very good although I've only seen a bit of it so far. The Portrait Gallery opens on the 1st December and I'm excited to go back, it was lovely years ago and I've heard it's meant to be fantastic now. All the museums are free so you can pop in and out as you like.
http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/national_museum.aspx
http://www.nationalgalleries.org/
I wasn't super impressed with the modern art museum (it's pretty small) but since if you go to the Christmas Market, the National Gallery is right there. It's pretty small too but it's set up really nicely and is worth a peek onto the ground floor. The cafe is nice too if it's rubbish weather and you fancy a coffee at that time.
My parents both loved the hop-on-hop-off so it's worth a thought as well. The town centre is a very easy walking tour but if you want to get out to Leith (for the Britannica which I still haven't seen so no idea) it's another couple of miles. There are city buses and taxis aren't super expensive (IMO) so you don't need to but it can be nice to just get taken to the right places.
Oh! And if you're in town, you should definitely, definitely stop in The Dome
http://www.thedomeedinburgh.com/
for a drink or even lunch. Walk straight in and go through the decorated door right in front of you to see my absolutely favourite view in Edinburgh in December. They have a giant Christmas tree above the bar that reaches to the ceiling. I go there often this month!
BFP Apr 2012, EDD Dec 19 2012 * twin h/b at 6wk, 9wk scan * Baby A lost at 12wks, Baby B was my rainbow born at 36wks
How could I forget the Dome?! I'm still sad I haven't been there when it's decked out for Christmas. It's pretty swank so if you're looking for a fancy dinner the Dome is definitely a contender for that.
I've heard the Mary King's Close tour is pretty good, though I didn't do it. I think it's worth it to do at least one of those tours. Sandeman's does a "free" walking tour that leaves from Starbucks on the Royal Mile. I did that one and actually learned something about the history of the city.
Have a whisky somewhere if you can stomach it. Have haggis at a pub, it's really tasty. Swing by the Greyfriar's Bobby statue and swing into the cemetary. It is so peaceful in there, people use it like a park.
Where are you staying? Assuming you're flying into town don't bother taking a ?20 cab into town. Get on the AirLink express bus that takes a half hour and puts you right in the middle of town for ?6 return.
We aren't flying, we are coming from Newcastle, so we are taking a train. We are staying at Radisson Blu on the Royal Mile. I have been to Edinburgh 2 times, and done the Castle and the hop on hop off tour before, dh can't remember if he has been to the Castle before or not. We may end up at the Christmas market and just walk around, enjoying child free time. I am not that fussed with Primark, I used to go there in London all the time and can go to the one in Newcastle.
I think we are going to make a reservation for the Witchery, but we considered the Dome as well, maybe we will do lunch there!
Thanks again guys!
I've never been, but my old boss used to go there all the time for work lunches, so I'm guessing it's quite nice.
The Radisson Blu? Good to know!!
Yep yep.
Oh, one last tip. If you find yourself at Grassmarket (which you probably will) during the day stop at CQ cafe (opposite side of the road as all the pubs, on the eastern side). They have the best caramel shortbread ever.
You're making me want to get one so bad right now.
My dh will love you forever for this. Thank you!
The maple pecan plaits at Tesco are also awesome. Even the small ones have a little bakery section. So tasty and sadly I didn't get one when I was back last week.