General Chat

Hi everyone, I'm going to Edinburgh next month for my birthday (yes it's the big one, starts with 5 and ends with 0!!) Have told my hubby that I want to go on the Ghost Walk. Has anyone here been on one, and what else will I find to do there?

Maggy - heard the family records office is a good place to visit. If you don't have any scottish ancestors I'll lend you some. lol Seriously have a fantastic trip. T.O.R. ;o))

Hi Maggie, Visited about 5 times and I absolutely love it. The culture, Pubs, castle, greyfriars bobby kirk, Arthurs seat and the ghost walk is brill, Have a lovely time !!! Caz xxxx

Oooh yes I can recommend the Ghost Walk! Although I went about 10 years ago, I'm sure it's still more or less the same. I think Edinburgh has some truly creepy places.

Will definately try the Ghost Walk then, might have to twist hubby's arm up his back though. Went on one in York a few years ago, very spooky and very funny. Haven't found any scottish ancestors yet! Might be a good excuse to go again if I do find some though!

Mary King's Close is good ................ it's an interactive tour of an street now underground since the building of the Parliament building ................... The Castle of course and Holyrood House (the Queen's residence) and the Royal Mile is brilliant for strolling - loads of little treaures tucked away :O) Don't think you will be stuck for something to do there - plenty of sight seeing to do ............ Just have a g00gle :O)) My roots are in Cannongate (near Holyrood House) and tho I have only been there twice I just feel so at home there - I love it !!

You must go to the castle and have a open top bus ride Edinburgh is my fav city - oh proposed there. If you love animals - then take a visit to the Zoo - the largest collection of Penguins in the Uk infact i cant say anything bad about the place - love everything about it and will be back there later this year myself. lorraine

A brilliant city. I have done the ghost walk & Mary Kings Close. Like someone else said it is worth taking the open top bus tour around the city. It will tell you so much history. The castle is a must. So much to do & see. Have a wonderful time there. Hilary. (Who is biased because my dad is from there)

Thanks for the advice everyone. Will print this out and take it with me. Have googled and found out about the Ghost Walks and printed that out too! We'll only be there 3 days (2 nights) and I want to cram in as much as I can.

It is the most lovely city!! Go onto the Royal Mile, turn your back on the castle and stay on the left hand side of the road. Walk towards Holyrood Palace and pass John Knox's house, the Museum of Childhood is on the other side and was quite interesting but forget that till on the way back. Further down as the road narrows you will see a Parisian style tea shop. It is called Plaisir du Chocolat and it is my spiritual home! Gateaux and chocolates and drinks that I would die and go to hell for!!! I had lunch there every day for four days when I went up to do a bit of research in West Reg House. I must plan my next foray....... Abigail

Thanks Abigail, like the sound of that!

If you want culture we enjoyed the art gallery. Ann Glos

spent a week there last August. Really enjoyed the festival. The registry house is really great if you have scots origins. And as everybody said the castle is well worth a visit. Never been to the zoo but have had an open top bus ride a few years ago. Not sure if it would be warm enough for that And look out for the flying haggis lol

nudge.......anyone else?

I was lucky enough to spend a week there in April 2000, and went back again for another week in the July, and I really fell in love with Edinburgh, such a spacious airy city. I would love to go back - the castle is wonderful. I climbed the Scott memorial - glad I did as wouldn't make it to the top now, and walked up and down the Wynds. I read a novel set in Edinburgh and it was so good to read about the places I had walked, and could picture in my mind. I will try to find it and tell you the title so after you have visited (or before) you can read it, sort of historical novel but not boring. Wonderful city, friendly people - would go tomorrow if I could. Liz P.s. Have a brill birthday!

Hi Maggy as born and bred there now living in Yorkshire its a beautiful city start at the castle and walk down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace next to it is the Queens Park with Arthurs Seat and of course nearby the Scot. Parliment. Then there is the docks where the Queens old ship is (can't for the life of me remember the name but you know the one I mean!!) then the Royal Botanics lovely place (used to work there) There is so much to see I'm sure you won't have a spare moment As for the Ghost Walk -- well my neice did'nt sleep for a week --but then she was only 12!! -------- enjoy hope the weathers good for you . Just a wee tip take an extra cardi with you , those East winds do blow!! Norah

Just remembered to look for this thread again! Thanks Liz and Norah.

If your not scared of heights you could trip up to the top of the Walter Scott monuement, the views would be really good. For shopping - Princess Street, High Street and Ocean Terminal down in Leith (get a 22 bus, they are every five minutes, from Princess street shop side). Ocean Terminal is also the home of the Royal Yatch Britannia. Mary Kings Close is awesome though i was down there before they touristified it - freaky. Although i've lived in Edinburgh all my life i've never been to the castle but its meant to be good. The Palace down the bottom of High Street is worth a view, its also next to the Parliament and Arthurs Seat. There are these really cool stone statues in the palace grounds/arthuts seat. Hope you really enjoy your trip Mhairi

Evening, Rose Street was quite famous in its time, we all used to do pub crawls after the rugby at Murrayfield. There was a brewery which I think is long gone now. If I remember correctly the street had cobbled stones. It runs adjacent to Princes Street. After all that sightseeing you may feel the need for a wee dram. Aileen xxx

Maggy You will also meet lovely people. The last time i was in Edinburgh I went into a bakers near Princes Street it was absolutely pouring with rain. I left the shop and started walking, there was a shout, the lady working in there had run up the street in the rain to give me an umbrella that had been left in the shop so i didnt get wet.