A_Guy_80

Hi,

We will be visiting Edinburgh in second week of September and will stay for around 1.5 days before driving out to highlands. Our tentative itinerary is as follows:

Day 1: We arrive on Friday, 1:40 PM at Waverly station from Manchester by train. We don’t expect to hit the road before 4PM after checking and resting a bit. So, we were planning to visit Palace of Holyroodhouse for a self-guided tour and then may be spend some time outside Scottish parliament.

Day 2:

Morning: On Saturday morning, we expect to walk upto Castle Hill and visit Scott Monument & Camera Obscura on the way. We will then visit the Edinburgh Castle and hopefully will be there in time for 1PM Gun Fire.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will stroll the Royal Mile and visit Real Mary King’s Close for a tour. before we end up at National Museum of Scotland & Royal Museum. Plan to spend an hour or two there.

Evening: Early evening we will head up to Carlton Hill & try to stay there to take in some sunset views.

On Sunday morning, we will take an Airlink bus to the Airport to pick up our rental car and drive into Highlands.

Since we arrive at Waverly Station and can also depart by an Airlink bus which runs from Waverly Bridge so we are planning to get a hotel around 300m or 400m from Waverly Bridge & Waverly Station to avoid taking cabs on day of our arrival & departure.

Our budget is GBP 150 p.n., any recommendation will be appreciated.

As for itinerary, don’t think we want to visit either Royal yacht Britannia or the Rosslyn Chapel and since we will be walking quite a bit in next week so we are ok to give a walk upto Arthur’s Seat a miss. Other than that am not sure if we are missing any significant attractions in Edinburgh that we should include in the limited time we have there. Will appreciate your inputs.

Thanks in advance.

daveesl

While on the Royal Mile, don't forget to stop in and see St. Giles Cathedral. The present structure was built in the 1300s. It contains the Chapel of the Thistle and the body of James Graham, the Marquess of Montrose, whom you may remember from the movie "Rob Roy".

dave

amelie

It sounds good, you definitely wouldn't have time for the Royal Yacht Britannia or Rosslyn Chapel plus everything else in 1.5 days anyway.

A_Guy_80

Thanks daveesl & amelie. I know am short on time but I guess I would still be left with lot of time on hands given my itinerary ;-)

stevelyon

I also think the itinerary looks good... but, dont be too disapointed if the sunset is occluded by cloud (it can happen), also, alow youself the luxury of being drawn into the various nooks and crannies around the City centre.Where are you spending the evening?

A_Guy_80

Thanks Steve. No particular plans for the evening yet. Any recommendations ?

jewela

I've stayed at the Old Waverley Hotel on Princes St. It's well located (across the street from Waverley bridge/train Station. I really stay there for just that reason - convenient to the trains. It's not terribly fancy, but if you can manage to get a room overlooking Princes St, on one of the upper floors you'll have one of the best views in town. You do have to schlep you bags up 1 floor to get to reception though. It's clean, and they have a lift to the upper floors.

caroline_edinburgh

You don't mention seeing any of the New Town (the central Georgian area) which is the most splendid part of Edinburgh. I'd suggest doing the open top bus tour to get an overview of the Old and New Towns - if you plan it right, you could do a complete tour then go round again getting off at the places you want to see. Otherwise, to fit in with your current draft schedule, spend some of the evening wandering round the New Town and eat there - The Dogs & Amore Dogs ion Hanover Street are both good and very reasonably priced, Tac Polly is Dublin Street is more expensive but is a (tastefully) Scottish themed reataurant. Finish off with a few pints in the Cafe Royal, the Guildford Arms and the Queen's Arms.

A_Guy_80

Thanks All for your inputs. Let me work that into my schedule and get back.