A weekend in Edinburgh - and Dundee?
 

I spent a weekend in Edinburgh on a spur-of-the-moment invitation from my brother and sister-in-law. I wrote about it on my blog, and the photos are on Flickr, so this is just a summary of some of the additional functional details that might be of interest:

My brother and sister-in-law stayed at Ten Hill Place, which they seemed very pleased with. They didn't have single rooms at a rate I considered reasonable, so I stayed at the Halcyon House B&B at half the price: comfortable, friendly, copious breakfast, "does what it says on the tin". The only downsides are that, for that rate, you get the loo and bathroom down the corridor, and to get to Princes St and the Royal Mile, you get some fine examples of Edinburgh's steep ups and downs.
http://www.tenhillplace.com
http://www.halcyon-hotel.com

We're not great gourmets, but we ate very acceptable meals at
Suruchi (an ordinary neighbourhood Indian restaurant on Nicholson St)
Cafe Lucia in the Festival Theatre on Nicholson St (which seems, like Ten Hill Place, to have some connection with the Royal College of Surgeons: we didn't notice any kebabs on the menu, thank goodness)
Prezzo (chain Italian restaurant on North Bridge)
http://www.suruchirestaurant.com/
http://www.list.co.uk/place/100122-cafe-lucia/
as well as various museum cafés - we can claim to have had coffee in Parliament and the Castle, and lunch at the Palace!

Sightseeing: we've been often enough before, and this trip was mainly for my sister-in-law's family history interests. The surprise highlight was visiting Dundee, to see the Verdant Works museum on the jute industry, which was an excellent example of its kind (the cafe was fine too). We had some time to spare, so dropped in on the city art gallery and museum, also worth visiting. You wouldn't think of Dundee as a tourist destination, and I wouldn't say anyone should make a point of going there if you've only a short time in Scotland, but if you happen to be in the area, don't dismiss it out of hand.

Also, while strolling idly down Canongate and looking at the kirk (a cousin was organist there decades ago), we spotted a poster for a choral concert that night, which also turned out to be a surprise treat; later we discovered Dunbars Close garden beside the kirk. Again, no need to make a point of going there, but it pays to keep your eyes open for pleasant surprises like that.

I forgot to copy in:

More on my blog, starting at
http://autolycus-london.blogspot.com...edinburgh.html, and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick...7627944966370/.

Surgeon's Hall is across the street, so they may own the ground on which the two are built.

Just now getting around to reading your " summary" of your trip to Edinburgh and Dundee. Thanks for the information on Dundee. I've only driven through but if future itineraries have a convenient slot for Dundee, I'll have a look.

As for Dunbar Close gardens, those pleasant surprises often become the best part of the trip especially if one is just revisiting other sites.

Nice report Patrick!

Nice wee report, Patrick.

History Traveller, there are other things in Dundee, too, most notably the ships, Discovery and Unicorn

Nice wee report, Patrick. Not familiar with Dunbar Close myself !

The Festival Theatre is owned by the council & the Surgeon's Hall caterers have recently taken over the catering in Cafe Lucia. Ten Hill Place and the Surgeon's Hall are both owned by the university.

Did you know Dundee is getting a V&A ? The winning design looks pretty amazing - another reason to visit, in ?? years' time. http://vandaatdundee.com/your-future/the-building/

Enjoyable report and pics, as ever, Patrick (particularly liked the silvery Tay). However, I have come to rely on you for gargoyles, and on this occasion there appear to be none. 8-(

Beg pudden - gargoyles? I don't recall seeing many, and I tend to avoid looking at the Scott monument.