Hey everyone, <BR>I'm a 20 yr old male (but really well-trained) college student from San Diego, California. I'll be travelling through the British Isles from September 2nd till Sept 15th. Does anyone have any ideas for places that I should visit, preferably in Scotland, or, more importantly, budget places to stay? Also, what's the cheapest/easiest way to get from London to Glasgow? Can I count on hitch hiking in the UK? <BR>Thanks, <BR>tomas

For Edinburgh, I recommend the Castle View Guesthouse. It's located right off Princes St. and yes, it does have a wonderful view of Edinburgh Castle. It's about a 20 minute walk to the castle and there are several pubs and restaurants nearby. The owners are very nice, but there is one downside: the rooms are located at the top of a 5 story building...meaning you have to climb several flights of stairs to get to rooms. The rates were fairly reasonable and included breakfast.... <BR>

Here are more details <BR>CASTLE VIEW: 30 Castle St., 4th flr. EH2 3HT. <BR>Tel: 0131-2265784. Fax: 0131-2261603. <BR>Web site: http://www.castleviewgh.co.uk/ <BR>E-mail: [email protected] (6 rms., 5 w/toilet & bath or shower.) £40 single; £75-90 double. Half-buffet & half cooked full Scottish breakfast or vegetarian (7:30-9:30am) is included in the rates & served in a charming breakfast rm. Visa, MC (only to reserve a room, not for payment). Delightful charming Georgian Edinburgh guesthouse w/beautifully furnished & Scottish themed individually decorated nice-size rms., TV, no phones, Highland & Bluebell (one of them has a private bathroom outside the rm.) are rms. for a single; Castle (double bed, twin bed, shower w/toilet & bay window w/wonderful side view of castle) & Thistle (double bed, twin bed, shower w/toilet & faces back) are for a double or a triple; Burns (bay window w/wonderful side view of castle) & Heather (faces back) both rms. w/double beds, 2 twin beds, showers w/toilets & face back are for a family; hairdriers, tea/coffee makers in each rm., natural wooden doors, gas working marble fireplace, no reception, no elevator, 4 flrs., restricted street parking. Located near Edinburgh Castle. Owned & managed by Coranne. (Closed Dec. 23-30.) <BR>

Castle View is probably the best located B&B in all of Edinburgh -- But because of this it is often fully booked weeks (or months) ahead. If you want to stay there contact them ASAP. If they are full, They are happy to recommend others in the general area.

If you do not mind being a 15 minute bus ride from the centre of Edinburgh, Joppa Turrets (note Turrets NOT Towers) is an excellent, reasonably price BB (about 20 pounds - if sharing a bath. It is located right on the Firth of Forth - great ocean views from all rooms. Buses to the city centre are VERY frequent - the longest we had to wait was 10 minutes. Hosts are very friendly and helpful and breakfasts are good. They have a web site so if you do a search on their name, you should come up with it. By the way I would much rather visit Edinburgh than Glasgow.

Found Joppa Turrets website: <BR>www.joppaturrets.demon.co.uk

If you are looking for some real budget places, you could try the University halls of residence. I know that Edinburgh Uni, Strathclyde (in Glasgow) and St Andrews all let their rooms to tourists during the summer. Try their websites for more info: <BR> <BR>www.edinburgh.ac.uk <BR>www.st-andrews.ac.uk <BR>www.strathclyde.ac.uk

Tomas <BR> <BR>If you would give some ideas about your priorities I'll try to recommend some stuff for you. The Halls of Residence are good budget places to stay; there are many independednt and Youth Hostels too; or you should get decent B&B from about £15/night. (You'll get cheaper, but I wouldn't pick it) <BR> <BR>Cheapest way to go is hitch-hiking. Attach a flag to your back pack- you're much more likely to be picked up. And if you'd rather not, the bus is next cheapest.

My husband and I just got back from Scotland and stayed at Greenside House Hotel on Royal Terrace. Near Palace of Holyrood House and easy walk to the main Princes St area and castle. Rate was 40 GBP (full breakfast incl) and room had a private bathroom/shower. A few doors down is an excellent restaurant: No. 3. <BR> <BR>I agree with the others that Edinburgh is more worth it than Glasgow. Also, we found Stirling great for history and scenary but the people weren't as friendly and helpful as in the rest of Scotland/highlands.

PS: Does anyone pick up hitchhikers anymore? Anywhere? We saw many of them, but never saw anyone stopping...

I can't help you regarding the other information, but I can help you with some tips for cheap travel. Currently, Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) has some good sales on airfare from London to Glasgow for 19 GBP plus a couple bucks for taxes and whatnot, I'm sure. I'm not sure if its from Standsted or from Gatwick, but with London's great rail system, either won't be a problem to get to. Have a great time!

Hi Tomas, I'm sure you've got everything booked by now, but if you're still looking for cheap accommodations, I would recommend the Cowgate Hostel in Edinburgh. It's in the middle of everything, a very short walk from the Royal Mile, and it's cheap. My husband and I stayed there last year in August, and it was 18 pounds each, but we had a double room, so singles would be cheaper. We stayed in a stellar hostel in Oban, if you're heading that way. It was the Scottish Youth Hostel, can't remember the address but I believe they're on-line. It had a brand new wing and breakfast was included. Located right on the water. If you want the contact info for these 2, email me. I know I've got it at home. Have fun!

When we are in Edinburgh we stay at Bar Java, a b&b in Leith (two miles from the centre but right on a direct bus route.) It has a pub on the first floor and rooms above. Staff is wonderful and attentive, big breakfast every morning, comfortable rooms (not ensuite but has never posed a problem to us). Presently charging 20 pounds per person per night: stay two nights Sun-Thurs. and third night is free! Leith is the waterfront area and very casual but not dangerous in any way. Their website is www.java-bedandbreakfast.com. Just a suggestion.