Glasgow or Edinburgh
 

My husband and I want to fly to either Glasgow or Edinburgh for 3-4 days and then we are going on to Amsterdam and Paris. We will be there June 25 08. Which city would give us the most flexibility with day trips (no renting of cars) to see scenery and the flair of Scotland. Can you take a day trip into Edinburgh from Glasgow? Thanks so much.

I think a day trip from Glasgow to Edinburgh is doable because train service is frequent and Waverly Station is very close to Princess Street Gardens. Bus service around Edinburgh seemed to me to be adequate to good.

The only reservation I would have is that I think Edinburgh needs more than a normal tourist day. We were there last summer before taking a tour of the Border Country. To be honest about it, I wish I had allowed more than a day and a half.

At any rate I am planning to return.

Flying in, and flying out to Amsterdam -- 6 of 1/half dozen of the other. You can get to Amsterdam or Paris from either one. But for the casual visitor there is MUCH more to see/do in Edinburgh than in Glasgow. Both are wonderful cities -- but in your situation, go to Edinburgh and skip Glasgow this trip.

You can take day trips by train from either one to just about anywhere trains travel.

And - if you can get a better fare into Glasgow, take it and then take the bus/train straight to Edinburgh

janisj is right. I love both cities, but the pleasures of Edinburgh are more accessible for a brief visit.

The physical setting is gorgeous -- ringed with hills and views of Fife across the firth. The Castle looms over the city, and the differences between Old and New Town are profound, though they are located only a few hundred yards (and a steep hill) apart. The walk from the Castle to Holyrood down the Royal Mile is continuously interesting, with plenty of pubs if you get thirsty.

You could spend a rainy afternoon in either the Museum of Scotland or the National Gallery, depending on whether you are more interested in history or art, and you should visit one of the house museums in the Old Town.

For a day excursion, Stirling and its castle are easy by train.

The only real advantage of Glasgow for the first time visitor is that it is much closer to spectacular open countryside. The countryside around Edinburgh is much gentler.

The best thing about either city is the Scots -- warm, friendly, democratic, argumentative, opinionated, proud of their country, in most cases rightly so.

Thank you everyone. I am just wondering if it will be the rainy season around that time otherwise we will make our decision soon.

&quot;<i>I am just wondering if it will be the rainy season around that time </i>&quot; It can rain at any time of year in the UK - are you going to cancel if there is a chance of rain??

Anyway, June is an amazing time to be in Scotland - it will be daylight until around 11 p.m.

I totally agree with Ackislander. Edinburgh is the way to go. Lots to see that is within walking distance of downtown. The botanical gardens are not to be missed, also we did a day trip to Stirling, the train is cheap and runs every half hour and the castle there gives you a view of a totally different Scotland. A