I am planning a September trip to London, where we will spend six days in London (with one or two side trips) and then travel by train to Edinburgh, where we will then only have one day to spend before leaving for Germany for four days. My question is, should I even bother going to Edinburgh for only one day? I thought the train ride up might be nice, and I have always wanted to see Edinburgh Castle, but I cannot spend any longer in Scotland because of time constraints. Maybe I should just add one more day to Germany, and save Scotland for next year?

You can do a lot in Edinburgh in a day. It will give you a taste to return. Here are some options:- <BR> <BR>Edinburgh itself is a mixture of a wonderful late mediaeval city with a planned Georgian New Town. The Castle is a must, but a brisk hike up Arthur's seat (a hill in the centre of the town above Holyrood Palace) will give you magnificent views out over the whole of east central Scotland. <BR>The Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed at Leith, Edinburgh's port, and can be visited by the public, and the new Museum of Scotland in the centre of the City is pretty good, for the architecture as well as the exhibits. <BR> <BR>It's also a great shopping city. <BR> <BR>Sir Walter Scott's memorial is in the middle of Edinburgh's main shopping street, and it can be climbed for the view over the gardens and up to the Castle. <BR> <BR>Mary Kings Close is a street which, in the middle ages, was on ground level but when the great plague came to visit Scotland (and Edinburgh in particular) it hit the place hard. The worst section of the city was right in the heart of the 'Old Town', where the present City Chambers are nowadays. This street was known as Mary King’s Close (after an advocate’s daughter so the story goes) and the local authorities, the kind beings that they are, decided to seal both entrances of the street up with everyone still inside. This street was rediscovered many years later and now you can take a tour down there. WARNING - they tell you that because of the many people sealed alive down there that there are ghosts aplenty. Tours can be arranged from the Royal Mile <BR> <BR>The two best places in Edinburgh for folk music are 2 pubs (surprise!) One is the Tron and the other is Sandy Bell's. Sandy Bell's also used to produce a news-sheet "Sandy Bell's Broadsheet" and I think they still do, which lists all the folky stuff going on all over Scotland. <BR>As far as Edinburgh is concerned, I can think of another pub which houses traditional/folk music. It's the Ensign Ewart which is situated near the entrance to the Castle - can't miss it. <BR> <BR>From Davidson's Mains it is a very short (7-8 minutes)drive to Cramond, which has a yachtsman's harbor, the mouth of the River Almond, a medieval church (Cramond Kirk) and the remains (in the churchyard!) of Rome's northernmost garrison fort. <BR> <BR>This post is too long. I'll put the rest in the next message

A list of things to see includes <BR>The New Town-planned grid Georgian -makes Bath pale by comparison <BR>The Royal Mile -Medieval route between the Castle and Holyrood palace <BR>The Castle <BR>Valvona and Crolla -best deli in the UK <BR>Greyfriars Bobby - statue of dog who sat at his master’s grave for decades <BR>The Meadows - huge park I the town centre <BR>Dean Village - working men’s planned village <BR>The Scott Monument -Gothic Sky rocket memorial to Queen Victoria’s favourite Scottish author <BR>Calton Hill -Observatory <BR>Arthur's Seat -see above <BR>Hollyrood- Palace and Park - Queen’s Scottish town house and big garden <BR>The New parliament - this trip can be arranged. There is a visitor's gallery at the Scottish parliament and you can get tickets from (would you believe) the ticket office! There is no dress code. <BR> <BR>The Museum of Childhood - on the Royal Mile <BR>Cafe Vittoria - neighbourhood Tally restaurant. Very down to earth. <BR>St Giles Cathedral - on the Mile. Scene of Jenny what’shername’s tantrum. Crown tower <BR>Parliament House - where the big wigs hang out (what a terrible pun) <BR>Make sure you visit the National Museum of Scotland (Chambers St) in Edinburgh. It just opened and is incredible. <BR>Gladstone’s Land, -mediaeval close off the High Street(the Mile) <BR>Plus there are great restaurants, pubs, gardens and parks. My favorite restaurant is The Marque. It is on Causewayside and the food is fantastic. The prices were quite reasonable considering the level of cuisine (about $35.00 per person including dessert). If it's atmosphere you like try The Witchery. The prices are a little steep, but the food is good and it's right beside the castle. (as far as atmosphere, the name says it all) <BR> <BR>Other great restaurants include Stac Polly, Tuscan Square, Café Hub, Browns, Le Sept, Est Est Est, Bann’s, Henderson’s, the Kalpna, Viva Mexico, Shamiana, the Siam Erewan, the Loon Fung. <BR> <BR>Other great pubs include the Café Royal, the Barony, Mathers, the Diggers (posh name the Athletic Arms), the Roseburn, Bert’s, and the Abbotsford. <BR> <BR>This is a city heaving with museums. I believe I have mentioned the National Museum of Scotland and the Museum of Childhood. In addition there are:- <BR>The National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy <BR>the National Portrait Gallery <BR>The Gallery of Modern Art <BR>The Dean Gallery <BR>The Georgian House <BR>The City Art Centre <BR>The Fruitmarket Gallery, <BR>The Collective Gallery <BR>The Printmakers’ Workshop <BR> <BR>Or you can go to the Zoo; Dynamic Earth(mixed reviews- haven’t been myself), or the Botanic Gardens. <BR> <BR>It’s awash with places to walk, sporting facilities, cinemas, theatres, music venues, and stunning architecture. <BR>

Kathleen, I'm not clear whether your travel to Edinburgh is part of the "one day". If it is, meaning that you would only have half a day actually in Edinburgh, then I would say leave it till next time. If, however, you will be travelling up to Edinburgh overnight, or staying overnight in Edinburgh, so that you have a whole day in the city, then go for it. That will be plenty time to see the castle, and a few other things, and you'll definitely want to return

My advice for one day would be to tour the castle and take the double decker open air bus tour. I did that last summer with my Edinburgh cousin who saw things she'd never seen before. We had a great day!

If it weren't for the cost, I'd be willing to fly overnight from the US for just one day in Edinburgh. <BR>

We will also have only one day in Edinburgh (train from Berwick takes 45 minutes, they say). I've been before, a long time ago. Husband never has. What should we plan to see besides the castle and the Royal Mile. Like to take the Guide Friday buses--always a great overview. If you could only choose one pub for a lunch, which would it be? Imagine we will return to Berwick for dinner. Thanks, especially to Sheila.

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't Edinburgh a good 6-8 hour train ride from London? Maybe there is now a faster train. Do you need to go to Edinburgh (i.e. is your flight to Germany leaving from there?). If not, it seems like a long drive when there is so much to see closer to London. Or you could take a 3 hour train ride to Paris, and take spend 5-6 hours to get from Paris to Germany. Again, maybe I'm missing something.

Thanks for all the great tips on what to do with only one day in Edinburgh! There are so many possiblities. I think now that we can actually make a go of it! But I am planning on coming back next year to see more of this great city!

Kathleen, <BR> <BR>We took the train from London to Edinburgh (believe it was 4 hours) and we only had overnight and part of the next day to spend there. It was my daughter's 30th birthday and we did it as a special surprise. We had her "special" dinner at Stac Polly and the staff there was fabulous. We loved Edinburgh and saw alot in the short time. Would definitely love to return. <BR> <BR>Sue

In April we left London at 0700 and arrived Edinburgh at 1135. Spent the day and caught the train back to London at 1930 arriving London at mid-night. <BR>All this did was tease us. We are going back in August for a week. <BR>John