We'll be traveling to Edinburgh and staying outside of the city. Can anyone comment on parking in the city? Is it difficult? Are there any rules we should know about prior to our trip? Thanks in advance!

This is 4-year old information. However, we stayed outside the city (in Humbie) in August (festival & tattoo time) 4 years ago. At that time, we had no trouble finding parking in a fairly convenient garage -- I think it was in between the Royal Mile & Princes Street and about half way between the Castle & Hollyrood (sp?). Easy go get into & out of -- not overly expensive. Do not remember anything about street parking -- but I doubt that there was much available. However, the garage was fine.

Since we have our own resident traffic engineer on the patch, (Stellarossa)why don't you ask him direct? <BR> <BR>But in my 'umble opinion parking in Edinburgh in the daytime is a mug's game. I have taken to parking in the suburbs and getting a bus or a taxi in. <BR> <BR>It's not a problem at night. <BR> <BR>When are you going? Where will you be staying

Edinburgh has recently been made a SPA - Special Parking Area. This means the local authority has control over parking as opposed to the Police in the guise of traffic wardens only. <BR> <BR>What this equates to is that, as Sheila intimates, it's not worth the hassle. I live and park in the city, I have to walk half a mile to get to my car each day. Any car parked on prohibitory markings used to get a ticket. Now they can and will clamp you. The local authority has a task force known as the 'Blue Meanies' - the malevolent characters from the Beatles Yellow Submarine animated film. They ride around on mopeds from early til late dispensing fines/tickets etc. <BR> <BR>Tell me where you intend to stay and I can give you a better idea of where to park/what not to do etc .. <BR> <BR>regards

Anne, I think the parking lot bo_jack is referring to is the one we used while in Edinburgh last year, the WAVERLEY CAR PARK. It is a very convenient parking garage, reasonably priced, covered and secured. It is located halfway the Royal Mile (not on the Royal Mile; off two blocks towards the train station; NEW STREET?), a short walk from the exit to Princes Street from the Waverley Train Station. We stayed at The Station House Hotel and from there it was a 10 minute walk. Their phone number is 0131 337 8526. HERTZ have a rental car terminal there as well.

Maira's description is more current and accurate than mine -- but it is the same place that I was describing. Had forgot that it is quite near the train station.