I am traveling with approximately 4-5 girls to Edinburgh the first weekend in July. If CastleRock is booked...any other recommendations? Also, we are staying for 3 days...any must sees?

Tiffany

This is an anti-recommendation: stay far, far away from the City Centre Guesthouse on Shandwick Place- no hot water or water pressure in the shower, not very clean, entire place smelled like a combination of dirty old men and cheese. We spent four days in Edinburgh last month and loved it- I'd definitely say to see the Castle, Holyrood Palace, walk to the different monuments, shop on Princes St., take a ghost tour one night, and spend lots of time just walking around both the Old and New Town areas. We also took a one-day tour into the Highlands through Rabbies, which was about $50 per person and a really cool way introduction to the Scottish Highlands and a good way to see Loch Ness while using Edinburgh as a base.

You know - I wouldn't stay in a hostel. A nice B&B would not be any more expensive (or very little more, anyway). You could get a triple room and a double and have a huge Scottish B'fast included and not have to any cooking/washing up..

For me hostels are fine out in remote areas (there are some great ones on Skye for instance) but in most big cities most are grotty, and the nice ones are usually full.

I got together with my now husband while staying at the High Street Hostel in Edinburgh -- very hostelly, but great location right on the Royal Mile. Very friendly even though we arrived late.

I just booked a 15 GBP per person double room at the Cowgate Tourist Hotel (a hostel, really) which is RIGHT in the center of town. I've never been there, but they say that they've just revamped everything. I'll post after we return on June 23 and let you know how it was.

Take at least one ghost tour -- try City of the Dead -- they're loads of fun. And definitely go to the pubs!