scotland in november/december

Old Jul 25th, 2007, 05:10 AM
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Fair enough re the reviews, meks - interesting. But I wouldn't say Northumberland Street is a long walk uphill to George St or Princes St - and it's only 1 block down from, i.e. the next street after, Abercromby Place !?!

It was due to the mention of a pub crawl & shopping that I thought the New Town would suit better than the Old Town, plus there are frequent buses from Dundas Street to George IV Bridge for the Old Town attractions. Bearing in mind the mention of limitations on walking, I think the New Town is generally easier for getting buses around than the Old Town (e.g. getting out of the Grassmarket isn't that easy, either by foot or by bus).
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Old Jul 25th, 2007, 05:41 AM
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I would agree that the Grassmarket is not the easiest of places to get out of without a climb but there are still a number of places there to interest visitors. Similarly the Old Town has more concentrated attractions and places of general interest to visitors than the New Town.

The New Town has a better bus service but needs that as many visitors frequently have to use buses to get into the Royal Mile /city centre to avoid the steep inclines of Howe Street, Dundas Street, Dublin Street or India Street.

For people living and working in Edinburgh then the New Town is the better option for accommodation, but for visitors to Edinburgh - the Old Town would be the better option.
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Old Jul 25th, 2007, 07:08 AM
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We'll have to agree to disagree, meks.
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Old Jul 25th, 2007, 07:44 AM
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As a former resident and frequent visitor, I've experienced both sides of this question.

Don't forget the OPs are visiting in November, so walking anywhere - uphill from Northumberland St to Princes/George Sts, or Grassmarket up to the Royal Mile, etc., will be subject to the weather gods. Frankly I'd probably recommend someplace with bus service as close to the door as possible, and preferably a pub next door, so that both walking and waiting are made as comfortable and dry as can be. Mastering the bus system will be an important first thing.

Someplace like the Adria Hotel in Royal Circus might fill the bill - plenty of buses on Circus/Howe/Frederick Sts, fun shopping and pubs on St Stephen St, good access to New Town, Old Town, Botanics, etc.

---

...were told by one english lass in fiji that we would love scotland...

Aha. That explains the "bula" in your email.
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Old Jul 25th, 2007, 01:38 PM
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This is not meant to sound mean, but I have to ask. When I first read your quetions I thought that it was from a very young inmature person. The fact that you did not use upper case when required, you didn't know that they had winter weather and that it got dark. That and the fact that you didn't feel it necessary to book a room prior to your late arrival. So my question is "why are you going?" Surely you would have a reason for opting for Scotland in winter? Right? Also, Black pudding is made from blood and Hassis from lungs, heart and liver. Are you sure you want to dine on that? OK, enought said. I do hope you have a grand time and who knows, I am often in Scotland in the winter. Look for the old guy with a small gym bag on his shoulder. Ta Ta.
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Old Jul 25th, 2007, 08:22 PM
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my dearest rogerdodger,

you might want to check your spelling on "inmature and Hassis." in any event, i would definitely go with the "very young" at heart. regarding upper case, have you never heard of the infamous poet e. e. cummings? hmmm, now that should give you all an insight to my age . . .

the fact that i wouldn't know the hours of daylight in scotland or, for that matter, any country isn't a decisive factor in our choice of travel but, rather, looked upon as just another adventure. as i stated, we've been stuck in the south pacific for 10 years and have never been to europe. we opted for winter because my husband's vacation was already scheduled and it was both our desires to finally travel to europe and see the beauty of scotland.

we are not unaware that black pudding is blood sausage and that haggis resembles a stuffed balloon. i tasted both black and white pudding in new zealand and enjoyed it immensely.

enough said, i have appreciated all the information provided thus far for edinburgh, especially from those who have stuck to the questions at hand. btw, i emailed "Gerald's Place" about 3 weeks ago and was informed they are full upon our arrival. is anyone familiar with the apartment situation and if that would be a nice option near the train station.

perhaps, we could move on to some accommodation recommendations countryside and down back around to Glasgow.

thanks again !
rosie

p.s. to meks: yes, that explains the "bula" in my email. good eyes !
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Old Jul 26th, 2007, 12:22 AM
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Rosirosi,
I have already put this as a reply to another question on this forum but it may be of interest to you.
The three places which have consistently been getting the best independent reviews in Edinburgh for some time are
The Knight Residence, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Scotland.html Website www,theknightresidence.co.uk
Geralds Place, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Scotland.html website www.geraldsplace.com
and the
Apartment By Castle, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Scotland.html
website www.abc-edinburgh.co.uk
The are all in or around the city centre and could be what you are looking for as they add a bit of character and are a bit special.
I see that you have already tried Geralds Place but that it was booked.
Another website which may be of interest to you as www.edinburgh-royalmile.com as that shows many of the attractions etc in that area of the Old Town.
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Old Jul 26th, 2007, 10:27 AM
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rosirosi

You're obviously full of enthusiasm, and I hope we can keep it kindled for you.


It seems to me you have 16 full days in Scotland and that's plenty of time to see a lot. You are constrained by the light and the weather, although I suspect it won't be quite as bad a as folk are making it out to be.

It it were me, I'd be booking cosy wee hotels with nice lounges, nice bars and open fires. I would start in Edinburgh, and I would definitely drive. It just makes everything so much more flexible. But if you won't I think we need to investigate some of the mini-bus tours which operate out of Ednburgh, and let you get off somewhere and get on a few days later for the next stop. My one concern about that is that I suspect they're a lot less frequent in the winter.

Aberdeen has its nice side, and some of teh countryside round about is sperlative, but you really need to look at driving to catch any of it.

"Any of the Lochs" is a bit broad. Wikipedia lists 104, and I can think of a number not on that list.

I HEARTILY recommend a trip on a Calmac ferry to somewhere you can walk in teh salt air, and sleep in a warm centrally heated room afterwards. Might I suggest Islay?

You don't want a whisky TOUR. You want a couple of vists (now, about Islay...) and a pub with agreat selection- the Lochside in Bowmore springs to mind. Bowmore's on Islay, by the way.

I'm not wholly certain waht it is you want to DO to this haggis, but you will find it ubiquitous. Do NOT confuse it witha white pudding- or mealie jimmy as it's known in my area.

Give us more input and we'll see what more we can recommend.
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Old Jul 26th, 2007, 10:31 AM
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PS. Have a look at this page and click on some cams.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...ks/webcam.html

It's peeing down here right now, and the sun is shining over Bruaichladdich
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Old Jul 27th, 2007, 09:32 PM
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it's to our regret that we decided perhaps it's not in our benefit to travel to europe and, in particular scotland, after reading some of these posts. we have cancelled our trip, costing us some but we have decided after reading some of the posts we may not be as welcome in europe as in the south pacific. perhaps, it was my sense of humor? however, i would like to give kudos where they belong to those who did supply us with the information we were looking for and we wish only the very loving best to you and yours.

we actually picked scotland because my mother passed away in april and our ancestry (so she told me) was the "british isles" and her name was bonnie and i felt she would be happy we chose scotland to visit after the years of scottish and irish songs she (and hers) used to sing to me as a child.

so thank you all and God Bless.

and meks, i'm sorry, it wasn't you with the good eyes, but gardyloo. ooops.

x0x0 and x0x0
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Old Jul 27th, 2007, 09:37 PM
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Huh?? I'm sorry - you are offended and afraid to travel to Scotland because one person challenged your knowledge of the UK in winter??

Every other poster was MORE than helpful and provided all sorts of useful advice.

A lot of us went out of our way to help you and we get "we have decided after reading some of the posts we may not be as welcome in europe as in the south pacific." Dumbest thing I think I've ever read on this forum - ever. This was your first and only post on Fodors - me thinks we have been had. Can you say troll??

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Old Jul 27th, 2007, 09:49 PM
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First and possibly last? thread from this user id on Fodor's
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Old Jul 27th, 2007, 10:00 PM
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please, it's not a reflection on YOU personally. YOU have not been had. it cost us dearly. i'm crying as i write this. i just felt as if some of the posts were poking fun of us. we only wish the best. and if you ever wish to email me peronally, i would love to hear what is going on in you corner of the world.

x0x0
rosie
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Old Jul 28th, 2007, 06:57 AM
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First, if in any way I truly caused you any grief or reason to cancel your trip I certainly do apologize. When I wrote my first reply I didn't think it was offensive, however, after re-reading I can see that it could have been. So again, please do visit Scotland, experience the wonderful people and I promise not to be around when you do come. Again sincere apologizes for any ill feeling.
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Old Jul 28th, 2007, 07:29 AM
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rosirosi, people on this forum tend to be arch-planners and don't much take to free-spirited, will-of-the-wisp traveling. A matter of style. And a lot of your replies were from Americans, not unwelcoming Scots. The Scots in person are very warm and welcoming.

Maybe re-schedule your trip for a better time of year, when there are guided bus tours.
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Old Jul 28th, 2007, 07:57 AM
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rosierosie,

I'm a bit flummoxed and surprised about your decision to cancel your trip due to comment(s) from posters. You should realize that most of us here have experienced rebukes and criticism. It's part of the package when offering opinions, suggestions.

Of all the countries I've visited Scotland remains a favorite and the Scots are superb hosts. I doubt you'll encounter a more amicable and helpful group of people.
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Old Jul 28th, 2007, 08:20 AM
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Sorry, I just don't buy it. No one cancels a trip "costing us some" because their feelings were hurt by a few posts on Fodors. If, on the other hand, those posts made rosirosi aware that perhaps Nov-Dec wasn't the best time for them to visit Scotland, then they did her a favor.

As an American living in Britain, I get a lot of good-natured ribbing from my English and Scottish friends. Are my feelings hurt? Of course not!
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Old Jul 28th, 2007, 08:49 AM
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No one (or anyone serious about what they are planning) would cancel, lose money, and cry no less, based on one thread on an internet forum they had never visited before.

And the VAST majority of posts, by both Yanks and Brits, were more than helpful. This whole thing seems more than weird . . . . .
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Old Jul 28th, 2007, 09:36 AM
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The OP cancelled only 48hours after what she considered a negative post. By the way it wasn't(negative). In fact her reply to the poster was of a positive nature, and she even asked about apartment situations in Edinburgh as well as information about places to stay in the country. Then 48 hours later she has cancelled trip.

Yes, very weird.
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Old Jul 28th, 2007, 12:59 PM
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I lol'd!
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