What are the best souvenirs to buy in Scotland....and what are your "must-see" recommendations in Edinburgh?<BR>Thanks, guys.<BR>Charlene

Umbrellas (black guard plaid) and little sheep with a tam on, small enough for your rear window in the car. <BR>These are the ones I bought and I'm glad I did. <BR><BR>Must sees: Nat Portrait Museum, for the history of the Scottish throne, Royal Mile, Hollyrood house and the Castle are my favs. Check some guidebooks to see what will interest you.

Arthur's Seat, Royal Mile, you can't help but "see" the castle, dinner at Prestonfield House (personal favorite).

<BR>Souvenir? A bottle of Scotch! Visit a well stocked store and talk to the owner. I bought a bottle (only one, sadly) which was as fine as any French cognac.

Arthurs Seat is a must! Gorgeous views and fun to walk up. We brought home 2 bottles of scotch...my husband is still saving one I bought a cashmere sweater as my special souvenier from Edinburgh...I am not positive but I think the name of the shop was "The Cashmere House"...its on the Royal Mile and on a corner. There is a wonderful little tea room off the Royal Mile also...its in a close (like an alley) and is across the street from the Museum of Childhood (or something similar to that in name)...it is called Mrs. Forsyths Tea Room...very nice lady and wonderful scones!

Single malt scotch! I think I hold the forum record, having recently come back with 6 bottles. Craggenmore (lovely), Talisker (too peaty for my taste) & Oban (didn't sample it). And lest you all get the wrong impression, they were mostly gifts, except for a sampler bottle of Craggenmore. I packed four prized bottles between bags of oatmeal muelsli in my carry on, and two I just shipped through. <BR><BR>I also came back with two tartan umbrellas that we can use here in Hawaii. Lots of Gallic motif small stuff (bookmarks, tiles). Not much use for cashmere here, although it was lovely.

A must see in Edinburgh is Jenner's. It is right on Prince's Street. You can find an assortment of quality souvenir items there. The department store itself is quite a sight. I always think of the series "Are You Being Served?" when I am there.<BR><BR>I also found nice souvenir items at the shop attached to the Yacht Britannia in Leith. I bought some tea towels and a quaich. <BR><BR>You can also get models of some of the stately homes and castles, etc. I have a couple of those. They are not too expensive.<BR><BR>For those who enjoy Scotch whiskey, of course some single malts are always a good souvenir. You bring a taste of Scotland home to keep you warm in the winter!<BR><BR>Mostly though, I bring warm memories of the wonderful Scottish people.

Hi Charlene -<BR><BR>Although I've been over 4 times (because of family in Edinburgh), I never get tired of seeing things and being there...must be in the blood or something. However, if you're into all the history and such, it is imperative that you go to the Edinburgh Castle and take the tour with the informative and witty guides there - you will learn alot from them. More so than if you were to just walk around and just look at a bunch of old building that you really don't know why it's there. They will clue you in. <BR><BR>I'm going to give you a bit of information on some other things (the other ideas are excellent)but as no-one else has mentioned it yet here--<BR><BR>Another thing (and maybe I will be scoffed for this...)but I have always highly enjoyed the "Witchery Tour" put on by "Adam Lyle" (sp?). Edinburgh is full of old old history, and this is a walking tour in the evening put on by some of Edinburgh's "special" characters. You meet by some stairs at the end part of the castle on the Royal Mile, and get a guided tour of how the "old" Edinburgh used to be - complete with true stories about witch hunts, the plague, executions, ... you get the picture. It is quite enjoyable, you walk through some areas you might never think of going, get a few laughs, learn some history and why things are named for what they are, and it's safe. Done it twice now, took my hubby and sis-in-law last visit - highly recommended - but only if if you are into that "creepy & dark" history stuff.<BR>At the end of the tour, you get a small paper back book containing the stories you just walked through, plus a few more to wet you whistle. With any old major city, Edinburgh has his ghosts and haunts. <BR><BR>I would also recommend getting out the tour bus (hop on/hop off) for a tour around with the guides, right where the gardens are - I have done this still every time I've gone back and picked up some history that I haven't from before. They take you around the old Edinburgh, up to the castle, down the Royal Mile to Holyrood, they show you the museums, and the university, and some of the newer Edinburgh. (I'm not sure if this is exactly the route, but you do get to see these). i.e - they explain, because it was a learning city (doctors, etc.,) the cemetaries were actually guarded, and families paid so bodies did not "dissappear" to be on the next day's agenda for schooling....<BR>Incredible, yes today...but these things happened a long time ago.<BR><BR>As far a soveniers...I'm not much for any Scotch (can't seem to get it past my nose, )and....sounds hokey, but my prized possession is a round lace tablecloth (white lace, with purple thistles and green leaves), which cost me quite a bit, but I love it. It's on my kitchen table. Also, and I know I'm really going to hear it from a few of you's but....a fridge magnet, in the shape of bagpipes, that plays when you push it "You take the high road...and I'll take the low road"....<BR><BR>My mom was born & raised in Edinburgh and had five sisters...she met my dad during WWII - -they married in Edinburgh, & she came overseas eventually, and he continued on in the war and came home too. That is why I'm over there as much as I can....and love it as much as I do my own home (if that makes sense to you.) <BR><BR>Please let me know if there are any other things you'd like to know before your trip - I'll help you out if I can.<BR>Just watch out, food's expensive -but there are some really good pubs around (just don't have my journals about right now)<BR><BR>I hope you have a wonderful time there. I wish I was there again.<BR>

Those were great suggestions. I plan to go to the casle, Holyrood House stroll the Roayal Mile and Princes Street and of course the tower now that you've mentioned that.<BR>I do want to ride the bus. Is that the LRT? Not sure how to find the bus stop...but I amsure the hotel can give me some direction on that. We will be staying very close to the castle so are able to walk to many places.<BR>I plan to make some tombstone rubbings...especially Rob Roy's grave on a trip we will make to Stirling. There is a shop in Edinburgh where one can make brass rubbings of Robert the Bruce etc that sounds interesting. Think I will check that out as well.<BR>We are not interested in scotch either. I was thinking a cashmere throw or some jewelry. The umbrella sounds like a neat idea.<BR>I can hardly wait!

Charlene, Rob Roy's grave is in Balquidder about a half hour from Callendar.<BR><BR>All the tourist/tour buses congregate/leave/stop outside Waverley train station, between Princes St and the Royal Mile. Get to it from the Royal Mile by walking down Cockburn (pro: Coburn) St.<BR><BR>As hackneyed as it is to a Scot like myself, I like tartan rugs. The woolem mill shop place on the corner of cockburn and royal mile sells some decent stuff.

My favorite from my last trip is a set of sterling thistle cufflinks I got at the Edinburgh Castle jewelry shop. I'd have like the gold ones, but couldn't afford them.