General Chat

It's 10 June and we're into "British Summer Time". This morning I walked to work wearing a tee shirt and trousers - AND a warm jumper, coat, scarf, hat and gloves!

Made me think about the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. If anybody is coming to Scotland intending to go to the Tattoo, don't just wear jeans and a tee shirt - take along at least a warm jacket and a couple of plastic bin liners (to sit in if it rains). If I was going, even if it was a warm evening I would take along a warm jumper, socks, scarf, hat, gloves and a coat. Remember we never get warm rain in Scotland and the wind howls down from the Castle.

I hope I haven't put anybody off coming here - the Tattoo is absolutely brilliant, but I'd like people to be comfortable while they enjoy it. Do what the locals do - be prepared for every sort of weather. Occasionally, we get a beautiful, warm day and night but it can't be relied on.

All you visitors enjoy your stay here - Scotland has lots to offer apart from the unreliable weather!

Cheers

Diana

The weather wouldn't put me off Diana .... I agree the Tattoo is brilliant :) must book to see it again soon :)

Edinburgh Military Tattoo
when is it

I saw it when they brought it to Sydney. Watch it on the TV. I have always wanted to see it at the Castle. One day I will.

It is usually in August I think Keith - sure Diana will correct me if I am wrong ....

Hope you get to see it Ingrid .... it is so much better 'in the flesh' as it were lol

Got it thanks

The Edinburgh tattoo runs this year from the 7th to the 29th of August but Edinburgh also has the home coming celebrations this year in holyrood park it will be a 2 day clan gathering on the 25th and 26th July.
so lots on for anyone with Scottish roots

.... AND DON'T FORGET the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe will be running at the same time. Get a copy of the Fringe programme at the Fringe Office (just down from the Castle, past St Giles Cathedral). Check out what's on and have a ball!

Cheers

Diana

I am planning on visiting Edinburgh soon I really want to tour HMY Britannia and your beautiful castle....what else is there for me to see as want to stay a few days

oops deleted the one above as duplicate

Hi there - welcome to the discussion and welcome to Edinburgh when you come up!

You could spend your whole holiday making your way down the Royal Mile from the Castle to Holyrood House where the Queen stays when she's in Edinburgh. This area is steeped in history and there are lots of interesting places to visit. For example, the Whisky Heritage Centre, Camera Obscura, John Knox's house, Mary King's Close, the Childhood Museum, Huntly House to name a few. Opposite Holyrood House is our new "Parliament Building", and round the corner is Dynamic Earth.

On your way down from the castle, nip round the corner into George IV Bridge and visit the Elephant House, where JK Rolling wrote some of her Harry Potter novels.

Edinburgh's Lothian buses are brilliant - buy a day ticket for £2.50 and jump on and off all day.

... And for my next job, I'm going to contact the Scottish Tourist Board!!!

Cheers

Diana

Thats it I'm on my way...whens the best time to visit...not that bothered about the festival or tattoo ....cant wait

Visiting in August it could be difficult to find accommodation in Edinburgh. Most attractions are open all year round so come along any time, especially if you're not really interested in the Festival.

You've got me started again ...

... take a bus tour round the city ...
... if you've got small children, take them to the bridge behind the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens to watch the trains come out of Waverley Station. The drivers all toot and toddlers love it. What's more, it doesn't cost anything! ...
... visit Cramond with the Roman fort ...
... visit Linlithgow, where Mary, Queen of Scots was born ...
... visit Stirling Castle and Wallace's Monument, which they've made a lot of since "Braveheart" ...
... visit the Falkirk Wheel (google it to see what it's about) ...
... go shopping in Glasgow - the locals are all very friendly and will make you feel welcome ...
... visit South Queensferry and have lunch in the Hawes Inn, which is under the Railway Bridge - take a boat trip out to Inchkeith Island ...
... visit Bo'ness on 26 June to see the Bo'ness Children's Fair Festival - the largest Fair in Scotland ...
... visit Dunfermline Abbey, where some of Scotland's Kings are buried ...
... visit St Andrews, where Prince William went to University ...
... visit Oban, Inverness and also Culloden, the site of the last battle fought on British soil in 1746 ...
... take a short bus trip to Rosslyn Abbey ...

And for your second day .............

I hope you enjoy your visit to Edinburgh and Scotland. There's certainly plenty to do.

Cheers

Diana