Calling Edinburgh

[karohemd]

I'll be there on the second weekend in May arriving Friday late afternoon and leaving Monday morning.
I'll have two trusty guides in the shape of pmoodie and El but I'm looking for recommendations on what to do and see, anyway. Ideally a bit off the beaten tourist path although I will most likely want to see the castle as we didn't get round to that when we there in '87.

Friday evening I'll be at Fimbulvetr but I doubt this will be of interest to many people (except purplehez, hopefully).

Also, if anyone in or around Edinburgh wants to meet up, there will most likely be some city centre pub meeting happening on Saturday evening. suzerain and ubiquitous_cat, I'm looking at you among others.

Comments

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

Depending on the weather, I'd definitely recommend a hike up Arthur's Seat, but only if you've got some decent walking boots! Maybe on Sunday afternoon?

We could stop off for a pint in the Sheep's Heid Inn, which claims to be Scotland's oldest pub.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

A hike? I'm desperately unfit... but yes, seeing Arthur's Seat would be nice.
My trusty walking boots are surely and truly falling apart but they might just last this one time. They have however seen both ends of the world (well, the northernmost point of continental Europe and the southernmost point of South America).
Need to figure out how to do this. Probably best to wear them as I don't want to take my big trolley.

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

Well, a gentle hike. It's not that big a hill! LOL

You'd get away with wearing trainers or whatever, I just wouldn't want you wearing decent shoes and getting them all muddy.

It's a great place though, and if the weather's clear you'll get some nice views of the whole surrounding area.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Heh, thought it didn't look that complicated. I can practice my landscape photography. :o)

Right, that's sensible. I'm taking a second pair of shoes, anyway so that'll be fine.

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

Maybe Saturday would be the best day for doing the Castle and stuff. We're lunching in Leith so we could saunter up into town after that.

Mind you, Leith is where the Scottish Malt Whisky Society is...

Too many options! LOL

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

How far (or long by bus) is it from city centre to Leith? It didn't look too bad so I guess bussing back and forth wouldn't be too problematic.

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

It's only about ten minutes by bus, depending on traffic and other factors. Not a big trip. :)

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

That's what I thought. So no problem getting out for lunch, (maybe a stroll along the sea to walk off lunch? Don't know if Leith is good for that), bussing back for sightseeing and back for the SMWS.

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

Leith's not too brilliant for seaside walks really, but the river is quite nice. There are some nice pubs down there too.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

*nods* I trust your local knowledge. :o)
I see a theme coming on...

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

I trust your local knowledge.

Others have made that mistake in the past, and some have lived to tell the tale! LOL

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Heh

[fithefaerie.livejournal.com]

afaik, there are some really nice seafoody places to eat in leith. passed loads when i was getting dragged out to leith by me dad when we picked up his kilt jacket.

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

I believe there are, but I'm not a fan of seafood so I've never had cause to find out! LOL

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

What, you live a stone's throw from the sea and don't like seafood? Heathen! ;o)

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

Fraid so!

You never know, I might try some in the Kitchin if it looks enticing enough. :)

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

The main problem with seafood is that more often than not it's cooked badly, i.e. usually too long which makes it tough and rubbery. At the Kitchin, however, this shouldn't be an issue, neither should be lack of freshness considering its location.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

I intend to have some fine seafood at The Kitchin. :o)

[fractalgeek.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately the Martin Wishart top-table offer for lunch finishes friday....

[ubiquitous-cat.livejournal.com]

Which part of town are you staying in? The pubs in the city centre don't tend to be great, but there's a lot of options just slightly out a bit, depends on what type of pub you want?

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

I'm staying at the Travelodge right in city centre as I didn't fancy a long lone walk or taxi ride on Friday night after the club.
I assume we'll have some form of bus pass to get around on the Saturday so I'm up for anything, really.

[ubiquitous-cat.livejournal.com]

Excellent, an all day bus pass is £3 and well worth the cost, I can sign 4 people into the Scottish Malt Whisky Society

http://www.smws.co.uk/

which is just around the corner from me and on the number 22 bus route.

Also you might be interested in;

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=76877753531&ref=nf

My "in-laws" are visiting but I'll manage to get out :)

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

Aha! I'm a member of the SMWS too! :)

[ubiquitous-cat.livejournal.com]

All the finest people are.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's cheaper than Cambridge...
Scottish Malt Whisky Society would be fantastic!

If I were on my own, I'd do Ascension but pmoodie and El aren't that way inclined, unless, of course, they want to skive off early. ;o)

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

We don't want to cramp your style, so if there's something you want to do that's not our scene, we're happy to duck out. We certainly won't be offended or anything! :)

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Nah, I'm there specifically to see you (even more important now that you can't make the FFW), I can go to industrial clubs anytime down here.
Besides, it saves me having to lob around extra outfits. ;oP

Oh, and I doubt that after an evening at SMWS I'd be able to do much dancing, anyway. ;o)

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

Evening meals are another thing to consider. Do you just want to play it by ear, or do you have some thoughts on where/what you'd like to eat?

Viva Mexico is our fave place to eat, so if you fancy Mexican one night, I'd certainly recommend that. And it would be best to book in advance of course.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Last time I had Mexican was in Birmingham, AL in 2007 so that sounds like a good idea (menu looks good, too). How about Friday eve? Early, though (6:30ish?, depending on how long you think a meal would take) as Fimbulvetr starts at 8. Good thing it's not that far away (Canongate).

I'll be very happy with some pub grub on Saturday eve as we'll have fancy lunch earlier. :o)

On Sunday, we'll see. Let's play it by the ear.

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, 6.30pm should give us enough time to eat before you scoot off to the club.

I'll probably have to leave work early, but that shouldn't be a problem.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Coolio. If you think you need to book a table, please do.

[fithefaerie.livejournal.com]

be warned, the city centre is a nightmare right now as they digging up chunks of it. silly tram rubbish......
am happy to be living in glasgow with no such problems.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the warning but I'm not driving and will be with locals so should be OK.

[pmoodie.livejournal.com]

It's not too bad as long as you avoid Princes Street. Anyway, that might all be cleared up by mid-May...

*outrageous optimism*

[fithefaerie.livejournal.com]

*hysterical laughter*

aye, right :D

[theoldcatlady.livejournal.com]

Is that little restaurant called The Witchery still there? I remember it was walking distance from the castle. Cool place, interesting decor.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Looks like it (http://www.thewitchery.com/mainc.html)
Hm, quite pricey but looks very good indeed. Considering we're having lunch at The Kitchin, I think I'll pass. ;o)