Waterbagel wrote:my wife and I are visiting Scotland and Ireland in the back half of July! we'll be around for two weeks. I know plenty of people on the board live in and around the two, and we'll be in Edinburgh for a few days, Glasgow for one night (wish we had time for more). Donegal and Dingle in Ireland
we are so very open to recommendations ! looking dearly forward to my first spice bag. i imagine we'll have a good listen thru Inferno walking through the Scottish countryside
Happy to jump in with some recommendations:
Edinburgh: My adopted home city. It's an incredibly walkable city, but be warned it will be absolutely rammed at the end of July with the festival starting in August. If you're staying for a few days, then a day in the Pentlands is a nice escape - just head up towards Balerno (no.44 bus if you're relying on public transport) - You can go UP THE MARCH BANK to RED MOSS and soak up authentic BoC vibes in the area that was responsible for their early music making. If you want to stay closer into the city but still have a walk in something approaching countryside, Arthurs Seat is easily accessible - its about a 45 min- 1hr walk to the top from Holyrood Park. There's no shortage of good places to eat/drink (Edinburgh has more restaurants per head than anywhere else in the country I beleive). If you're looking to treat yourself then Noto (
https://notoedinburgh.co.uk/) is spendy but lovely (get the crab in butter and thank me later). I'd also recommend Fishers (
https://www.fishersrestaurants.co.uk/fi ... -the-city/) for fish/ seafood. Piggs in Bruntsfield is also really good (
https://www.piggswinebar.co.uk/). For fish and chips with a view, head to the Fish Market in Newhaven:
https://www.thefishmarketnewhaven.co.uk/ . My local fish & chip shop is called #Fish in Marchmont - it's really good; they're also really good for allergies & vegan options if that's your thing but they also do a great traditional fish and chips (and if you get fish & chips in Edinburgh, ask for it with "salt and sauce") - they also have an agreement with a pub down the road called the Earl of Marchmont where you can take your chippy in and get a pint to go with. Very civilised. If you fancy a curry, then I'd recommend Voujon in Newington as a traditional curry house or Haldi, also in Newington as a fancier option. Edinburgh Street Food is also worth a look (
https://edinburgh-street-food.com/) for different street food options.
Like restaurants, there are loads of great pubs for all vibes/atmospheres. I used to live at The Shore in Leith - I haven't been down for a while so am a bit out of touch with what is there, but my favourites were Teuchters Landing (grab a spot on the pontoon out the back if the weather is good!), The Ship on The Shore, the Shore Bar (get a little bowl of olives to go with your drink - they're the best!) and the Kings Wark. Elsewhere in town, I like The Cafe Royal just behind Princes St., Montpeliers in Bruntsfield, and the Brass Monkey in the Grange, but there really is no end of nice pubs. Be sure to try some local beers - Stewarts Brewery, Camper Van and Pilot are some of my favourite breweries.
There are loads of quieter areas worth exploring if you want to avoid Princes St., Royal Mile - Bruntsfield is quite cool with a lot of quirky independant shops, Stockbridge is nice and you can go to the Botanic Gardens, Leith is lovely - quite trendy/hipster-ish but lovely by the water.
Glasgow: I don't know it as well, but it is a VERY cool city. Merchant City/ West End/ Finnieston are the areas I know reasonably well - again no shortage of good pubs and places to eat.
If you have time to explore Scotland then the west coast is my recommendation - the whole coastline from Argyll up and the islands are just beautiful.
