Expat, and all MN'rs with Scottish 'knowledge'

[womblingalong]

I'm not a very prolific poster, but do lurk a lot, and know what a knowlegable bunch MN'r are. Wondered if you could help me?

We're going up to Edinburgh in a couple of weeks for a wedding, and are staying on after the do for a couple of days with our DD, who will be 2 by then.

Any tips/advice on things to do/see? Places to eat etc, any advice/suggestions most gratefully received!

TIA

[womblingalong]

Bump anyone?

[Libra]

Our DS2, who is 3, loves going to the zoo in Edinburgh, in particular he loves visiting the penguins because in the afternoon they let them out for a walk around. Deep Sea World at Queensferry is OK but not absolutely fantastic. The castle is interesting, but I'm not sure there's much for a 2 year old. Lots of nice parks around, like Princes Gardens.
If you are interested in clothes shopping, I would definitely say George Street, not Princes Street!

[gscrym]

Another one for the zoo here. If it's a rubbish day though, there's the natural history museum. If you're going up to the castle, there's the museum of childhood at the bottom of The Royal Mile.
Probably best to google Edinburgh City to have a rummage through all the attractions. There's usually a little funfair in the gardens as well.

[womblingalong]

Thanks for those suggestions, we were thinking about the zoo, so great to know it's a good one.

Any more? Pretty please.

TIA

[mellowma]

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[womblingalong]

these sound brill,


Thanks Mellowma, we're really looking forward to it.

Anyone got any more? All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks.

[womblingalong]

Bump for the evening posters - pretty please!

[MrsMuddle]

You could get the train to North berwick. It's about half an hour in the train, and it's a lovely seaside town with nice beaches and the Scottish Seabird centre. One of the beaches has an area of sea enclosed by a wall - like a boating pond - and it's great for paddling in or walking round the wall. If the tide's out, there are loads of rocks to walk on, and you can get a cheap net and catch crabs etc. Good innocent fun!

[scienceteacher]

Grindlay Street, Mellowma - but the place next door is nicer (can't remember the name)

[deegward]

There's the carousel in Princes Street Gardens (West End), duck ponds a plenty, either at Arthur Seat (near Holyrood) or Blackford pond (in suburbs). Fantastic fish suppers everywhere, andyou have to have it the Edinburgh way ... salt 'n sauce, not salt 'n vinegar!!

As someone who grew up here, and moved away 5 years ago, I know you will have a lovely time, but remember the Edinburgh phrase... "you'll ave had your tea!"

Where as in Glasgow they are reputed to say "you'll stay for your tea!"

It's not that we are not friendly, just cautious!

[scienceteacher]

L'Alba D'Oro (Henderson Row) has the best fish & chips in the whole world. I never have English fish & chips and I am happy to wait for my biennial fix of the real thing.

Also part of the Edinburgh diasporo

[deegward]

Same here, have never had a supper down here, and wait until I go home, how sad is that?

[scienceteacher]

It's just not worth it, Deegward.

What part of Edinburgh are you from?

[bogwobbit]

If you have a car, I would recommend the almond valley heritage centre in Livingston. For £3 per adult (your dd will be free) there are farm animals, soft play, a park, a museum (sometimes with activities) and train and tractor rides (you have to pay extra for them)
almond valley
Alternatively there's Gorgie City Farm which is free and only a short bus trip (no 4 I think) from Princes Street.
Gorgie City Farm
There's the zoo, which is good but pricey; a variety of parks - I would recommend the one at Saughton - ; the Botanic Gardens and even the beach at Portobello, which if this site is to be believed has a lot cleaner water than everyone imagines.
Can't help you with the eating out bit, I'm afraid, but hope you have a lovely time when you're up here.

[mellowma]

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[mawbroon]

There's a Jimmy Chungs on Waverly Bridge as well. Yum

[lusciouslynda]

I would get out of town. Go to Gullane or North Berwick. Not far, the beaches are great and just the thing for a 2 yr old. I also love Fife. Very pretty, and there's a great chippy in Anstruther.

Deegward, I think the implication is that Edinburgers are tight. I am a weegie. No comment.

[chonky]

Another vote for Gullane (one of my fave beaches of all time) - also if you head long the coast just past North Berwick you'll find Tantallon Castle, which is very beautiful.

[deegward]

Tight us? Never, we are jsut careful with who we break bread with , from Duddingston, just off Milton Road West. Any you?

[liath]

Hi Wombling,

There are reasonable play parks in the meadows & Princes St Gardens.

If it's chucking down the Commonwealth Pool has a big kiddies pool and it also has a very good soft play area (clambers) which has a separate toddler bit - my 18 month old loves it there.

You could go up Arthurs Seat to see the ducks & swans at the loch.

Browns on George St and Centro Tre are both family-friendly eateries. Plaisir du chocolate on the Royal Mile does the best hot chocolate in town.

I grew up in North Berwick, it's a lovely wee town and worth a visit.

Have fun!!

[aitch71]

Libra, if Womblingalong is interested in clothes shopping i would definitely say Glasgow, not Edinburgh!
wombling, there is so much to do in edinburgh your head will spin. Just drink in the sights and sounds, it's beautiful. (and i speak as a Weegie).

[mellowma]

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[pointydog]

Museum of Childhood on Royal Mile, if wet. It's free.

National Museum on Chambers Street. Even little kids can run about among the stuffed animails. It's free and there's a cafe.

Botanic Gardens are lovely, loads of space to charge about, nice cafe and it's soo popular with NCT brigade so lots of other tots there. It's free.

Princes Street gardens for a run around. There's an M&S cafe on Princes Street with lunch boxes.

Thought you might like free things as you'll be spending a fortune on the accommodation in Edinburgh!

And yes to North Berwick and Gullane for beaches!

[womblingalong]

wow,

these are all so fab, thanks all of you, cant wait for a fish supper edinburgh style! So many ideas to choose from, love shopping, although will prob stick to edinburgh this visit. All of the suggestions are fab, will deffo pack beach things! You've all been so great thanks again!

[starshaker]

what every1 else said and there is a safari park at stirling its fab