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Original poster

Edinburgh in February?

65 replies

nancy75 · 04/01/2019 10:21

Looking for somewhere to go for a few days during half term, never been to Scotland at all & Edinburgh looks fab BUT are we going to freeze? Is it silly to go in February? We would be doing city stuff not countryside & Dd would like to see the pandas ( when answering please take into account I am a soft Londoner who is not really used to weather & DH is an Aussie so thinks 20 degrees is coldGrin)

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waryandbored · 04/01/2019 10:26

I went to Edinburgh in February a couple of years ago and it was fab. It was cold but lovely and bright every day, no rain or snow! Just take layers and you’ll be fine. You’ll do so much walking that you’ll warm up quickly anyway.

Original poster
nancy75 · 04/01/2019 10:29

That’s what I want to hear! I’ve got plenty of hats/scarves/gloves & jumpers!
We went to York last Feb & loved it but I was y sure if Scotland was just a step too far North in FebruaryGrin

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veggiepigsinpastryblankets · 04/01/2019 10:29

Bring jumpers and a brolly and you'll be fine. (Probably thermals for Aussie DH!)

If nothing else there are some steep hills you can walk up to keep warm Grin

Original poster
nancy75 · 04/01/2019 10:31

Aussie DH can sample the whiskey to keep himself warm - he’s cold wherever we go so we just don’t take any notice of his moaning!

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amusedbush · 04/01/2019 10:31

Yes, it will be cold! I'm from Edinburgh but have lived in Glasgow for five years, and every time I go back through I am surprised by how much colder it is in Edinburgh!

It's a beautiful city though so wrap up warm and you'll have a fab time.

pleasestopcoughingnow · 04/01/2019 10:33

Just wrap up warmly in lots of layers. Make sure you have a roast pork sandwich from Oink. We spent Christmas there - it's a lovely city.

Original poster
nancy75 · 04/01/2019 10:34

How long is long enough for a visit? I’m looking at flights that get us there Monday Lunchtime & leaving Friday afternoon - is that long enough/too long?

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timetostepup · 04/01/2019 10:35

Edinburgh is a fantastic city - definutely not too long!

Didiusfalco · 04/01/2019 10:37

I’ve been in February and it was bloody cold. Went into a bar near Falkirk and all the locals had their coats off but I needed to keep mine on to be warm enough, so you might definitely feel it more coming up from London. Having said that it was bright and beautiful, snow on the tops of distant mountains. I would gather my thermals and do it again if I had the chance.

Satsumaeater · 04/01/2019 10:39

I've been in Feb too and it was cold but lovely. In fact, thinking about it, I've rarely been outside the winter months. Last time was December and I've also been twice in October half term.

Original poster
nancy75 · 04/01/2019 10:44

All great answers, I was expecting a load of people telling me I was mad & not to consider it!

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Loyaultemelie · 04/01/2019 10:49

We had our honeymoon in Edinburgh in February and have been back a couple of times since for anniversary weekends with dds and loved it. Just wrap up and keep moving, we did the zoo last year and it was brilliant

Original poster
nancy75 · 04/01/2019 10:53

excellent, DH looks concerned about the cold, Ive told him to man up & put a jumper on. Going to book flights now before he chickens out Grin

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LostInShoebiz · 04/01/2019 10:54

Just how far North do you think it is? It’s generally a few degrees colder than the majority of England and it’s a city where not a barren wilderness.

lurkingfromhome · 04/01/2019 11:03

I'm quite baffled by this. It's not Lapland. As LostInShoebiz said, it's a couple of degrees colder than London and a city with fully functioning central heating. In fact, I've just checked the weather and it's 5 degrees in London today and 7 in Edinburgh. It's really not like venturing into the Arctic circle with only a husky to cuddle for warmth.

BeautifulPossibilities · 04/01/2019 11:08

Edinburgh is lovely no matter what time of year.

Take layers, especially a hat as it can get windy.

It's got excellent public transport on buses and trams, you should have no problem finding things to do.

Daisywho · 04/01/2019 11:09

We went to Edinburgh in early February a few years ago and it was FABULOUS. Wrap up warm, loads of layers, comfy boots for striding out in and you will have a brilliant time.

How old is/are your DC?

Really recommend the National Museum of Scotland - soo good! I have lovely memories of walking through Princes Street Gardens with a massive hot chocolate. There are absolutely tonnes of gorgeous restaurants, so plenty of places to warm up.

Oh man, you’re making me want to go now! Baby DD has never been, she’s missing out, I must rectify this! Grin

Sexnotgender · 04/01/2019 11:11

You know people live in Edinburgh all year roundConfused

It’s Scotland not the Antarctic!

Edinburgh is a great city, there’s loads to do.

MrsJayy · 04/01/2019 11:14

Yes it will probably be cold but no colder than anywhere else in Northern Britain put yer vest on and you will be toastyGrin

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 04/01/2019 11:15

It'll be fine! (Unless another beast from the east hits)

It will be cold enough to need a coat and gloves but it's not the artic circle it's the central belt of Scotland and a city rather than countryside Grin

Edinburgh I really easy to get around with both a great bus service and it has the tram. It's also a good base to travel to other places for day trips, one example being.

North Berwick has a lovely beach and has the royal seabird centre
Or
Glasgow is only an hour on the bus/train.

Off the top of my head

I can think of at least 4 museums including the museum of childhood which shows toys and the history of children throughout history.
The zoo
Dynamic earth
Open top tour
Royal Britannia
Butterfly and insect world
Ghost/walks or tours (depends on the kids)
The castle
Hollyrood palace
Various country parks
Too much stuff to list actually!

So depending on how busy you like to be or how old the kids are etc you could spend anything from a weekend to a week there without getting bored.

fluffygreenmonsterhoody · 04/01/2019 11:16

It will be cold but that’s what winter woollies are for!

To echo a pp, if you’re taking kids (even if you’re not) definitely, definitely go to the national museum. It’s absolutely brilliant. And free. You can easily spend all day there.

Have fun!

Ps it’s also full of Aussies so we can’t repel them that much!

Yamg · 04/01/2019 11:18

Grin. I live as far north of Edinburgh as you can go on the mainland! And it's still not that cold, whack a coat on and enjoy no need to get kitted up for the Arctic!

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 04/01/2019 11:19

Ooh I forgot to add to my list camera obscura!

MrsJayy · 04/01/2019 11:24

You will be roasting by the time you wander up and down the hills anyway I was in Edinburgh start of December by the time wewalked up tomuseum of Scotland down tothe christmas market I was regretting the "big coat"

LostInShoebiz · 04/01/2019 11:32

Yes! You’ll see a lot of “big coats” being carried and hats and gloves abandoned as they fall out of pockets.

The only dressing tip I’d give for Edinburgh is wear sensible shoes. No heels, no Converse or Keds either as they’re hell on the cobbles which are ancient ones not neat, tidy ones from your local pedestrian precinct.