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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to consider a break in Edinburgh in December

267 replies

LuLuuuuuuu · 03/09/2017 17:21

Just that really

I am wondering if anything is open as its not tourist time and not going in the week leading too, or after, Christmas .

Any Edinburgh MNs around to tell me there are things to do ?

TIA

OP posts:
BuntyCollocks · 07/09/2017 13:52

I was 8 months pregnant winter 2010 and living in chester, travelling home for Christmas. My mum insisted we put a duvet in the car in case we got stuck.

Chester never saw any snow and the roads were brilliant. I was a bit miffed. Tbf I nearly got stuck in Scotland after New Year when it started snowing again.

We've since moved home and I'm desperate to see proper snow - actually a bit gutted we never got to experience it, although I know from both sides of our family (we're all Lothian born and bred) it was awful.

Plus I think I'd now go a bit crazy properly stuck in the house with 2 kids.

Largebucket · 07/09/2017 14:42

I think the Jelly Club has closed.

It's really not that cold here, last winter not a flake of snow and maybe one day where there was a hint of frost. That was it. I think somewhere like North Yorkshire would be much colder, always seems to be a shit tonne of snow there. No way am I buying the DCs winter boots this year.

We go the the zoo every Christmas Day, have lunch in one of the cafes (you don't need to book the normal cafe - you might be able to have a formal Christmas lunch in the Mansion House and for that you would have to book) and have our main meal in the evening. Usually just one of the cafes is open but when we started going to the zoo several years ago they were all shut so this is a more recent development. Zoo was shut last Christmas Day but that was due to high winds (my DM said she was delighted, we insist she comes too and she claims to hate it but I think she likes it really).

The Dome looks great from the outside but I'd take a picture and move on, it's packed at Christmas and not exceptional (wouldn't occur to me to go there any other time of year). Go to Prestonfield House or if you want somewhere closer, the Signet Library is supposed to be the best place to go (you'd need to book).

Castle is very expensive. We have annual passes for Historic Scotland who run several sites and that makes it ok so it might be work looking into HS passes if you are going to travel about a bit (I think they do an "explorer" pass). I don't find the castle very interesting (Stirling castle is better) so I like knowing I can nip up for an hour without feeling I have to stay to get my money's worth.

I like walking through the old town at Christmas time as its natural prettiness is enhanced by the Christmas lights whereas what you can get in the centre is a bit more generic.

What you absolutely must do above all else is get a cardamom bun from one of the Peter's Yard bakeries and go to the Chocolate Tree in Bruntsfield for hot chocolate - life enhancing.

awaynboilyurheid · 07/09/2017 14:53

I second Prestonfield house for afternoon tea or if funds allow to stay its just heaven! Edinburgh is beautiful all year round and I say that as a born and bred Glaswegian Grin So much to see and do so proud it is our capital city!

amusedbush · 07/09/2017 15:09

I'm an Edinburger living in Glasgow and I sorely miss it! Christmas in Edinburgh is fab - the decorations, the big tree in Jenners, seeing the big wheel go up. I love a hot cider in the Christmas markets.

Echoing what other people say, it's really not that cold in December!

NikiBarbie · 07/09/2017 21:50

I have another howler from a dense southener.

Today a friend asked if Edinburgh had an airport.

Grin

I wish I'd said no they dont use air travel.

CoolCarrie · 07/09/2017 21:57

All the planes were grounded and we ended up having an extra few days in Edinburgh and flew out to SA on Christmas Eve that year. The snow was fab, sledging, snow balls, snow angels and building snow men made my DS very happy.

BoysofMelody · 07/09/2017 22:27

I have another howler from a dense southener.

My partner's sister, arrived at the train station. I greeted her and asked if there was anything she wanted to do in town before we got the bus back to our flat. 'Oh I just need to change my money into Scottish money.'

Or a friend who came here from the south east of England for university and some mates who were still living in his hometown rocked up with a bag full of super noodles, cans of tuna, as he didn't know what the food would be like in Scotland.

People outside of London in the south east of England are some of the most parochial people I've ever come across. My mother in law hasn't been anywhere further north in England than Uxbridge.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 07/09/2017 23:51

the Signet Library is supposed to be the best place to go

The Signet Library is indeed lovely.

deaddeadgood · 08/09/2017 09:04

A lovely Australian bless him said oh shit I've forgotten my passport as we approached the border!

amusedbush · 08/09/2017 09:13

'Oh I just need to change my money into Scottish money.'

It's not quite so funny when I need to change my money into English money though! I learned that after basically being accused of a scam artist in Bexleyheath Cineworld. A small crowd of employees gathered around to peer at my £20 note and mutter about how they'd never seen it before Grin

NikiBarbie · 08/09/2017 10:38

Oh I just need to change my money into Scottish money.

To be fair with Scottish bank notes retailers in England are not obliged to accept them, same with Isle of Man notes.

It's reasonable to assume the reverse is also true.

to consider a break in Edinburgh in December
to consider a break in Edinburgh in December
to consider a break in Edinburgh in December
EvilDoctorBallerinaDuckKeidis · 08/09/2017 10:54

I lived in Glasgow for 12 years, and I had that problem at least once every time I came down to London to visit my mum. IT'S LEGAL TENDER IN ENGLAND, PEOPLE!!! Hmm

BoysofMelody · 08/09/2017 10:59

IT'S LEGAL TENDER IN ENGLAND, PEOPLE

It isn't unfortunately, neither I'm England or Scotland. The highest denomination of legal tender in Scotland is the £2 coin.

Legal tender doesn't actually mean what people think it means anyway. It simply means you have to accept it, if you offered it in payment of a debt.

EvilDoctorBallerinaDuckKeidis · 08/09/2017 11:02

Okay, sorry, I knew what I meant, but put it badly. What I meant was, there's no reason why a retailer in England shouldn't accept a Scottish note. Blush

BoysofMelody · 08/09/2017 11:06

Fair point evil but there's nothing to oblige them to either. But you're right, bloody annoying. Although I can slightly see why they'd be reluctant given there's three Scottish banks issuing notes, they might be cautious about accepting a Scottish 20 as they weren't sure what a real Clydesdale 20 looks like as opposed to a fake one.

Dumdedumdum · 08/09/2017 11:09

Try presenting a Bank of Ireland or Ulster bank note. (It says Sterling on it. And Belfast. That's in the Republic isn't it? I have heard so often).

BakedBeans47 · 08/09/2017 11:16

It will be lovely, very christmassy.

Greenock is probably about an hour and a half away by train(s). Try and get a train to Glasgow Central rather than queen street and then you can get a train to Greenock from there.

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