Weekend in Edinburgh, we can’t go can we? Hotel refusing to refund

[TeapotCollection]

We’ve had a weekend in Edinburgh booked since December, the event that we were due to attend has of course been cancelled

We were still going to go, but as I understand it, the advice is to not travel there unless necessary isn’t it? To be fair we did book the hotel on an ‘early booking no amendment’ basis but seeing as we can’t go surely they should refund us?

Lovely walks and independent shops / cafes around the New Town and Stockbridge.

See now someone is saying the government are asking people not to travel to the central belt which is what we thought

Then they’ve also said people don’t have to cancel already booked breaks, and they wonder why people are confused

The hotel is a Holiday Inn

I don't think that's confusing.

Em, yeah @ChaChaCha2012, I live here. The only restaurant I'd consider superb is No 1 at the Balmoral. Mark Greenaway at the Caley is decent too. Oh and Aizle I suppose is now a hotel restaurant as it's inside a hotel, forgot them, but haven't been to the new space yet. So that's three in total that I'd spend my hard-earned on. The rest are over-priced bistros that have given up competing with the excellent local restaurants that surround them.

Go and have a brilliant time. Tourism is vital for the economy and the economy is vital for healthcare

Take the train over the Forth Rail Bridge and into Fife. Less restrictions there for eating and drinking

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54463372
It's only guidance not to travel, not rules. Yet another of the many conflicting pieces of guidance but the word was very much that they don't expect people to cancel half term holidays.
However, all but essential use of public transport is being advised. Are you staying at the Holiday Inn by the zoo? If so, you will need to take the bus to/from the station and into the city centre for sight seeing unless you fancy a 3-4 mile walk each way.

We went last month and going again before Christmas. (DC at uni there so we spend the weekend when dropping/collecting). We went to Arthurs seat, the royal botanical gardens(would recommend) and the beach as well as the national Scottish museum (you need to book for the gardens and museums) we got takeaways for meals or sandwiches from the supermarket. My DC says their favourite restaurants are all doing delivery anyway. They said it's better than lockdown at home as there is more choice on takeaways.

dementedma That’s a fabulous idea! Thank you for that

Yes it is the one by the zoo, we do realise it’s not walkable into the centre. We chose that one not just because we’re going to the zoo but also we were meant to be going to the Corn Exchange on Saturday night and it was just about walking distance there (not back as well!)

A takeaway delivery sounds great but I doubt if the hotel would allow it seeing as they’re still serving food themselves

The hotel wouldn't know if you got take away delivery. You can meet the delivery driver at the door. We do it all the time. Edinburgh has some amazing take away places.

Definitely go.
It's an easy bus journey from the Zoo into the town and there is plenty to do and loads of cafes and shops.
Definitely recommend a walk up Calton hill for stunning views.
If you enjoy a long walk you can walk into the town, but it is a fair distance.

Takeaway and wine in the hotel room at night. Have a great time!

The message from the Scottish Government seems to be to come but feel guilt about it. Don’t feel guilty, just enjoy.

Takenthe bus/train to fife, go to st andrews for the day have a meal before heading back, walk along the beach where chariots if fire was filmed. Fife still have fairly low numbers so less restrictions although schools are out for 2 weeks. Have a wonderful visit.

Yes pubs serving food and restaurants are open in Fife until 6pm (no alcohol indoors)

God this thread is really bringing out the worst in me... So I, who can actually see the Forth Rail Bridge from my window, should obey the spirit of the instructions and not move out of county, but OP should take a long train journey to Edinburgh, jump on and off the bus (which we're not supposed to be doing) and then go over to Fife too? I think perhaps I'd be better off hiding the thread.

Rightly or wrongly the Scootish Government has chosen to keep tourism going much to the relief of many businesses I am sure. These are the guideline in place at present.

"Coronavirus Recovery Phases in Scotland Explained | VisitScotland" www.visitscotland.com/about/practical-information/covid-19-recovery-phases/

@LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett Ultimately, Sturgeon and the Scottish government have chosen to the set the rules and guidance as they stand. If they didn't want people to travel for their holidays then they should have restricted that. You could argue this "please try not to travel for a break, but don't cancel holidays either" is as contradictory as the crap politicians in Westminster come out with - but it IS the SG policy, so in the real world, where people can ill afford to loose money etc, what do you think people will do for breaks and trips they have arranged?

You can go. Even when theres tighter restrictions you can stay in hotels and private self accomodation like cottages/ apartments etc

OP I will be travelling out of Edinburgh when you are in it, so perhaps we will cancel each other out? I had lunch in a nice cafe today, Edinburgh is full of small eating establishments which are still allowed to be open in the day. You'll find plenty to eat and to see

Lonny if you had a prearranged holiday you would be quite at liberty to do those things (I think the travelling into Fife would be taking the piss and unnecessary)

Iggi 😁

We’re not going to have time to travel anywhere else, we’re not there till Friday afternoon, zoo early Saturday (think we’ll be there a few hours) and Sunday by the time we’ve looked at the sea we’ll be heading back

The sea is the same as it is anywhere. Spend time wandering through the old town instead, start at the castle (you can look from outside rather than paying!) and walk straight down the royal mile to Holyrood Palace/Park (where you could climb Arthur's seat, or look at it from the bottom!) That's what I would do if I just had a day.

We're never going to get rid of it are we, with people travelling around the country.

@user1493494961

We're never going to get rid of it are we, with people travelling around the country.

We’re never going to get rid of it anyway.