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?

We will never get rid of it what with people going out to work and school. So, hey.

I live in Edinburgh op, the restrictions suck but there is still plenty to do. Cafes serving food are still open, takeaways still open. It’s just pubs and restaurants that are closed

I don't think anyone has mentioned the Botanics yet. You need to book a ticket, but it's free entry and a lovely way to spend a couple of hours if the weather is half decent

I was in Edinburgh about a week ago - just before the new discussions, and it was absolutely fine. Tons of places to eat and hotels and hotel restaurants open, too. You can always get fish and chips.

You have picked a gorgeous hotel nicest holiday inn I have ever been in. Tram stop right outside too which will take you into city Center within 10mins.

Jump on a train to fife for an evening meal?

Thank you all for your input

Who knew Edinburgh has trams 😃 not me!

I don't think @Isadora2007 is talking about the same Holiday Inn, there isn't a tram stop right outside the HI by the zoo! I'm guessing she means the HI Express at York Place?

Since you dont have kids then you need to go to Edinburgh Dungeons we had a brilliant time.

There's loads to do in Edinburgh even without much being open. I was born there and moved away 15 years ago - I still miss it. The streets are beautiful, especially the High Street/Royal Mile, you can walk right up to the castle, Princes Street Gardens - it's just a beautiful city. Have a brilliant time

Just indicate you have been instructed to isolate, and so by law are not able to attend. The contract is frustrated.If you attend they are putting their other guests at risk.

The weather in Edinburgh has been awful for a week- torrential rain.
Still chucking it down tonight, and getting much colder too.
I wouldn['t want to plan outdoor activities- Arthur's seat and the Botanics are great places to visit, but miserable right now.

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.

The instructions say pre booked holidays are fine.

@speakout

The weather in Edinburgh has been awful for a week- torrential rain. Still chucking it down tonight, and getting much colder too. I wouldn['t want to plan outdoor activities- Arthur's seat and the Botanics are great places to visit, but miserable right now.

No it hasn’t Where were you at the weekend? Are you thinking of 3rd Oct? That was raining and mon and tues of this week but off and on.

Shows the last two weeks here

www.timeanddate.com/weather/uk/edinburgh/historic

That said, prepare for it to be cold and windier than you expect if you’ll be outside a lot.

Sorry for hijacking the thread op. I’ve booked a few days in Xmas for Edinburgh
If I’m right as of today the Xmas markets are still going ? Does anyone know ?

Carlton Hill is a nice gentle walk and DD walked to Dean Village with a friend in Sunday - it looked nice there. The dungeon tours are eeiry but good to do. I read Edinburgh was in the top 10 for reduced footfall in shops so they maybe quiet.

If you can get there, it's a lovely city. DD at uni there and said it's now easier for her household to go out for coffee/food than before (previously they wouldn't take bookings from a bubble of flatmates).

Unless things change again I’d go. Hopefully there will be plenty of nice takeaway options for dinner.

@EasterIssland I’m afraid not. It was going ahead until last week but then announced that the live events like the market etc have been cancelled.

@TeapotCollection another Scot here and although I’m from the better city I know Edinburgh well. I second the advice not to go the less going to the seaside and instead spend Sunday getting takeaway coffee and cake and wandering the old town. Picnic lunch in Princes street gardens if you want to stay close to station for the train home.

*not to go to the seaside

@EasterIssland

Sorry for hijacking the thread op. I’ve booked a few days in Xmas for Edinburgh If I’m right as of today the Xmas markets are still going ? Does anyone know ?

Surely not. Manchester has just confirmed theirs is cancelled. I went last year and it was rammed. There's no way to give people space there, so I can't see how it can go ahead.

@Othering The officially cancelled the market a couple of weeks ago. news.stv.tv/east-central/plug-pulled-on-edinburghs-christmas-extravaganza

Definitely GO!

Nicola Sturgeon said prebooked is ok.

We plan to be there in half term and we like outdoor stuff anyway so will give people a lot of space

@EasterIssland I'm pretty sure i read that the markets are cancelled this year.

TeapotCollection i hope you have a lovely time. Wrap up well, the zoo hill is notoriously chilly.

If I were you with your timeline I would arrive Friday, go to the zoo as planned and stay around that area and have your meal in the hotel. Go out for a stroll after you've eaten but you might not need to as the zoo is hilly so you might be walked out.

Saturday- take a tram into the town and wander to the castle, the Royal Mile , Princes street Gardens and up to Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill if you fancy a walk. There will be plenty places open around there for a nice lunch.
The museum is wonderful (and free) if you need to be indoors for a bit or I had heard that Dynamic Earth might be open. Check if the other visitor attractions are open.
Camera obscura? You could either eat an early tea before heading back or walk the streets in the evening with a chippy. It's such a beautiful city at anytime but i love it at night.

Sunday, depending on time you could go down to Cramond to the water. Portobello is the other end of town and a bit of a trek on public transport if you have to get back for the train.

And enjoy. Honestly? I think to see Edinburgh for the first time without the crowds is a gift.

[quote PARunnerGirl]@EasterIssland I’m afraid not. It was going ahead until last week but then announced that the live events like the market etc have been cancelled.[/quote]
thanks! do you have a link ?as the last one I can see says they'll be divided around the city instead of all in one place