What are the "must sees" in Glasgow and Edinburgh?

[roisin]

I know there are lots of people on here from Glasgow/Edinburgh: I'm planning our next City Break, and want some inside info!
We've just booked to spend a couple of days in each (with the boys - 6 and 8), staying centrally, probably going by train, so easily accessible stuff only.
We all love museums and galleries, and sightseeing. Loathe shopping.
Possibilities so far are:
Camera Obscura (is this good/worth it?)
Our Dynamic Earth
Glasgow Science Centre
.. for no better reason than that they accept Tesco vouchers
Is the Kelvingrove still closed? Where's all the stuff?
I want to see some Mackintosh in Glasgow. Where's the best place to head for a child-friendly introduction?
I always get fed up of finding places to eat when we're away. So any recommendations of "wholesome but cheap" eateries would be appreciated too.

Try this link for places to eat

5pm

For me the must-see in Edinburgh is tamum (slurp, slurp)

Roisin, if you find you don't have time/inclination for both IMO the Glasgow Science Centre is a much better day out than Dynamic Earth.

Mwah mwah Janh When are you coming next then? The footy season is in full swing, after all...

I agree with Mrs Spoon I think, the science centre is fab. The only thing is that it is quite similar to others, whereas Dynamic Earth is a bit more unusual IME. I would still go for the Science Centre first, though.

One more thing that occurred to me: The Falkirk Wheel

our dynamic earth is fantastic

If I am totally honest my reasons for preferring the Science Centre over Dynamic Earth are that Dynamic Earth seem to be promoting evolution very strongly (obviously how you feel about this depends on your beliefs) and also didn't like that it was a guided tour whereas the Science Centre you could spend a good few hours there.

Can't comment on the Falkirk Wheel, only been once and the wheel wasn't working!

Must sees in Glasgow................hmmmmmmm.........for me, it'd have to be the lovely Sammac!

Oh, I would love to see the Falkirk wheel. We went to see the Anderton boat lift on the way back from holiday in the summer; it would be fab to see the modern equivalent.

Btw where is Falkirk? and can we get to it by public transport?

Tamum/Mrs Spoon (and others) - please elaborate on Science Centre and/or Dynamic Earth. The boys tend to love these sort of places, so they are pretty high on my list. But if they are very similar to somewhere else (are you thinking of somewhere specific Tamum?) then we could give them a miss. (We have been to SciMus London, Sci&Ind Manchester, Magna, Eureka, Life (Newcastle), Enginuity, National Space Museum - and others I'm sure! We are kind-of hands-on museum-junkies!) Oh, and we've no objection to somewhere "promoting evolution very heavily".

Also in Glasgow the Hunterian museum in Glasgow Uni is very good for boys - dinosaurs/fossils/mummies!/interactive stuff and quite small so would fit in before or after lunch!

BTW don't miss the Glasgow Science Centre - lots of interactive stuff/ Imax cinema/shows etc. My boys 4 and 7 love it, been to the one in London and the Glesga one is so much better!!

The Glasgow Science Centre is very hands on, loads of things to try, you could spend hours there, although I don't know how it compares to other similar centres as I've only been to the Glasgow one. Whereas Dynamic Earth you are guided through by a recorded presentation (although I think you could stay in one area for longer, nobody is rushing you out the door, you can catch the next tour into the next section IYKWIM), there are a few hands-on type exhibitions. We went expecting something similar to the Glasgow Science Centre and were disappointed but there are others on the thread here who love Dynamic Earth.

You could get a train to Falkirk from either Glasgow or Edinburgh, although I'm not sure how far the Wheel is from the train station.

Falkirk Wheel is a bit dull TBH. You get on a bus/boat thing. Which goes up and then come down quite slowly! Not very interactive.

Camera Obscura is fabby but you need decent weather obviously!

Would second the Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh too.

'Tisn't fair to compare Glasgow Science Museum to Dynamic Earth as they are totally different venues - each with their own attractions. Would also second a visit to the Parliment.

Have a lovely time.

Hello roisin: did I tell you I was from Edin & take my two there lots? So, on the basis that your dss & mine are visiting us from the same corner of their universe:

• Our Dynamic Earth very worth a visit, though ds1 won't be quite as awed by it at his age: eg he will probably not think the "time machine" [lift you go down in] is real. Best for us is the ice age bit, complete with giant genuine iceberg; the rainforest is less impressive. It's not really a hands-on museum, it's more a sort of sequential Experience of Geological States (think worthy Disney);
• do go & climb around on Arthur's Seat - they can fill their pockets with Real Cooled-Down Lava (pumice stone) along the foot of the crags;
• has anyone mentioned the new aquarium out at Queensferry? (We couldn't get there last time so haven't been yet.)
• and, for Glasgow, I can't wait to take mine to the Burrell Collection. It's just so interesting, in all kinds of ways.

PS ds and I found out that the British Museum does late nights on Thurs/Fri & went for special private adventure. He translated hieroglyphics for me.

You could also have afternoon tea! here. They also do a childrens menu

Thanks again everybody. I still think the Falkirk wheel looks fascinating - I can just hear ds2 asking how it works, what powers it, etc. Since we visited the Anderton Boat Lift all his 'designs' now include hydraulic rams!

Anyway, thanks especially to Binkie - I didn't know you were from Edin. We will definitely visit Dynamic Earth (with our Tesco vouchers), dss would be very excited by a "sequential experience of geological states" LOL! They'll be in heaven.

Thanks too about the 'lava' hint ... right up our street of course!

PS British Museum sounds fab.

If you do go to the modern art museums in Edinburgh, there is a fab walk along the river (water of leith) to Stockbridge, a really nice area with loads of cafes and great cheese & chocolate shops - walk takes about 40 mins or so (although I was pg at the time, so it may be quicker than that really!).

The hot houses at the botanic gardens are lovely too, and there is a pond inside full of huge carp.

Glasgow place to visit:

The People's Palace in Glasgow Green is great if the weather is a bit dodgy; and have some lunch in the Winter Gardens Cafe, great surroundings and the entry to the museum is free and there is an outdoor play park a few mins walk away.

www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=9

edinburgh

• botanic gardens really gorgeous, inverleith house art gallery in the middle, plus tea-shop
• new-ish Museum of Scotland

have to have a curry in glasgow - mother india is my favourite

Aaarrgggghhh! So much for advance planning.
We were intending to "let the train take the strain" as the West Coast mainline is so fast and efficient, and we want to stay centrally. But I've just discovered that Railtrack appear to have decided to dig up virtually every section of line we need to go on, and our simple journey has turned into a nightmare of hopping on and off buses.

I'll have to talk to dh whether we want to postpone or drive.

How far do you have to come? Are flights a possibility or would driving be easier?

Glasgow-
Scotland St School Museum - free, designed by McIntosh, Has classrooms from different eras and during holidays has teachers in costume and kids can dressed up or have a go at playground games (check whats on in advance).

The Peoples Palace and Winter Gardens -free, history of the people of glasgow inc a steamy (wash house) where kids can use the mangle, shop where you can weigh the pats of butter and an air raid shelter with scary sound effects, tenement display. The Winter Gardens are nice for relaxing with tea and a cake from the cafe. Next to the museum is a huge play ground with giant towers that would impress even a 8yr old.

\link{http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=7Museum of Transport}- free, large display of everything from gypsy caravans to royal train carragies, buses, trams, bikes etc.
The Tall Ship - £4.95 for adults free child with every adult, explore the ship see the galley, the bunks and the captains room, orgainised activities through the summer and other holidays (check first).

Well thats our favourites.

Macintosh

Try that one again

Museum of Transport - free, large display of everything from gypsy caravans to royal train carragies, buses, trams, bikes etc.

Skribble - we're coming from SW Cumbria, so it takes at least 2 hrs to an airport, so it's not really worth flying.
Plan B is dh is trying to make contact with an old acquintance to try and arrange somewhere safe and cheap to leave the car for the week, then we'll work it from there.

oooh, I went to uni in edinburgh+ lots of friends in glawgow. I want to go back now+ take the kids!

And I understand there to be a fine wool shop too, no?

Roisin where are you staying ? Can't you bring the car? Cumbria to Glasgow isn't to far.

One of my other favourite things to do in Glasgow is to get the water bus Pride o' the Clyde . It goes from the centre of Glasgow to the Braehead Centre where ther is more shopping inc IKEA and the Maritime museum. You can sit up top and take in the clydeside or if you are an old hand you can sit downstairs and enjoy a hot or cold drink.
Here are more of the sights you wil see along the River Clyde .