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.

Thanks!

Yes Skibble, we are planning to take the car now, it's just not what we'd planned. The day before we are doing a long trip in the other direction to a family wedding anniversary, and we just fancied "training it" ... but it's not to be! It's not far from Carlisle to Glasgow, but it's 2 hrs from here to Carlisle.

We're just staying in Travel Inn - central in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Parking can be a pain then as certainly in Glasgow there are restrictions. I usually park at Ibrox and get the Underground in unless I am working in town until late. There are carparks in the centre and the hotel should ba able to recommend one nearby. The underground is great for getting around and you can get an all day ticket.

I love mumsnet
I had a tough day at work today, and came home feeling very miserable.
But after putting the kids to bed, spent 1 hr going through all these suggestions and planning our Easter holiday. Now I feel much better!
So thank you all.

Soooo, what are you planning then?

I think the only definite definite is the Glasgow Science Centre.

Other things will depend a bit on the weather, our moods, interests, and energy levels!

Science centre is great, arrive early and see what time the different activities are on at, in the afternoon there are big queues for the special stuff so try to do them in the morning,(busy in the holidays and weekends that is). The Imax cinema that is there is good too, if you buy tickets for a afternoon showing you don't have to worry about getting in as it is all by paid ticket.

Accross the river is the tall ship. Quite a walk but OK if it is dry, good free parking at both.

Can't remember if I already suggested it but we love the China Buffet King, great selection and lots of stuff the boys will like even if they aren't too adventurous, like mini pizza, cold meat, cheese, raw carrots etc etc. Sauchihall St or our usual West Nile St (near Central Station).

Some other eateries

Roisin, just bumping this because we got the program for the Edinburgh Science Festival this morning- it starts on the 5th April (6th for the very child-friendly stuff), so I thought that might just overlap with your visit? There's more information here , but if you want me to pick up a program and send it to you just let me know

Wow!
Thanks Tamum!
I've just had a quick flick through the website, and I'm exhausted already.
The boys will love this.
Perfect timing too - we are in Edinburgh 6-8 April.

Please could you pick up a programme for us, and send it to me - thanks for offering! I'll CAT you with my address.
Roisin

Great, you saw it, and I'm so glad it's the right date! I will send you the program as soon as I hear from you- the lego robots workshops are definitely worth a look, and there's loads going on all in the one place at the Assembly Rooms, you could easily fill half a day if not a whole day. Worth booking in advance for some of the popular workshops, I would say, a lot of them sell out quite early.

I presume you have been in the past Tamum? What's the Assembly Rooms thing like? Is it all very wild and chaotic? i.e. will the kids love it and I'll loathe it?

We are now trying to decide whether to swap our 3 nights in Glasgow and 2 nights in Edinburgh for 2+3; as I would like to have time to do a little bit of sightseeing in Edinburgh!

Yes, we've been most years, roisin, although not last year as ds had just had his accident. It does get crowded, but not really unpleasant. First thing in the morning is probably best. You leave the kids at some activities (e.g. Up Yer Hooter), and there's a cafe there which usually sells quite nice pastries and stuff. If you can leave your dh to it, of course, the whole of George St (and indeed Princes St) is your oyster, so it's well located

You're more than welcome to leave your car at my house- I'm about 25 minutes outside to the north- and I'd run you back in. Got quite a big drive so wouldn't be in the way If that helps!

Oh I like the sound of this too, I have never been. We aren't going away until the 10th but kids are off fromm the 1st . What time are we all meeting at yours ????? .

I'm really looking forward to this now
I bought 44 Scotland Street today to get myself in the mood.

Dh has sorted out somewhere to park the car nr E'bro, and we're doing the rest by train.

Tamum..you got me all excited about the science festival..we are now coming to Edinburgh for 2 days..so questions questions... this will be very much a kids break so restaurants..???

TGi
Garfunkels
Est Est Est
Pizza express

What do you think?

and also do you have any inside info on the science festival..shows that would suit DS 3 1/2 and DS 5 1/2?

many thanks...oh and a swimming pool...commonwealth or is there a particular fab kids pool?

bump..especially for tamum..where are u?!

bump

bimp..bump

Has anyone mentioned Deep Sea world just north of edinburgh? It is fantastic. Ds got so much out of it (and going by your mention of hydrolic rams he sounds much like your ds!). If you go make sure you time your visit around the divers feeding the fish and small sharks, and the rock pool talks - really great ds got to stroke a shark (dogfish!) and it was really informative and hands on. The guy that doeas the talks was great - did them from inside the rock pool!

hydraulic I mean!