Advice for MiL's trip to Scotland..

[PeatandDieselfan]

Hi. I grew up in Scotland but have lived mainly overseas for the last couple of decades.I’m looking for current advice on where to eat, sleep, and shop for a short trip to Scotland next month.
I’m travelling with my 79-year-old mother-in-law (fairly fit but with some limits), my sister-in-law, and my best friend (all 40s/50s). None of them have been to Scotland before.
We’re flying into Edinburgh and staying in Fife with family, with a hire car for day trips.
I’m torn between:

• Easier day trips: St Andrews, Falkland Palace, Scone Palace, Glamis Castle
• Or fewer day trips + 1 or 2 overnight in the Highlands: e.g. Fort Augustus / Loch Ness, possibly Skye, with scenic stops (Glencoe, House of Bruar, Dunkeld, etc.) OR should we have an overnight in Glasgow? What would we do there? I haven't been to Glasgow for sooo long, and none of the things I used to do there in my 20s would be right now!!

I’d love recommendations for:

• Where to eat lunch in Edinburgh (comfortable, authentic, not overly expensive, suitable for an older guest)
• Whether to choose Edinburgh Castle or Holyrood Palace (likely only energy for one)
• Nice/fancy shops in Edinburgh (since places like Jenners are gone)
• Good overnight stop options if we do a Highland trip (comfortable, not too strenuous)

Thanks so much!

how many days have you got in total?
I would do Holyrood Palace while you're in Edinburgh and then Stirling castle as one of your day trips.
You could do Pitlochry and Dunkeld as a day trip from Fife for your "highlands" (it's technically not in the Highlands but very much has that feel).

Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel

Thanks! Great ideas. Yeah, thinking about it, it might be best not to book any overnights up north, til I see how much everyone has energy for, activities wise. It's only 7 days, so it'll fill up fast. If it goes well, maybe I can bring them again next year, and do a Highlands trip.
Any lunch recommendations for Edinburgh?

What sort of food? You just say authentic but there's food from all over the world. Do you mean Scottish food? We bring visitors to Whiski rooms a lot, has a nice menu and a good location - just off the royal mile on the Mound so you look over Princes Street gardens. There are loads of restaurants on Rose street in town - pretty much any sort of food you can imagine. However, if you are aiming for either the Castle or the Palace, I'd look to stay around there for lunch anyway - so look on the Royal Mile and up George IV bridge.

Personally I think if each person picks 1 must-see, an itinerary will sort itself out. You can't see everything, and there's no terrible answer to it - my mum always wants to see a garden, my father in law always wants to find a military museum, my dad is into modern art... all that is possible so it really depends on what everyone likes and how much you want to do.

7 days of day trips will soon fill up but you could also spend a lot of time back n forth to Fife so I'd be tempted to do an overnight trip somewhere but not too far afield. Whereabouts in Fife are you staying?
If you go into Edinburgh then you'd be best to take the train or use a park & ride car park. You don't want to be driving into the city centre.
Howies for lunch in Edinburgh if you want scottish sort of authentic.
For shops George Street, Multrees walk and the St James centre.

Edinburgh Castle has mainly military history if that's your thing. Holyrood Palace is slightly more like a place people used to live in and has more people-related history if that makes sense. Choose the castle if you like soldiers, the palace if you like kings and Queens. The palace has a nice cafe with gardens looking out to Holyrood Park.

John Lewis for shopping? It's in the St James Quarter with other nice shops and cafes.

Agree with Howie's for Scottish food. The restaurant at W again at St James Quarter is quite fancy with great views. But not extortionately expensive.

Driving in and out of Edinburgh from Fife can take ages so factor that into any of your plans. Traffic is always heavy.

Falkland Palace is lovely. I would definitely go there. I'm sure it has Outlander connections if that's of interest?

Stirling and Bannockburn? Lots to do around there.

I probably wouldn't fit an overnight trip into just a week. You could stay in Edinburgh for a night when you arrive maybe?

@PeatandDieselfan for lunch or breakfast I always recommend The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant in the National Galleries of Scotland. Definitely have breakfast or lunch there. The views of the castle and the garden are beautiful.

https://www.contini.com/scottish-cafe-and-restaurant/

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5gdDpupBnyqnjPHL7?g_st=ic

aren't the windows on the wrong side to have a view of the castle??

My tweed skirt is from Walker Slater, high end but not crazy priced and in centre

The National Museum of Scotland is superb. If they don’t know Scotland, this is the place to learn. It’s fascinating.

Lunch - Harvey Nichols in St Andrews Square. Shopping and lunch! We also went to Timberyard (expensive), Lowdown Coffee, Cafe St Honore, and Contini George St. All near where we were staying in New Town. The Good Food Guide helps with many suggestions.

@MiddleAgedDread ah wait, you’re right. That’s another building near the Mound. Still a gorgeous view of the gardens and the sky though.

A few years ago I took visitors on one of the Edinburgh open-top bus tours. We did the Britannia Tour - we didn't visit the Britannia but the bus went down that way. Worth bearing in mind as it can get tiring walking and it gave a good overview of the city. Give Ocean Terminal a miss though. The decent shopping areas have already been mentioned.

Glamis has lovely grounds and is quite homely inside as well as being a very pretty castle. Scone is interesting but if you can't do both I'd prefer Glamis. And yes to Falkland. The palace and village are very pretty.

As already suggested to you could do a day trip to Dunkeld, Pitlochry and House of Bruar for a bit more shopping. If you do, Fern Cottage in Pitlochry is a pleasant restaurant. House of Bruar has a self-service restaurant (often very busy) and I believe the fish and chip restaurant is very good.

I second a daytrip to Pitlochry r Easter then an overnight in the highlands. It sounds like that would suit your group best. You might even be able to fit in a theatre trip. It’s Alan Cummings’ first proper season.

In Edinburgh for dining, I would go with the gallery restaurant already mentioned, Howies (also mentioned) or Henderson’s (a bit further and veggie)

Given your group, I would go Holyrood Palace over the castle. It also has a shop with nice touristy bits.

There is nothing that really compares to Jenners, which is a crying shame. The St James’ Quarter is the place for shopping. Women of your group’s age also really enjoy the bar at the W hotel there.

If you like the royal family I can highly recommend the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith. Trams go from Edinburgh city centre every 7 minutes. Very easy to get around and so much information. It’s probably the best tourist attraction I’ve been to for years!

Where in Fife?

It takes more than an hour to drive from one end to the other and they are the kind of roads where you often get stuck behind lorries/ tractors!

St Andrews is a must and 2 days here could be justified if close. If up that area try Dundee/Broughty Ferry for the V&A museum, the discovery of anyone likes old boats & you can drive up the law hill for an amazing view.

The East Neuk has lovely little fishing villages. There’s a pottery in one and a great chocolate shop/cafe in another. From Anstruther you can get a boat trip to the Isle of May for great birdwatching. The fish & chip shop is globally famous.

If anyone’s interested in war history Scotland’s secret bunker is nearby. It’s a Cold War underground shelter & quite a unique & fascinating visit.

Dunfermline has the Abbey & lots of history as the previous capital & birthplace of Andrew Carnegie.

Culross is a preserved village & another must see.

Not far is Lochleven castle in Kinross where you can get a boat across the loch to see where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned.

Pitlochry/Dunkeld/Birnam is about as far north as I’d head. There’s a lot to see & do & plenty of places for an overnight stay. The fish ladder & walk around loch faskally is suitable for people with limited mobility. There’s a lovely tearoom in town too. The house of Bruer is perfect for shoppers. Dunkeld is lovely for a walk around - the river/ cathedral ruins / Birnam oak.

If driving over the new Queensferry crossing to Edinburgh beware the huge traffic jams! Avoid rush hour at all costs. Don’t even attempt to leave Edin between 4. & 7pm! If you are only going near Waverley station just take the train. Edinburgh is extremely hilly & cobbly with steep staircases so could be very exhausting to get around on foot.

Without going all the way into Edinburgh (South) Queensferry is lovely. Perfect views of the 3 bridges, quaint old shopping street & nice places to eat with stunning views. You can also get boat trip from here.

Lastly as someone upthread suggested the Falkirk Wheel & the Kelpies is worth a visit. Book the boat in advance though!

Thanks SO MUCH everyone! That's really helpful. We'll be in north Fife pretty much exactly an hour from Edinburgh, so Andrews & Falkland palace are definitely happening. I have been to the V&A in Dundee but was really disappointed, don't know if that was just me that day though, and maybe it's worth another shot or not? I was thinking a coffee and a photo stop at Discovery Point on the way up to Glamis, or maybe lunch and a matinee movie at DCA if there's anything suitable!
Definitely planning to go to Ed via the P&R at ingliston then tram, or the train from inverkeithing. (I used to drive a lot in Edinburgh 20 years ago, it was busy enough then, I can imagine it's only got busier!
Some great recs there I would not have thought of! Howies is probably exactly what we're after for lunch. I love the museum, but reckon the palace is probably more my MiL's thing. I'd forgotten Britannia! I've never been to it, but she might love that!! Also thanks so much, I totally forgot about St James centre's and Lewis/Harvey Nicks.. think it was still the old st james' centre last time I was in that part of town, so it wasn't in my head at all!!

St James Centre has been replaced by St James Quarter, known locally as the Golden Turd due to the roof design. It's a whole lot more pleasant than St James Centre was.

I second Stirling Castle over Edinburgh Castle, but I would go as far up to Edinburgh Castle as they let you get these days. Stirling Castle is a lot more Castle-y.

I haven't yet seen the new exhibition at the V&A, Catwalk, but it should be enjoyable. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit Dundee otherwise, as the centre has died a death, but lunch at DCA on your way to Glamis is a good plan. Or lunch at Glamis in the restaurant there.
All you need now is decent weather!

Definitely second Stirling castle over Edinburgh to go into. Check the prices as if going to more than one historic Scotland place a membership might work out cheaper, especially if going to more expensive ones. Travel by train or public transport if possible into Edinburgh. We found the v and a disappointing, nice building, not much in it.

The Witchery and Prestonfield House both do good lunch deals and are beautiful.

I see Culross mentioned and highly recommend it as a place to visit as it is unique.

I’ve recently looked at a night or two at Fort Augustus, and crossed it off.

If Nessie spotting boat trips have a big appeal then it might be worth it. Otherwise there’s not that much to g for and your other ideas sound much better

If you're going to Pitlochry stop by the Fish Ladder, it is very cool to see the fish swimming up. Hettie's tea room in Pitlochry has a rather magnificent cake selection.

@PeatandDieselfan You want to go to the cinema? With so much on offer, there’s far more interesting things to see and do.

At Andrews is lovely do it