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Thread: Scotland bound from Canada

  1. #1
    Spritzer Swallower
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    Default Scotland bound from Canada

    Hello to anyone who finds their way to this message. I live in Kingston Ontario Canada which is approximately 230 kms from the city of Toronto, perhaps you have heard of that. I have been searching for my father whom I have never met for over ten years. It has lead me to his hometown of I believe to be Auchenleck I hope I got that correct. First I was looking at a town of Auchinloch but that was my error. Anyway I am rambling here, so in my search I have found a couple of long lost relatives who I am hoping to meet soon. I am coming to Scotland for my first time on May 30th until June 9th. I am staying in Glasgow for a night, Edinburgh for two nights, Fort William for two nights, Perth for one night, and St Andrews for one night. Something like that. I have rented a car and I have heard driving in the large cities can be trying. I am up for the challenge. I have driven in Los Angeles California on a number of occasions, New York City on at least three occasions, and of course Toronto which is our largest city in Canada at approx 6 million. But on the left hand side of the road, well never. So my question out to whoever is where are some good places to eat, and I don't need high end places. I am looking for good food, as well as a few good pubs. Not necessarily the modern wave we see in all the large centers. Somewhere safe for a person travelling alone, but that part I don't mind. Just don't want to get into a muck So I am open to suggestions

  2. #2
    Roving RAT ROBCamra's Avatar
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    Hi Harry, You'll certainly have to cherry pick the good pubs in Glasgow having only one night and two nights in Edinburgh will mean the same.

    Where are you staying in Glasgow & Edinburgh? I should be able to recommend a few candidates for you depending on which bit of the city you're in.

    I used to work and live in Edinburgh and was there for a couple of nights myself a week or so ago.

    My company also had an office in Glasgow, so I spent quite a few one-nighters there as well.
    A pub is for life not just for Christmas

  3. #3
    Old & Bitter oldboots's Avatar
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    In Glasgow my preference is for the Merchant City area, expensive but there's a few decent pubs/bars and restaurants round there (Babbity Bowster and the Blackfriars especially for pubs, Cafe India for curry).

    In Edinburgh the choice is between the Old Town ( The Bow Bar and the Halfway House are my favourites) or the New Town, (Guildford, Cafe Royal and Abbotsford are worth a visit) It's a fairly tourist oriented city with facilities and pricing to match but pretty much safe in the centre.

    Perth is a small town which I've only passed through and St Andrews is a small university town I've never visited although Prince William studied there. Fort William is more or less one main street but I've never really fancied the pubs there. Catering is fairly normal for a small Scots town, Fish and Chips, a Chinese, an Indian and a couple of hotel restaurants all in or near the High St.

    You also mentioned Inverness in your other post, there are a few good pubs, the Blackfriars and the Castle are the best but at different ends of the town. I would however whole heartedly recommend the Anderson at Fortrose on the Black Isle a few miles north of Inverness, maybe 30 mins by car, for accomodation, food and drink.

  4. #4
    Between pubs sheffield hatter's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by oldboots View Post
    Fort William is more or less one main street but I've never really fancied the pubs there.
    It's few years since I was there, but the Grog & Gruel had a good selection of beers and good food too. In the same ownership a few miles away the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe is worth a visit for the scenery alone, but is also an excellent pub.

    Enjoy!
    Come On You Hatters!

  5. #5
    Spritzer Swallower
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    Default Thanks for the tips

    Quote Originally Posted by oldboots View Post
    In Glasgow my preference is for the Merchant City area, expensive but there's a few decent pubs/bars and restaurants round there (Babbity Bowster and the Blackfriars especially for pubs, Cafe India for curry).

    In Edinburgh the choice is between the Old Town ( The Bow Bar and the Halfway House are my favourites) or the New Town, (Guildford, Cafe Royal and Abbotsford are worth a visit) It's a fairly tourist oriented city with facilities and pricing to match but pretty much safe in the centre.

    Perth is a small town which I've only passed through and St Andrews is a small university town I've never visited although Prince William studied there. Fort William is more or less one main street but I've never really fancied the pubs there. Catering is fairly normal for a small Scots town, Fish and Chips, a Chinese, an Indian and a couple of hotel restaurants all in or near the High St.

    You also mentioned Inverness in your other post, there are a few good pubs, the Blackfriars and the Castle are the best but at different ends of the town. I would however whole heartedly recommend the Anderson at Fortrose on the Black Isle a few miles north of Inverness, maybe 30 mins by car, for accomodation, food and drink.
    thanks for the advise and tips. I have gone through a number of books on Scotland and where to go and for sure The Bow Bar was in many of them. The reason I am staying in St Andrews is fairly obvious. Regardless of where I spend the night I will be driving all over the country side checking out what ever I am able to. But once I have a pint the car stops. So perhaps some of my reservations may go by the wayside. thanks again

  6. #6
    Spritzer Swallower
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    In Edinburgh I am staying at the Premier Inn Haymarket. Is it a dump? Or is it ok? If its a dump then I will just move on. But that is where I am booked. As far as Glasgow I am not that confident in the hotel by its the Holiday Inn Express. I guess I shall find out where it is when I get there. Other then that I am just looking forward to seeing the towns, countryside and what ever happens along the way. Thanks so much for responding.

  7. #7
    Spritzer Swallower
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    Thanks for the tips. I am just looking for spots that are a little different perhaps more fitted to the local area. I will look into your tips, and I thank you for them.

  8. #8
    Spritzer Swallower
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    I believe I left the message under one from Oldboots and hopefully you are able to read that. thanks for the heads up. I am staying at the Premier Inn Haymarket in Edinburgh and in Glasgow I am at The Holiday Inn Express. Am I in the boondocks or am I ok. I have no idea what either place is like. fill me in. Thanks again.

  9. #9
    Palookaville hondo's Avatar
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    Cool

    in Edinburgh you will be able to enjoy the ongoing roadworks for the instillation of a tram route current estimated cost £1 billion(more than double original cost), years behind schedule, less than half the length of what was originally proposed basically replacing one bus that goes from the airport to st andrews square sorry back to the pubs some edinburgh selections

    Cask & Barrel
    The Barony Bar
    The Conan Doyle
    Cafe Royal Circle Bar
    Guildford Arms
    Halfway House
    The Abbotsford
    if travelling about Edinburgh city centre lrt buses http://lothianbuses.com/ do a day ticket £3.50 hop on and off lrt buses all day compares with £1.40 for a single journey no change given so have the right money

    don't know as much about Glasgow but can certainly recommend Drum & Monkey enjoy your trip
    "Do I know where hell is? hell is in hello"

  10. #10
    Old & Bitter oldboots's Avatar
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    Holiday Inn Express and Premier are budget chains, not the bottom end but don't expect luxury, they will serve your basic needs adequetely, apart from food and drink in my experience.

    Both hotels are just out of the city centres, Glasgow's (West Nile St?) is closer but there are lots of hills, Haymarket is a bit further out of Edinburgh city centre but easily walkable or there are bus and train services. Put the post codes into Google maps and you'll see what the areas are like.

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