Scotland: Glasgow and Edinburgh

Glasgow

Old architecture but new and young people

Old church in typical Glasgow architecture form

Accommodation:

The Ivory Hotel: Easy going hotel a little near the suburbs and right next to a park. Includes traditional Scottish breakfast which was the best I've ever had. The downstairs bar has cheap pints and good eats with vegetarian options. Bus stops right outside the hotel and a train station 1/3 of a mile away that goes directly to downtown Glasgow.

Sights:

Kelvingrove Park/Kelvingrove museum: Giant park and national museum, both free.

Burell Art Collection (located in Pollock Country Park which has Scottish Highland Cows) Both Free.

Highland cows in Pollock Country Park

Transport:

Train cost is 2 pounds or less

Subway cost in 2010 is 1,20 pounds for one way

Bus is 3,45 pounds for 2 journeys

Drank:

Auctioneers Pub: Very very cheap bar with food, best in the city average 2,00 pound per drink or 5-6 pound for food and drink included special

Horshoe Bar- Another good bar with 2 stories, karaoke 7 days a week upstairs and good deals downstairs average 2,00 per drink (whiskey coke for example)

Food:

The 78 Café Bar located at 10-14 Kelvinhaugh Street. Amazing vegan haggis and Banger’s and Mash. Open from 12:30-9pm.

Vegetarian Banger’s and Pesto Mash with VLT in back

Edinburgh

More spread out and medieval-looking than Glasgow.

Accomodation:

We stayed at Euro Hostel, University of Edinburgh dorms which are rented out during the summer to visitors. By far the best deal for your money, plus you get to use a kitchen which will save you money. The wifi was not free however and was 5 pound a day. Walk through the city to find a wifi spot. Most Burger Kings have free wifi.

Food:

There are some awesome pubs and restaurants along the Royal Mile and on the side streets. We went to “Hot Totties” a vegetarian baked potato café to get some “Jackets” (baked potatoes filled with a variety of things, we got avocado). You can also get traditional haggis or stew inside. They were giant! They also had delicious vegetarian haggis filled samosas.

Veggie haggis samosa and avocado Jacket

Holyrood park- At the end of the royal mile hill is the parliament building, royal palace and the park. The park is hilly and has Arthur’s Seat, an old volcano you can hike up to get amazing panorama views of Edinburgh. There are some old ruins from the 17^th century and old wells.

King Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park

Free golf: near the other end of the royal mile, there is a park with The Golf Tavern, where you can rent clubs, get a drink and dinner special for 12 pounds. The 36-hole golf course claims to be the oldest in Scotland as it used to be the king’s personal course back in the day. It is a pitch and putt, so only about 2- par holes. When we rented the clubs, we got a wedge and putter. The tavern was established in the 1400’s! The oldest place we have eaten in yet…

Ye Olde Golf Tavern

Transport:

Walking is the easiest around Edinburgh. There are many hills however so be ready for some inclines. Getting to Edinburgh is easy on the train and to get to the airport they have direct busses that leave every 10 minutes from downtown.

Note about currency:

Although Scotland is part of the UK and uses pounds; we found it very difficult to use our Scotland pounds in England. Businesses have to accept them in England, but the busses refused them, and no bank or currency exchange would exchange them for British pounds.