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      11-19-2007, 05:02 PM   #1
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First time in the UK - Edinburgh (Hogmanay)

Dec 27th I'll be flying to London for my first time. The Mrs and I will be spending most of our time in Edinburgh and will stick around for Hogmanay.

I'm looking for any and all advice from things I should see, places I may want to stay, where to avoid,etc etc.

I'm not one to be in crazy wild crowds so I think the night of the 31st I'll keep away from the street party crowd and watch the fireworks from a nice hotel. Any places you guys/gals can recommend would be greatly appreciated!

My girl is fascinated with Scottish history so I figured before we look at buying a house and what not that we'd get out to Europe a few times.
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Last edited by valdeztke; 12-19-2007 at 08:27 AM..
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      11-19-2007, 05:53 PM   #2
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You'll have FUN.

If you haven't already, log on to http://www.edinburghshogmanay.org/

Most Hotels will organise something - if you don't want to brave the massed throngs then you can go to one of their evening meals and dances - check out a ceilidh (Scottish dancing) if you can. Great fun and helps mix everybody together.

So many things on around that time, MANY concerts ... alll around the city, gardens and in the castle - look at the website.

Edinburgh is a great city.

D.
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      11-19-2007, 06:50 PM   #3
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Thanks for the response Dave!

I've spent the last few hours on that site. Its a great wealth of knowledge. some of these places are mucho $$$$$, but I'm only looking to stay in Edin for two days or so.

We are looking to capture as much of the rural area and meet the REAL people if possible.
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      11-19-2007, 07:15 PM   #4
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I put together a little 4 day trip through Scotland for some Swiss guests ..

If you like a spot of adventure, and hire a car ... send me a PM with your e-mail and I'll send you the itinerary - few pics from it below (but in June).

Some of the guest houses on the Isle of Skye are wonderful.

http://www.visitscotland.com/

D.
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      11-20-2007, 03:07 PM   #5
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Wow thanks for the email Dave.

Now I just need to find someone who KNOWS Edinburgh (in the city) very well. I plan to stay in the city from the 30 Dec-Jan 1. I would love a view of the fireworks and to be near all the crazyiness, but not IN THE MESS of it all.


Our total time in the UK will be 27 DEC - 6 JAN which we plan to see most of the eastern parts of Scotland and spend a day or two in London shopping of course

Any and all advice is welcome! If you have a few friends that spend time in Edinburgh for New Years Dave please ask them if they can recommend anywhere.
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      11-20-2007, 03:26 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by valdeztke View Post
Wow thanks for the email Dave.

Now I just need to find someone who KNOWS Edinburgh (in the city) very well. I plan to stay in the city from the 30 Dec-Jan 1. I would love a view of the fireworks and to be near all the crazyiness, but not IN THE MESS of it all.


Our total time in the UK will be 27 DEC - 6 JAN which we plan to see most of the eastern parts of Scotland and spend a day or two in London shopping of course

Any and all advice is welcome! If you have a few friends that spend time in Edinburgh for New Years Dave please ask them if they can recommend anywhere.
Welcome to the site! I work in Edinburgh most of the time. My wife and I are just discussing your requirements - I have only ever watched the fireworks from the street party - way too old for that now!. The best option I can think of is The Point Hotel on Bread Street (http://www.point-hotel.co.uk/). This is right beneath the Castle and has a wonderful glass room on the roof which would be a brilliant vantage point for the fireworks. The Caledonian and THe Balmoral are both possibles (but very expensive). Possibly the Sheraton or any of the hotels in the Grassmarket area (e.g. Apex). I would email or phone a few to see if there good vantage points for the fireworks on Hogmanay.

Hope you enjoy your trip
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      11-20-2007, 03:29 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by valdeztke View Post
Any and all advice is welcome! If you have a few friends that spend time in Edinburgh for New Years Dave please ask them if they can recommend anywhere.
Will do ...

But there are a LOT of visitors all year round and especially at Hogmanay ! I remember being down Princes Street one Hogmanay with another 750,000 revellers It is regulated now ...

Best thing is to contact the guys at http://www.visitscotland.com/ and ask them, even I did that for one evening for my guests (and I stayed there for 6 years !). They don't get much commision, but worth it for the helping hand and all the phoning around they will do. They were really helpful.

Just tell them what you want and price range. Give them a bell They're friendly.

EDIT: Also what Snooky said

D.
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      11-20-2007, 03:36 PM   #8
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By the way Dave, is that the Loch Ness monster in the last of your attached pictures
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      11-20-2007, 03:52 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Snooky View Post
By the way Dave, is that the Loch Ness monster in the last of your attached pictures
never noticed that before !

That was taken at about 11.30pm on the Isle of Skye just in front of the Old Man of Storr.

My Swiss guests were a bit taken aback with the light, as it gets dark very suddenly here in Switzerland in the height of summer and is usually dark just after 10pm. Probably similar in Southern England.

After that we went past the Cliffs just along from there, then to the head point and tramped out to the ruined castle, and you could still see the islands bathed in a faint bluey-red twighlight. I think that was at about 1am

I enjoy travelling in my own back yard when I come home.

ALWAYS impresses any "special guest" I take away for the weekend, staying in Castles or Lighthouses in the peace and quite of the middle of nowhere.

D.
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      11-20-2007, 04:43 PM   #10
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Thanks for all the advice guys


Are there any specific castles that you can spend the night in that you would recommend? Possibly places that offer a nice meal, tour, and a nice room to sleep in?


One thing my lady is interested in visiting/seeing is rural areas and staying in what she calls - family run bed and breakfast inns (at least thats what they are called here). she really wants to get the rural culture and get some of the city life during the celebration.


We are NOT interested in staying at a hostel either ...

I'm only 26 but I live like I'm an old fart


thanks again for all your help guys!
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      11-20-2007, 04:51 PM   #11
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I'll see if I can find the Castle list ...

Guest Houses and quality B&Bs (Bed and Breakfast) are good.

I understand about the Hostel part

I also found the book these guys produce very helpful - they also let you know if the Restaurant has rooms. You get an idea of the accomodation from the menu. http://www.taste-of-scotland.com/

D.
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      11-21-2007, 05:16 AM   #12
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Some terrific pictures Dave. I particularly like the shot of the waterfall. Like something out of Lord of the Rings!
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      11-21-2007, 05:27 AM   #13
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Valdeztke how come you are flying to london but then travelling by car to Edinburgh? seems a long car journey, try re-route your flight to Scotland?


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      11-21-2007, 06:28 AM   #14
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there are some fights you just can't win...

The Mrs. wants to see London for a day or two.
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      11-21-2007, 06:34 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by valdeztke View Post
there are some fights you just can't win...

The Mrs. wants to see London for a day or two.
London is Great, its just such a Drive to Scotland tho

You thinking of moving over here then?


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      11-21-2007, 08:07 AM   #16
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We'd love to move there but I doubt I'd be able to find employment in my field.
Im a congressional liaison for the department of defense. Don't know much about the political workings of the UK.

I could sell myself as a consultant for defense projects though
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      11-21-2007, 10:11 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by valdeztke View Post
We'd love to move there but I doubt I'd be able to find employment in my field.
Im a congressional liaison for the department of defense. Don't know much about the political workings of the UK.

I could sell myself as a consultant for defense projects though
You need to have a word with Pete (peterg1965), valdeztke.

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      11-21-2007, 10:15 AM   #18
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You need to have a word with PetAY (peterg1965), valdeztke.

Viv
Petay actually
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      11-21-2007, 10:45 AM   #19
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Petay actually
I think both I & he are quite happy with me calling him 'Pete', Carlay.

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      11-22-2007, 10:06 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_3 View Post
I put together a little 4 day trip through Scotland for some Swiss guests ..

If you like a spot of adventure, and hire a car ... send me a PM with your e-mail and I'll send you the itinerary - few pics from it below (but in June).

Some of the guest houses on the Isle of Skye are wonderful.

http://www.visitscotland.com/

D.
Dave,

I recognise that first picture, it is a loch the shape of which looks vaguely like the shape of the outline of scotland.
My boss poined it out to me on the drive from the Gareloch to the Kyles of Lochalsh a couple of weeks ago. I forget the name of the place but it is north of Fort William?? When I went past the weather was not a bright and sunny as it is in your pics!
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      11-22-2007, 10:07 AM   #21
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I think both I & he are quite happy with me calling him 'Pete', Carlay.

Viv
I agree Viv, don't know where carlos gets his humour from!
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      11-22-2007, 12:44 PM   #22
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I agree Viv, don't know where carlos gets his humour from!
Do you want me to stop then Petay?
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