Mad Edinburgh

[EagleJCS]

There's the thing about locals having sort of a reverse view of their own iconic places, which people travel from all over the world to see.

I can agree with this. I was born & raised here in Louisville. Lived here all of my life, except for the 16 months or so in Cleveland for work. (My official residence was still here in Louisville, but I spend the majority of time up there.)

I've been to Churchill Downs (home of the Kentucky Derby) a handful of times, off-season, and never been anywhere *close* on Derby Day (1st Saturday of May). Unless they happen to live nearby, most natives avoid the area as if attendees had the plague - or were brain-eating zombies, if you're into that. I've been through the Kentucky Derby Museum - which is located at Churchill Downs - once, about a year after it opened. Meh. I've never been through the Louisville Slugger Museum downtown and probably won't go. I've been in Mammoth Cave, a couple of hours south of me, twice (I think).

I think that covers the major local attractions most international folks would know about. Let me know if I missed any that people are interested in and I can let you know if I've been there.

[California Highlander]

I was in Edinburgh twice on my only trip to Scotland. Both times were good, although the second better. I was staying first time in the Haymarket, then later in the month north of the botanical gardens in a lovely flat, walking by the Water of Leith or taking a bus down to the Fringe. So I got the craziness, and the local feel without being in the thick of it.

During Fringe I was at an event with a friend and it was on the University of Edinburgh campus. Lots of young folks after in the outdoor areas enjoying themselves. My friend and I (significantly older than the young men and women around us!) sat down at a picnic table under some party lights to enjoy a couple of fine Scottish pints when we were engaged in conversation by some uni students. Great conversations then one young man found out I'd been to Orkney and was thrilled as he was from Orkney and was delighted to talk about Stromness and my short visit there.

The tourist tat, well, I'm from San Francisco, so I can block that type of thing out and still enjoy the place. Which is why the tourists go to places like Edinburgh or SF in the first place, to see the amazing city, enjoy the food, sights, architecture, and people. And Edinburgh has some nice options for food and whisky!

[jumary]

I've been to Edinburgh twice in April and really loved it. Perhaps the crowds were much smaller than in the summer. On both occasions, I walked up Arthur's Seat and found it an amazing thing right in the heart of a city. The last time, it was snowing and a bit slippery, but it was thrilling especially coming from Florida. I can ignore the touristy stuff and still enjoy the city. We also saw some of the underground closes, and I have never seen anything like them.
For my money, Edinburgh is much more fun to visit and far prettier, than London.

[Kiltedjohn]

I spent a week in Edinburgh earlier this month. Sometimes it was difficult to walk along the street because of the hordes of tourists, but then I realised I was there as a tourist myself, and therefore could not expect to be given priority (!).

Yes, the tourist tat on the Royal Mile is ghastly, and seems to debase this wonderful historic city. However, there are wonderful places to visit, both in the city centre and further afield. I visited Mary King's Close, and the intriguing Gilmerton Cove, as well as the Old and New Towns. I also had a delightful walk at the Hermitage of Braid, and climbed the nearby Blackford Hill. It's a great city, and I certainly hope to return.

Photos show Hermitage of Braid, and view from Blackford Hill.

[OC Richard]

The madness of the Royal Mile at Festival time



Yet a few feet away is this calmness



And let's face it, the Castle is an impressive centerpiece for the city



As an aside from someone who lives near the Mexican border, where we pretty much live on Mexican food, I ate at two Mexican restaurants in Edinburgh, one on the Royal Mile and one just off it, and both were more than decent.

[llyd]

I never made it to Edinburgh...we always pulled ship in at Faslane, so I became acquainted with Helensburgh and Glasgow...and of all the places the world has shown me, those two and Nova Scotia have been my favorites.

[Blupiper]

BTW I've visited Edinburgh during the Festival and when Edinburgh is rather quiet. As annoying as it must be for locals, I do enjoy the craziness and energy of Festival time, in spite of the hordes of European tourists. (There must be 100 Italians and Spaniards for every American.)

I laughed when I saw this; my visits seemed the same. Maybe it wasn't 100, but they were always in front of us having a cigarette break. Edinburgh has its charms and great stops. My son loves Glasgow for the same reasons, Inverness and Luss are my favorites. The Fringe in Edinburgh is great, but keep and eye out for your valuables in a crowd (same as many places.)

I'm something of an amateur architecture buff, all these places are fascinating for someone who has a hometown that wit a history that begins in the mid-19th century.

JMB