Edinburgh Traveller FAQs

Question

Welcome!

Answer

Many visitor guides, in print or online, will give you an idea of things to do and see while here whatever your age or fitness level (Edinburgh is very walkable but it is built on hills). This information sheet is to give you some insider tips from residents to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. When lords came from Din Eidin, A host of picked men from each region, In strife with the Saxons, Edinburgh is an ancient city, first mentioned in the ancient poem, Y Gododdin, possibly by Aneirin in the 7th century. Y Gododdin is an elegy for the fallen warriors of the Gododdin (known as the Votadini to the Romans) killed in various battles around 600AD. The poem is also notable for what might (or might not) be the first mention of a legendary warrior named Arthur. No trace of the fortress of Din Eidin remains, but the skyline is dominated by Edinburgh Castle where you can find the oldest building in Edinburgh, St Margaret’s Chapel, constructed between 1124 and 1153. Not surprisingly, Edinburgh is now a World Heritage Site and a tourist destination fifty-two weeks of the year. Its long – and often gruesome - history provides plenty of opportunities for the visitor to explore its secrets. The Royal Mile runs downhill from the Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace and follows the late medieval/early modern layout of the town, although the original wooden buildings have been replaced by stone. This is the Old Town. From the Castle ramparts, you can look north to the Forth Estuary and Fife over the Georgian streets of the New Town – still called ‘new’ even though building began in the late 1700s.

Question

Getting Here

Answer

The easiest way is to fly directly into Edinburgh, although many choose to travel via Iceland, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London or Manchester. The airport is just out of town and, depending on where you are staying, there are several options for travel into the city. These are airport bus, taxi or tram. Details are on the airport website (https://www.edinburghairport.com/transport-links) If you must fly through London, consider taking the train from London Kings Cross or London Euston to Edinburgh Waverley. Brits complain about the trains all the time, but they’re still generally better than Amtrak, and the journey north – about 4 ½ hours from central London to central Edinburgh – passes through some lovely countryside, especially from Durham northwards.

Question

Driving

Answer

Don’t. By American standards gas is expensive. The roads are poorly maintained and parking is scarce and seemingly designed to confuse visitors to the city. The city centre itself is best explored on foot, and public transport is cheap, frequent, and easy to get used to. Aside from taxis, the easiest way to get around for most people is by bus. These are cheap and regular and you can buy day or multibuy passes. Outside of Edinburgh is a different matter. There are plenty of tours and trips around Scotland available. If you have time, driving is a good option. However, popular spots such as Skye and Loch Ness will be very busy and accommodation might be hard to find. On the same theme, if you have a dream of playing the Old Course at St Andrews, you should look online well in advance to see what slots are available, bearing in mind that lots of other people have the same dream. You can visit the course and take the photo opportunity on the stone bridge even if you’re not playing. If you have limited time, there is plenty to do in Edinburgh itself whatever your interests and there are some good museums in Glasgow which is only 45 miles away. IMPORTANT: in a precise reversal of the situation in the US, most rental cars in the UK are manual (stick) transmission and much more expensive. If you require an automatic you must specify it. (And remember to drive on the left).

Question

Weather

Answer

We expect a pleasant summer day with temperatures somewhere between the mid-60s to low 70s. But. Scotland is much further north than you might think – roughly on the same latitude as Labrador – and directly in the path of whatever weather is coming off the Atlantic Ocean. Edinburgh itself is between the North Sea and the Pentland Hills so we have our own little microclimate. There is always the chance of the weather disappointing us. There’s even a Viking word that we still use – haar – for when a mist rolls in off the north sea. Also, the impacts of climate change on Europe generally are still emerging. However, if it should rain, you can console yourself that it will probably be sunny again in twenty minutes.

Question

Language

Answer

It might take a day or two to get used to local pronunciation, but you’ll soon hear patterns. I’m told that the O and U sounds are the most difficult for Americans. You may not be able to understand locals talking quickly to one another at first, but if you are in a public space and someone turns to speak to you and realizes you are American, they will usually speak in a more generalized way. Scottish slang is more difficult than English slang, but you’ll catch on.

Question

Food

Answer

As well as being a tourist city, Edinburgh is a student city and a financial/legal centre. This means that you will find pretty much anything you might want whatever your budget. Most places cater for dietary choices and restrictions and are as helpful as possible.

Question

Drink

Answer

Edinburgh is full of pubs and breweries and has been for centuries. Most restaurants have reasonable wine lists and there is no shortage of malt whisky and locally distilled gin, though beware of tourist prices. Note that in the UK generally it is more usual to order drinks at the bar and take them to your table. If the pub offers food/table service (and not all do) you don’t have to wait to get drinks.

Question

Tipping

Answer

There is no established tipping culture in the UK. No one will refuse a tip but minimum wage regulations mean that servers and waiting staff aren’t dependent on tips as they are in the US and Canada. That also means that ‘tip inflation’ hasn’t struck here. By all means tip, but 10 to 12% is more usual than 20%.

Question

Money and Payment

Answer

One of the consequences of the Covid pandemic is that it is quite possible to live in Edinburgh completely cash-free, including bus fares and (almost) all taxis. You should have no problem with your Visa or Mastercard credit and debit cards; Amex is accepted in fewer places, but is usually fine in shops, restaurants, visitor attractions etc.

Question

Electronics

Answer

Standard electrical plugs and outlets here are not the same as in the US. Adaptors are easily available either at the airport (expensive) or in the city (usually cheaper). Just make sure you buy the correct adaptor. Also, the UK and Europe operate on a 220 volt supply rather than the more usual American 110 volt. In practice this doesn’t matter because most modern appliances are dual-voltage, but if you have a taste for vintage electronics, be cautious.

Question

Other Events

Answer

By the time of the wedding, Edinburgh will have recovered from two Taylor Swift concerts at Murrayfield, but The Royal Highland Show will be happening near the airport, and this traditionally causes traffic problems on the west side of the city. If you have an early flight the weekend after the wedding, be ready to leave for the airport in good time.

Question

Corstorphine Old Kirk

Answer

The church has been part of the local community for a thousand years. The present church building was founded as a chapel by Sir Adam Forrester of Corstorphine who died before 1405, although an inscription in the church states that the present building was founded in 1429, 63 years before Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 in La Pinta, La Niña and La Santa Maria. There is a record of an earlier church on or near the site before 1128, less than a century after Leif Erikson supposedly first set foot on Newfoundland.

Question

The Scottish Cafe

Answer

The Scottish Café is below the National Gallery on Princes Street, with a grand view of Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument. The easiest way to get from Corstorphine to the gallery is to take the 26 or 31 bus. Or taxi.

Question

Remember:

Answer

Be aware of stereotypes of Scotland and Scots in popular culture from Scotty in Star Trek to Braveheart. A lot of the tourist experience plays into those stereotypes, but that’s an exaggerated reality, not to be confused with day-to-day life. Even so - Scotland is not England any more than Texas is California. Most Scots don’t talk much about their clan or their tartan except in very specific circumstances, such as choosing wedding outfits. Many people you meet will be quite well informed about US politics, especially in an election year, and people may hear your accent and ask questions in conversation. How you answer is up to you but POTUS 45 is not popular. Have fun! We’re delighted that you’ve chosen to visit us and want you to have the best time. If you have any problems or questions, just ask.