Maggie & Ian
Things To Do
Things to do in Edinburgh
There is a lot of history to see in Edinburgh - some recommended tourist attractions: - Edinburgh Castle - The Royal Mile - Arthur's Seat - Grassmarket - Real Mary King's Close - Haymarket - Gin & Tasting Tours - Afternoon Tea at Balmoral Hotel - Ghost Bus Tours - The Royal Yacht Britannia - Arthur's Seat - Leith (riverside neighborhood) There is a historical pub crawl tour that (surprise) we have done every trip! We would love for you to join us on the Royal mile to experience Pub Culture the day before the wedding.
The Fringe Festival
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes place the weekend after our Wedding. While this offers a fun opportunity for anyone in the city during this time, it means that hotels will book quickly and will be more expensive. We encourage booking as soon as possible. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the single greatest celebration of arts and culture on the planet. For three weeks in August, the city of Edinburgh welcomes an explosion of creative energy from around the globe. Artists and performers take to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows for every taste. It is a unique opportunity to stay on in Edinburgh and experience the city at this time.
Edinburgh Restaurant Recommendations
Teuchters Bars ($) - 4 locations with a huge bar list. If sports are on, expect huge crowds. The White Hart Inn ($) - It doesn't get more classically Scottish Pub than this. 500 years old & haunted. Get the haggis :) The Scran and Scallie ($$) - Casual gastropub Dishoom ($$) - Incredible Indian, reservations only available for lunch Forage & Chatter ($$) - Focus on all locally sourced Scottish ingredients l'escargot bleu ($$) - Classic, consistent, affordable French food Baba ($$) - Extremely popular for Mediterranean small plates. The Ivy on the Square ($$$) - Classic & extensive British menu in a beautiful setting Aizle ($$$$) - Their reasonably priced 6 course tasting menu is on every "best of" list The Kitchin ($$$$) - Scotland's first Michelin Star located in the northern part of the city
Edinburgh Bar Recommendations
56 North - Over 400 types of gin Cold Town House - Beer Bar of the Year, great rooftop in case of nice weather Hoot the Redeemer - Boozy slushies, ice cream, arcade games! The Bon Vivant - Cocktails & champagne (also a terrific food menu) Panda & Sons - Best cocktails in Edinburgh Hemmingway's - In Leith but good for pre-dinner cocktails Ghillie Dhu - Fun, massive Scottish bar right in the middle of town. The Rat Pack - Piano bar that plays your favorite songs (on request!) into the wee hours.
Day Trips from Edinburgh
There are many attractions that are within and hour or two drive of Edinburgh if you have rented a car. Some we recommend: - Stirling Castle - Rosslyn Chapel - Loch Lomand or Loch Ness - The Cairngorms National Park - Speyside - Inverness - Midhope Castle (Outlander Fans) - The Kelpies - Electric Brae in Ayshire - Robert Burns' Home & Museum - Culzean Vastle - Hogwarts Express Train - Skara Brae
Tour Companies
If you are interested in exploring more of Scotland but don't want to drive or wish to purchase a guided tour, we recommend the following: Rabbie's Tours - 1-to 5-day tours departing from all major cities in Scotland and England The Hairy Coo - 1- to 5-day private and group tours departing from Edinburgh John Mowbray Tours & Executive Travel - 1-day tours from Edinburgh and driver hire all over Scotland
Golf and St. Andrew's
Saint Andrew's is the birthplace of golf as well as home to Ian's Alma Mater. Approximately a 1 hour drive from Edinburgh it is easy to get to by rental car or there is the option to take the train from Edinburgh Waverly Station. Recommended Hotels: - The Rusacks Hotel - The Old Course Hotel - The Fairmont Recommended Golf Courses: - The Old Course - The New Course - The Jubilee Course - The Kittocks Course (St Andrew East Bay) - The Terrence Course (St Andrew East Bay)
Golf Ian Recommends (Not in St. Andrews)
Major Championship courses - Gleneagles Kings Championship Course - Carnoustie Golf Links - Muirfield - Turnberry Golf Club - Ailsa Course Other Golf - North Berwick Golf Club - West Links - Kingsbarns Golf Links - Gleneagles Queens Course More Details - Edinburgh Golf: https://www.golfmonthly.com/courses/uk-and-ireland/best-golf-courses-in-east-lothian - Fife (St Andrews) Golf: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-courses/britain-ireland/scotland/fife It is easy to spend time playing the historic courses of Scotland and they all come highly recommended. There are also great links courses that are much more cost effective if desired! Ian is happy to help answer any questions, coordinate tee times, or make other recommendations. Do not hesitate to reach out! The goal is for you to have the best experience possible.
Whisky Information
Islay is home to some of the best and most famous scotch distilleries in the world. Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin all call Islay home. The region is known for the classic Scotch whiskey profile – medicinal with heavy smoke and peat. Islay is a small island and it is a long drive from Edinburgh but the drive takes you through part of the Trossachs national park. There’s not much to do on Islay besides drinking, eating amazing seafood and enjoying sea views, so this is a great stop for our serious whiskey aficionados. Speyside is north of the Cairngorms near Inverness and is the most densely populated region of distilleries per square mile. It’s home to the two most popular scotch whiskey distilleries in the world – Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, as well as brands like Balvenie, Cardhu, Glen Moray and Macallan. It’s a good stopping point for a night or two between Inverness in Edinburgh or after exploring the Pitlochry region.
Isle of Skye & The West Coast
Isle of Sky is the next place in Scotland on Maggie's bucket list! Glorious landscapes to really experience the Highlands of Scotland. August is not the right time of year to see the Northern lights but this is one of the best locations to see them if you get lucky. Isle of Skye is approximately a 5 hour drive from Edinburgh but worth it if you are feeling adventurous! Skye Highlights: Dunvegan Castle Old Man of Storr (3 mile hike) Fairy Pools (1 mile hike/walk) Quiraring (4.5 mile intermediate/difficult hike) Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls Talisker Distillery Neist Point Lighthouse Eat: Loch Bay Restaurant Uig Hotel The Three Chimneys Edinbane Lodge Edinbane Inn On the West Coast we have traveled to the town of Oban. It is a lovely coastal town and is approximately a 3 hour drive from Edinburgh. From here there are many excursions that you could look to take: - Ferry's to other Isle's such as Skye - Staffa Island to see the cave of Melodies - Puffin and other Wildlife viewing
Glencoe/Scottish Highlands
A great stopping point en route to or from Skye, the Highlands have some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Scotland. The Glen Coe valley and nearby town of Glencoe are the most famous, but the entire region is worth exploring. For those not wishing to drive, day tours are available to Glencoe from Edinburgh and the drive takes about 2.5 hours. The Highlands region is huge and encompasses parts of two national parks, so we recommend choosing a few highlights that you want to see and staying nearby. Glencoe/Highlands Highlights: Eilean Donan Castle (1h 50m from Glencoe – a great stopping point en route to Skye) Glenfinnian Viaduct (50m from Glencoe – the famous Hogwarts train from Harry Potter!) Loch Ness (1h 40m from Glencoe – home of the famous Nessie! A great stop if you are coming to Glencoe from Inverness) Ben Nevis Peak (20m from Glencoe near Fort William – the highest peak in Scotland with incredible views.) Numerous hikes of all lengths and ability levels
Pitlochry & The Cairngorms
Pitlochry is a quaint village on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. It’s a popular place for people to stay while exploring the Cairngorms and surrounding areas, and it has numerous great hotels and B&Bs, a nearby castle, and two distilleries. The Cairngorms is an expansive national park with great hiking, beautiful views and multiple rivers, lakes and waterfalls. This region is a great stop to or from Inverness or the Speyside region and is about 3 hours from Edinburgh. Cairngorms Highlights: Blair Atholl Distillery Blair Castle Numerous hikes of all lengths and skill levels Balmoral Castle (1h 10m from Pitlochry) – the Queen’s summer estate Aviemore (1h 10m from Pitlochry – the other large town in the Cairngorms)
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
Located between Glasgow and Glencoe and on the way to Skye, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is a popular vacation destination for families. It is in the southern part of the Highlands, so it can offer some of the great views associated with the Highlands but closer to major cities for those who don’t want to drive all the way to Glencoe or Skye. There are dozens of hikes all around the park, a famous (and easy) 17 mile cycle trail along the west bank of the loch, and plenty of water activities. There are many airbnbs and small hotels all around the park as well as campsites. For those looking for a more luxury experience but with plenty of fun, check out Cameron House – this recently refurbished hotel and cabins sits lochside with activities from champagne cruises to sea plane tours to cycling!
North Coast 500
If you are planning to stay in Scotland for awhile before or after the wedding (a week at least), an amazing option to see Scotland is the North Coast 500. The NC500 is a 500 mile circular driving route around the northern half of Scotland and covers Scotland's most beautiful, unique and charming areas. While it officially begins and ends in Inverness, you can start the route from anywhere along the route (including EDI) and go in either direction. This is not for drivers who are faint of heart (you will traverse Britian's most dangerous road - the Bealach na Ba - but worth it!) It is a set route that will guide you around to see the country! Please see the link to the website for more information.
Glasgow
Glasgow is much more industrial and less historical than Edinburgh, but it is also a great spot for food and drink! Do: Glasgow Street Art City Walk Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum Riverside Transportation Museum People's Palace Necropolis Graveyard Tour Tennent's Brewery Tour Auchentoshan Distillery Eat: The Ubiquitous Chip - Be sure to book in the main dining room (not the brasserie) Drink: Pretty much anywhere in Finnieston, West End or Ashton Lane. Glasgow is a huge university town and college students love their booze. You can't go wrong.
The Rest of Europe!
We know that many of our guests have either not traveled much in general or not traveled in a while due to COVID. We hope that you use our wedding as an opportunity to explore! There are many other European cities that are easy to get to from Edinburgh should you chose to extend your trip. Maggie would be happy to help with any ideas! By Train: - London, England - Paris, France Easy Flights - Dublin, Ireland - Reykjavík, Iceland - Prague, Czech Republic - Zurich or Geneva, Switzerland - Oslo, Norway - Copenhagen, Denmark - Amsterdam, Netherlands