Edinburgh

[Mark_Porter]

I am going up to Edinburgh for a conference in June.

I get in at about 3:30pm and then have the rest of the afternoon/evening to myself. I am staying in a hotel centrally.

Having never been to the city before, what are the absolute must do’s that I can squeeze in to the remainder of the day? Any food recommendations?

[celtic]

Absolute must do is get on a train to Glasgow.

[PokerBroker]

Absolute must do is get on a train to Glasgow.

+ 1

If you dont do that then book a tour with 107 Cowgate around little Ireland.  Fascinating history.  Much better than all the touristy pish. 

[alanc]

Be a real tourist and get the tram in from the airport. Goes through the centre so should be ok for your hotel. You've only a few hours so take a walk up The Royal Mile up to The Castle Esplanade and get a feel for ye olde worlde Edinburgh and take in some views. There's some open air bars on top of the Waverley Shopping Centre at the east end of Princes Street. It's on street level so you can watch the world go by and there's been live music on as well when I've passed. Up market/classier pubs are on George Street with Grassmarket/Cowgate the opposite. Lots of restaurants wherever you go. Check out TripAdviser for your favourite styles. If you want to play poker, your best bet is The Genting@Founainpark which is west of Lothian Road. The central casinos are no good for poker.

[SuuPRlim]

Some absolutely AWESOME restaurants in Ed, the castle is cool too, there is a bit called "David's Tower" which I was loving, they hid Scotlands Crown Jewells there during WWII

Nazi's gg'd it though, so it's just a little cave now, Bastards - always hated them nazis.

[Karabiner]

Play golf or as previously suggested go to Glasgow for a curry - they have the best Punjabi cuisine in the UK via some geographical accident.

[Mark_Porter]

Thanks guys.

I am actually flying into Glasgow in the morning then getting a train across in the afternoon. Just assumed there was more to see in Edinburgh!

Not going to play poker, just hoping for good food and a nice pint somewhere with added culture. Walk up the Royal mile to the castle looks good. Golf would be brilliant but taking clubs would be a hassle.

[nirvana]

Only really done the touristy bits but I enjoyed the feel of the whole Grassmarket area, also quite liked Rose Street, parallel with George street, just felt like a good place for a night out with a lot of bars/pubs in a small area - like Grassmarket really.

One recent visit I had a pretty nice meal in a place called 'Steak' on Picardy place - easy to recommend.