Edinburgh Travel Forum

1. What is the best way to get to central Edinburgh from the dock where the cruise ships tender at South Queensferry? My Google maps show a large wooded area between the pier and the Dalmeny Rail station. We don't mind walking even uphill. Is this "do-able"? Is bus a reasonable option? What is the name of the bus company and exactly where does the bus depart from?

2. Upon our return, we would love to stop off in a pub for a real Scottish beer. Recommendations?

3. In the pub, should I wear a Glasgow Rangers scarf and carry on the same way Glaswegians do when they visit Toronto?

Thanks.

1. The best way is a taxi, there should be plenty around when you dock, expect to pay no more than £20. Dalmeny Rail station is uphill but it’s a short walk so easily doable: www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/index.php There is a regular bus service too: www.firstgroup.com/index.php

2. Locals will advice on the best boozers, I’d get leathered in one of the many excellent pubs in the city and get a taxi back

3. Wearing a Rangers scarf and ‘carrying on’ could make your stay more interesting and if you go into the wrong pub it will save you the cost of a taxi as the Scottish Ambulance Service provides free transport.

Thanks, Maxus. This is exactly the info I was looking for.

thank you for the thank you, I don't know if you know Edinburgh but it's a wonderful city and you are in for a treat.

There are many good pubs in Edinburgh serving Scottish ales and I’d suggest you have a beer there. If you are in the Old Town/Castle area I would suggest the Halfway House, a small friendly pub with an interesting location. It’s not that easy to find, it’s located in Fleshmarket Close which is really a series of steps down from the High St/Royal Mile to the train station. Details here (there‘s a clickable Google Map link),

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/19/19197/Halfway_House/Edinburgh

In the new town there are many pubs along Rose St which runs parallel to the main Princes St, my recommendations here would be the Abbotsford or the Kenilworth,

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/56/5650/Abbotsford/Edinburgh
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/19/19217/Kenilworth/Edinburgh

Also at the end of Princes Street the Guildford Arms and the Café Royal are next to each other and worth a visit,

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/51/5175/Guildford_Arms/Edinburgh
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/39/3939/Cafe_Royal/Edinburgh

I wouldn’t recommend acting like a Glaswegian in Edinburgh which is much more cosmopolitan and tourist orientated.


Have a great trip
Cheers, Clive

<3. In the pub, should I wear a Glasgow Rangers scarf and carry on the same way Glaswegians do when they visit Toronto?>

Mary, you are so funny.
I do like a girl with a sense of humour.

In Toronto, there is no one to give them a thumping; they would not do it in Edinburgh unless it was a suicide mission. Lol

I'll do as many of your suggested pubs as I can ending with the one closest to the train station on the way "home", in my case Dalmeny and then the downhill walk to the pier. With the bumpety bump of the train and a full bladder, I'll probably end up peeing like a Russian racehorse! Thanks again and I'll file a trip report when I return.

must endorse a previous postsuggesting the Guildford arms (traditional pub with excellent selection of ales (some v strong) slurp!!
Cafe royal is worth a visit. Wall tiles depict scottish innovators in history.Feel free to give me a buzz on your visit. Live locally.
Enjoy!

Greyfriars churchyard (statue of Bobby outside) is not to be missed in my opinion. Such an ambience to be felt there. Can only be appreciated by experiencing it!! Its close to the castle and other city sights. Not off the beaten track.

Don't wear the Rangers scarf unless you are Mohammed Ali or helluva quick on your feet.

RE: A good Scottish pub. As you are going to be in South Queensferry why not try the Haws Inn; after all, this old inn is where Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Kidnapped.

Trip Report. And it is 110% favourable! After docking in South Queensferry right by the Hawes Inn (we were quite late tendering due to strong river currents), we took the train - an easy peasy walk from the pier up a scenic woooden staircase - to the Dalmeny train station. At the end of our walkabout in Edinburgh, we went directly to the Halfway House where I had the best pint in many a year. You guys and gals in Edinburgh should really be proud of your city and the people that live there. You are truly gems. My only regret was the fact that I did not have a chance to visit all of your suggested pub stops and get truly get "leathered". However, this happened subsequently in Invergordon and again in Kirkwall. Thanks all.

it's great when people report back

It is great when people report back, and I just wanted to add how much I have enjoyed this post, lived in Edinburgh in the 80's working on the Fife Ethylene Project, and it was such a blast to hear the names of some of our old stomping grounds....Cafe Royal, Rose St. etc