48 replies to this topic

[Sneakeater]

I am spending the last full week of August in Edinburgh. I have the following week, when August ends and September begins, leading up to Labor Day weekend, to fill.

My original hope was to take the short flight to Copenhagen so I could go to Noma. But I couldn't get into Noma. Can anybody get me into Noma?

Ruling out Copenhagen, it would seem sensical to go to London (I haven't been in years). But I'm frightened of how expensive it seems. Is that stupid, given my willingness to go to Copenhagen? I'm afraid London is even more hyper-expensive than Copenhagen. Am I just being irrational? (If only I were rich like Orik, I wouldn't have to worry about these things.)

If I don't go to London, it would seemingly make sense to go out into rural Scotland. In fact, my wife and I did that vacation many times: hiking and whatever in rural Scotland and a week or so in Edinburgh for the Festival. But hiking -- and general rustication -- is no fun when you're alone. Indeed, just looking at rural places in Scotland in preparation for this trip gave me the creeps.

No, traveling alone I like cities.

So is Glasgow worth visiting? It got a lot of hype several years ago -- but is it REALLY?

And what about Aberdeen? I suppose one could go inspect the Yvonne birthhouse -- but it seems more fun to hang out with Actual Yvonne in New York. Is there anything else there at all?

I could spend two weeks in Edinburgh. The Festival will still be going on, so there'd be plenty to do. But two weeks in Edinburgh: is that crazy?

Are there other things I should be considering?

Help.

[splinky]

my family's castle is in port glasgow

[Anthony Bonner]

But I'm frightened of how expensive it seems. Is that stupid, given my willingness to go to Copenhagen? I'm afraid London is even more hyper-expensive than Copenhagen. Am I just being irrational?

Irrational, especially with the pound in the gutter.

[Sneakeater]

OK, that's easy, then.

Thanks.

[Sneakeater]

my family's castle is in port glasgow

The Yvonne Birthhouse and the Splinky Family Castle in one trip would be almost too moving.

[ghostrider]

If I don't go to London, it would seemingly make sense to go out into rural Scotland. In fact, my wife and I did that vacation many times: hiking and whatever in rural Scotland and a week or so in Edinburgh for the Festival. But hiking -- and general rustication -- is no fun when you're alone. Indeed, just looking at rural places in Scotland in preparation for this trip gave me the creeps.

No, traveling alone I like cities....

Are there other things I should be considering?

Help.

I'm reaching way back because I haven't been there in 35 years, but if you want a few days in the countryside where it's decidedly not creepy, take a detour into the Lake District on your way down to London. Ambleside (not on a lake) was my favorite town, followed by Keswick (on a lake, birthplace of Pete Myers of Myers Of Keswick as one might expect). Great pubs & real ale back in the day. Ambleside was particularly welcoming & conducive to walking, you could stroll right out of town & up various fells for some glorious views.

Of course I was always a loner, so you still may not get the same enjoyment out of this that I did.

I understand the area has become much more heavily touristed since I was there, so it may no longer be as serene. Also at least one local brewery (Hartley's) has been taken over by a corporate giant & is the worse for it.

[Wilfrid]

Countryside synonymous with creepy.

[hollywood]

I am spending the last full week of August in Edinburgh.

Are you going for part of the Festival Fringe?

[Wilfrid]

Should we pick a young classical musician to go with you too?

[Eatmywords]

Why don’t you get a driver or do a tour of one or more of the scotch trails through Speyside, Higlands, Islay, etc? Or is that a been there done that?

[Abbylovi]

I traveled alone in Scotland (city and country) and loved it.

[Sneakeater]

Are you going for part of the Festival Fringe?

I'm going for the purpose of seeing some friends in the Fringe. But as usual I'm sure I'll spend more time in the Festival proper.

[Sneakeater]

Why don’t you get a driver or do a tour of one or more of the scotch trails through Speyside, Higlands, Islay, etc? Or is that a been there done that?

I've found from my trip to the Piedmont that anything that involves my drinking immense amounts during every day ends up making the trip a kind of waste.

(Also, alone with a driver every day. Eeeeewwww.)

[hollywood]

Are you going for part of the Festival Fringe?

I'm going to see a friend in the Fringe. But as usual I'm sure I'll spend more time in the Festival proper.

we expect a detailed report on the festivities--in and out of the Festival.

[Sneakeater]

Should we pick a young classical musician to go with you too?

I don't require THAT much outside micromanagement.