Edinburgh

Welcome

Edinburgh Country: Scotland Links: Group Wikipedia Wikitravel

As Scotland's second largest city, and Scotland's capital, Edinburgh is considered the "first stop" for many tourists when visiting Scotland. Visitors are drawn to the city because of its historic castle, old town, famous sites and world renowned festivals such as Hogmanay and The Edinburgh International and Fringe festivals. Whilst history plays a major part in its alluring nature (for which Edinburgh received UNESCO world heritage status in 1995), it is fair to say that Edinburgh offers more than just ghost stories and tacky souvenir shops (of which there are many!). Edinburgh has something to offer for everyone. A photographer's paradise, an art lover's Mecca and a whisky connoisseur's dream. You'll find new surprises around every corner and down every twisting close. It has been said that Edinburgh is one of the only cities in the world where you can get lost and end up above where where you started! From the stunning views from many of the surrounding hills, to the unrivalled hospitality of the Edinburgh CS'ers, Edinburgh will offer you an experience of a lifetime. For a more detailed description take a look at the Edinburgh Travel Wiki.

CouchSurfing Community

There is an extremely strong and active CS community thriving in Edinburgh with new members joining on a daily basis. At present the group has more than 1200 members with a core of over 100 regulars. It is therefore unsurprising that you will find something going on most days of the week! Check out the Edinburgh Group for all the latest events, gossip, and info. In November 2008 there were 140 members offering their couches as a "yes or definite", with another 150 as maybes.

At present the group is moderated by three dedicated members, Vasilis, Florian and more recently Debs, with Florian and Deborah serving as the city's Ambassadors and Vasilis as a UK ambassador.

Moving to Edinburgh

Are you moving to Edinburgh? Have a look to this page which is more specific about the topic: Moving to Edinburgh

Events/Meets

Events and meets happen almost on a daily basis, whether it's someone hosting a dinner party, to just a meet down the pub. A well organized event will usually attract at the very least 5 or more members. If you're new or old, everyone is welcome to post meetings.

Florians Fantastic Movie Nights

Everyone gets together and enjoys the cushioned back room of the Brass Monkey every month to watch a few short films and a feature film usually with a Scottish theme or link selected carefully by Florian. Including the usual drinks and banter interleaved. The Brass Monkey is an amazing little pub with a back room that is practically one big couch (Moroccan-style cushions all over the floor!) so we thought it was the perfect location for a Couchsurfing Meet. Florian rents it out just for the occasion and showing films on their projector. Our last movie nights were a huge success so come out and help make this one even better!

The same procedure as every month James..:(but subject to change)

6pm - catch up

7pm - Short Films

8pm - Break, get fresh air and fresh refreshments :)

8.30pm - Feature Film

Pollock Hall Ceilidh

This event is a night of traditional Scottish dancing which is held once a month in South Hall/Pollock halls (Dalkeith Road) - It's so much fun that this monthly night of craziness has become a bit of CS Edinburgh regular event. Tickets can be bought online here(Or go to Ticket Scotland on Rose St) Its £8 (or £6 concession - ie. student) We usually meet up in the Crags bar beforehand to "warm up" and get into the dancing mood. Check the group for the next ceilidh.

General Tips

Safety For emergency Police, Ambulance, Fire Service or Coast Guard, dial 999, free from any phone.

Related Articles: Safety|Safety for surfers

Couches: As when visiting try making your couch request personal! During busy periods such as August during the festival we recieve hundreds of requests, so mention something from a host's profile, maybe check this wiki (which you're obviously doing :P), the world wide web or your guide book to find out if there is something you are interested in doing/seeing. If in doubt, ask a friendly local.
If you are having loads of trouble finding a couch before you arrive you can make a last minute request in the group,it can't hurt but is generally frowned upon. If you still don't have any luck, alternatively, if you are a member of hospitality club or bewelcome, you could try your luck there....

Related Articles: How to write a CouchRequest|Cheat Sheet

Hidden Edinburgh / Insider Information

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is situated 3 miles (4.8 km) south-east of the city centre, on a low hill to the south of the modern suburb of Craigmillar. It was begun in the late 14th century by the Preston family, feudal barons of Craigmillar, and extended through the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1660 the castle was sold to Sir John Gilmour, Lord President of the Court of Session, who made further alterations. The Gilmours left Craigmillar in the 18th century, and the castle fell into ruin. It is now in the care of Historic Scotland. Personally I believe it's far better than Edinburgh castle, and is exactly what you would expect a castle to be like. It can be visited by taking the number 30, 2 or 14 Lothian bus.

If you're a bit tight on money you can enter for free but hopping over the little wire fence where I have indicated on the map. Follow the path up through the grass making, keeping out of sight of the small building near the car park. There are no ticket controls at the Castle Gate. Whilst probably illegal it will save you £4.10.

map of fence

Blackford Quarry

Illegal Raves are held in Blackford Quarry from time to time. Having never been to one myself I have no idea if they are good or not. Sometimes they are shut down by the police. If I find any links to forums which have more details, I'll link them. Here's a map in case you wanted to chance your luck, or if you're into rock climbing then I've heard this is an amazing place to practice.

map of quarry

Innocent Railway Tunnel

Scotland's oldest railway tunnel is a hidden gem, literally! Host to many raves and BBQ's over the years it leads you to the Sheeps Heid pub in Duddingston. It's near the Commonwealth swimming pool... go discover it for yourself!

Coffee Houses

Good place for coffee would be The Elephant House (or the Harry Potter cafe as it's sometimes called). It is one of the cafes where JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter stories. Very central - 10 minutes walk from the station, near Edinburgh University.

Elephant House Website

Cinemas

Filmhouse on Lothian Road - If you want to catch a movie then I'd recommend this place. More art house than Hollywood and it also has an excellent cafe/bar. On Wednesdays you can get two for one tickets by texting "FILM" to 241 from an orange mobile phone. If you don't have an orange phone, just post in the edinburgh group and see if anyone can give you a valid code to forward to your mobile. When you receive that text save their number under the name "orange" and show it to the ticket office person who will then give you both tickets for the price of one. However remember that texts cost the person 35p, plus the cost of sending it to you, so maybe you could offer them a coffee during your stay or even better invite them along to the cinema with you?

Edinburgh Film House Orange Wednesdays

Steven's Big List of Things To Do

Things to see and do, you're spoilt for choice really: Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile and check Holyrood (Scottish Parliment) and Holyrood Park, Princess Street Gardens, Botanic Gardens, Ghost Walks, Museum of Scotland or indeed any of the other museums, Art galleries including National Galleries, Dean & Modern, Camera Obscura, Arthurs Seat, Royal Yacht, Britanna, St Giles Cathedral, Dynamic Earth, Greyfriars Church & Graveyard, Calton Hill to see Scotlands National Monument (aka Edinburghs Disgrace)and Observatory as well as the views and other bits and peices, Scottish Whisky Heritage Centre, Try some haggis neeps and tatties, Free city walking tour (every day from starbucks on royal mile at 11am, 1pm and 3pm), Portobello beach, Bus tours of the cities, Literary pub tours, Meadows park, Walk along Edinburgh Quay and feed the swans and ducks, Murrayfield sports stadium, the Zoo, Dungeons, Stand Comedy Club, Cameo Cinema, Jazz bar, Rat Pack Piano Bar, Rose St Pub Crawl, Grassmarket Pubcrawl, Jam House music bar, Tron Pub / Bar (popular with couchsurfers),Whistle Binkies music bar, Cabaret Voltaire club, Bongo Club, The Hive (club), Liquid Room (club),Ego / Luna (club)

Good Hangouts

Daytime

• Calton Hill - During the Summer months this vantage point is the perfect place to take a few drinks with friends and sit under the national monument.
  

• The Meadows - Again during the summer this is a fantastic open green space to chill with friends. There are usually a bunch of homeless people hanging about playing music and dancing, but don't worry they are pretty harmless!! BBQ's are generally not allowed, however that isn't to say you can't chance your luck! You can buy food and drink at the Sainsburys local on Middle Meadow walk, however it would be cheaper to walk 5 minutes to Lidl or Tesco to buy your "refreshments". Map Here. There are public toilets and a tennis court which you can sometimes play on for free. The Meadows Info

Evening

Night-time

A Poor Persons 24 Hours In Edinburgh

Only got a short time to visit Edinburgh and don't know how best to spend your time? Want to save your pennies? Well this is what I would do but obviously it would change depending on the season/weather.

Morning

• 7am - try a traditional scottish breakfast either cooked by your host, in your hostel/hotel or a cafe. Failing that i'd head to Greggs to try their fine selection of Scottish tasties, such as a sausage roll, bacon roll, chicken bake, macaroni and cheese pie which will fill you up at a fantastic price. Greggs Locations
• 8am - take a stroll up calton hill before it becomes too crowded with tourists to watch the sun rise over Edinburgh and Leith. Capture those special shots when the light is at it's best. google maps
• 9am - I'd then walk down calton hill towards regents rd, and down the footpath on the right-hand side walking towards the Canongate. Once at the bottom I'd pop into the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) and take a free tour. I'd also admire Holyrood Palace but wouldn't pay to go inside. Parliaments Visitors Informations
• 10am - Now that I'm at the bottom of the Royal Mile I'd make my way up towards the Castle avoiding the tacky tourist shops, stopping for Italian coffee for 99p in The Tron on Hunters Square. If you are a student you can purchase a yellow card which gets you cheaper food and drinks, however you only have a day so I doubt it's worth it. google maps
• 11am - walk up the royal mile towards St Giles cathedral and enter for free. Although it says you have to purchase a "photo permit" this is rarely enforced. Simply turn off your flash and be discrete and take your photos near the time you wish to leave. Even if they do catch you and say something, you can tell them you are just leaving anyways. visitors information

Afternoon

• 12pm - You've made it! You're now at the castle. If you wish you can pay £10 to look inside or for free you can pass through the gates at the front and take photos of the inner walls and areas (the admission point is not until further inside the castle)
• 1pm if you haven't decided to visit the castle you could alternitavley walk back down the royal mile for 10 meters and visit the Scotch Whisky Shop. here you can view the ridiculously priced whiskys (some cost £3400) and if you're lucky take part in some free tasting sessions.
• Lunch - Either find a shop and make a DIY lunch, or if you're with a friend or in a group head to Oddfellows on Forest Road here where you can get an SR card (if your a student) which entitles you to cheap booze and drink. If you're vegetarian and love Falafel then walk round the corner to Bristo Place to El Falafel where you'll get some of the best falafel in town.
• 2pm - Coffee in The Forest Cafe. The Forest is a volunteer-run, self-funded, independent social centre and arts space located on Bristo Place and should be at least checked out. wiki
• 3pm - Walk back towards the castle and over George the 4th bridge and keep walking down the mound past the Bank of Scotland headquaters. You can enter the muesum here for free and learn all about the history of Scottish Banking. Try and crack the safe code for free chocolates.
• 4pm - Keep heading down the hill, and down towards one of Scotlands top free visitor attractions the National Galleries of Scotland. website
• 5pm - Dinner and drinks - walk up hanover street and turn left onto george street. Keep walking until you find the Standing Order on your left-hand side. This is a great and popular pub with reasonable priced meals and ridiculously cheap drinks. Until March 31st all pints of award wining Deuchars are only 99p! Bottles of San Miguel are 99p too! You won't find cheaper or nicer beers anywhere else. If you don't drink beer, they have a fine selection of cold ciders and wines. Food is not of the highest quality, however you can try haggis here.

Evening

• 6pm
• 7pm
• 8pm
• 9pm
• 10pm
• 11pm
• 12pm
• 1am
• 3am
• 5am

How To Get Here

By Air

Edinburgh has one major airport, however most vistors from abroad using Ryanair will find themselves travelling to Glasgow Prestwick. .When buying your train ticket on the train to Glasgow make sure you ask for a return to Edinburgh and show your ryanair ticket/confirmation and the tickets will only cost £11. You will save around £15 and the ticket is valid for 1 month. If flying into Glasgow, why not spend a night and day there and enjoy the equally fantastic city. Mega buses leave for Edinburgh every 15 mins and can be booked online for as little as £1. From Glasgow it should take around 1.5 hours by bus and 50 mins by train from Queen Street Station to Waverley.

A cheaper alternative to taxis or the expensive Airport bus is the ordinary Lothian Buses number thirty five, which runs from the bus stance outside the arrivals building to Ocean Terminal via the Royal Mile/High Street. Although slower, and with less provision for baggage than the 100, it is far cheaper at £1.10 single, and also allows the use of day tickets and other options that work on all Lothian Buses services - a great option for getting straight to the city if travelling light, or on a budget.

If you're traveling to the south-side or want a quicker service then if you walk for 5 mins towards the park and ride see map you can then get the x48 for £1.10 (exact change only) which goes directly into the city centre in 35mins.

For ride-shares or carpooling, try EdinburghGumtree.

Related Articles: Ecological traveling|Rideshares|Checklist for long-term travel

By Rail

Haymarket and Waverley are the two main train stations in Edinburgh.

By Bus

General note on buses in Edinburgh: There are two bus companies running in Edinburgh: Lothian and First. However, for travel within Edinburgh "Lothian" has a more dense network. On the Lothian buses, you need exact money when you pay, they don't give you change. Single is £1.10, and an unlimited day ticket is £2.50. (From January the 18th there will be a unfair price hike to £1.20 for a single, and £3 for an all day.)

By Tram

Coming Soon! Estimated date of opening for Phase 1a is July 2011, at a cost of £512 million

Festivals & Events

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Links

Lothian Buses
Edinburgh Weather
MyVillage.com
Itchy
The List
Edinburgh International Airport
Mega Bus
First Scotrail
Virgin Trains

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