Hello treasured friend. If you’re reading this, it’s probably because I’ve force-fed you a link after discussing your upcoming trip to Scotland. I hope this is useful to you in some way. Think of this a travel guide that you can dip into when you find yourself in one of these places either hungry or bored. I don’t describe anything in detail, you’ll just have to take me on my word that these places are worth visiting.

Before diving in, I’d like to make a quick overarching recommendation. If you only have one chance to visit, I would strongly advise using this visit to see Edinburgh in August for the Fringe Festival. In general, you can’t do better than Edinburgh; it’s the capital, cultural centre, prettiest city; and in August you’ll get the best weather. But the Fringe is a unique experience that I think should be on everyone’s bucket list. Every pub, church, park, music venue (indeed, any open space) becomes a stage for artists, actors, and comedians. These artists range from world class to distinctly amateur, and the fun lies in booking a string of shows across an afternoon/evening, likely from performers you will never have heard of, and rolling the dice. You will see some awful shows that make you cringe, then you’ll see a performance that will take your breath away leaving you in awe of their talent. The bars are open till 5am every day of the week (usually outlawed in Scotland), and the city is buzzing with excitement and energy. Edinburgh is the most cosmopolitan city in Scotland, but it is especially so for the Fringe, with ~1 million tourists visiting. During my undergrad, I worked in different bars each Fringe I was there, so have seen plenty of it, and I promise you won’t regret going, it’s a special time.

Anyway, if you want to explore more than just the Fringe, here’s some ideas of things to do. The two categories are: 1) Cities, 2) Special Events, and there’s a little aside at the end on golf courses. I think the sub-structure is self-explanatory. I hope it’s helpful!

Cities

Edinburgh

Things to do before dark

  • Walk up Arthur’s Seat via the Craggs for a view of the entire city [map]
  • Walk up Calton Hill for a view of Princess Street, the Castle and the Firth of Forth [map]
  • The Castle (beware of the £20 entry fee if you’re light on $$$ [map]
  • Walk along the canal through Dean Village [map]
  • Portobello beach (if you’re feeling warm) [map]
  • Tour the university buildings; George Square/The Meadows [map] and Old College [map]

Things to do after dark

  • Sneaky Pete’s: playing techno/house, the best night in Edinburgh. Something happening most nights [map]
  • The Brass Monkey: an eccentric, unique locals bar [map]
  • The Devil’s Advocate: cool, sleek (and more expensive) city bar [map]
  • The Hanover Tap: easy-going student bar [map]
  • 99 Hanover St.: cool city bar with the occasional DJ [map]
  • Garibadli’s: wild club near many of the above bars. Order the Gari’s special at the bar! [map]
  • The Hanging Bat: cool bar with loads of beer [map]

Things to do if you have a car

  • Visit North Berwick and Gullane, two lovely seaside towns along the coast [map]
  • The Pentland Hills [map]

Things to do if hungover

  • Meltmongers (grilled cheese) [map]
  • Snax Cafe: infamous hangover food for pennies [map]
  • Wings: chicken wings in an unreasonable number of seasonings [map]

Lunch

  • Nile Valley Cafe–me and my mates' favourite spot in the city (Sudanese Wraps) [map]
  • Tupiniquim (Brazilian crepes) [map]
  • J Reid Sandwich Shop: great salads [map]
  • Victor Hugo Deli [map]
  • 10 to 10 in Delhi (Indian) [map]
  • The Scran and Scallie: up-market scottish gastropub. Some of the best pub food in the city [map]

Dinner

  • Yene Meze (Greek) [map]
  • Fishers in the City: delicious, up-market fish restaurant [map]
  • The Bon Vivant: fantastic French restaurant [map]
  • The Outsider: chill atmosphere, serving delicious mixed cuisine [map]
  • The Grain Store: amazing scottish cuisine, albeit pricey [map]

Coffee

  • Project Coffee [map]
  • Soderberg [map]
  • Maison de Moggy: a cafe full of cats [map]

Glasgow

Things to do before dark

Things to do after dark

  • Ashton Lane (specifically Brel for a drink and the Ubiquitous Chip for food) [map]
  • The Arlington (an edgy locals bar) [map]
  • Oran Mor (if you’re out this area (the west end) beyond midnight, this is the only place that’s open till 3am) [map]
  • Sub club (the longest running underground club in the world, the best spot for techno and a fun night) [map]
  • SWG3: the clue is in the name [map]

Things to do if you have a car

  • Loch Lomond and Conic Hill [map]
  • Climb Queen’s view [map]
  • Glengoyne Distillery [map]
  • Mugdock Country Park & Castle [map]

Things to do if hungover

  • The University Cafe: famous locals cafe that do a sick Scottish breakfast [map]
  • Hyndland Cafe: greasy breakfast food for locals [map]

Lunch

  • Epicures: Standard brunch food, delicious [map]
  • The Hanoi Bike Ship: easy vietnamese food [map]

Dinner

  • Balbir’s: I think it’s the best curry I’ve had [map]
  • La Vita Spuntini: delicious Italian tapas [map]
  • Pizza Magic: the best pizza I’ve had in the city (also applies if hungover) [map]
  • Stravaigin: gourmet Scottish cuisine [map]

Coffee

  • Tchai-Ovna House of Tea: this isn’t coffee, but don’t worry about that just come here, drink their tea, smoke their shisha and play chess. It’s a great spot. [map]
  • Laboratorio Espresso: If you do need coffee, this place is pretty good [map]

St Andrews

Things to do before dark

  • Have a go at the O.G. crazy golf: The Himalayas. Pitch up and pay a couple of quid at the window and they will give you a putters and balls [map].
  • Walk along west sands, where they filmed that scene in Chariots of Fire [map]
  • Get a fudge donut from Fisher & Donaldson [map]
  • Walk to east sands and along the pier where the students meet before the start of new academic year [map]
  • If you’re there on a Sunday, have a picnic on the 18th fairway of the old course. It’s public land and there’s no play on a Sunday, you’ll meet lots of dog walkers. [map]
  • If you play golf, clearly try and play the Old, if you can’t get on there my next favourite is the New. [map]

Things to do after dark

  • The Dumvegan: historic golf-themed pub [map]
  • The Keys: the localist of local pubs [map]
  • The Vic: the only place playing music till late [map]
  • The Jigger: sit and watch the golfers go by (nb: if you’re a golfer, the Jigger challenge is to nip if after you finish the 17th and drink as many pints as you like in half an hour, then you have to play the 18th in fewer shots than the number of pints drunk) [map]

Things to do if you have a car

  • Go to Elie, have lunch in The Ship and watch some beach cricket [map]
  • Anstruther for the best fish and chips in Scotland! [map]
  • Have a walk around the colourful houses in Pittenweem [map]

Things to do if hungover

  • Munch: cheap, delicious greasy food [map]
  • Toastie Bar: 50p toasties, ideal [map]

Lunch

  • Forgan’s: solid brunch menu [map]
  • CombiniCo: east asian cuisine, sushi etc. [map]

Dinner

  • The Seafood Ristorante: amazing fresh fish from the harbour, pricey [map]
  • The Rav: British cuisine, stylish surroundings [map]

Coffee

  • Taste: my Uncle owns this place! [map]

Special Events

Edinburgh Fringe

Venues to visit

  • Pleasance Courtyard: high-quality comedy and drama and one of the cool old university buildings. The bars are sick too. [map]
  • Gilded Balloon: Similar to Pleasance, really cool old building with great acts performing every year. [map]
  • The Stand: the best comedy club in Edinburgh [map]
  • Underbelly Cowgate: a cool network of bars underneath the city, and a great spot to be for going out after a show [map]
  • Udderbelly: a large purple cow [map]](http://www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/#stq=&stp=1)

Recurring shows to see

  • Late n' Live: on every night in the Gilded Balloon from 1am. Different comedians are selected each evening to perform a set. They’ve already performed their usual, daily set earlier on, and have probably now had a few celebratory drinks. The crowd are equally loose and it creates a chaotic, hilarious atmosphere [map]

North Coast 500

If you’re planning a road trip through the Highlands then you’re probably familiar with the North Coast 500. You can’t go wrong following the intended route, but here’s a little advice on places I think you should definitely visit on the way.

  • Glenfinnan Viaduct: If you’ve seen Harry Potter then you’ll recognise this as the bridge the train crosses en route to Hogwarts. It’s beautiful, but works as a great spot to stop for lunch. [map]
  • The James Bond View [map]
  • Eilean Donan Castle, also in James Bond lol [map]
  • The prettiest bit of road to drive is near Applecross [map]
  • Get a flight to Barra in the Outer Hebrides and land on the beach! [map]
  • Isle of Harris, and specifically Luskentyre Beach) [map]
  • Take the shortest commercial flight in the world from Westray to Papa Westray. It lasts 53 seconds. [map]

An Aside on Golf Courses

If you are into golf, here’s my top 5 courses, and some hidden gems:

Top 5

  1. Royal Dornoch
  2. Muirfield
  3. Carnoustie
  4. Troon
  5. Kingsbarns

I’m yet to play Turnberry since the updates, but I’m told it’s now no. 1.

Hidden Gems (in no particular order)

  • Ladybank
  • Moray
  • Nairn (if you consider it hidden)
  • Elie
  • Monifieth
  • Murcar
  • Shiskine
  • Luffness

If you have any questions, please do send me an email. You can find my address on the homepage.