Edinburgh

Our family of 4 will be cruising to (Queensferry) Edinburgh on May 29th 7 am-7pm. The men have 11:30 tee times at St. Andrews. My daughter and I would like to go to St Andrews with them to look around and possibly return back to Edinburgh before them. What is the best way to get from the port to St. Andrews and then to return to Edinburgh to tour the castle. Thoughts?

Unless you book a private car transfer, you will have to catch the train at Dalmeny, with a change at inverkeithing to Luechars and then get a taxi for the 10-15 mins ride to St Andrews.

The train journey is around 75 minutes.

See http://www.trainline.com

Have the guys booked a private transfer, as an 11.30 tee time will probably not be off the course till about 4. Seems fairly tight otherwise.

First of all you are about 9 miles out of Edinburgh at Queensferry so transport isn't easy anyway.

As Scottie said, you can go by train:

Ship tender to shore - 15 minutes; Pier to Dalmeny station - 15 minutes; Dalmeny train departs 9.30, arrives Leuchars 10.34; leave Leuchars by bus 10:47, arrive St Andrews 10.58.

There is a bus which goes from nearby directly to St Andrews but unfortunately not early enough on a Sunday to get to St Andrews in time for your round.

Honestly the only way to get to St Andrews from Queensferry and back will be to arrange a car. I would probably try to pre-book and maybe negotiate on price. I also think you will have to decide whether the ladies go to St Andrews or Edinburgh because there really won't be enough time to do both. You could always have a lovely lunch, a bit of shopping and a wander round town if you decide don St Andrews.

See you on the ship. I'm doing a presentation on the evening of 28th and running a hospitality desk on the morning of 29th.

First of all you are about 9 miles out of Edinburgh at Queensferry so transport isn't easy anyway.

 

As Scottie said, you can go by train:

 

Ship tender to shore - 15 minutes; Pier to Dalmeny station - 15 minutes; Dalmeny train departs 9.30, arrives Leuchars 10.34; leave Leuchars by bus 10:47, arrive St Andrews 10.58.

 

There is a bus which goes from nearby directly to St Andrews but unfortunately not early enough on a Sunday to get to St Andrews in time for your round.

 

Honestly the only way to get to St Andrews from Queensferry and back will be to arrange a car. I would probably try to pre-book and maybe negotiate on price. I also think you will have to decide whether the ladies go to St Andrews or Edinburgh because there really won't be enough time to do both. You could always have a lovely lunch, a bit of shopping and a wander round town if you decide don St Andrews.

 

See you on the ship. I'm doing a presentation on the evening of 28th and running a hospitality desk on the morning of 29th.

We will be on the Caribbean Princess in August. My husband wants to go to St. Andrews to see the golf course. I want to spend as much time in Edinburgh as possible. Right now we have an afternoon ship tour booked to St. Andrews while we are in South Queensferry. I was thinking that maybe we should take the train or a bus to Edinburgh while we are in Greenock a few days earlier. This would give us extra time in Edinburgh especially since the ship doesn't leave port until 2 AM. With so much to see and so little time in Scotland, it is hard to know how to best use one's time. We are doing a tour of the northern highlands from Invergordon that takes us to Dunrobin Castle, among other places. Are there any special "don't miss" sites we are giving up by going to Edinburgh from Greenock? If so, what do you suggest? If not, what is the best way to get to Edinburgh from Greenock, considering we have all day and night there? Thanks for any suggestions!

We will be on the Caribbean Princess in August. My husband wants to go to St. Andrews to see the golf course. I want to spend as much time in Edinburgh as possible. Right now we have an afternoon ship tour booked to St. Andrews while we are in South Queensferry. I was thinking that maybe we should take the train or a bus to Edinburgh while we are in Greenock a few days earlier. This would give us extra time in Edinburgh especially since the ship doesn't leave port until 2 AM. With so much to see and so little time in Scotland, it is hard to know how to best use one's time. We are doing a tour of the northern highlands from Invergordon that takes us to Dunrobin Castle, among other places. Are there any special "don't miss" sites we are giving up by going to Edinburgh from Greenock? If so, what do you suggest? If not, what is the best way to get to Edinburgh from Greenock, considering we have all day and night there? Thanks for any suggestions!

When you are in Greenock, the temptation will be to go as far as Glasgow, but even as someone born in glasgow, I have to admit, there is more to see in Edinburgh.

However to get there from Greenock, you will have to catch a train from Greenock to Glasgow Central, walk about 8 minutes to Glasgow Queen Street and catch the Edinburgh train.

This will take approximately 2.5 hours each way, not including getting to the station in Greenock.

See http://www.trainline.com for times and ticket prices.

When you are in Greenock, the temptation will be to go as far as Glasgow, but even as someone born in glasgow, I have to admit, there is more to see in Edinburgh.

 

However to get there from Greenock, you will have to catch a train from Greenock to Glasgow Central, walk about 8 minutes to Glasgow Queen Street and catch the Edinburgh train.

 

This will take approximately 2.5 hours each way, not including getting to the station in Greenock.

 

See http://www.trainline.com for times and ticket prices.

Thank you so much for your reply. The older I get, the harder it is to make a decision! LOL.

When you are in Greenock, the temptation will be to go as far as Glasgow, but even as someone born in glasgow, I have to admit, there is more to see in Edinburgh.

 

However to get there from Greenock, you will have to catch a train from Greenock to Glasgow Central, walk about 8 minutes to Glasgow Queen Street and catch the Edinburgh train.

 

This will take approximately 2.5 hours each way, not including getting to the station in Greenock.

 

See http://www.trainline.com for times and ticket prices.

Scottie99, I saw a train from Greenock Central to Edinburgh Waverly that has one stop. Is that the correct one to get me close to the sites?

Scottie99, I saw a train from Greenock Central to Edinburgh Waverly that has one stop. Is that the correct one to get me close to the sites?

I had forgotten there was a train from Glasgow Central because normally that is a 'local' train that stops at every town and village on the way and takes about double the time that the train from Queen street does ( which takes about 50 mins).

I suspect they are fast it tracking to provide an alternative to trains from Queen St because right now there are major engineering works at Queen St which are adding a long time to every journey from that station.

I believe these works are to finish around August, but Edinburgh Waverley is certainly your destination in Edinburgh. It is bang in the centre, just below the Royal Mile which leads up to the Castle.

Glasgow, (my home town) does not have the historical past of Edinburgh. It was more of a commercial and industrial city, therefore there is no castle etc.

There is however plenty to do and see.

There is a HOHO bus which leaves from George Square and takes you round most of the places.

In George Square itself, you will find the City Chambers (town hall). Tripadvisor clients voted this the No1 attraction in Glasgow. It really is a stunning building.

If museums and art is your thing, about 100 yards from George Sq., in Queen St, there is the Museum of Modern Art.

Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery is world class. There is so much to see in the museum and the Art Gallery boasts many originals from eg Picasso, Dali, Monet, Degas, Rembrandt etc.

The Peoples Palace at Glasgow Green (city centre park) focuses on Glasgow history.

Entrance to all museums in Glasgow is free.

Glasgow Cathedral is a magnificent Gothic building, parts of which date back to the 1200s. Beside this there the Religious Museum and Provands Lordship which is the oldest house in Glasgow (1471)

The Glasgow School of Art was designed by Charles Rennie MacKintosh and is a popular attraction.

Glasgow is also a fantastic city for shopping with Buchanan Street the most popular area.

The city centre is fairly compact. It is also safe ( as long as you take normal precautions)

If I can be more specific about anything, please let me know.

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Glasgow, (my home town) does not have the historical past of Edinburgh. It was more of a commercial and industrial city, therefore there is no castle etc.

 

There is however plenty to do and see.

 

There is a HOHO bus which leaves from George Square and takes you round most of the places.

 

In George Square itself, you will find the City Chambers (town hall). Tripadvisor clients voted this the No1 attraction in Glasgow. It really is a stunning building.

 

If museums and art is your thing, about 100 yards from George Sq., in Queen St, there is the Museum of Modern Art.

 

Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery is world class. There is so much to see in the museum and the Art Gallery boasts many originals from eg Picasso, Dali, Monet, Degas, Rembrandt etc.

 

The Peoples Palace at Glasgow Green (city centre park) focuses on Glasgow history.

 

Entrance to all museums in Glasgow is free.

 

Glasgow Cathedral is a magnificent Gothic building, parts of which date back to the 1200s. Beside this there the Religious Museum and Provands Lordship which is the oldest house in Glasgow (1471)

 

The Glasgow School of Art was designed by Charles Rennie MacKintosh and is a popular attraction.

 

Glasgow is also a fantastic city for shopping with Buchanan Street the most popular area.

 

The city centre is fairly compact. It is also safe ( as long as you take normal precautions)

 

If I can be more specific about anything, please let me know.

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Can you recommend a restaurant for lunch? Thank you for all your help.

We will be on the Caribbean Princess in August. My husband wants to go to St. Andrews to see the golf course. I want to spend as much time in Edinburgh as possible. Right now we have an afternoon ship tour booked to St. Andrews while we are in South Queensferry. I was thinking that maybe we should take the train or a bus to Edinburgh while we are in Greenock a few days earlier. This would give us extra time in Edinburgh especially since the ship doesn't leave port until 2 AM. With so much to see and so little time in Scotland, it is hard to know how to best use one's time. We are doing a tour of the northern highlands from Invergordon that takes us to Dunrobin Castle, among other places. Are there any special "don't miss" sites we are giving up by going to Edinburgh from Greenock? If so, what do you suggest? If not, what is the best way to get to Edinburgh from Greenock, considering we have all day and night there? Thanks for any suggestions!

Edinburgh is an amazing city and although I admire how Glasgow has changed I think it is a much harder city to get to know in just one day whereas Edinburgh is a much more compact city with so many historic sites in walking distance of each other. The only thing I'd say is that the International Edinburgh festival is on in August and it means it will be exceptionally busy. However if you are interested in the Arts, there are THOUSANDS (no exaggerating!) of events such as theatre, comedy, dance, literature, music, craft markets, exhibitions etc etc which you can attend, the vast majority of which you can just get tickets for on the day. There are also half-price booths where you can buy tickets for that day.

The fact you can change at Glasgow CentraI is a huge bonus and make the journey so much easier than having to walk cross Glasgow centre. I was on Caribbean Princess yesterday at Queensferry and most people seemed to be interested in the castle and Royal Mile which seems to be the sights Princess focuses on. I assume the late night departure is because Princess is offering the Edinburgh Tattoo as an excursion? That is certainly a must-see but probably best done with Princess.

When I got off the train, I'd probably do a hop-on, hop-off bus to start with - only just over the hour and it would help you get your bearings and so I could pick out things I'd like to spend longer at. Some of the things I'd do in Edinburgh because its's August are - the Royal Yacht Britannia, visit to a traditional pub, go to a show, visit the castle, walk in Princes Street gardens, go to the special exhibition at the Art gallery, visit the market of traditional Scottish crafts and generally take in the atmosphere on the streets. The historic buildings are all around you and the amazing sights in front of you.

Can you recommend a restaurant for lunch? Thank you for all your help.

Of course, what kind of food do you enjoy?

Of course, what kind of food do you enjoy?

We are really open to any suggestions you may have, we generally just don't enjoy Indian food. Thank you again.

Thanks so much for your help!

We are really open to any suggestions you may have, we generally just don't enjoy Indian food. Thank you again.

It's difficult to know where to begin. Remember Glasgow is the fourth largest city in UK

There are countless Italian, Chinese, Thai, Fish or modern bistro type restaurants etc., though funnily enough there are not many 'touristy Scottish ' restaurants as you will find in Edinburgh.

Give me a little clue, is it "Scottish " you are thinking or something more cosmopolitan?

We will probably be in the area of the Kelvingrove museum and fish, bistro type would be wonderful. Definitely not touristy type.

We will probably be in the area of the Kelvingrove museum and fish, bistro type would be wonderful. Definitely not touristy type.

The restaurant that springs to mind in that area is Two Fat Ladies, which is at 88 Dumbarton Road ( names after the bingo call 88, "two fat ladies"

It is 5 mins walk from Kelvingove. It is a modern bistro which specialises in fish. Definitely a quality place.(Kelvingove is on Dumbarton Road)

http://www.twofatladiesrestaurant.com

However, that is on the corner of Byers Road which is the heart of the 'West End' and full of pubs and restaurants

Two Fat Ladies is a good call.

Shame you don't like curry, Glasgow is one of the best places in the UK for curry and just up from the Museum is Mother India cafe on Argyle had quite a few in there during my 5 month stay .

If you like beer then there is a Brewdog just opposite the museum.

<5mins a Steak(not cheap) there is the Butchershop bar and grill.

http://www.butchershopglasgow.com

very close The Pelican walked past a lot but never tried it(link?)

a bit further there is Shilla a Korean place.

Crabshakk another I Have walked passed and never tried.

10mins there is bar, more a burger place.

http://www.lebowskis.co.uk

if planning the hill head area of the west end then http://www.thehanoibikeshop.co.uk

Glasgow is packed with places.

(transport museum also well worth a visit)

Thank you so much Scottie99 and insidecabin!! Love all your recommendations. I had been looking at Two Fat a Ladies on line so funny that you would suggest that. I'm the one who doesn't like curry my Dh loves it so not sure how this will go. LOL