Channings Hotel

Come in August for The Festival. At the same time, having lived in Edinburgh I know that The Festival is not all there is to this city. At other times of the year, if you're only going to be here a short time go on one of the numerous 'ghost tours' or tours of the 'underground cities'. Do this preferably when it's raining, for the proper ambience. This shouldn't be very hard in Edinburgh, as it seems to always be raining.Unrelated to either the Festival or ghost tours, but if you happen to be in Edinburgh for New Years (Hogmanay as they call it here) you're in for a treat. Drunken revelry, fireworks, all on a massive scale. Also know as Snog-manay for the orgy of kissing that takes place at midnight and seems to continue for about an hour afterwards. Play the game and compete with your friends to see who can rack up the most snogs! The clubs are given late licenses to stay open until 5am. It will be impossible to get into any of these clubs, however, the atmosphere and the people spill out into the streets, so bring some cans of Tennants and mingle, stumble, slobber...however you feel like celebrating the New Year....