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Hotel Class: 
4 Stars - 35 Opinions
121 Grove Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8AA, United Kingdom
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of people enjoy staying here
35 Opinions
my delicious first course of lamb
Princes Street Gardens on a rainy day (Aug. '08)
Street Party Pack-all you need to Party
higher up the Firth is visible in the background
Any advice as to where to stay and where to go for two single men in their late 20's visiting around Christmas time '06? We are definitely not the clubbing, raver, hipster or tourist types. We're far more interested in pubs, meeting locals/transplants/students and "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" type travel. Thanks!
If one or both of you are tall and dark you will be popular new years day for "first footing". look it up
Head for the bars on George Street, there's a guide on my Edinburgh pages. If you've more than a few days then have a night down the Grassmarket.
Take a look at the Hogmonay Festival or The List websites for other handy tips.
http://www.list.co.uk/
http://www.edinburgh-festivals.com/hogmanay/
As far as accomodation is concerned, if you are just starting to look now then it's unlikely that you'll get a budget hotel room or hostel anywhere near the city centre. Renting an apartment may be a cheaper option, lots available centrally from about £50 per night.
Thanks for the advice!
... one of us is tall, the other dark. does that count?
I have friends in leith, and tha might be a place to look for something on a budget, the transport from there to centre is pretty good, and if your stuck really late at night it is walkable (just about), there used to be some pretty dodgy parts, but it has been cleaned up in recent yeras, and there are some tourist attractions, the ryal yacht, and you can even get to the beach, if you REALLY fancy it in december!
for a small fee you can climb up here and veiw the city.
I did it and must point out its very narrow and tight .If you scared of confined space it's not for you.
It also can make you feel dizzy as its circular stair well is relentless.
They also give you a wonderful document to say you climbed climbed the blomming thing very touristy but hey why not!
Although Edinburgh, like the other Royal Burghs of Scotland, used armorial devices on its seals and in other ways from early times and certainly from the 14th century, the 'achievement' or coat of arms was not formally granted by the Lord Lyon King of Arms until 1732. The arms were used by Edinburgh Town Council until the reorganisation of local government in Scotland in May 1975, when the council was succeeded by The City of Edinburgh District Council and a new coat of arms, based on the earlier one, was granted.
The castle has long been a symbol for Edinburgh, the Castle Rock having been fortified since Neolithic times
The crest probably derives the office of Ardmiral of the Forth held by the Lord Provost - an anchor wreathed about with a cable all proper (that is, in natural colours) set on a wreath of the colours. This wreath or torse represents cloth coloured by the city's livery, silver on one side and black on the other, and twisted so as to show three twists of each colour.
Above the anchor is the motto, 'NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA', associated with Edinburgh since 1647.
Two figures or 'supporters' flank the shield. On the 'dexter' (ie the viewer's right) stands a doe. The adoption of the maiden as a supporter probably derived from the fact that Edinburgh Castle was known, certainly in the 13th century if not earlier, as 'Castrum Puellarum' (Castle of the Maidens). Although this name was probably a corruption of a Gaelic or Brythonic name sounding like 'Maiden' but meaning something else, there is a legend that in the Dark Ages the Castle was used as a safe residence for royal princesses, and it is also believed that it housed a nunnery in this period. The doe or hind is associated with St Giles, the city's patron saint. Until the Reformation, they were often shown together on the civic seals. The earliest representation of the maiden still extant dates from 1640, carved on a stone in Parliament Hall.
The heart-shaped design of the cobble stones near St Giles Cathedral marks where the entrance to the Tolbooth used to be located. The Tolbooth was originally set up in 1561, as the name implies, to collect tolls but also became used as a prison after 1640. There was also a scaffold for hanging criminals (and others) and the heads of the more famous victims would be displayed on spikes in the face of the building. The Tolbooth was demolished in 1817.
Perhaps as a sign of disrespect to the town council, it became common for passsers-by to spit on the cobble stone design. While this is not encouraged these days, it is wise to give the emblem a wide berth when walking past - just in case!
There is another kegend that has been told to me..if a pair kiss each other on this point it will mean that they will break up....so mind where you walk!!
the firth of forth bridge... built sometime around the year 1880, the construction of which was considered a feat in itself. its one of the most distinct looking cantilever style bridges in the world.
Theres a fair near the train station on West Princess Street Gardens which pretty much lights up the city in different colours. It was on during my visit here so I'm not exactly sure if its just a temporay thing or whether its been there for ages! I dont have a personal picture of it but I found this is from the Edinburgh Tourism Board.
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