2014 is a special year for Scotland. It will welcome the world to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July, The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September and the countrywide Homecoming 2014 celebrations throughout the year.
How perfect for my husband Dougie to have his own Homecoming this Easter thanks to Visit Scotland which has arranged a trip for the Burgess family so we can experience the culture, history and style of Scotland’s top cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
We have a book at home, Weegies vs Edinbuggers, which is a tongue-in-cheek look at the differences between the two cities. There is certainly a rivalry between the two and I know which one Dougie prefers, but he’s biased. So which is better: Glasgow or Edinburgh? There’s only one way to find out….
……visit them!
And visit them we shall: two nights in each. We will do our best to see what each city has to offer. In Glasgow we are going to one of the main stadiums for the Commonwealth Games, Hampden Park, plus the world-famous Burrell Collection, one of the most important collections of art ever created by one person.
In Edinburgh we will be visiting during the International Science Festival and hope to cram in other attractions such as Edinburgh Castle and The Real Mary King’s Close.
I’m hoping there’ll be time for shopping and am already drooling at some of the suggestions for eateries: the Ubiquitous Chip anyone?
But I don’t want to give all of Scotland’s secrets away just yet. You’ll have to wait until we return, once they’ve had the thorough ‘Mum’s Gone To’ analysis.
As we’re not going just yet, anyone have their own favourite city of the two? Any suggestions of places to visit or restaurants to try?
While you’re having a think about that, here’s a picture of Dougie in his kilt, for no other reason than I reckon he looks braw.
I love Glasgow. My gran lived their until her death in the late 90's and, sadly, I've not been back since. I often watch Rab C. Nesbit just to get a nostalgia fix.
We love Rab. Did you know Gregor Fisher moved to Spalding, near me, a few years ago? I think he has just sold up now but he had a gorgeous Georgian house near the river and kept his string vest covered up.
Hello Trish,
We have never been to Glasgow although that is certainly a city we should love to see. The Burrell Collection is definitely reason enough for us to be tempted there. One day….
However, Edinburgh we do indeed love. As it happens, we once toyed with living there. It is such a vibrant, cultured city and the architecture we found fascinating. We ate at 'indigo Yard' and that experience has stayed with us ever since. Whether it was the food or the wonderful company of friends we are not sure. Perhaps it was the magical combination of the two!
Whatever, enjoy your time in Scotland. The kilt looks fabulous…….dare we ask what is worn underneath?!
It shouldn't be worn at his age, it shpuld have plenty of life left in it!
Ha! Trust Troy to pick up on that one! Having been to many dances where tiddly females wanted to know the same thing but were more proactive in finding out, Dougie makes sure he is covered up.
I'll have to keep a look out for Indigo Yard when we are in Edinburgh. Thanks for the recommendation.
Looking forward to returning to the Burrell Collection – we went many years ago and found is fascinating.
I used to go to Edinburgh every year for the Fringe, but that was decades ago. I met Rowan Atkinson in a pub there once. 🙂
I passed through Glasgow on my honeymoon and we stopped in a pub to have something to eat. The food section was in a room at the back and was decorated with lots of kilims so it looked very exotic. I had haggis for the first time and found it delicious. That was in 1995 though and I have no idea where it was, so I can be of no help at all. 🙂
I hope you have a smashing time.
I wonder if our friend Google might work out where the restaurant is, if I add 'kilims' to the search. Will let you know if I find it.
Big haggis fans in this house – Rory is particularly fond of it, which surprised us.
Do you know we've never been to the Fringe, which seems daft considering how much we like comedy and theatre down here.
Not really familiar with Glasgee but we had a lovely time in Edinburgh last year.
Ah yes, I had forgotten you had visited. Any tips?
Braw, phwaar. Born in Edinburgh, me, so no competition. I remember imagining Glasgae as a terrifying place of boarded up shops and tenements full of menacing drunks. And, thanks, to Billy Connolly, everyone skipping doon the midden in wellies to empty the ashes. I visited it about five years ago and saw that I had been (a bit) wrong…
So you and Dougie were both born in Edinburgh? You'll have to compare notes!
Hopefully 2014 will be an historic year for Scotland. It is a long while since I've last been but Edinburgh always struck me as being the nicer city. I think the Royal Yacht Britannia is worth a visit. My friend was mugged on Arthur's Seat and had his camera stolen – but I doubt that anyone would mess with Dougie if he's wearing his kilt.
We have Britannia on our list for the final day, Troy.
Shocked to hear about a mugging on Arthur's Seat. I'll make sure Dougie is well equipped!
Glasgow, no contest.
The Burrell collection is really worth a visit, as isthe Ubiquitous Chip, if it's as good as it used to be 15 years ago. Is the Buttery still on the go?
Nice kilt. Mine doens't fit me anymore. It's shrunk.
Isn't it frustrating when clothes just shrink for no reason. Can't understand it…
Will have a search for The Buttery. Glad to hear the Ubiquitous Chip is an old favourite of yours.
I am no help here, but have a fab time xxx
I'm sure I will x
I love Glasgow and there was a simply wonderful teashop on the main street,….but I cannot remember the name argh! I will pop back when I think of it.
Are you thinking of the Willow tea rooms, designed by Rennie Mackintosh?
I shall admit now that I haven't been to either – hope you have a wonderful time
I'll let you know how we get on.
Never visited Scotland….I need to. I really need to. x
Ah you must, Otilla. It's so beautiful.
I do like the colours of his kilt! I have never ever been to Scotland, isn't that terrible? Have an amazing time! 🙂
It's the Anderson tartan, his family one. Lovely and bright, isn't it. I can't believe you've not been – you've been everywhere!
I have never been to Glasgow either!! Must go one day!
I need to organise a bus for you all!
Dougie does indeed look very fine! Have a wonderful stay in bonnie Scotland. Mich x
He does suit a kilt – takes him ages to get into the whole regalia but it's worth it!
Went to Glasgow a few years ago with friends, and Edinburgh many many years ago. Would love to go back to either to be honest!
Ah that's good to know. I don't remember much of a previous visit to Glasgow apart from the Burrell collection. We didn't see the rest of the city that time. Looking forward to investigating more.
i've been to scotland many times but never glasgow, i really need to get that sorted don't it!
Yes, yes you do! I'll let you know what it's like.
I was going to ask if he has a license for that sporran but actually it looks like more of a man bag. I bet it has a Scottish name other than the furless sporran. Something like the speeeeeedoooooooooooo!! Best get yourself there before the borders close lol
Ah yes, this is his day sporran. He has a more elaborate, furry dress sporran he wears to balls etc.
It did occur to us this was a good time to be going in case they don't let him in after the referendum.
Now I'm confused. Is the furry sporran worn inside or outside the kilt?
Well informative and contained a laverly man in a kilt. This is like the perfect blog post! ;0)
Ha! My work is done…
Ohhhh I have never been to Scotland although my maiden name, Baillie, is of Scottish decent and means my family originated as Big fat rich lawyer/judge types… I knew I was a snob at heart for a reason. I hope you have fun and he wears that kilt the whole time… mainly so we get lots of pictures of him in a kilt. 🙂
Ooh you are a big fat lawyer and I married a burger or bugger or a freeman of the city, take your pick!
I'm afraid he will be wearing trousers most of the time. However I can always pep up blog posts by taking photos of him in his kilt at home then just adding them willy nilly. That's an unfortunate phrase I've just used.
Trish, having lived in both I would be really happy to send you recommends for our fave eats/drinks in both. Andrew and I will be in both over Easter, if you're there will we have drinks? xxx ps wave to my son when you see him in Edinburgh, he'll be the drunk but very chatty 6 foot 4 one at the bar 🙂 pps in Edina, don't miss Ducit's in Thistle St, brilliant Thai and then meander down to Harry's bar, which is exactly as it was when I lived there in the 90's, and you won't feel old at all, everyone was my age when we went there in November, you can dance to all the music you did in the 90's too!!!. In Glasgow, the chip is marvellous as is Oran Mhor, they do a play, a pint and a pie for a fiver, just braaw, top of Byres Rd and if you pass by One Devonshire Gardens, please have a champers for me, thet's where I got married, the Jack Vettriano suite was our digs on that visit, just beautiful
So pleased with all this great info. I have emailed you separately.
Fabulous kilt photo! Is Dougie going to wear it the whole trip?
I do not know Glasgow but I visited Edinburgh when I was living in the UK and really enjoyed it. I have great memories of the Royal Mile! xx
To be honest, I think it will get left at home, more's the pity.
We have visited Edinburgh several times over the years but not that recently so am looking forward to the trip x
Lovely gratuitous kilt shot!
Puts a smile on my face!
…willy-nilly…hahahahahah……I got that!
I enjoy living in Asia and traveling around here, but every time you post about a trip in the UK, I get itchy feet and start nagging MrL to see what his company's got going on over there. Looking forward to hearing all about it and yes, Dougie does look braw!!!
Ooh I forgot to reply to you!
Yes you do need to fit the UK into an Asia Vu visit. Scotland was thrilling, as always. Investigated Glasgow and Dougie even found parts of Edinburgh he had never been before. A great success.
Rubbish! How did I miss all this?! Would have whizzed up to see you (and dragged Iota along too). Grrr…. You were probably here the same weekend I was in Newark of course…
We were there 11th to 15th. I didn't think to shout about it to you. Mind you, we were on a mission visiting things so might have been hard to fit you in!!