14 replies to this topic

[Haz]

Leith has smartened up its image a LOT. I don't honestly know how worthwhile a 'day' trip it is though, as most of what I've seen of it since it's been spruced up has been bars/restaurants at night time. Other than the Royal Yacht Britannia, I'm not sure how much there is in terms of daytime activities.

The Forth Bridges/Queensferry are pretty for a trip out of the city... there is a lovely pub right under the rail bridge that does AMAZING fish and chips, right next to the water. I'm not sure how easy getting there by public transport would be though.

Rosslyn Chapel (made famous by the Da Vinci Code) is a wonderful place to visit. It is, sadly, far more tourist packed than it used to be, since the book/film etc, but is still quite special. According to their website, they're actually using the chapel as a fringe venue, which I hadn't realised!

If you feel like hopping back on the train, North Berwick is only about 25 minutes back out of Edinburgh and is really lovely in the summer, just for wandering around.

Hope that helps a bit!

[Statler]

Rosslyn Chapel (made famous by the Da Vinci Code) is a wonderful place to visit. It is, sadly, far more tourist packed than it used to be, since the book/film etc, but is still quite special. According to their website, they're actually using the chapel as a fringe venue, which I hadn't realised!

Nonsenseroom are doing "Romeo & Juliet" at Rosslyn this year.  We have seen several of their shows in the past including "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Ballad of James II" and have never been disappointed (they do a Fringe show and a Christmas one each year).

During the week it is just the show and to be honest you see very little of the chapel as it is lit for the production and all the carving is lost in the surrounding darkness.  I can thoroughly recommend their "Special Performances" on Saturday 9th, 16th and 23rd which although £25 include an interval tea/coffee, post show light buffet and a chance to chat with the cast and in the past these shows have finished with the chance of a late night tour of the chapel - a wonderful experience in itself.  There are very few shows I'm prepared to recommend on the basis of past work but this is one.  Full reviews of their previous shows at www.viewfromthestalls.co.uk  but do remember that Roslin is a fair bit out of Edinburgh so check transport arrangements carefully (Special performances probably won't finish until around 11pm).

[rona910]

As far as what to see goes, the Half Price Hut on top of Princes Mall is always a good bet. You can generally get some good recommendations from other people in the queue - and cheap tickets for loads of shows, too. And the majority of the city centre venues are within a short walking distance from there.

I totally agree - last year I only booked one show for the whole festival, the rest of the time I just either trundled along to the half price hut or up to the box office at the Assembly Rooms to see what started within the next half hour that took my fancy, and it was fab!

Also, buses are generally pretty reliable but be careful if you're going along Haymarket on a bus at the moment - the tramworks meant that the other week it took 45 minutes for the 33 to get from the Chinese takeaway on Dalry road to the Starbucks at Haymarket (about 200 metres). Nightmare!