Scotland/Ireland advice?

[Dan G]

Vacation time (partly a working trip for my wife, so I can tag along cheaply). I don't think there is anyone here from either country, but I'm looking for recommendations for cheap but good restaurants in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, and also Dublin (probably won't be in any other cities in IE).

Also, record stores - and by that I mean ones that really do sell vinyl. I can get pretty much any CD I want over the web, cheaper than I'd pay there, but I'm always hunting for used jazz vinyl.

Any helpful hints greatly appreciated.

[Monte Smith]

Too long since I have been there to give any better advice than have a good time. Which advice is needless in Ireland.

[GoodSpeak]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Too long since I have been there to give any better advice than have a good time. Which advice is needless in Ireland.

Well then...

Nice to see you aren't well versed in all things, eh?












Just a gentle chide, my friend

[Captain Hate]

I was on a cruise around the Scottish Isle's starting in Dublin so I don't have any specific rec's other than 4 magic words in Ireland: Beamish on tap, baby!!

[Pete C]

I ate well in both cities in Scotland, but I can't really remember names of places. I had some of the best seafood of my life in Scotland. The mussels & oysters are amazing. There is a fun pub/restaurant in Glasgow called Babbity Bowster--I stayed in the hotel upstairs.:

Glasgow
- Babbity Bowster
The Scotland Guide
www.scotland-guide.co.uk
© David Williams

c.1794, Robert and John Adam

The pub Babbity Bowster stands in Blackfriars Street which is just off High Street. The street was named after the Blackfriars Monastery which existed in the High Street in medieval times.



It was built as a house and it still has its original Roman Doric doorway. The building was derelict before its conversion to a pub and the restoration won well-deserved awards.

The `Babbity Bowster` is an old Scottish dance.

[bobetterblues]

There is a really special Italian restaurant in Dublin that I always go to when we're there, and for the life of me I can't remember the name of it. Its in Dowtown Dublin just below the south side of the river/canal, and its right near where all the youngsters go out and party.

If I remember the name I'll post it.

If you can make it to Cork, I highly recommend it. Its an older town in the south of Ireland and the culture is really special there. You'll have a hard time understanding the thick accent, but its a really cool town.

Oh, and I had an amazing dinner at The Village in Dublin once. Its a concert venue, with a restaurant downstairs. The soup and steak I had, was the best meal of that tour by far.

[Pete C]

OK, I did a little research, and I came up with two excellent Edinburgh restaurants I ate at. Creelers serves wonderful fresh seafood, and Jackson's is a kind of haute/nouvelle Scottish--definitely worth the splurge.

Creelers Seafood Restaurant

This Old Town restaurant can be found in the heart of Edinburgh, just off the High Street.

Lunch (1-3 courses) £ 3.00 - £ 20.00
Dinner (2-3 courses) £ 17.00 - £ 32.00

Creelers serves fine Scottish food with both seafood and game on the menu. Tim and Fran James bring fresh fish from their own boat, smoked products from their own smokehouse and game from the Isle of Arran to their restaurant, just off the High Street on Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile. The Bistro bar has an informal atmosphere; the restaurant is more formal and exhibits work of Scottish artists.

3 Hunter Square, Royal Mile
Edinburgh,
Scotland,
EH1 1QW

Jacksons
www.jacksons-restaurant.co.uk

An Edinburgh restaurant on the historic Royal Mile serving the best of Scottish food.

Lunch (2-3 courses) £ 8.00 - £ 10.50
Dinner (1-3 courses) £ 14.00 - £ 28.00
Seats 105

Situated on the ‘Historic Royal Mile’, a Taste of Scotland
restaurant, Jacksons offers elegant creative cuisine to satisfy discerning palates. The welcome dining rooms are tastefully decorated with tapestried walls and torch lighting. Both are laid with white linen and candles and use the best local produce available.


209 - 213 High Street,
Edinburgh,
Scotland,
EH1 1PE

Tel No. (0131) 225 1793
Fax No. (0131) 220 0620

[Douglas]

Although Edinburgh is my home town, I've lived away too long and when I do return spend too much time with family to be a good guide. But...

Pete C's seafood recommendation is on the money - another place worth considering is the Cafe Royale.

There are also a load of new (for me) reasturants in Leith, many of seafood orientated, where I have enjoyed a pleasant meal. If you come across a dish called Musselburgh pie, you should try it. This is a local speciality named after a fishing village just along the coast - steak and oysters.

If you want a decent haggis once in your life - and you should - try the one in Deacon Brodies at the top of the Mile.

Have a good time.

I'm just about to go for a week to the French coast on my own seafood crusade - a more thoughtful response possible if you have not left before then.

[Ron Thorne]

Why did I find myself reading these damned posts with a brogue? I swear that my mind went into a mode where I suddenly realized that pixels on a screen bore an accent.

Yes, I'm part Scottish/Irish, but ...


Pssssst. Your avatar is the shit, Douglas. I think I already told you that once before.

[Deke]

Take a really good raincoat.

[Paul H]

For vinyl in Edinburgh, try Backbeat. The owner is a very nice guy and makes frequent trips to the States to buy records, mostly Blues records from the 60s and 70s IIRC. When I was there last September he was preparing to fly to Chicago and then New Orleans, where he planned to rent a car and drive around Louisana hunting for records. The shop is small, trapezoid in shape and stuffed with vinyl. I'm kind of fat, and I nearly caused several avalanches trying to squeeze down the aisles.

It's at 31 East Crosscauseway, South Edinburgh, in the general area of the University of Edinburgh. freewheelrecords@hotmail.com.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

If you have a day, go to Tolleymore and drive through the Mountains of Mourne. For being in Northern Ireland, it is very beautiful and so peaceful.

[Lastonein]

When are you going Dan?

Right now I know that Edinburgh is in the middle of a three week long fest of hi and lo culture that attracts millions every August so cheapo rooms may be hard to find. Not been to the UK for a while but my Brit mates say to go to Henry's Bar in Edinburgh for live jazz, and the guys there will supply you with local knowledge on food and vinyl places to visit.

[Dan G]

Leaving Thursday, based in E'burgh until the 29th, so will be in the middle of the fringe (both timewise and spacewise, as I'v got a flat for the week right at the base of the castle). The fringe isn't something we would normally have chosen to go to, but the timing wasn't really up to us (wife has a conference in Dublin first few days of Sept., but we couldn't stay later because of work).

Thanks for the recommendations. Jackson's looks particularly appealing. Wife has seafood allergy, so that limits some of the places I might prefer.

And yes, we've got good raincoats.