Puzzlebrains

Does anyone have suggestions for things to see or do if you have a few hours free in Glasgow?

No, sorry, never been there. But would be interested to hear of anything you find!

The Kelvingrove art gallery! Or sites linked to Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

.....Edinburgh?

(I should have posted that one first as we are going there this weekend and Glasgow in a coupe of weeks time)

What's with this mass exodus to Scotland? Are you having a secret meet with SparkOut?

Some people do use extreme methods to avoid treasure trails, that's all I'm sayin'!

This weekend we are going to see the prodigal son and in two weeks we are going to a concert, at the SSE Hydro, tickets courtesy of SSE with whom my husband does a lot of work.

Sounds fab. What's the concert you are going to?

U2

Prepare yourself for LOTS of echo guitar playing then!

I'm preparing myself for lots of singing along.

Sounds like good fun,

I remember Edinburgh as being a great city for a pub crawl but I'm not sure that would necessarily appeal to you - and it was many years ago.

Sounds like you are lucky to remember Edinburgh at all!

My only previous trip to Edinburgh was for less than an hour. I got off a train, rushed to C and A for a strapless bra and hopped on a coach. I didn't actually see any of the city.

Edinburgh is my favourite city that I have visited in the UK

To be honest, I've only ever been to Edinburgh to STOP once, and briefly, on the way back from D's parents' house when they lived in Dundee. We went to the camera obscura, where they also had an exhibition all about holograms at the time. Going back for a proper visit is on my "to do" list.

So what do you recommend Sparkout?

In Edinburgh? I thought you were in need of suggestions for Glasgow, where I have never stopped. I've been to the airport, but can't give that as a place to "must see".

I'm after suggestions for either.

Oh, I see you are going to Edinburgh too.
Well, there's the castle, of course, with the one o'clock gun. Down the Royal Mile with lots of individual shops, especially artisans. Holyrood Palace at the bottom. Princes Street is great for shopping, Jenners is the big department store. It might be too early but look for a man with a brazier cart on one of the corners on Princes Street shouting "Nuts, red 'ot nuts" and get a bag of roasted chestnuts. If you're feeling energetic you could climb Arthur's Seat, or go part way at least, and see the city below.

For me,
Edinburgh means Greyfriars Bobby.

Edinburgh is a lovely city (unlike Glasgow which has its attractions but is not a top tourist place overall). I would endorse all of Sparkout's suggestions, with a priority on walking down the Royal Mile rather than going to the castle if there is a choice. Holyrood is probably more interesting (take a look at the parliament building also). When walking down the Royal Mile, make sure you divert down some of the little alleyways/courts between buildings - they are fascinating and have a lot of history attached. I think that on one of our visits we took a guided tour of the Royal Mile which was terrific (even if come of the stories were obviously embroidered!) - but you can also download your own guides to those historic alleyways from the Royal Mile website. Enjoy!!