Glasgow; you can use the train between Edinburgh & Glasgow. Glasgow: The Museum of Modern Art and Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. And just walk. Fabulous city. I prefer it to Edinburgh. Enjoy!
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I’ve often heard that Glasgow looks very similar to some American cities in terms of its architecture. I don’t know enough about American cities to know if this is true though!
One thing I really love about Glasgow is whenever I’ve been is just how friendly the people there are. Whenever I’ve been a bit lost and asked a local for directions, the people have really gone out of their way to help me. Every single time. I was so touched by their kindness. I haven’t experienced kindness anywhere else on earth like I have in Glasgow and that’s no exaggeration.
To give you an example, I remember once being on a bus in Glasgow many years ago and I was trying to find the Citizens Theatre. I asked a lady on the bus for some directions. Not only did she go out of her way to help me, so did the person sitting behind her and even this absolutely steaming drunk man at the back of the bus staggered down the aisle to try and help, bless him. He did mean well even though he was struggling to stay upright! 
They’ve got a lovely Botanic gardens in Glasgow that’s well worth a visit as has Edinburgh and both luckily are free entry! 
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That’s brilliant. Thank you for this!
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That’s terrific to hear. So far, I’ve found folks in Edinburgh lovely. Like I’ve asked for directions and folks have walked me to the street and pointed further where to go. And tour bus drivers have all been more patient than I’ve encountered in other countries. Plus, great service at restaurants and such — friendly and welcoming.
Years ago, I met a guy on a plane who was the most polite and considerate fellow passenger I’ve ever encountered — he was a Scot — so I came to Scotland with a great impression.
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Visited the Britannia today. Found it very interesting and was happy to learn that there’s a tea room aboard. Of course, I had afternoon tea there. Tried Dundee cake for the first time. Yum! I’ve been curious about it since learning randomly years ago that it was one of Churchill’s favorites.
Wandered about a bit more in Edinburgh, like along the Royal Mile. Also gave vegan haggis a try. Couldn’t get with the texture. But glad I tried. I’ve also had cullen skink, which I enjoyed.
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@Silversitters, when I was touring the Britannia today, I could see snow on hills across the water, in the distance. I haven’t seen any snow up close in Edinburgh, but it’s getting icy or slippery — they’re salting the ground in various places. Like on sidewalks and on the deck of the Britannia.
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So happy to hear this, Maggie! Sounds like you’re having the time of your life over in Caledonia!!! It’s so lovely when people go out of their way to help others like that.
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Totally agree. Such experiences make a big difference in how I feel about places.
Like in Istanbul, my husband and I were looking at a map and two guys offered help, unasked. And at a restaurant, my husband overpaid by a lot, because he messed up the currency, and the waiter told him and gave him back the extra. Plus, a couple of times, men on the tram offered me their seats, including one who appeared to be in his 70s. All of that, along with how stray cats and dogs seemed well fed and unafraid of strangers, impressed me about such a large city.
Once in NYC, it started drizzling while I was out walking. I stopped at a crosswalk. A 20-something woman extended her umbrella to cover me, unasked. I still remember that sweet gesture years later. On that same walk, I picked up takeout to bring back to my hotel, because I was coming down with a cold. The restaurant remembered that they’d forgotten to include utensils and a customer who’d been waiting at the counter chased after me to give them to me.
Humanity is especially touching to me in large cities, because it’s easier in such places to just rush by.
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Last day in Edinburgh:
Visited the Museum of Childhood. Nostalgic.
Popped into a lovely little indoor marketplace on the Royal Mile and shopped for locally made art, mementoes and gifts. For instance, now my dog will own two bow ties, LOL. He doesn’t even wear pants, but will have neckwear.
Managed to get into a small restaurant that’s known for brunch. Pretty good, but I’m glad I made a reservation, rather than stand in line in the drizzle to do a walk-in for the annex location, which is next door.
https://www.edinburghlarder.co.uk
Visited St. Giles Cathedral. Amazing.
https://www.stgilescathedral.org.uk
Visited The Writers’ Museum. Inspiring. The Writers' Museum | Museums and Galleries Edinburgh
Went to a lovely restaurant around the corner and raised a glass to writers and editors.
Now back at my hotel for a nap before dinner.
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Wow! Great photos. I might well have walked past you as I was also on the Royal Mile today. Weather has been atrocious but looks like you had a fabulous time!
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Thanks. Yes, great visit. The days just flew by. Maybe you did, too, LOL. The weather didn’t bother me. Maybe because I spent nearly a decade in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Scottish dinner on my last night. Yum! EDINBURGH - Makars
Beef shoulder, mash with bacon and spring onions. Plus Edinburgh gin and tonic.
I’d definitely eat there again. Delicious food and friendly folks.
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I hope you had time in glasgow, too. I can see why tourists like Edinburgh better, but I found Glasgow so welcoming and interesting that I only went to Edinburgh for a day and spent the rest of the week at all Glasgow’s museums, parks, more real-life not airbnb-ful neighborhoods,
and historical sites. I’m considering moving there actually and looking forward to a visit agsin as part of a trip in March.
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Thank you! I’m excited to visit for the first time. I already feel lucky to get to sit in Glasgow, especially at this time of year, when it will be dressed for the holidays.
And one of the things I learned in my 20s (decades ago) while I started moving around a lot for my career: Every place has different advantages to offer and you make yourself able to enjoy them the most when you don’t compare the place to elsewhere. Lean into the best of every city.
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I’m thrilled to see you made it to the Museum of Childhood! It’s another place I loved as a kid, and I still visit from time to time as a grown-up.
It sounds like you’ve made the best of your time in Edinburgh, and I can’t wait to see your Glasgow updates!
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My sister and I enjoyed scones, jam and cream on Britannia @ziggy. Loved our tour of it too. Very homely where The Queen and family could really relax.
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A full Scottish and tea to start the day off before I do a late checkout at my hotel and head to Waverley to catch a train to Glasgow. I did a quick turn around my hotel’s block as well. Sad to leave Edinburgh. Such a special place.
The restaurant kindly let me sub out the haggis and black pudding. I’ve tried them previously and they weren’t to my taste. I even tried vegan haggis after the meat version, just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything, LOL.
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Looks delicious @Maggie8K 
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Arrived in Glasgow today by train and settled into a hotel for tonight, before I head over to a THS host’s place tomorrow.
They’ve been lovely and invited me to come a couple of days before they leave.
Meanwhile, my hotel for the night is by the Queen Street train station and I happened across MacKintosh at the Willow, so I dropped in for afternoon tea.
I’d already made a reservation for later in the week, but figured I was there anyway, so checked whether they had room for me early. They did. They were welcoming, but it was so noisy there, I’ve been in more relaxing train stations, no exaggeration.
I just winged the hotel, figuring there’d be room near a train station, and there was. They were very friendly and I’m now cozy after a few hours of exploring, including checking out the city’s Christmas fair and decorations.
I can see why some folks say Glasgow is more like the U.S. — some streets would fit right in and there are many American brand stores. But I’d say there are lovely buildings with old world charm and people have been friendly. I even wandered into what used to be a newspaper office, now a restaurant and bar, and they invited me to look around and take photos of
memorabilia, even though I wasn’t dining or drinking there. (I’d gone in out of curiosity, because there was lettering mentioning an “editor’s suite.”) They even let me take a menu, a mock newspaper. I love that sort of history, especially because I worked in news for decades, during my first career.
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