Scotland!

[Foofoogal]

I live North of Houston Texas. Every city has pockets of where to go and not to go.
Don't get me wrong. I adored Scotland and it is the land of my forefathers. It is truly like going to the local library and climbing into the best fairy tale book you can find.
I did go out at night but tried to get back before about 7 or 9 as it starts getting dark about 4 in the afternoon. I believe the weekends would be the most trouble.
I had no idea until I started reading the papers and in bold block letters things like "We need to take back our streets." What are we going to do with long discussions about the youth and alcohol. At one time even reading about thugs attacking in numbers people who have eyesight problems. Since I wear glasses it made me pause. When reading the papers it definitely seems the bars are the problems and should be held accountable.
I refuse to let fear stop me from enjoying myself but knowledge is power and not being rash and knowing or studying your surroundings and being safe goes for anywhere at anytime. IMHO.
I would definitely go again to Scotland. It is just stunning.


I did get a bit freaked out when we came back from Edinburgh via the train and since there was construction we had to ride a bus provided by the train ticket and the bus was 20 minutes later than the next train we had to catch. The train was gone so we had to walk quite a bit and catch the local busline. If someone was not familiar with the bus though we were by that time they would find themselves at the train station not having a clue. What a fiasco, I saw people on wrong busline several times. There should be a packet about the buslines and trains somewhere. I guess since they are so familiar with these modes of transportation the Scots don't realize how foreign they seem to a tourist. I guess New York would be the same. I had never in my life ever rode public transportation. A school bus but not a public bus.

 

[Alan Eardley]

Ahhh, you have 'enjoyed' a truly British experience - the rail replacement 'bus. A national institution. I can imagine that, for those unfamiliar with them, they are an unusual phenomenon with their uncertain timetabling and even more uncertain routing.

I only use public transport and so am used to such things. There is a certain romance about late night buses in Scotland - particularly Glasgow. A guy named David Mackie has written a highly readable book on his experiences on them. National Express coach stations (UK version of Greyhound) are also interesting places to be in the wee small hours.

Again, I have to say, the dangers of mugging are overstated. Most muggers aren't very good at it. Learn where not to go, carry a dummy wallet and learn some basic self-defence and carry a good stick and you'll be OK in most places.
<Added later - Except St. Peterburg (that's Russia, not Florida) and Karachi. This advice doesn't apply there, I can assure you...

Alan

I live North of Houston Texas. Every city has pockets of where to go and not to go.
Don't get me wrong. I adored Scotland and it is the land of my forefathers. It is truly like going to the local library and climbing into the best fairy tale book you can find.
I did go out at night but tried to get back before about 7 or 9 as it starts getting dark about 4 in the afternoon. I believe the weekends would be the most trouble.
I had no idea until I started reading the papers and in bold block letters things like "We need to take back our streets." What are we going to do with long discussions about the youth and alcohol. At one time even reading about thugs attacking in numbers people who have eyesight problems. Since I wear glasses it made me pause. When reading the papers it definitely seems the bars are the problems and should be held accountable.
I refuse to let fear stop me from enjoying myself but knowledge is power and not being rash and knowing or studying your surroundings and being safe goes for anywhere at anytime. IMHO.
I would definitely go again to Scotland. It is just stunning.


I did get a bit freaked out when we came back from Edinburgh via the train and since there was construction we had to ride a bus provided by the train ticket and the bus was 20 minutes later than the next train we had to catch. The train was gone so we had to walk quite a bit and catch the local busline. If someone was not familiar with the bus though we were by that time they would find themselves at the train station not having a clue. What a fiasco, I saw people on wrong busline several times. There should be a packet about the buslines and trains somewhere. I guess since they are so familiar with these modes of transportation the Scots don't realize how foreign they seem to a tourist. I guess New York would be the same. I had never in my life ever rode public transportation. A school bus but not a public bus.

 

[Foofoogal]

The funniest thing about this Alan is when we stopped I wondered why the majority of the crowd just headed out towards the street and about 4 of us headed to the train station. The locals knew what to do as if it was as common as can be.
I stood there like a deer in headlights when the lady at the station told us the train had already left. They should at least right then and there hand out a flyer about what to do.
Blue line, first line, so many different buses with so many different times.
No wonder everyone in Texas wants visitors to experience the hunt for the elusive snipe bird. lol
Local trends are interesting.

 

[Alan Eardley]

As an antidote to your negative experience, next time you are in Auld Reekie (that's Edinburgh, by the way) take the X95 'bus to Carlisle. This goes through Galashiels, Hawick and much of the Border marches - Walter Scott country. Very much 'undiscovered Scotland' where tourism is concerned. One can also visit Aero Leather Clothing if one wishes.

Alan

The funniest thing about this Alan is when we stopped I wondered why the majority of the crowd just headed out towards the street and about 4 of us headed to the train station. The locals knew what to do as if it was as common as can be.
I stood there like a deer in headlights when the lady at the station told us the train had already left. They should at least right then and there hand out a flyer about what to do.
Blue line, first line, so many different buses with so many different times.
No wonder everyone in Texas wants visitors to experience the hunt for the elusive snipe bird. lol
Local trends are interesting.

 

[Foofoogal]

Thank you. Will do.
My family name of Scottish ancestors was Boyd. A part of the Stewart clan I believe from my research there.
I do hope to do more research. I have found my family in Charleston South Carolina as early as 1840s but would love to make the connection if and when they came from Scotland. Pretty sure though. fftopic:
Boyd is supposed to mean blond hair blue eyed people and my dad and brothers all were toe headed as they say. I also see Robert and James as a big name with Boyds in Scotland and it is the same with my family as far back as I can see.
Nothing like going to Scotland and getting one stirred up about your roots.
Hope my clan wasn't against your clan. lol

http://www.edinburgh-tattoo.co.uk/index.html

Would love to go back to this.

 

[Alan Eardley]

Dear lady,

I assume you mean 'tow headed' - having hair like tow - the white, fine, drawn and teased fibres of flax before they are spun to make linen yarn. I am absolutely, 100% sure that you are not 'toe headed' which means something completely different!

Alan

Boyd is supposed to mean blond hair blue eyed people and my dad and brothers all were toe headed as they say. I also see Robert and James as a big name with Boyds in Scotland and it is the same with my family as far back as I can see.
Nothing like going to Scotland and getting one stirred up about your roots.
Hope my clan wasn't against your clan. lol

http://www.edinburgh-tattoo.co.uk/index.html

Would love to go back to this.

 

[dundeedavie]

edinburgh is a lovely place , i run a club night in edinburgh and have never felt scared walking around it at night (but them i am 6' and built like a house).

aberdeen is FREEZING an i live about an hour south of aberdeen lol but if you were looking for sun scotland is not the place to come .

for pictures if anyone wants to have a look at myspace i have random picture from around the north of scotland

www.myspace.com/dundeedavie

 

[Foofoogal]

'tow headed'

lol yes, that. Not a word I use everyday.

We did eat at a place called Soul restaurant in downtown Edinburgh the last night. It was in an old, old church. I just had to see this as the Texas people wouldn't believe it.
It turned out to also be a casino which I didn't know. I don't gamble but the place was neat and I didn't see the casino as I think you have to take a bus to it or something. This is where I got a great bowl of skink.