Honeymoon - 3 weeks in Scotland - What to do?

[Hirsty]

Dumfriesshire is an absolute hidden gem. Beautiful coastline, stunning countryside, midgie free, an easy drive from Glasgow, and much less touristy than some places.

Just don't tell anyone else about it.

[Hirsty]

As for Edinburgh, it has some of the best boozers in the world - Jolly Judge, Bow Bar, Cloisters, Hanging Bat, Usher's, Cask & Barrell (both of them), Malt Whisky Society (Leith is better than up town), Cambridge, Guildford, City Cafe, Salt Horse, Blue Blazer, Teuchter's Landing, Thompson's, Digggers, to name but a few off the top of my head.

[gealach]

Thanks Hirsty

We'll make shure to visit some good pubs and bars while in Edinburgh.

I doubt, however, that we'll make it to Dumfriesshire this time though. The highlands are calling and, as many have suggested, we're trying to be very selective and hurry slowly.

Driving shouldn't be a problem as we're used to steep roads and roundabouts.

While investigating tipping I had the impression that Scotland isn't too different from Switzerland in that regard. The only thing I dind't quite get is tipping bartenders. Some do, some don't - no problem there, BUT:
Let's say I order two drinks for £4 each and do that again for a second round but this time, with my order I say "and one for yourself". What does that mean? Logically, I would presume I pay 12£ for the second round but I doubt that's how it works. Can anyone set me straight, please?

[Jock Scot]

I can only advise you on what my friends and I will do as far as bar tenders are concerned. Unless the person behind the bar is exceptionally pretty, or saves your life for the second time that day, then no tip is ever given. Other than that, you will have to know the bartender extremely well and for many years to buy them a drink. What others, outwith my circle of friends and acquaintances, choose to do on this matter I cannot say. However, if you are in a hotel and someone brings you a drink to your table after you have ordered it through them, then a tip might be in order.

Tipping in my book is for those going above and beyond their duty, or at least making an effort on your behalf and not just for doing their job. This is is not going to make me popular with the locals, but this tipping business is often overdone by visitors, particularly North American ones.

I do speak from some experience, as I have often been called upon by visiting guns(shooters) and fishing guests for advice on tipping, particularly for game keepers, stalkers, ghillies and loaders, which is in fact, standard and traditional practice in these cases.

[gealach]

Thanks for this insight, Jock.

Although I don't understand why in each and every "How to tip in Scotland" thread on the entire interwebs you read stuff like "and one for yourself". Might that be something Scots recommend tourists doing to make them even easier to identify?

[Jock Scot]

Thanks for this insight, Jock.

Although I don't understand why in each and every "How to tip in Scotland" thread on the entire interwebs you read stuff like "and one for yourself". Might that be something Scots recommend tourists doing to make them even easier to identify?

I have no idea. I also have no idea what is advised on the internet, but I can only repeat, unless I knew the person behind the bar really well, or they have done something particularly helpful, well beyond what their job requires, then I would never think of buying them a drink. Nor would anyone that I know in a pretty large circle of friends.

By the way, for your future reference, its £12 and not 12£.

[Jock Scot]

An afterthought.

When you offer a barman a drink by saying "and one for yourself", you are offering an open goal. Your drinks might cost say £4 each, but the barman's drink might cost £10 or £1. They may also "take" a sum of money for a drink later. On the rare occasion I might buy the barman a drink, I personally prefer that they have the drink there and then with you, but that is not always possible, as it might be early in the evening and he/she needs to keep their wits about them for the duration of the shift and fair enough, sometimes they just pocket the money(they should make that quite clear to you) and whilst that is fair enough, I would rather they didn't and sometimes they may have a drink on you when the bar is quiet. Most barmen are smart enough not to treat themselves an overly expensive tipple though, at your expense.

[Jack Daw]

We don't entirely use roundabouts, in the cities and larger towns we do have traffic(stop) lights, remember that it does mean stop, no turning left or right on red, unless there is a green arrow light beneath meaning you can turn left or right.

If you are visiting Edinburgh and not staying in it, then use one of the park and rides. ( there is one at the airport I use) where you can get the tram or bus into central Edinburgh. if you are staying Edinburgh then a day pass on the bus /tram system is very cheap too.
It's very cheap for those who use it, very expensive for the citizens of Edinburgh...

I seem to recall that I could park on the street in Edinburgh free (no need to fill the parking meter) on Sundays. Is that correct?

[The Q]

Parking Edinburgh,
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/200...ices_and_times

[California Highlander]

I won't tell you where to go, but I have some logistics to consider as you are "hiring" a car:Some additional points:
- B&Bs are definitely the way to go, and a 'star' grade is used to rate the quality - a four-star B&B is the cleanest and nicest, if I remember correctly.
- There are right ways and wrong ways to tip. Read up on it.
- If you stay at B&Bs for three weeks, you will eventually need to do laundry: In 2003, laundry mats were scarce in the Highlands, and I sometimes had to coax a B&B manager/owner to let me use their washing machine/dryer. Hotels will let you use their machines, based on my experience.

I stayed at B&Bs or AirBnB mainly when I was there for a 3 1/2 week stay a couple of years ago, with a few hotels in there when I had to. At two B&Bs the hosts offered laundry. Basically said they were doing a load and had room, did I want to throw anything in? Hosts at both places were extremely friendly and nice without being intrusive. Two AirBnB places had laundry available for no charge in the flat. This is probably an exception, but you never know.