Glasgow, York, Edinburgh
 

For my birthday my girlfriend is taking me to either Glasgow, York or Edinburgh.

I really have no clue which to chose... Anyone have suggestions?

I tend to go for castles, ruins -- old stuff. And I don't need much night life: just a late night convenience stores for caffeine runs.

None of them have ruins as far as I'm aware, but I'd go for Edinburgh.
All are great places to visit, but as you are in England anyway I say visit another country (ie Scotland).

Glasgow is vibrant, and has shaken off the bad associations of its past, but Edinburgh has been a tourist city longer and consequently lays its wares out better.

It also has the Forth Rail Bridge (on my List of Nice Things but I've never seen it with my own eyes) and a creepy underground city you can visit at certain times. It's big on ghosts too - check out Ghost Walks if you're making plans.

With the added benefit you can read Ian Rankin (Rebus) books, Iain Banks (Complicity) and Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting) and recognise the places you have been to.

Be prepared to be patronised occasionally. Although it will be fun to be asked, "Where are you from?" and deadpan, "Newcastle"

Doesn't Edinburgh have a relatively ancient underground...not a subway, but a layer of city beneath the city?

I have been only to York. The visit to the cathedral was alone well worth the visit. Take the guided tour to get the most of it and learn the rich history. Then walk the wall around the old part of the city. A full day. We loved it.

Pictures of our trip are here:

{Starts with picture 205 and forward from there}

http://picasaweb.google.com/AnesMerc...27991108798754

I think we've decided on Edinburgh. The "New Town" is something like 250 years old, there's an ancient underground tour, castles, and haggis. Plus we'll have first-hand recommendations for where my Mom and brother should hit when they come at the end of June.

Thanks for the recommendations. And those are great pics, Merc. We'll probably make a day trip to York sometime in July... I hope.

Lovely pictures as ever Merc, you have a superb eye.
I now feel I have to backtrack because I said none of them have ruins. Living surrounded by easily accessible history from the Iron Age to the Romans, from the Normans to the dissolution of the monastaries, I am of course spoilt.

To me, ruins are ivy covered remnants in the middle of the woods somewhere, or a Roman paevment only uncovered once a year. I appreciate that to New World eyes there are ruins in all three cities.

Perry - very glad you chose Edinburgh. They were all good options, but in a short time I think it will repay you the best. Oh and they have different banknotes there, in case no-one has warned you!

I love to visit the UK. Here are the links to the rest of our trip.

http://picasaweb.google.com/AnesMerc...ugbyTrip200602

Damn - you were so close to me (Nottingham to Leicester apprx 20 miles)!
If you'd joined the Cellar earlier we could have met.

Wonderful London pics - you've quite taken the wind out of my sails - some locations you've photographed were on my list for the Cellar. In fact I've already posted a couple. Yours are much better.

Well we plan to come back next year so if I am still around we can make a date. We stayed with our host family in a little village that is not on any maps called Stanley Village (not Stanley, which is close by but not the same). It is near Derby. Pic in the club house are at Derby RFC.

Ahhhhhhh - well if you fly into London I'll catch up with you there.
Derby would have been great last year!

Seriously - be cool to meet if it can be scheduled.

Sounds like a plan. I forgot you moved back to the city. Will let you know when the time comes.

I went to York Stirling and Edinburgh

York has the national railway museum, This place is huge, it has to be to hold all the full size trains in it,
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...h/DSCF7246.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...h/DSCF7372.jpg

the wall , go for a walk on it and around it,

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...h/DSCF7623.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...h/DSCF7729.jpg




the Shambles, and market , one of the last of the medieval housing areas.,

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...h/DSCF7714.jpg

The gates, there are many of these around the wall. York Minster gorgeous beautiful building ,Ummm that round thing where a lot of people died and was built by some old king I think. York Castle Museum.(this is a must) The canals all the old churches . It is a very beautiful walkable city. :D

Nice pictures, lushchocolateswirl.

I can't wait to walk around that wall when I get a chance to go to York. The city wall in Newcastle isn't tourable because of its state of decay; there are only small sections left of it anyway.