Edinburgh Accommodation

[Aliantha]

So, Dazza is going to be there from the 5th to the 17th of May for a conference. So far he's had no luck finding anything less than about a thousand pounds for that period of time.

Do any of our Scottish or British dwellars have any suggestions?

[limey]

I'm staying at Masson House this weekend (it is a repurposed university dorm). Currently showing at just under £60/night.
Some apartment sites seem cheaper than others - this one comes up with three options at £800 and something for the two weeks in question. Others I've looked at are about 50% more expensive.
A room at this B&B would be £50/night for the period ...

Oh, and will Dazza be at a loose end at all during that time?

[Sundae]

The price looks about right for Edinburgh.
He might get a deal at the Premier Inn if he books direct, but even that comes to about £900 without breakfast.

It's not cheap up there!

[Rhianne]

Stop looking for hotels in Edinburgh.

Try looking in Livingston or Bathgate - a 15-20 minute, inexpensive commute by train.

You could try the Premier Inn in Livingston for example (I've never been in the place so it isn't a recommendation), or the Cairn Hotel in Bathgate (I was last in there 25 years ago) - both are under £50 per night and you might do better with internet rates.

Alternatively he could come live with us, if, that is, he doesn't mind sharing a house with four females in varying degrees of madness, that would be the cheapest - we might even pay him!

[Aliantha]

Thanks guys. I've passed on the details.

Rhianne, I'm not sure how keen he is on staying in a house full of women. lol He seems to find it painful enough living with just one most of the time.

limey, he's not sure on when he'll have free time, but he'd be pretty keen to see a few sights if he does. He'd be particularly keen to see Colonsay Is which is where all his family (McPhee) comes from if you're familiar with it. apparently it's a bit of a hike though, so might not be possible.

[limey]

Colonsay is a six hour very scenic drive from Edinburgh - doable for the determined if he has a free weekend and access to a car. It's about eight hours by public transport ...

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

So, Dazza is going to be there from the 5th to the 17th of May for a conference. So far he's had no luck finding anything less than about a thousand pounds for that period of time.

At first I was completely blown away, but then I read this over a few more times and now I think you are saying it's a thousand pounds for two weeks, or 75 pounds a night. Much more reasonable than a thousand a night. In fact, that seems quite good for a major city. We just made reservations for a couple nights in London, and that hotel is over twice that amount.

[Rhianne]

I live in the area so feel free to ask if you need any help that isn't available on-line.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by glatt

In fact, that seems quite good for a major city. We just made reservations for a couple nights in London, and that hotel is over twice that amount.

I could've found you something cheaper
Edinburgh is a foreign country - London was my manor.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by limey

Colonsay is a six hour very scenic drive from Edinburgh - doable for the determined if he has a free weekend and access to a car. It's about eight hours by public transport ...

But it's only a couple of hundred Km's. lol How can it take 6 hours???

Originally Posted by glatt

At first I was completely blown away, but then I read this over a few more times and now I think you are saying it's a thousand pounds for two weeks, or 75 pounds a night. Much more reasonable than a thousand a night. In fact, that seems quite good for a major city. We just made reservations for a couple nights in London, and that hotel is over twice that amount.

That's right glatt. For the two weeks is a thousand pounds. It's not too bad, but since we have to pay the costs up front, we want to pay as little as possible. The uni is somewhat tardy about reimbursing expenses.

Originally Posted by Rhianne

I live in the area so feel free to ask if you need any help that isn't available on-line.

Thanks Rhianne. I'll probably get yours and limey's numbers for him before he goes, just so there's a couple of people he can call if he gets himself in a tight spot somehow. He is hoping to have a bit of free time over the weekend, but probably wont have a vehicle so not sure how that'll work.

[Aliantha]

I have to add also that I was planning on coming on this trip with Dazza, and we were talking about on the Friday, then on the Saturday I found out I was pregnant. Then the docs told me I should avoid flying etc because of my BP issues unless necessary, so that really put the kybosh on it all. Very not happy Jan!

[Lamplighter]

I suppose there's a lot of sight-seeing to be done there.

But don't forget it was just the entire modern history of the earth
that began there in 1866 with James Hutton studying Arthur's Seat and the Salisbury Crags
(Sorry Noah, it wasn't your flood that caused it after all)

(link for Holyrood Park and Father of Modern Geology)

[Sundae]

I would like to add that not all of the UK is this expensive!
London and Edinburgh are probably the two most expensive cities, and with London being so big, if all you want is a clean place to rest your head it can be quite reasonable.

Glasgow and Cardiff are much cheaper and have much to explore.
Of course you don't get to choose where conferences are

I was really pleased to hear you are trying for a girl... oh sorry I mean pregnant again, Ali.
Now I'm a bit peeved.
I'da come to see you in Edinburgh you know.

[limey]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

But it's only a couple of hundred Km's. lol How can it take 6 hours???

Have you seen the roads? We're not talking Aussie straight highways here. We're talking one lane in each direction, twisty, getting-stuck-behind-a-tractor-for-twenty-miles-because-there's-nowhere-to-overtake roadlets

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by limey

Have you seen the roads? We're not talking Aussie straight highways here. We're talking one lane in each direction, twisty, getting-stuck-behind-a-tractor-for-twenty-miles-because-there's-nowhere-to-overtake roadlets

Oh God! I'd go insane. lol