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After the Fonseca vertical on Feb 10, my wife and I are taking the train up to Edinburgh for a few days. She loves planning trips so has already planned many things for us to do, but I thought I'd ask here in case there is something we truly can't miss that might not be on various lists of the "Top 5 Things To Do In Edinburgh".

Wednesday evening we're having dinner and a whisky tasting at the Queen Street location of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. She's also trying to set up another tasting at a different one of their locations, but we haven't heard back from that location yet.

We're also planning to spend an afternoon at Edinburgh Castle. That kind of felt like a "duh" kind of visit.

She's also trying to make sure we have time to visit the Port of Leith distillery.

There are many other things on her list, but we're looking for recommendations since those will likely be better than anything we can Google!

I would highly recommend the underground walking tour of the centuries-old streets and buildings under the royal mile, many of the current buildings having been simply built on top - look for "the real Mary King's close". It's many years since we did this, but I found it fascinating.

Depending on how long you have, consider hiring a car for a day and driving through the Trossachs to Loch Katrine or taking a day trip on a train over to Fort William - which would take you over the Glenfinnan Viaduct (which was famous before the Harry Potter films!)

PhilW wrote: ↑23:14 Tue 20 Jan 2026 I would highly recommend the underground walking tour of the centuries-old streets and buildings under the royal mile, many of the current buildings having been simply built on top - look for "the real Mary King's close". It's many years since we did this, but I found it fascinating.

Mandy and I have done this and it's really rather interesting...... Well worth the effort....

We've added the underground tour to our list!

Unfortunately on this trip we don't really have time to rent a car to drive around, so we'll save that. Kari wants to go see the Falkirk Wheel on that future trip.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑00:47 Sat 24 Jan 2026 We've added the underground tour to our list!

Unfortunately on this trip we don't really have time to rent a car to drive around, so we'll save that. Kari wants to go see the Falkirk Wheel on that future trip.

Falkirk wheel is brilliant ... It consumes the same power as a hair dryer .... Great place to visit

For Ballance you should really go here as well

Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre

https://share.google/MR1LvCOObZlmBgy0r

I have a restaurant suggestion for you - it's an Italian restaurant called Divino. Nice menu with a great wine list - but a very limited selection of fortified wines.

However, the Head Sommelier (Troy) is a fortified wine lover despite the fact that not many of his customers are. If you turned up with a sample or two to share with him, he would probably be delighted.

(PS- I presume you're aware that between you and Kari you can bring 24 75cl bottles of Port into the UK on a tax free basis?)

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑18:24 Mon 26 Jan 2026 I have a restaurant suggestion for you - it's an Italian restaurant called Divino. Nice menu with a great wine list - but a very limited selection of fortified wines.

However, the Head Sommelier (Troy) is a fortified wine lover despite the fact that not many of his customers are. If you turned up with a sample or two to share with him, he would probably be delighted.

I'll point Kari at it and see if it fits our schedule!

(PS- I presume you're aware that between you and Kari you can bring 24 75cl bottles of Port into the UK on a tax free basis?)

Yes, that seems to have changed. I had to pay duty on ~14 bottles when we brought the case of 2011 Quarles Harris over.

But that does beg a question. In the US, you still have to declare your duty-free wine when you enter the country. In the UK, if I'm bringing in a couple of bottles of Port (well under the 24-bottle limit) do I use the green lane or the red lane? I.e. does it have to be declared even though there's no duty, as in the US?

Glenn E. wrote: ↑19:02 Tue 27 Jan 2026

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑18:24 Mon 26 Jan 2026 (PS- I presume you're aware that between you and Kari you can bring 24 75cl bottles of Port into the UK on a tax free basis?)

Yes, that seems to have changed. I had to pay duty on ~14 bottles when we brought the case of 2011 Quarles Harris over.

But that does beg a question. In the US, you still have to declare your duty-free wine when you enter the country. In the UK, if I'm bringing in a couple of bottles of Port (well under the 24-bottle limit) do I use the green lane or the red lane? I.e. does it have to be declared even though there's no duty, as in the US?

In the UK you don't have to declare anything if you have less than the personal allowance. If you're under the limits, use the green lane.

If you like a walk, I highly recommend heading up to the top of Arthur's Seat, if the weather allows. The views are truly fantastic and it's not a tricky walk if you regularly hike in the US.