The place we stayed in that I mentioned upthread is on the Royal mile but we had a high floor and I believe the walls were a couple of feet of stone. We heard nothing from down below.
I was also going to say that one must see site was Glasgow. Unfortunately McIntosh’s major work there - the Art School had a major fire which destroyed the beautiful library, but you can still visit many of his other buildings. The art gallery has a fine collection and there is a museum of sort of science at the University that is full of really strange stuff. I remember seeing the Penguin Parade back in the early 70’s - cool to hear that they are still doing it! If you have any extra time at all a trip outside the city is well worth it. IMO Scotland’s landscape is one of the most beautiful in the world.
Penguin Parade - yet another thing to add to the list. I have to look for accommodation pretty soon - thanks for the pointers. HMS Brittania - yes, we did visit this the last time we were there - the kids loved it!
@mthmom, University of Glasgow has a really cool (I thought) museum with Roman Empire stuff as well as historical medical stuff. I really enjoyed it.
Have been to Edinburgh 2x, great city! I liked the bus tour around the city. You can get on and off multiple times. It is a good overview of everything. I second the parliament tour, especially given all the news last September regarding the Referendum. In the art museum be sure to see the painting of the Presbyterian minister skating! Very striking. Favorite pub is the Jolly Judge, just off the Royal Mile. And since this is CC, the University of Edinburgh. If you watch “Case Histories” on Netflix, it is set in and around Edinburgh. For a novel, Ian Rankin’s “Naming of the Dead.” Arthur’s Seat is great; if you don’t have enough time, Calton Hill is a shorter walk with some nice views of the city.
Outside of Edinburgh Oban is really cool on the western coast. You can ride a ferry out to Mull & Iona for the day. Also, I recommend streaming BBC Radio Scotland before you go, a great introduction to what is going on locally!
not to derail this thread but - @MidwestDad3, do you know if “Case Histories” is based on Kate Atkinson’s book of the same name??
How did I not know this?
We stayed in a two bedroom apartment in The Chester Residence and I can’t recommend it highly enough. We also hired a private tour guide who took us to a couple of castles (forget which, but one had a herd of Hairy Coos) and through some uninhabited areas of the Highlands. He was a native, so really knew his way around and gave us a great narrative of the history and customs of Scotland as he was driving.
@scout59 Yes, “Case Histories” is based on the Atkinson book, with many characters and story lines the same, but the setting has been relocated from Cambridge to Edinburgh. Really gorgeous scenery in the TV series. BTW, a film with stunning Edinburgh scenery is “Hallam Foe,” called “Mr. Foe” in the US, starring Jamie Bell.
If you get as far as Mull you have to go to Staffa! Fingal’s Cave Overature by Mendelssohn was inspired by it - but the basalt formations are even cooler than the cave. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staffa