DON'T DO THIS in EDINBURGH / SCOTLAND! 11 things to avoid while travelling / moving to Scotland

Considering visiting or moving to Scotland? Keep these 11 things in mind!

#scotland #movingtoscotland #visitscotland #edinburgh #edinburghlife

Here's a reddit discussion including a long list of shops owned by the Gold Brothers for the ones of you who are interested:

-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
MORE OF ME:

[loxley]

Good call out for telling people to avoid the Tartan Tat shops! When I was a kid growing up here the Royal Mile was full of dozens of interesting little craft shops, candle shops, model shops, all independant. That family have ruined the Royal mile and turned it into cheap tacky rubbish. Seeing one of their tat shops open up on Cockburn street was even worse though as that was always a young alternative street for punks and hippies. If they get their claws into Victoria street though I really will cry! Everyone is hoping that they have lost so much money because of the pandemic and lack of tourists that lots of their stores will have to close and get taken over by more interesting independent shops and cafes again!

[jim_dubhglas]

You should really be working for Visit Scotland (Scotland's National Tourist Organisation) as a correspondent from a European perspective. I'd like to do the same as a Canadian descendant who absolutely loves the country. Your enthusiasm and knowledge would be a major contribution. What a wonderful country!

[amandapittar]

I’m from Edinburgh, I lived in the New Town as a child. In the 1970s. Much of what you say is very interesting. As a 12-16yr old, my friends and I were constantly stopped by tourists in Princes Street, which is DOMINATED by the castle, and asked where the castle was …we got fed up turning them around and pointing up to the enormous castle behind them, so sent them the opposite way . Americans would want to take pictures of you in school uniform ( 50yrs later I think this a little suspicious), and think your accent was “cute”. We roamed the city by bus, bike & foot as children quite safely, but never Leith. Edinburgh was a great place to grow up.

[deanward]

Good tips. We enjoy the Haggis Box. And your bus drivers are amazing!! Five years ago my kid lost his phone on a bus hours later we asked a bus driver for advise. He was amazing in helping us locate what bus/ route and driver and we were eventually able to get it back the next day at the bus depot.

[Zouiful]

"Do not touch the Bobby" would be an excellent t-shirt xD

[peterboyd]

Great advice as someone in Glasgow my mother always said don't talk about politics or religion they cause to many fights. If you are in Glasgow and are asked what team you support answer none or Patrick Thistle or Clyde. There is to much trouble attracted to Celtic and Rangers. I comment as a Celtic fan.

[davejohnson]

Thanks for the list of the gift/ art/ maker shops. I was very impressed with Independent Zebra on my last visit. They had a load of pictures I really wanted just in the window. If I'd had my car and I wasn't planning to move from England to Scotland I would have bought them. Top of my list when I have a new flat to decorate. Red Door also looked great. Your videos are really entertaining and very useful in my research for moving to Edinburgh. Thank you.

[Computermanever]

Shaun's Vlog also made the statement that a lot of Scottish people dinnae ken heritage, family tartan ect. I followed that advice by avoiding that subject however I will alter part of this once I bought my 1st kilt and wore it out of the shop on the Royal Mile. Those who ken and/or are interested will come up to you. I may look touristy but it opened conversations and many ready to give advice. I loved it.

[rebeccaatkinson]

Another tip: if getting on a bus, WAIT for the people coming off first before even stepping on. It’s considered very rude. Witnessed tourists doing this this morning on my way to work and the bus and men behind me certainly weren’t happy. You will either get silent judgement or someone actually calling you out. Personally I don’t see why you wouldn’t think to do that anyway but seems things are different in other countries! :)

[olenabi]

I’ve been following you since 2019, the kids have grown so much 😊 Jade is a wonderful little lady, almost same age as my daughter. Blessings to your family.

[myronyoshioka]

Your honesty is charming and refreshing...Great Job....keep up your lovely personality. We loved visiting Edinburgh

[inertiapunk]

Never jump the queue at the bust stop, especially before 9 am while locals are trying to get to work. Every summer guaranteed after waiting patiently for my bus a large group or family of tourists have turned up, jumped on the bus first, and then spent ages trying to determine if this is the correct bus for them.

[megwilliamson]

I was so buzzed to see your pins on Cockburn St last week! Thanks for all the Edi tips 🥰

[leanngoodall]

Great video. I love haggis and black pudding! Tip 12: while it is tempting to hit a whisky shop first thing in the morning, those bottles get heavy if you have to carry them all day. I know that The Royal Mile Whisky Shop will deliver for you, so you can always visit early, buy your whisky and have it delivered to your lodgings. If you'd rather not do that, make sure you have a rucksack (backpack) with a couple tee shirts to wrap the bottles in).

[wendeln]

I visited Edinburgh & Glagow a few days each back in 1988/89 when I took classes in London, I really wish there were videos like this back then, a time of no internet or smartphones!!!! I mostly stuck with historic sites and museums just because I'm not much of a shopper and my student financial situation didn't allow me to go pub hopping or eat in restaurants, mostly bought food and cooked in the apartment my London landlady's friend let me stay in (very nice lady her name was Isobel who wrote a Scots-English Dictionary). I did try haggis when I was in London and Scotland and realy liked it especially with the mashed potatoes and turnip/rutabegas, very filling and economical. Oatcakes weren't a favorite, tried them with many different toppings but....cardboard; love the shortbread though!!!. McEwan's Scottish Lager (8% ABV) was a bit of a surprise for someone used to American beer which at the time was usually only 3.5%!!!!; I think things have changed a lot in the last 35 years. I did find the Scottish people to be very friendly and helpful when trying to assist a lonely American student find his way around.

[Liam_Molinek]

As a Scottish person (who lives in the new city across the river from Edinburgh) I would say this list is quite accurate.

[The_Life]

Super helpful! American moving to Edinburgh over here and I'm so excited but also nervous I'll do something wrong. The haggis thing was a good thing to hear! I think I'll definitely dip my toes in before I try it.... I hadn't tried it before because of what it is but I think I'll try the veggie version and then try the meat version if I like it. Honestly, you can't move to Scotland for 3+ years and not try haggis, I'd think.

[flitsertheo]

A nice place for a quiet walk outside Edinburgh centre is Cramond, a little harbour on the Firth of Forth, northwest of the city centre. At low tide you can even extend your walk to Cramond Island (with some remaining buildings from WW2 ) but get back in time or you'll be stuck on the island for a few hours.

[tamasmarcuis]

I found that too about water in Edinburgh. Much nicer than other places I have live in the EU. Yet some people from other parts of Scotland say theirs is better. I think Highland Spring must just be Perth tap water in a bottle.

[vincentscott]

Thank you for highlighting Bobbies nose problem. For most of my life this wee dug had a nose that matched the rest of him, then about 20 years ago some idiot tourist guide told a group of tourists that it was good luck to rub the wee dug's nose and since then the patina has been eroded completely. While we are at it please if you visit any city don't touch the statues, Hume's statue just along from Bobbie on the Royal Mile has a shiny toe because tourists touch that too!! So hands off, look don't touch. Thanks again, great vid!