What to do in Edinburgh?

The castle is a rip-off, don't bother. The Museum of Scotland is good, though, and the Royal Museum of Scotland next-door (confusing names - the M of S is a modern building about Scottish history, and the R M is a Victorian building about everything else)

Climb Arthur's Seat, assuming it's not cloudy.

I only brought works for me 'n' th'wife, so that'd be unfair to mum-n-law.

The museum on Chambers Street is good, the old bit being an amazing building, though I think they've taken away the stuffed animals doing funny things in recent years. We had a work party in that bit a few years ago, which amazed me, given that drunk people were paddling in the pool whilst surrounded by the plunderings of the British Empire.

My favourite pub is The Waverley, with its scratchy gramopohonish music, low lamps and relative quiet.

I've had only so-so experiences at Chop Chop. My favourite places to eat are probably The City Cafe (which is secretly home to great ebts), and the pricier Urban Angel and David Bann's (vegetarian). Mains are still only £8-£12ish, which is par for the course in the UK right?

I like Burlington Berties, and other than that I'm pretty much not too fussy about pubs. A good jukebox, these days is hard to find, though BBs is good and the Melville, or err Melville street has one of these hard drive ones that's got lots of stuff on it.

I like all the pubs I've visited so far -- about 10, I guess -- but there's not been much to distinguish one from another, except for signs in the window warning patrons not to don "football colors", on pain of an ass-to-street application of boot. But, being that I'm working hard on my disgusting-old-man cred, I ought visit the Waverly for some technical tips and such.

As for a local thing, you could try going to Fast, which is a club at Moray House on Holyrood road.. I think it's on the 29th and they usually have bands on... See here:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=42430390

I would agree with getting drunk and listening to Styx, though I wish "Babe" was about the pig. There used to be a soft rock night on at the Pond on Salamander street, but I've no idea if it still is on.

I'd intended to try some on the way home, but since every bar reputed to serve absinthe was out of it -- a real disappointment -- I decided to try one of the two Scottish "specialties" everyone's heard of: the deep-fried Mars bar. I don't think anyone can finish these things, except on a dare.

Indian food is pretty much out of the question, since there are five million great Indian restaurants in San Francisco. Ergo, what's the point?

Tomorrow: Another tour to god knows where. I hope I can make it to the lower Avalanche before we visit yet another castle.