My wife and I are planning a trip for the end of Aug / beginning of Sept. We're thinking about 2 weeks, and we think we've already filled most of those days up. But I figured I'd ask for some recommendations since there are quite a few Brits among us. What are some off-the-beaten-path things to do/see? And of the "touristy" stuff, what are the absolute "can't miss" places?

We're going to be flying into London and staying for several days - perhaps 4 or 5. Then before leaving for Scotland we're going to head down to Bath & Stonehenge. After that the plan is to take the train up to Edinburgh, spend some time exploring, and then make our way up to Skara Brae - not sure how best to do this, so any advice would be welcome. We're thinking either of taking the train to Inverness and then hooking up with a tour that'll take us to Skara Brae, or possibly renting a car in Edinburgh and driving up on our own and taking the ferry over. I'll want to hit some Scotch distilleries while were up there too - Glenmorangie appears to be on our way to Skara Brae.

Once we get our dates nailed down I'll probably ask for some advice on accommodations. We've been looking at places on-line but will just want to make sure they're in a nice area and close to what we're wanting to do.

And lastly we'll be looking for food recommendations - but that won't be for several months.

Thanks in advance for any tips, suggestions & advice!

I don't live in London but I took a trip there recently to see Stewart Lee do a stand-up gig. I had some free time to visit the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum and I must say I was really impressed. They are pretty much next to each other and are both free entry. Both are jam-packed full of amazing stuff and I would heartily recommend them!

Natural History Museum:

London 14-01-12 by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

London 14-01-12 by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

London 14-01-12 by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

Science Museum:

Apollo 10 Command Module by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

Zvezda Space Suit by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

London 14-01-12 by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

My wife’s cabaret troupe performed in the Fringe Fest in Edinburgh last year; they had shows booked through the whole month of August. I joined her at the end of the month, caught their last performance, and then we hung in Edinburgh for a few days before heading to a housesitting gig we had lined up in Dumfries (the house- actually an apt. in the Kirkdale Manor house- was just a short walk from this site: http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/163/, which was pretty damn cool).

Edinburgh was a very cool city with lots of great things to check out, though at times, due to the Fest, it was SO crowded, wall-to-wall tourists downtown, which I don’t like at all. The Fest itself has more acts of every stripe than you could possibly manage to catch even a third of; there seems to be a lot of great stuff, and a whole lot of crap. It’s basically a pay-to-play situation, w/o a lot of QC; got an act and the money to book a space for the month? You’re in. Still we had some uncommonly great weather, and got a lot out of the city, including some museum visits and a hike up Arthur’s Seat.

The countryside on the coast of the Irish Sea was more amazing than I expected (I live in VT, so I know from rolling green hills and livestock). There was a lot of unusual flora on the property we stayed at; amazing hand-laid stone walls that stretched for miles over the hills in neat single lines; and we had a fantastic day of hiking the rocky coast (a few really cool cliffside caves, it was a blast). To top it off, the Marbury Smokehouse was two miles down the road (http://www.visitmarrbury.co.uk/), so I was in smoked meat heaven for days.

Hope your trip is great, Nat!

Stewart Lee!

Thanks for the suggestions guys! The Natural History Museum was on our list, and I've just added the Science Museum.
Definitely looking forward to getting out into the countryside and seeing ancient sites. Cairnholy is right up my alley. Unfortunately I don't think we'll be over in that area - but I'm sure we'll find similar sites along our route leading to Skara Brae.
I also think I'm going to have to stop and see if I can't spot Nessie - how can I not?

Stewart Lee, the 41st best stand-up ever? http://www.stewartlee.co.uk/

Check out whatever's at the Tate Modern and the Saatchi Gallery. Whenever I go back I'm never disappointed with what I see. Go to rough trade east and see a great record store too.

Yep, the mighty Stewart Lee !! It was a great show - he's now taking it on tour across the UK for a few months . . . .


Stewart Lee by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

London-wise these are fine recommendations. I think the Damien Hirst expo will still be on when you're here.

British Museum is free and the main atrium is worth seeing how they covered an outdoor space to extend the museum. We were awesome at stealing from Greece and Egypt

St Paul's is worth seeing but my best tip would be go the One New Change shopping centre nearby and take the elevator to the roof (level 6 I think?) as you get an amazing view of the dome and London skyline.

Tate & St. Paul's are already on the itinerary, and I think the British Museum too. Adding Saatchi & One New Change! Thanks for the continued suggestions!

Just wondering if any of our UK members can help with a little airport advice.
We're trying to get from Bath to Kirkwall (Orkney Islands). I've found a direct flight from Southampton to Kirkwall. The problem may be in getting from Bath to Southampton in time to catch the flight. The flight leaves at 8:50, and the train from Bath arrives at the airport station at 8:07 (or Southampton Central at 7:40). Not being familiar with small airports (or trains that run on time!) I don't know whether this is feasible.
If it's not feasible then we'll probably fly from Bristol to Inverness and spend a couple days in that area before heading up to Orkney.

The biggest issue will be the train running on time...it's cutting it close if you have hold luggage. Hand luggage you'll be fine rocking up 30 minutes before if the queues aren't too long.

Probably better to go Bristol - Inverness as Inverness is a nice place to spend a couple of nights.

Thanks gforce! I was under the impression that the trains were always on time - so that's good to know that that's not always the case.
And we definitely plan on spending a couple days in Inverness to explore the Highlands - I was just hoping to hit that area after we left Orkney, on our way to Edinburgh.

Who told you trains ran on time in the UK?!? but also

Any last minute shop or restaurant recommendations for London or Edinburgh?

Polpo in Soho is one of my favourites http://polpo.co.uk/

Have a great trip!

Thanks for the recommendation - looks like some good food! Mackerel tartare!
Any particular place I should go for fish & chips?
Oh - Duck & Waffle? We're thinking of going there - any experience with it?

For fish&chips centrally,,,
- Fryers delight in holborn (very old school style)
- masters super fish on Waterloo road ( again very old school)
- rock&sole plaice on endell street (good but pricey)

or very good but not central at all...
- two brothers in finchley

and for a good fry-up all day breakfast...
- e pellicci in bethnal green (recommended )

Awesome!!!! Thanks! Can't wait!