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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

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! :)

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

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

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.

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.

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.

For those wondering what we were laughing at, Greyfriar's Bobby is a statue of a terrier, but a 'boaby' is Scottish slang for a penis. The 2 words sound about the same

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.

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.

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).

astounding upload Kakibot's Edinburgh Adventures!. I crushed the thumbs up on your video. Continue to keep up the very good work.

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

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.

Czech tourist impressed with your videos here! Thanks for lovely tips, can't wait to visit again.

Great suggestions in this video, we planned our August trip in January. All your videos are great and very informative and I must say Simon made this video very funny, his comments are great.

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.

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.

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.

If it’s a reasonably clear day walk to the top of Arthur’s seat. It’s bigger than an average hill but smaller than a mountain. It’ll clear your head and give you amazing views. We’re so lucky to have a bit of the highlands in the middle of Britain’s best city.

This is very helpful! I'm going this august and i'm planning and researching about the city and the surrounding, so thank you:)

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!

you seem to be having fun all the time.You helped with my trip allot!

Absolutely don’t rub the dog’s nose. It’s not a thing; we’ve never done it and it’s not a local tradition. We can thank an unnamed tourist guide about ten years ago and we’ve been dealing with damage ever since.

I am planning a mini break for my wife and I early in 2023. We can't decide yet whether to head north to Edinburgh or south to York. We are in Whitley Bay which is near Newcastle.. probably halfway between both cities. Your video is very helpful and well presented.

Thanks, I will be there next month! Great tip for the water 💧👌🏻😎

Díky za super tipy, tohle se vždycky hodí :)

Fantastic detailed videos, I found the channell through the Harry Potter video 😊 I've got a list with hundreds more hidden refrences as growing up around here I was able to discover them. Oh and from your HP video 5 years ago to this video 1 year ago... you now carry a strong Scottish accent behind your own. Brillaint clearly well educated look forward to watching your other videos on my beautiful country. I hope you get to see the Hebridee Islands with crystal beaches, or the shetlands with celtic / viking culture or the other 3,000 castles and 700 islands Scotland offers 😊 x

Love your videos - they are so informative and funny. Cheers!

I just took a look at the pins and they are quite cute. I Purchased several of the first set of pins. Beautiful work.

super useful tips indeed~ love all of them, and def will seek souvenirs from the smaller shops!!

Brilliant list! Spot on with everything 👍💕

Every time I've been to Scotland, it's always a shock seeing people thank the bus driver. More countries should do this. Here in Toronto, they're surrounded by plexiglass, and now people generally pay by card, so interaction with the driver is limited.

Haha I laughed at Simon’s reactions to you mentioning haggis. I usually just tell people it’s just a spicy peppery mince, and most people I know like it. I am not a vegetarian, but i actually prefer veggie haggis 😊

Great video, thank you so much! I especiallöy loved the disclaimer and the bit about the independence shops of course. My first visit to Edinburgh was (OMG) 21 years ago, and some places are still there which is SO GREAT!!!!

Hi, Kat! I love all of your videos. It's very cool and informative. I wish I could live in Scotland somedya

Scottish Design Exchange has moved out from Ocean Terminal long time ago. They're in George Street now - walking distance from Waverley.

keep doing videos related to anything and everything Edinburgh. it's so much fun to watch and my goal is to live there one day! If God willing. God bless you! ❤

Visting Edinburgh next week for a few days, this video is so helpful!

I was born in Glasgow but grew up in Australia, I have been back here nearly 4 years and I still get sunburnt here in Summer. It is not as bad as I tan not long after.

Best tip, Edinburgh buses do a day ticket about £5 , hop on and off all day. Say thanks to driver when you get off, for a safe journey.

A few years ago I went cycling in the Outer Hebrides. Gorgeous. Beautiful. BUT, I didn't think what was going to happen...happened. The sun blazed down day after day and I eventually collapsed in the heat. I literally developed a red head and had to spend a couple of days recuperating. Not what I expected in the "cold and rainy" west of Scotland. But a wonderful time nevertheless and have returned several times since.

Visiting Scotland later this year. Thanks for the advice. 🙂

Thank you so much! Loved the video.

Nice , interesting . Thanks for sharing all this tips about Edinburg 🌻. Your new friend here from 🇨🇦.

Thank you for this video, Edinburgh has so many beautifil places, but had to be carefully for what to do or what not to do.

The Leith Collective in Ocean Terminal is the best for quirky souvenirs relating to Edinburgh. It is a collection of small art & craft businesses under the one umbrella.

I'd say to folk wishing to move there! Be mindful that housing is scarce and local people miss out as too many air b n b and tourist accommodation.... Locals are being pushed out of their own city ....

The bottled water comes from the same hill and goes through the same standards as the tap water for the most part, the difference is "Highland spring" is from some guy who owns a bit of land where the river runs through and they collect it from a different part.

I don't know who Simon is but he has a good sense of humor

I LOVE YOUR OUTFIT!

Conversation about football.....banter we call it! Please speak to local people to get a better idea of our city.....ps Leith is NOT a little tourist attraction....it's a working area, respect this ....

You are soo right about sunburnt, I remember a sunburnt in May while being at the Essex seaside underestimating the sunshine...ç

My father purchased a walking cane in Edinburgh 50 odd years ago and it’s doing stirling service helping me get around all these many years later. Tatty? Yes, but it’s outlasted several aluminium monstrosities from the chemists’. As for haggis, I prefer to make my own. Very tasty it is too.

Excellent suggestions on travel in Edimburgh

This was a really great video! My daughter and I loved haggis. I agree about the spice. Haggis makes a great side for a lot of foods and it’s excellent with a sauce. We also got sunburned while down in Ayrshire. David Hume’s foot off limits too? Ha Can attest to Kat’s super Etsy creations. 🤚🏻

Such an entertaining video as usual! Btw, you're right, Kat!!! The tartan shop bits is such a useful information and the Haggis one??? I went to Chocolatarium and tried the Haggis one (I followed the recs🤪) and the SPICES really drew me in. My flatmates (she's a local) also appreciates it so much. Very interesting, indeed..........😳✌🏻

Edinburgh water - very soft and as stated no minerals and quite different from the very hard water in south of England. Hard water is death for your plumbing but tastes fantastic! So yes I prefer water with mineral content. But you can't beat free water from water points. I would say there is quite a difference between veg and meat haggis - veg haggis tastes mostly of oats whilst the meat is nice and spicy. As for Bobby - I agree, instead go to Princess street gardens and meet Wojtek and his polish soldier carer. Wojtek was a bear who provided ammo carrying support to the Poles in WW2 and ended up in Edinburgh zoo (Google him - quite a story). Don't forget the Castle! Need to book the day before and get there just before 1 pm for the firing of the 1 pm gun. From my time in the city (60 - 80s), the place has changed significantly and Princess Street is a shadow of it prosperous past - shame. Buses - set fee of around £1.25 for any journey no matter how long - cool. You can also enter the Scottish parliament for free - watch a session or try the coffee shop!

Thank you for the useful do nots❤️

Hilarious and helpful. Thank you !

This is really helpful thanks. N its kinda different than I expected. I was expecting something like do this don't do this as its culturally unacceptable etc etc. But this video was more to our benefit, like wear sunscreen, don't buy bottled water, Plan months ahead, try haggis.. 🤣 🤣 🤣 I was trying to decide where to move in UK. After listening to u.. Edinburgh is gonna b one of the top options in my list. Thanx a million. I will make sure to thank my bus driver n remember not to touch Bobby's nose. Although I love to pat 🐶s 😂

You are absolutely right about souvenirs. In London, it is the same situation, and in other places.I have to put in a lot of effort to buy local souvenirs, not from these places you mention. They are just everywhere.

Excellent, thank you!❤

Also go ootside the city, I'm fae gracemount and just doon the road is Gilmerton coves, and in newtongrange there is the mining museum. And my best advice when walking roon toon is go off the beaten track, that's where aw the cool independent stuff is, honestly you've seen one castle you've seen them aw

🙌🙌don't touch Bobby!! Thank you 🙌🙌

I was born and raised in Scotland, redhead got sunstroke in Scotland so yes don’t underestimate the sun. Not joking serious happened.

I am an American who lives here now and I get that same feeling of being a tourist and not!

About the sun, this is very true! I went for a walk in April in long sleeves and pants with my ankles showing and got a burn on my ankles. This was in 2019. I still have tan lines...

Do you have a list of Must Do’s? Or Must See’s? I hope to visit in March or April, and would love your recommendations!

Hey, i am watching your videos since last 1 year, i came to Edinburgh last month, and wanted to meet you. And yesterday i saw Simon near royal mile(i hope he was Simon 😉), i called him but he was listening to music 🎧. Will see if I can meet you somewhere... 😊

Heyo! I’ll be in Edinburgh in 6 days. I would love to support you by buying a souvenir from you! Where can I buy them?

Do they have a grey fairs Bobby I can bring home like a small version of him?

Good evening K a t e ! I remember with pleasure The Tours in S c o t l a n d !!!!!

There is free filling water points in the St James QTR in the corridors to the toilets and Shandwick Pl in front of the hotel.

haha! Haggis is really delicious. I've visited glasgow/Edin. about 5 times. I always get Haggis at least 1 time. The best I've had was in a little Pub on the edge of the Highlands. Dont remember the village name, but I remember the meal ❤

16:19 ...To see what you diddly did?? XD Love It!

Watching these as I plan my trip - sorry if it's mentioned somewhere else but I haven't heard it in the videos I've watched. Do you have your crafts available in any Edinburgh shops so I can keep an eye out?

I fully endorse the injunction not to rub Bobby's nose. It is a modern habit encouraged by tourist guides, but it does damage the statue over time. His nose never used to be so shiny, and it is visibly spreading to the rest of his muzzle. Don't do it. On the other hand, as far as I am concerned you can do what you like with David Hume's toe. That's a rubbish statue.

Im going to visit Edinburgh in May, and I hear you say about souvenirs and showing them. Are yours able to buy somewhere around the city or just online? because I love them

I definitely wanna plan a trip to Scotland, recommendations on places to see, breweries a plus!

As an Australian whose Scottish ancestors endured great hardships which ultimately forced them to leave the country they loved, I am disappointed to learn that locals would be unreceptive to the many accumulated family tales. Not that I would bombard any random stranger with such things, but I’d have thought some may be curious, particularly in the regions from which these stories originate. Oh well, I’ll not likely ever manage the journey there anyway, and I’ll simply attempt to omit that piece of knowledge from my imaginary adventures.

Yeah, visit wester hailes,granton and west pilton👍💯

On haggis: If you describe ANY type of any sausage to anyone it sounds extremely unpleasant.

Díky za rady :) Využiji je :)

If you want to go see a match I highly reccomend easter road (hibernian) they also do stadium tours

good info...kudos...

Coming to Edinburgh in Sept 2023. Love collecting magnets and Christmas ornaments everywhere I travels. What’s the best place to get local made items for these items?

I personally kinda dislike Edinburgh water in comparison to water where I'm from but it's not terrible and definitely worth drinking it than buying it! And for sure better than some tap water elsewhere in the UK

I looked at your Etsy shop and it says you are taking a break.

Good to see the advice 'Don't touch the Boaby' on here.

Lots of commonsense. I agree that Scottish people are chill. Easy to get on with. Back there in a month from 🇦🇺.

I live in Edinburgh and you don't need to do thisI done nothing wrong in Edinburgh and I lived here for ten years

I don’t know why they haven’t but up a fence around bobby. Nice 👍 tips

Diky za video. Vy jste z CR?😊

Hmmm, which is better to live in? Longstone or York Place? I really can't tell

Once i get my money straight, I'm going there from the USA. I'm going to do everything legal of course but getting the hell out of here