All posts filed under: scotland

15 Free Edinburgh Experiences

Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital and the second most visited city in the United Kingdom after London, and the old town and new town together are listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Edinburgh is an easy city; simultaneously big and small. It can be an expensive place to visit, but as we are all about the budget, we focused on all things free. We stayed in a cheap hostel made of shipping containers, made most of our own meals, and walked through the cobblestone streets surrounded by the history of this ancient place. These are our top 15 free things to do in Edinburgh: 1) Bargain Spot Tollcross- Project Space This is an AlternativeAtlas special recommendation. We stumbled into this artist-run exhibition space one evening and got a glimpse into Edinburgh’s underground performance art scene. I was left with the impression that everyone in attendance knew each other, and it was refreshing to find a thriving community here. 12 Earl Grey St, West End, Edinburgh EH3 9BN 2) Climb Calton Hill Looking for panoramic views …

Glasgow in 100 Words or Less

Published by thealternativeatlas

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and is a hotbed of music lovers, art enthusiasts, and donut connoisseurs against a backdrop of Victorian architecture. These photos document our quick trip through the Second City of the British Empire. ^^^Urs Fischer at The Modern Institute. The posts and ropes are cast bronze! ^^^The Gallery of Modern Art downtown; a world-class exhibition space and free admission? Yes please! ^^^A cobblestone alley in Hillhead which houses vintage record stores and a Bikram yoga studio. ^^^The SimpliCITY bus system effectively services the whole city and costs $2.34 for a pass, and you get a great view of the landscape from the top level. ^^^Kelvingstone park near the University: a perfect setting for an afternoon picnic. ^^^The Print Gallery downtown specializes in affordable reproduction works. ^^^Vintage shopping galore in east Hillhead! ^^^CCTV monitoring is definitely a thing in Glasgow…these cameras punctuate every landscape. ^^^Perhaps mans greatest food invention: savory pie. ^^^We grabbed a pint at this old Merchant City staple: The Black Bull. The bar was …

5 Best Edinburgh Coffee Shops

Published by thealternativeatlas

These are our top picks for your morning (or afternoon) caffeine fix in the beautiful medieval city of Edinburgh, Scotland. 1) Cafe Marlayne We visited this Leith Walk coffee shop multiple times; it is a great hangout spot with free wifi and a perfect place to get some work done. The coffee is delicious and they specialize in french vegetarian bistro dishes. Make sure to check out the unique assortment of hot teas, like the dandelion/thistle blend that Jaime is holding here! 76 Thistle St, Newtown, Edinburgh EH2 1EN. 2) Garden Y Cafe A charming little place which sits south of the Meadows and Old Town, the setting is picturesque. I know what you’re thinking and yes, the spoon is a little heart! 1hy, 27A Marchmont Rd, Edinburgh EH9 1HY 3) Filament Coffee Lets talk about this green juice for a minute. Filament has great coffee and the interior looks like it could be gallery in Chelsea, but seriously check out this green juice! Drink this when you need to balance out the five cups …