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PaperclipPerfector  1d ago (text post)   1100 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for June 28, 2026

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I have my brother coming over for two weeks next month. It's somewhere between a much needed vacation for the poor sod (he's just finished his internship and is about to discover that life as a doctor is no fun) and a welfare check. I definitely need the vacation myself.

So I'd appreciate travel advice. The current rough concept of a plan:

  1. Spend 2-4 days in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Take him to the ridiculous gay pubs, bars and clubs I've seen to expand his horizons. Too late for Pride, and too early for Fringe, but that saves us money anyway.
  2. A day or two in the Highlands. Hitting up distilleries, swatting away midges, and pissing in Loch Ness. I see little point in showing him Aberdeen, Dundee or Inverness.
  3. Towards the end, we need to be Good Indian Boys and spend a few days with miscellaneous relatives in Manchester and London. As little time as we can get away with, since I do need to show him London.
  4. Heading down to Dover for a day. I loved the cliffs.

We're not particularly outdoorsy, or touristy, for the matter - we're not looking to go for scenic hikes or to see every tiny castle around. I'm focusing on nightlife as well as a quick visit at the Greatest Hits. The typical day involves some walking, sightseeing, drinking and nice meals - followed by more drinking. We will probably rent cars where it's reasonable to do so (not London or Edinburgh).

Any suggestions?

I recommend popping through Milroy's when you're down in London, if you want advice for future distillery trips. May seem ridiculous to send someone down from Scotland to London for scotch, but those guys really are some of the best in the business. And right in Soho so easy to get out for proper pints after.

May have already recommended this to you before, but Sir John Soane's museum in London is a great alternative to the big ones if you want a very quick, very quirky, very cool little museum.

I have consumed plenty of Scotch in places that aren't Scotland, so no objections here. I'll see if we can fit it into the schedule. And I'll look up that museum, it sounds like the polar opposite of the Tate, and that can only be a good thing. Thanks!

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