The Three Sisters' Guide to a Perfect Weekend in Scotland

This past weekend, I had the chance to travel with two of my oldest and closest friends. The two of them are cousins, and we've spent summers together on the East Coast with my sister and the rest of their siblings and cousins since we were younger. Janine is also teaching in Madrid through CIEE, but Clara is just visiting from New York, so getting to explore a new country all together was a gift we’ll look back on for years.

We ate incredible food and caught up over Bloody Marys after visiting Edinburgh Castle. We spent an entire day exploring the Highlands with a fabulous tour guide, Ross, whose passion for Scotland was contagious and heartwarming. We got to feed Highland cows and even caught a glimpse of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster…

One of the most memorable spots we ate, drank, and danced at was called “Three Sisters.” Although Janine and Clara are cousins and I’m not related to them by blood, we decided while eating lunch on Friday that we would be the Three Sisters from then on. So without further ado, below is the Three Sisters’ guide to a perfect weekend in Scotland!

5 restaurants we adored:

1. Dishoom

   Not to be dramatic, but this was one of the best meals I’ve ever had (co-signed by Clara and Janine). Our lovely waitress gave us suggestions, and every single dish was to die for. If you’re in Edinburgh or London and love - or even just like - Indian food, this is a must.

2. Badger & Co

   My friend Gabe told us about this restaurant - along with multiple other places you’ll see on this list - and not a single suggestion of his disappointed us. We made a reservation for Friday night and were impressed right away. The restaurant itself was stunning, with velvet couches and a warm, welcoming ambiance. We shared a few appetizers and then ordered the steak & peppercorn pie and fish and chips, two plates I’ll be thinking about for a while. If you want to try some traditional Scottish food with a modern twist, this is a phenomenal option.

3. Calton View Cafe

   We stopped here for breakfast on Sunday morning and it was the perfect meal to end the weekend. Clara had an incredible chai latte, and I ordered the full breakfast, which consisted of haggis, link & square sausage, bacon, eggs, a hash brown, grilled mushroom & tomato, a potato scone (to die for), and baked beans. If/when I return to Edinburgh, this will be the first breakfast I eat!

4. Three Sisters

   As previously mentioned, we went here twice and would've gone back for a third time if we had more time. It's a great spot to warm up for lunch, but an even better place to go for drinks and dancing at night. Clara left with three sweatshirts, so if that doesn't tell you everything you need to know, I don't know what does...

5. Chaakoo

   More mouthwatering Indian food that absolutely blew us away. We were able to make a reservation for 10 p.m., but when we arrived, they said the kitchen was closing at 10:15. Although this was slightly awkward, we were able to order eight dishes, share them all (this was the theme of the weekend), and enjoy every single bite. It was a bit rushed, but nonetheless another restaurant we’ll be recommending to everyone who's making the trip to Scotland.

4 of the best sights:

1. Glencoe, a breathtaking pit stop on the Highlands tour.
2. Loch Ness, a famous loch best known for claimed sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, “Nessie.”
3. Edinburgh Castle, one of the most historic and visited sites in all of Scotland.
4. Edinburgh's Christmas which we knew nothing about before arriving, but an endless market of food, drinks, and holiday festivities.

3 bars we want to go back to like, now:

1. The World's End Pub

   We stumbled upon this bar while trying to find somewhere warm after exploring the castle. We read the sign and learned that during the 16th century, Edinburgh was a walled city. The gates to it were outside this pub and, as far as the people of Edinburgh were concerned, past those gates was no longer their world. We enjoyed some spicy Bloody Marys and Guinness inside and would argue it’s the perfect place for friends to catch up.

2. West Port Oracle

   The second we walked in, we knew we were in good hands. The bartenders were all dancing to the DJ, friends kept coming in to visit them, and apparently every hour is happy hour (there are always deals on the drinks)! We had delicious espresso martinis and Moscow Mules here, so if you like cocktails and being surrounded by eclectic, kind Scottish people, this place is for you.

3. Dirty Dicks

   Charlie Collins told us to go here, and it all made sense the second we walked in (if you know, you know). Whatever the Scottish equivalent of “dive bar” is, this was that (which we love). The friendly bartenders happily agreed to play “Pink Pony Club” for Clara to dance to, and we loved looking at all the souvenirs, artifacts, and different currencies covering the walls. This bar undoubtedly has more character than ten other bars combined.

2 hostels we stayed at and highly approve of:

1. Castle Rock Hostel

   If you love a cozy, almost medieval vibe, this hostel has your name written all over it. It felt like we were on the set of Harry Potter, and there was lots of common space to hang out and enjoy the complimentary hot chocolate and coffee. They had plenty of planned activities, as well as movies playing each night, so this is a great option if you’re traveling alone.

2. The CoDE

   If you’re looking for something more modern, this hostel is a great option. It was very clean, the beds/pods were comfortable, and they had lockers with locks included for everyone in the room. The lobby is a restaurant/bar and although they also had some activities going on, it definitely felt less social than Castle Rock.

1 thing you can't miss:

1. Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands from Edinburgh

   This experience made our trip unforgettable. The bus left from Edinburgh at 7:30 a.m. and we got back at 8 p.m., so although it’s an all-day excursion, our tour guide Ross managed to keep us engaged the entire time. Throughout the drive, he shared stories, facts, and history about Scotland that we otherwise never would’ve learned. His love for his country was apparent, and it was a gift to see it through his eyes. The bus stopped seven times throughout the day, which allowed us to explore and appreciate all the beauty the country has to offer. If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, I can’t recommend this excursion enough.