Hey guys! So, I'm flying out tonight, and it occurred to me that I won't really have a whole lot of internet access once I'm over there, so I should probably work this out now.

Think anyone could pick me up at the Edinburgh airport tomorrow at around 1540? Also, how do we get in contact? If I can get someone's phone number, I suppose I could use a payphone (first time in about a decade). Since my phone won't work over there, perhaps I'll pick up a disposable cell phone or something, if those are available near the airport.

I'm looking forward to just winging it and seeing where this takes me!

Hi mate, I won't be able to pick you up but I can give you a contingency plan if all goes awry:

1) Taxi. This might cost a bit, perhaps £30, but it'll be quicker and will get you to exactly to where you want to go.

2) Public transport. I'm not sure where you're going to so here are some instructions on how to get to Falkirk from the airport:

Step 1: Bus link to Edinburgh. Take the number 35 bus, operated by Lothian Buses, straight into Edinburgh. Tell the driver you're a foreign dignitary and you wish to get off near Edinburgh Waverly OR Haymarket Station. The bus is only £1.20 and will take roughly 30 minutes.

Step 2: From either station, you'll want to get on the service that runs to Glasgow Queen Street. This will stop at Falkirk High, the main station in Falkirk. This is quick but is far away from Dobbie Hall. If you wish to proceed straight to the hall, get on the Dunblane train at Haymarket. This will stop at Falkirk Grahamston, Camelon and then Larbert. The train will cost no more than £15 and is comfy and fast and you'll get to look at the countryside whizzing past as you travel through Linlithgow and Polmont.

Step 3: If all else fails, I'll PM you my mobile number and you can give me a call if you get stuck. I'm available at any time and my name is Neil (calls cost one pint per minute, lagers may vary).

Here are some websites to help you:

http://www.edinburghairport.com/portal/ ... 09328c1a0/

http://lothianbuses.com/routemap.php

http://www.edinburgh-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html

See you soon man!

Just an update for all - spoken to Astov and arranged to go and meet him at the airport

Cool, thanks for the info and help, guys! I think I know what I'll be doing now. I'll probably be hanging around Edinburgh over Thursday night, then taking the train to Larbert Friday afternoon.

Any recommendations about guest houses / bed and breakfasts / hotels in Edinburgh?

What kind of price range/standard are you looking for?

If hostelling suits, I've spent a night here:

http://www.edinburghcitycentrehostels.co.uk/

and it's right next to Haymarket Train Station, so is convenient for Edinburgh city centre (walk, taxi, bus or train to Waverley) and also for your requisite train to Larbert on Friday.

Apparently, they have a sister hotel nearby too.

There's a hostel behind Burger King on Princes Street, opposite Waverly Station too. You might get a fuck an Australian backpacker there, who knows

Don't forget your install CDs mate for any games I'll bring my supcom discs and I have steam on the pc already, what steam caches you want me to put on?

if any problems im coming from edinburgh on friday afternoon so i can help with lift if required

Casual sex in hostels is highly overrated.

Just because 'she' turned out to be a man doesn't mean all sexual encounters in hostels have to necessarily turn out like yours, Iain.

I think DJ_Astov is staying at the GLP tonight and getting a lift through to larbert with sideshow

You, sir, are a rapscallion.

Nah, I spoke to him yesterday and he's going to see Edinburgh today and tomorrow.

He'll be @ Dobbie Hall Friday/Saturday/Sunday, and we're putting him up in the GLP on Sunday night before depositing him at the airport on Monday morning for his trip home.