Any good gift suggestions for a woman staying in Scotland?
November 20, 2010 10:11 AM Subscribe
Any good gift suggestions for someone staying in Scotland?
My girlfriend will be staying in Scotland for one year while doing some studies at one of the universities. Any suggestions on great gifts to make her time there more enjoyable?
My girlfriend will be staying in Scotland for one year while doing some studies at one of the universities. Any suggestions on great gifts to make her time there more enjoyable?
hot water bottle and cover
posted by raccoon409 at 10:32 AM on November 20, 2010
posted by raccoon409 at 10:32 AM on November 20, 2010
So, yeah, winter clothes, because even summer is not going to feel very warm to her. Although depending on where you are (also in the Caribbean?), she may find a broader and less expensive range of hats/scarves/coats/socks/etc. in Scotland than you can in the Caribbean.
But I would say stuff that brings the taste of home, and that can be difficult to get. Are there any particular spices or spice mixtures or canned or dried goods that she can use in a dish when she really wants that taste of home? If she were going to be in London, she could probably find shops that cater to a (British) Caribbean population, but I don't know about Scotland.
posted by rtha at 10:39 AM on November 20, 2010
But I would say stuff that brings the taste of home, and that can be difficult to get. Are there any particular spices or spice mixtures or canned or dried goods that she can use in a dish when she really wants that taste of home? If she were going to be in London, she could probably find shops that cater to a (British) Caribbean population, but I don't know about Scotland.
posted by rtha at 10:39 AM on November 20, 2010
I knew at least one rastafarian when I was in Edinburgh, for uni and after. I think if she's in Edinburgh and/or Glasgow things are fairly multi-cultural. But yes, summer in Edinburgh is about 18-24 Celsius, so layers of clothing will probably be good.
posted by robertc at 11:12 AM on November 20, 2010
posted by robertc at 11:12 AM on November 20, 2010
Fingerless gloves. Gloves, coat, hat and so forth would be useful, but fingerless gloves are just the thing for those days when it's cold and you still want to do things like answer your phone without taking five minutes.
Windproof umbrella. A godsend , especially if she is going to be on the west side of the country.
Decent walking boots. Scotland's countryside is beautiful, and the best way to see it is with a decent pair of walking boots. If you want to buy a voucher, one of the best outdoor retailers in Scotland is Tiso.
YHA membership. Cheap(er) accomodation in some lovely spots round Scotland - and the rest of the UK - for when she goes exploring. You could also pay for her to get a Young Person's Railcard, which is a massive cost saver.
Time Out Guide to eating and drinking in Glasgow and Edinburgh - on the assumption she'll spend a little bit of time there.
posted by MuffinMan at 1:19 PM on November 20, 2010
Windproof umbrella. A godsend , especially if she is going to be on the west side of the country.
Decent walking boots. Scotland's countryside is beautiful, and the best way to see it is with a decent pair of walking boots. If you want to buy a voucher, one of the best outdoor retailers in Scotland is Tiso.
YHA membership. Cheap(er) accomodation in some lovely spots round Scotland - and the rest of the UK - for when she goes exploring. You could also pay for her to get a Young Person's Railcard, which is a massive cost saver.
Time Out Guide to eating and drinking in Glasgow and Edinburgh - on the assumption she'll spend a little bit of time there.
posted by MuffinMan at 1:19 PM on November 20, 2010
What kind of stuff is she interested in?
If she likes history/culture, you may consider a membership of the National Trust for Scotland, which gives free entry to their historic properties for a year (and also those of the National Trust in England and Wales).
posted by Jakey at 1:28 PM on November 20, 2010
If she likes history/culture, you may consider a membership of the National Trust for Scotland, which gives free entry to their historic properties for a year (and also those of the National Trust in England and Wales).
posted by Jakey at 1:28 PM on November 20, 2010
waterproof trousers. And the Iain Banks book about touring whisky distilleries, "Raw Spirit"
posted by runincircles at 3:53 PM on November 20, 2010
posted by runincircles at 3:53 PM on November 20, 2010
Response by poster: Good suggestions, keep the ideas coming!
posted by Mr_Thirdworld at 6:04 AM on November 21, 2010
posted by Mr_Thirdworld at 6:04 AM on November 21, 2010
Edinburgh hosts the largest arts/comedy festival in the world in August, and has a big comedy scene, particularly centered around the fantastic venue chain The Stand in Edinburgh and Glasgow. You could get her a membership.
http://www.thestand.co.uk/members.aspx
posted by Kirn at 11:48 AM on November 21, 2010
http://www.thestand.co.uk/members.aspx
posted by Kirn at 11:48 AM on November 21, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Happy Dave at 10:14 AM on November 20, 2010 [2 favorites]