I moved here from Aberdeen, Scotland. There was zero espresso coffee anywhere that I can remember when I left years and years ago (all filter style like in the US) and on return last year the usual Costa/Starbucks places everywhere and taking up every shopping centre. Took forever to find a place in Aberdeen called "McBeans". Gotta love the name. They roasted there own beans off site, but didn't sell any coffee to drink? Strange place. 2 young girls with na clue as to what they are selling either. Why wouldn't they just have a machine for takeaway or something? I felt like asking to buy the place... the potential just going to waste!!!!! I ended up getting sent down the road to a cafe up two flights of stairs (they used McBeans) and it was the best coffee I had over there. My family thought I was demented and kept telling me how great Starbucks & Costa are and I got given a jar of nescafe too and told to get over it! :o Did by some beans from McBeans and a stovetop brewer for home, but had to get it preground. Wasn't that bad and it was 100% better than most of the places that I went to while in the UK. Nearly all the coffee I drank while out and about had iver heated milk, rough bitter espresso, not good. Drink Tea, that's my vote they can't cock that up they've been drinking it for years! ;D In saying that Edinburgh being a bigger city may well have more decent coffeeshops. I know it's another forum and probably frowned upon but you could try http://www.coffeeforums.co.uk/ and maybe ask there or take a look to see if they have a location based cafe list. Mods you can remove it if you think I'm out of line posting it up. Good luck and enjoy your trip. I've got family in Edinburgh and I really miss the Scotland in general but I'm too used to the warm Qld weather to move back! My wife keeps nagging me to more back, but it's too much hassle with the kids and all. Better off here, better climate, better economy too.
