Planning your trip to Edinburgh, Scotland

THE BEST WAY TO EDINBURGH

From LAX, connecting service (change of planes) is offered on British, Continental, Lufthansa, KLM, or on United, Air New Zealand, British, Virgin Atlantic connecting to British Midland. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $920.

TELEPHONES

To call these numbers from the U.S., dial 011 (international dialing code), 44 (country code for Britain) and the regional code and local number.

WHERE TO STAY

Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire; (866) 881-9525 (toll-free U.S. number, so do not dial international codes), https://www.gleneagles.com. Set on 850 acres of manicured countryside, Gleneagles has three golf courses, a spa and offers such activities as falconry and gun-dog training classes. Doubles from $307 a night, including breakfast.

Glenmorangie Highland House, Cadboll, Fearn, Tain; 186-287-1671, https://www.theglenmorangiehouse.com. Scotch fans can tour Glenmorangie distillery, then stay a few miles away on the grounds of this 16th century estate by Dornoch Firth. Fine dining, tweedy rooms and helpful staff. Doubles begin at $415 a night, including meals and tea.

Loch Ness Lodge, Brachla, Loch Ness-side, Inverness; 1456-459-469, https://www.loch-ness-lodge.com. Hunt for Nessie from your bedroom window at this retreat perched on a hillside overlooking Loch Ness. Doubles from $189, including breakfast.

WHERE TO EAT

The Oystercatcher, Otter Ferry, Tighnabruaich, Argyll; 1700-821-229, https://www.theoystercatcher.co.uk. Pub on the beach offers nicely done basic fare made with local produce, meats and fish. Entrees $9.75-$20.

Archiestown Hotel, by Aberlour, Moray; 1340-810-218, https://www.archiestownhotel.co.uk. Country hotel and contemporary restaurant are equidistant from some of the Highlands’ best-known distilleries, such as Johnnie Walker, the Macallan and Glenfiddich. Steaks, seafood. Two course, set-price meal $25, three-course $30.

Café Royal, 19 W. Register St., Edinburgh; 131-556-1884, https://www.caferoyal.org.uk. One of Edinburgh’s most attractive and popular pubs was designed in the 1860s. Noisy, boisterous atmosphere where oysters, smoked salmon and grilled foods are on the menu. Entrees $11-$34.

TO LEARN MORE

Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh; 131-220-0441, https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk. Take a barrel ride through a replica distillery to learn about the Scotch-making process, then taste and sniff to discover the flavors and aromas of the beverage. The attraction also displays one of the world’s largest collections of Scotch, 3,500 bottles. Adults, $17.40 to $30, including a dram of Scotch and a tasting glass.

Scottish Tourist Board, https://www.visitscotland.com.

Whiskey trail and tasting information, https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk.