The pair highlighted the youthful make-up of Rob Moffat's squad and claimed Scottish rugby is looking as healthy as ever.
"The natural pool of talent is as good as it has ever been in Scottish rugby with the likes of Roddy Grant, Tim Visser and the rest are as good as anyone around. But they are young," former Scotland No8 Beattie told The Scotsman.
"Edinburgh miss the presence of both Ally Hogg and Jim Hamilton, now in England's Premiership, up front.
"What can they do? Well, as every mother knows, young men grow up very quickly. What is happening to the young players at Glasgow and Edinburgh is that they have been chucked in at the deep end and dealing with the defeats is all part of the learning process.
"Experience can be painful. Glasgow and Edinburgh's players are getting painful lessons at a very, very young age.
"They will learn from this and improve very quickly."
Referring to Edinburgh's 29-21 loss at Ravenhill, Lions legend Telfer added: "Ulster have recruited a number of outstanding foreign players and could be dark horses both in the Magners League and the Heineken Cup.
"To illustrate the difference in depth of squads, late in the game a former Springbok, Pedrie Wannenberg, came on in the back row for Ulster and, around the same time, David Denton, a 20-year-old, came on to make his debut for Edinburgh.
"Sitting in the wings for Ulster was another current Springbok, Ruan Pienaar. So, Edinburgh's defeat should be put in context."
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