Fall in love with Scottish Christmas
If we tell you that in summer edinburgh is out We are not telling you anything new. Between June and September the Scottish capital wastes energy and does not give the hours between festivals, events and celebrations. But what if we tell you otherwise? Believe it: Edinburgh also has a full agenda in winter.
Yes, the days are shorter and the thermometers drop several degrees, but none of this prevents Scotland go for long shots and throw the house out the window during the holiday season. Between markets and storytelling, torchlight parades and celtic celebrations , Edinburgh makes it very easy for you to decide where to make a winter getaway.
Let the Christmas atmosphere of Victoria Street engulf you
The United Kingdom is a big fan of Christmas and is not able to wait for December to prepare: already from the beginning of November, the cities of London a Belfast they put on their best clothes. Edinburgh is not far behind, with a good display of street lights and a calendar full of events.
The first, and one of the most anticipated, is LightNight : the day of delivery (literally) . In this luminous starting signal, the lights 60,000 Christmas lights that since mid november to new year's day They will light up the city every night (which, let's not forget, at this time of year lasts up to 18 hours in these parts).
From day one, Light Night gives way to Silent Night. This event, held every day the lights are on, is a kind of silent street disco , in which attendees can dance and sing under the lights to the sound of the music they hear in their headphones.
Each 20-minute session includes traditional Christmas carols, pop Christmas songs and disco music -according to the mood that guides your steps every night.
Of course, as it could not be less in a European city, Edinburgh also has your own christmas market . From November to January, the gardens of Prince Street are filled with stalls that exude a festive spirit - culminating in holy land , the market for children crowned by Santa's house.
Stroll from hut to hut in Princes Street Gardens
the square of St Andrews , one of the nerve centers of Edinburgh, dresses in white for Christmas… Literally, with an ice rink that screams for you to walk it on skates . The track completely surrounds the square, in a whirlwind and very wintry tour of one of the most beautiful parks in Edinburgh.
Once you've hung up your skates, take a break for a hot cider at the very Scandinavian bar **Rekordelig Cider Lodge**, right in the center of the square (and around the rink).
On these dates all of Edinburgh turns upside down, and its great attractions could not be less. The National Museum of Scotland organizes themed workshops and shows throughout the month of December, from Christmas carol concerts by local choirs to competitions of christmas art
The Castle is not far behind, and becomes the setting for storytelling, period performances and a massive christmas meal to which all (neighbors and visitors) are invited.
Grassmarket and the Castle as a backdrop
If there is one perennial element of Scottish life, it is devotion to pubs . Of course, although they are lived with equal emotion in all seasons, in winter they take on a unique role. Can you imagine a better way to crown a day of markets and concerts with a good whiskey in the heat of the bonfire ?
Neither do we, especially if the bar oozes festive spirit, like the **Beehive Inn** in grass market . If it's already cozy, at Christmas time it's almost like coming home on Christmas Eve, with tinsel everywhere, Christmas carols on loudspeakers and a menu that includes christmas pudding and one Festive Burger (with brie and cranberry sauce) .
Another pub that doesn't skimp on good wishes (or good food) this time of year is ** Milnes on Rose Street **. with his rabidly scottish vibe and its very generous beer list (and other autochthonous pleasures), it does not matter if there is a blizzard outside: here it is hot at close range.
For an unforgettable night, throw yourself into the arms of an Edinburgh institution: The Dome . With its Greco-Roman façade and its Corinthian porch, this gastro classic reigns supreme on George Street and fall in love at first sight. With the lights winding between the hills of the entrance and his 25-meter tree in the middle of the room , The Dome embraces Christmas in style. Let yourself be carried away by their enthusiasm.
And if your plans include spending **December 25 in Edinburgh**, don't stress yourself thinking about what to eat: many pubs and restaurants (including those mentioned above) open their doors on Christmas Day, and many offer all inclusive special menu (prior reservation).
The Dome
But if there is a winter festival par excellence, it is Hogmanay . The Scottish New Year's Eve party reaches its peak in Edinburgh, which hits the streets (literally) during three days of processions, concerts and street dances.
The arrival of the new year begins to celebrate the day December 30 with a torchlight procession throughout high-street . For almost three hours, the streets of the old-town they turn into a river of fire , culminating in a performance at the Holyrood Park.
day 31 is the maximum expression of joy for the arrival of the new year, with a Street Party down the central street of Prince Street from 7 in the afternoon until the body holds.
En route you will have the option to deviate to see live concerts (In 2018, the headliners are, appropriately, Franz Ferdinand , residents of Glasgow), and at 8:30 a.m. the Scottish spirit reaches its peak with a traditional dance (céilidh, in Gaelic) at the foot of the Castle.
Aerial view of Princes Street at Christmas
The next morning, with the first steps of the new year, let the spirit of the night (or the traces of whiskey in your blood) take you to participate in the Looney Dook . This tradition brings revelers who haven't been home yet to parade dressed as they are (from gala dresses to those who go in smaller cloths) all over South Queensferry High to the sea.
Once reached the shore of the channel Firth of Forth , the brave will go into the icy water to a “fresh” dip and incidentally raise funds for charitable causes… and cure a hangover. Welcome to a new Scottish year.