Edinburgh Christmas Markets

[Pingu]

I am so excited as I am going to Edinburgh on Friday until Monday with my DH (no kiddies!) . It is light night tomorrow so will miss that but I can't wait to go to the christmas markets and do lots of sightseeing. I have never been to Scotland before

Who is going to the Christmas Markets this year? Has anyone been before?

Any recommendations of what to see / do?

 

[Elanesse]

Ooooh I hope you have a fab time! I love Scotland, it's so beautiful. Edinburgh Castle is a must, the views are great. Also there is cafe called 'Chocolate Soup' which does the most amazing hot chocolates ever!! Also if you like your history/ghost stories 'The Real Mary King's Close' is fab (https://www.realmarykingsclose.com) or you can go on a ghost walk to the underground vaults.

I am so jealous! We booked a Christmas shopping excursion there 2 years ago but it snowed really badly so we cancelled last minute

We do a different city every year though. We decided to go closer to home this year as we will have little man with us and he's not great in the car on long journeys! We are staying in Leeds on Sunday and Monday night, coming back Tuesday (yay!).

Take lots of photo's and post some on here when you get back xx

 

[Elanesse]

Ohhh rubbish, just seen that Chocolate Soup has closed (bloody recession!!). So don't bother with that one lol x

 

[Pingu]

Thank you for the info. I can't wait, we usually go to London but thought we would go somewhere else this year. Ah shame the chocolate soup cafe has closed, I love hot chocolate! Have a great time in Leeds

 

[baboo]

Have a wonderful time, I'm in Edinburgh myself on sat for some shopping.
A word of warning though wrap up its going to be really cold, maybe some snow on Friday.
Have a lovely time, def see the market and the gardens.

 

[meldmac]

Oh these sounds so wonderful!

 

[staybeautiful]

I'm going to Edinburgh tomorrow because the German market and Christmas market start I LOVE Edinburgh at Christmas There's loads to do, they have a winter fair in Princes St Gardens with an ice rink, big wheel etc. I'd recommend the Glühwein from the German Market (German mulled wine), it's lush and if you don't want anything alcoholic they do a non alcoholic version which is like spiced orange juice, you also get a wee souvenir mug. Definitely check out the Castle, have a wee look in Jenners on Princes St because they do the place up really nicely for Christmas. If you're wanting to eat out for lunch, I'd recommend The Dome on George Street - it's lovely and a little bit fancy but you can get a light lunch for 2 for about £10 (sandwiches and tea) and they've totally decked the place out for Christmas.

 

[Kagerou]

We live right round the corner so we'll be there

 

[Elliebellie]

Ditto everything staybeautiful already mentioned. The German Market on a cold winters evening just sums up Christmas for me, it is magical!

The castle and ghost tours are worth a go, as is just having a wander down the Royal Mile, there are some lovely little side alleys to explore and plenty of cute cafes.

Check out this Facebook page, it has some really good suggestions of nice coffee shops and pubs to give you some ideas - https://www.facebook.com/greatlittleplaceedinburgh

Have a lovely time!

 

[AP]

The German Market is nice but can get so so crowded, to the point it's silly. Try a quiet period!

 

[Pingu]

Thank you all We plan on visiting the german markets on Saturday, we have booked tickets to go iceskating and on the bigwheel. We will be going to the castle on Sunday. Been doing lots of research tonight, can't wait now xx

 

[Elanesse]

Get to the castle well before 1pm so you can see them fire the cannon. Last time we went I got was sooooo ill and I couldn't make it before 1pm, gutted!!

 

[Elanesse]

Oooh just had an email saying Christmas in Edinburgh has begun! Couple of things you might be interested in...

St. Andrew’s Day Celebrations – Friday 30 November

Edinburgh Castle will play host to a day of celebrations to mark Scotland’s patron saint on Friday 30 November. As part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals, there will be lantern making workshops during the day, before a specially created night time spectacular – Carnival at the Castle. Starting at 7pm, the stunning performance will be woven around the myths and stories of how St. Andrew came to be patron saint of Scotland, before finishing with a firework finale.
11:00am – 4:00pm – Lantern Making – Palace Vaults
7:00pm – 8:00pm – Carnival at the Castle – Castle Esplanade


Nativity Carol Concert – Sunday 2 December

4:00pm – St. Andrew Square Garden
To mark the first Sunday of Advent, the traditional Nativity Carol Concert will take place in St. Andrew Square Garden from 4pm. All are welcome to come and sing carols around Tim Chalk’s much-loved Nativity Scene, kindly commissioned and donated to the city by Sir Tom and Lady Farmer. The concert will be led by Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien and ‘Edinburgh Churches Together’, with singing from Exile Gospel Choir, accompanied by St Peter’s Primary School Choir.


Loving the sound of the carnival in the castle!