It’s almost Christmas, and what better way to get in the festive spirit than to head to Scotland for the Christmas markets and some quality time with friends. I’ve been before, but never at this time of year so I was really excited to see what all the fuss was about. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to tick everything off the list, but I managed to squeeze lots in and put together a list of my top tips ☺️
🔹 Edinburgh’s Christmas
I was so fortunate to be in Scotland for the run up to Christmas, the buzz was great and going the last weekend of November meant that it was decorated to the nines, but the Christmas crowds hadn’t fully rolled in just yet. The Christmas market spills all over Princes Street Gardens, all to you need to do to find it is follow the crowd and the sweet smell of mulled wine.
There’s a lot of food and drink stalls to choose from, including German bratwurst, hog roast cobs, Indian street food, more fudge and tablet than you’ve ever seen in your life and there even had a moonshine bar!
🔹Camera Obscura
Those of you who recommended this, I salute you!! It was absolutely right up my street, a 6-storey building with views of Edinburgh castle that had optical illusions and unusual photo opportunities on every floor. It cost £16 and you get a stamp that allows you in and out all day, so you can really take your time. It was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to be a big kid again, would highly recommend a visit here!
🔹Speakeasy Bars
The definition of the “Speakeasy” dates back to the prohibition era - it’s a bar that you could walk by every day and have no idea it existed. Edinburgh is well-known for its hidden bars and I had a lot of fun visiting a few of them on my weekend visit. The first one I went to was just of the very prestigious Charlotte Square and is called Panda and Sons. On the outside it looks like a barber shop, but as you head down the staircase you come face to face with a bookcase. Pull the handle on the bookcase and it takes you through to a quirky bar with the most unusual cocktails. One of mine even had absinthe flavoured candy floss in it. Theres also another place called Hoot the Redeemer that looks like a fortune telling place on the outside, but head down the stairs and push the electronic fortune teller machine and it leads you to an incredible bar!
🔹The Dome and Christmas Lights
I don’t even know how to put into words how beautiful and extravagant the Christmas lights were in The Dome. On the outside of the building there were gorgeous decorations wrapped around the pillars and it was a great atmosphere with a guy and a guitar playing Christmas songs. We had to queue outside for a little while, but it was well worth the wait!! The decorations inside The Dome were breathtaking, and the drinks prices were extremely reasonable.
🔹Wreath Making Class
To get in the festive spirit, my friend invited me to her interior design studio for a wreath making class hosted my Rogue Flowers. I’ve never made a wreath in my life, but I can’t tell you how excited I was, so booked on straight away . First of all Bric Interiors is a gorgeous studio with high ceilings and the most luxurious interior, so of course I was in heaven when I saw an entire table bursting with leaves, dried fruit, ribbons and all things Christmas. There was free-flowing bubbles, canapés, perfume sampling and Christmas music and I got stuck in (got very muddy hands and nails in the process) and made a wreath that I was beyond proud of! If you haven’t been to a wreath making class, I think this is something you need to add to your festive bucket list!!!
All in all, I had the most fantastic weekend and I can’t wait to go back to do all the other bits I didn’t get around to on this visit.
Have you been to Edinburgh?? 🏴