It takes a lot to get a bah-humbug like me into the festive spirit. I’m afraid I’m one of those that tend to leave Christmas shopping right to the last moment and then have a mad panic.
Fortunately, Edinburgh’s less than an hour’s drive away and, from around the end of November through to about Christmas Eve, the City becomes host to the world-famous German Christmas Market.
With dozens of colourfully lit stalls selling everything from stollen and German sausages to gluhwein and floating frogs, if you’re looking for something that wee bit different, you’ll surely find it here.
There’s a tremendous atmosphere around the Mound and Princes Street Gardens whether you’re eight or eighty. Santa’s Train rumbles past while the more adventurous take to the Big Wheel to gain a rare night-time panorama of the capital. And, if the Big Wheel isn’t exciting enough you can get yourself lost in the Christmas Tree Maze trying to find the Elves’ Workshop or, if you really feel brave, strap yourself into the 180 feet high “Star Flyer” rising carousel and climb almost as high as the Scott Monument.
Personally, I might give that one a miss for now and settle for a hot apple strudel and custard. What could be nicer on a crisp winter’s night!
