Tam the Tailor - Adventures at Edinburgh's Christmas

Edinburgh’s Christmas has been expanding gradually every year with lots of new and wonderful sights and activities in the centre of Edinburgh. Since this is ScotlandShop’s first Christmas in Edinburgh I just had to get out and about to see what all the fuss was about. It was a wee bit chilly so I made sure my hat was on snug, said cheerio to Truffles the highland cow and set off.

I didn’t get far before the window of Patisserie Maxime caught my eye, just a few doors down from ScotlandShop at number 6 Queensferry Street, so I popped inside. I was made to feel very welcome by the lassies in the shop and was greeted with huge smiles. There was so much to choose from, from mince pies and pastries to cupcakes and gateaux, I finally decided on a couple of colourful macarons in yellow, green and orange (to match the Buchanan suit) and gee whiz were they delicious!

Next stop, to wash the macarons down I stopped off at Angel’s Share. I had heard that they served great Scottish beer and the rumour was true! I only stopped for the one, but I know I will be back there soon for our staff Christmas do later in December.

After my refreshments I was ready to hit “Edinburgh’s Christmas”. First stop, George Street. From Charlotte’s Square I could see a spectacular colourful glittering in the distance. On approach, with the pleasant scent of churros filling my ample nostrils I could see that the glittering was a brilliant dome of lights sheltering a group of market stalls selling lots of goodies. I also heard that Santa Claus was around there somewhere too.

Heading to Princes Street now through the hussle and bustle of Christmas shoppers, I could not help but take a donder down towards the castle. It’s such a bonnie backdrop to all the goings on in the city, don’t you think?

Along the East of Princes Street gardens is where the International Market is. You cannae miss it with all the lights and screaming from the big wheel, sky flyer and the carousel. There there are stalls as far as the eye can see selling all sorts including mulled wine (or Gluhwein), tasty treats such as bratwurst and a chip on a stick (yes that is right a chip on a stick! You’d have to see it to believe it). Christmas tunes are playing and it’s such a festive atmosphere I definitely recommend a visit.

Through to St Andrew’s square there is the iconic ice skating rink, one of the very first attractions that came to Edinburgh and still the most popular. Booking is advisable if you want a space on the ice at the weekend. Sadly, there were no skates that fit my rather enormous feet but that’s okay because it was very entertaining seeing everyone slipping and sliding around alongside some very skilled pirouettes.