Christmas in Edinburgh, Scotland
 

My daughter is spending the fall semester in Edinburgh and I'm planning a visit there beginning just before Christmas through New Year's (which I have read is quite special in Edinburgh). I had wanted to visit Inverness but I have been reading the weather is not suitable for travel up that way. It is our first visit to Scotland and I'd like to make the most of our time there. Nothing has been booked yet. I'd appreciate any and all suggestions for places to visit, means of travel, etc. Our group consists of my husband and our 19 & 23 year old son and daughter. We were thinking of renting an apartment in Edinburgh. We love great food, art, history, music and I'd love to get a kilt in a MacIntosh tartan. Many thanks in advance.

You'll have a great time -- do understand that if your visit does overlap Hogmanay be prepared to pay a fortune.

Also the party is ticket only and you will need to book very early -- watch this website for details http://www.edinburghshogmanay.com

You can play it by ear -- if the weather is decent you can rent a car for a day trip or two. But otherwise places you can visit by train as day trips would include Glasgow, Stirling, Linlithgow, St Andrews (train to Leuchars and then a local bus or taxi to St Andrews), the Borders . . . and none of the tix need to be purchased in advance so you can wait to see what the weather holds each morning.

The sun comes up late (8:45AM) and sets very early (like 3:45PM) so your days will be short.

Thank you so much for your suggestions, and in particular the visits we can make by train. I was thinking of arriving before Christmas Eve so that we can attend a Christmas service. Are there places you would suggest for a Christmas lunch or dinner? I am assuming most things are closed on Christmas Day. And since we are already there I thought it would only make sense to stay through Hogmanay, or is that just hype? We live in New York and I wouldn't go to Times Square for New Year's on a bet. And I am looking forward to reading about some of the places you've suggested!

There are lots of events leading up to Hogmanay and on New Year's Day other than the Street Party in Princes Street.

Vacation rentals are booked months ahead for Hogmanay, so I would find somewhere soon. It's one of the most expensive times of year in Edinburgh, along with the Festival in August.

Quite a few excellent restaurants, usually attached to hotels, do Christmas meals. They usually start advertising them by October. You can review menus online and book well in advance.

Finding taxis on Christmas Day is not easy and is worse on New Year's Day.

Places (if you mean sites) are generally closed Dec 25 AND 26 (Boxing Day because Christmas falls on the Sunday - the holiday closure extends through Monday) and some are closed Jan 1 & 2.

Hogmanay is a great party -- but inside the party zone (no entry to large parts of central Edinburgh without tickets) is a zoo. As we've mentioned - accommodations will book up VERY far ahead and at very high rates. You should settle on your exact dates and book soon.

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<i>but I have been reading the weather is not suitable for travel up that way.</i>

It may not be suitable, it may be lovely weather, no-one knows until the day.

<i>Places (if you mean sites) are generally closed Dec 25 AND 26 (Boxing Day because Christmas falls on the Sunday - the holiday closure extends through Monday) and some are closed Jan 1 & 2.</i>

Edinburgh Zoo is open on on Christmas Day, most places will be open on the 26th, there will be some buses on Christmas Day, most attractions will be open on the 1st Jan - though probably open a bit later, shops will generally be closed. Jan 2nd will be a pretty normal day tourism wise.

>>most places will be open on the 26th,<<

Depends on what you mean by 'places' -- shops, restaurants - yes. But places like the Castle, museums, etc -- no because Christmas falls on Sunday so the holiday extends over to Monday for 'official purposes'.

Same w/ Jan 2 - some attractions/sites will be closed on the Monday.

I am overwhelmed with the immediate and detailed responses to my inquiry. I apologize for my lack of specificity: "places" was meant to include everything-sites, stores, restaurants. Thanks to you all for your input. I am hoping to get our apartment secured this week.

<i>But places like the Castle, museums, etc -- no because Christmas falls on Sunday so the holiday extends over to Monday for 'official purposes'.</ii>

Do you have a link to that? I've never known Edinburgh Castle or National Museum of Scotland to be closed on the 1st Jan and most private attractions will be open because that's how they make a profit.

I give you Edinburgh Castle closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day - but that's normal, nothing to do with Christmas Day being on a Sunday.

I didn't say <u>every</u> place is closed and in fact the Castle IS open on the 1st . . . but is closed both the 25th and 26th. The Royal Yacht is closed the 25th and 1st. Nat'l Museum of Scotland is closed only on the 25th


One just needs to check each site's info, that's all I was trying to explain.