Is a visit to Scotland in December worthwhile? I heard most of the tourist sights are closed then. I am particularly interested in going to the distilleries and would be in the Edinburgh area.

You have been mis-informed (unless you are talking about Christmas Day!). Speaking as a malt drinker, Edinburgh is a long way from the BEST distilleries (Islay).

Roger
http://www.fermedecandeloup.fr

ah! well Edinburgh is where we will be picking up the last member of our party. Agreed on Islay! So seems the tour will not be a dead loss then.

Don't forget that you are not going to have many hours of daylight.
I personally would stay in Edinburgh.

Islay in December is fantastic. Provided you take waterproofs and are prepared to spend long hours in front of peat fires drinking malt whisky.

I went to Edinburgh over New Year's in 2001 and found it perfectly lovely, if a bit cold. But it wasn't any worse than Boston (where I live).

The days are short though. I don't remember anything being closed, except for Jan 1 & Jan 2.

Expect everything to be closed Christmas Day and almost everything on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas.

It may be very cold (below 0 C/32 F) or quite pleasant (50's F). It is very likely to precipitate.

Try to attend a Pantomime in Edinburgh. It is for children, but plenty of adults go, even alone, and enjoy it.

Try to stay for Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year's Eve. If you are not visiting friends, try to stay in a hotel that has parties. Not the same as being with friends, but fun none the less.

Discover what the Scots mean when they speak of being "shattered."