A Covid Christmas in Edinburgh – Guest Post. | Blogmas

Hello my lovelies,

I’ve been given the opportunity to guest post for the wonderful Luci Barker’s Blogmas! I thought today I’d share with you how Edinburgh (my university city) is keeping the Christmas spirit alive, despite the current Coronavirus restrictions.

Without further ado, here are my top 10 festive experiences in the beautiful city of Edinburgh including some family attractions, all socially distant and Covid complacent!

(A quick side note – at the time of writing this article all of these events followed Scottish guidelines, if you are in the area please be sure to check they are still up-and running if you would like to attend!)

• Christmas Markets

Edinburgh’s Christmas Market usually takes place along Princes Street and is one of the most beautiful and iconic scenes of Edinburgh at Christmas time. Sadly the event cannot take place this year, but that isn’t stopping our wonderful community from supporting small businesses who would usually man the stalls!

Edinburgh’s Christmas market will be going online this year with hundreds of gift-makers, shops and food and drink producers having the chance to sign up. So there is still an opportunity to find and order beautiful, locally produced handcrafted gifts in time for Christmas day!

• Find a picture perfect opportunity in Circus Lane

One for all you bloggers and Instagram lovers, one of Edinburgh’s frequently photographed streets looks more stunning than ever in all it’s Xmas décor. This Insta-famous street is located in the New Town, where you’ll find it beautifully decorated in green shrubbery and festive red bows.

• Dalkeith Drive in Panto

The beautiful Dalkeith Country Park, located just a short drive outside of Edinburgh, will be hosting a drive in pantomime rendition of Cinderella. Complete with plenty singing and dancing, families 0  can enjoy this production while feel safe watch from the comfort and distance of their cars!

• Christmas at Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is stunning all year round, you don’t even need to enter the castle if you are strapped for time, the brief hike up the Royal Mile is worth the views of the castle and the city all on it’s own. If you do have time on your hands however, Edinburgh Castle will be hosting afternoon teas on the 11-13th and 18-20th of December. This is highly popular so be sure to book in advance before spaces sell out!

• Santa at Home

For any of you lovely readers that may have kids, or know somebody that does, Edinburgh’s Christmas producers are giving children of all ages, from all over the world, the wonderful opportunity to meet Santa in a private Zoom session (live from the North Pole, of course). Families with an EH postcode receive a 20% discount when purchasing tickets.

• Edinburgh Zoo’s Christmas Nights

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is working in partnership with Edinburgh Zoo this winter to light up the zoo with journey to the North Pole and back, featuring a moonlit trip to Penguins Rock.

From November 20 to January 3, guests can experience an evening trail around the zoo, complete with stunning projections, fairy lights, candy canes, and many more festive features. 

There are even some adult-only sessions running for those who want to experience the festive journey with a bit more peace and quiet.

• Spectacle of Light – Dalkeith County Park

Another event taking place in the beautiful Dalkeith County Park is the Spectacle of Light, running from December 5th to January 3rd. You can experience a beautifully illuminated trail that will take you across the winding river. Viewing platforms in Fort Douglas allow you to take in all of the Park’s lights – and get that perfect picture.

Mulled wine and hot chocolate is available while you walk. As well as the chance to toast marshmallows and grab some hot food in Fort Douglas as well as Restoration Yard. 

• A walk up Carlton Hill

Okay, maybe one more suited to the fitness freaks and masochists, but if you can brave the bitter winds and mud, the views at the top of Carlton Hill, as the sun has set and the city is illuminated, just can’t be beat. Bonus points if you are lucky enough to see this view when there’s snow!

• Edinburgh’s Christmas Gin Festival

Currently being re-scheduled, Edinburgh hopes to have it’s Gin Festival up and running later in the month. Guests (18+) can experience multiple presentations from different Scottish gin distilleries and Scottish tonics. Attractions also include local music, complimentary artisan tapas offering with a fizz bar serving prosecco and other bubbles. There is also games corner and an Instagram photo frame. 

• Christmas Eve Jingle

And finally, if you are staying in or around Edinburgh on Christmas Eve, you may be lucky enough to hear the city come together and create some collective heart-felt goodness with the Christmas Eve Jingle. Edinburgh residents will come outside onto their doorsteps at 6pm on Christmas Eve, and ring a bell for 2 minutes to spread Christmas spirit and of course, to help Santa fly his sleigh.

Christmas may be a bit different this year, but Edinburgh’s festive beauty certainly hasn’t gone anywhere, and neither has it’s wonderful sense of community Christmas spirit.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post, and many thanks again to Luci for letting me post on her blog! You can find my blog @ www.connectingcait.com