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Why December Is an Underrated Time to Visit Scotland
Most visitors avoid Scotland in December, assuming it’s dark, cold, and miserable. The dark part is true — sunset at 3:30pm takes adjustment. But December Scotland has an atmosphere that no other month can match.
- Edinburgh’s Christmas markets transform the city centre. East Princes Street Gardens becomes a winter wonderland with a German market, ice rink, and fairground rides against the Castle backdrop. It’s touristy but genuinely special, especially after dark. Open late November through early January.
- Scottish pubs in winter are the cosiest places on earth. A real fire, a dram of whisky, and rain hammering the windows outside. This is the Scotland that Scots actually love — not the summer postcard version. The Drovers Inn at Loch Lomond and the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe are December at its finest.
- The Cairngorms in snow are genuinely spectacular. If snow falls (likely in December), the Cairngorms become a winter wonderland. CairnGorm Mountain has Scotland’s only funicular railway to near-summit level. The views of snow-covered mountains stretching to the horizon are breathtaking.
- Hogmanay is worth planning your entire trip around. Scottish New Year celebrations are legendary. Edinburgh’s street party is the biggest, but every town celebrates. The atmosphere of singing Auld Lang Syne in the country where Burns wrote it, surrounded by strangers who immediately become friends, is an experience that stays with you for life.
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Want to end 2023 on a super cool note? Then start thinking about your holiday in Scotland! December in Scotland is awesome with its own cool stuff and things you’ll always remember. There’s lots of holiday cheer, cosy places to chill, and sunny winter days. Scotland promises you a fantastic holiday season!
In today’s email:
- Fun Things to Do in Scotland in December As Suggested By Visit Scotland.
- 20 Things To Do In Edinburgh, Scotland
- Collect your gift! – A Free Digital Copy Of The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide
- Scottish Pubs Around The World – Charlie’s Scottish Pub.
- Around the Web – I landed on a beach! Travel expert investigates the remote airport runway in Scotland that DISAPPEARS, Travelodge is giving away free festive pyjamas, Beavers to return to Cairngorms for first time in four centuries and more
- From Social Media – What Is The Highest Mountain In Scotland?
- Scottish Food You Will Love – Trying the BEST SEAFOOD in SCOTLAND! – Fresh Lobster & Chips
- Coo Wee – Scottish Air Traffic Controller Attempts to Guide a Plane to Safety
Our Daily Newsletter is free and will remain free for our loyal followers forever.. ( if you are not subscribed then just enter your email below) But as they say in the infomercials, that’s not all.. For less than the price of a wee dram, you can upgrade to our premium Newsletter which will give you access to our archive of travel deep dives, travel itineraries as well as special deals curated for our premium subscribers. So consider buying us a drink and upgrade to get all the goodies….
Fun Things to Do in Scotland in December
1. Christmas Markets and Festivals:
– Edinburgh’s Christmas Market
– Castle of Light – Magic and Mystery
– Glasgow WinterFest
– Beecraigs Festive Forest
– Aberdeen Winter Festival and Christmas Village
– Perth Winter Festival
– Glamis Castle Christmas Market
2. Find a Festive Place to Stay for Christmas:
– Stay in a magical castle
– Explore rustic cottages, cosy log cabins, and lodges with hot tubs
3. IRN-BRU Carnival in Glasgow:
– Europe’s largest indoor funfair
4. Curl up and Watch a Christmas Rom-Com Across Scotland:
– Watch romantic comedies on Netflix filmed in scenic Scottish locations
5. Christmas at the Botanics in Edinburgh:
– Royal Botanic Gardens with light features, music, mulled wine, and festive foods
6. Husky Sled Rides in the Highlands:
– Husky sled ride in Perthshire with Bowland Trails
– Visit HuskyHaven in Aberdeenshire
7. Visit Santa and his Reindeer in Cairngorms National Park:
– Meet Santa and his reindeer at the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
8. Enjoy World Class Snowsports at Various Locations:
– Ski or snowboard in the Scottish hills at resorts offering slopes for all levels
9. Immerse Yourself in Unforgettable Hogmanay Celebrations Across Scotland:
– Edinburgh’s Hogmanay street party
– Hogmanay Hoolie at Ghillie Dhu in Edinburgh
– Beach Ballroom Hogmanay Ceilidh in Aberdeen
– Oban Hogmanay Party with lively ceilidh music
10. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride:
– Experience THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
All the details from Visit Scotland
20 Things To Do In Edinburgh, Scotland
This 20 things to do in Edinburgh travel guide, features the best activities, museums, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, food and entertainment venues in the city along with numerous suggestions for tours that will make your stay in Edinburgh unique and memorable.
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Get Your Free Digital Copy Of The Ultimate Scotland Travel Guide
Scottish Pubs Around The World
Scots Away – Scottish Pub Directory App is at Charlie’s Scottish Pub.
Just half an hour south of Bern in Switzerland you can find the town of Payerne.
Not far from Lake Neuchâtel you will come across Charlie’s Scottish Pub.
The perfect place to enjoy food and drinks while catching up on the days live sport.
Around The Web
I landed on a beach! Travel expert investigates the remote airport runway in Scotland that DISAPPEARS
Scotland weather: Travel disruption warning as Met Office issues yellow warnings for ice and heavy rain
National Trust for Scotland reveals hidden meanings behind popular Christmas carol
How can Scotland fans get tickets to Euro 2024?
Scotland will play Germany in the opening game of the tournament in Munich on 14 June.
Dunkeld House Hotel becomes Crerar Hotels eighth property in Scotland
The ‘happiest’ places in Scotland to live in 2024 named as pretty town tops list
Chasing the Northern Lights: A Winters Tale in Scotland
Stunning guesthouse nestled among castle, forests & waterfalls crowned best B&B in Scotland at national…
A STUNNING guesthouse has been named the best in the country at a prestigious award ceremony.
Blue Man Group coming to Edinburgh for first UK show in seven years – how to buy tickets
Travelodge is giving away free festive pyjamas
Travelodge has launched Christmas pyjamas to wear whilst away from home for the night.
Beavers to return to Cairngorms for first time in four centuries
NatureScot has approved an application from the Cairngorms National Park Authority to release up to six beaver families at agreed sites.Photo by Maxwell Andrews on Unsplash
From Social Media
What Is The Highest Mountain In Scotland?
Scottish Food You Will Love
Trying the BEST SEAFOOD in SCOTLAND! – Fresh Lobster & Chips
Coo Wee
Scottish Air Traffic Controller Attempts to Guide a Plane to Safety
Scottish Air Traffic Controller Attempts to Guide a Plane to Safety – For anyone who’s ever had to understand someone with a strong accent, this video is sure to amuse. In it, a Scottish air traffic controller (played by James McAvoy) tries to guide a plane to a safe landing.
The pilot, alas, has a bit of trouble understanding the controller’s thick accent. Hilarity ensues.
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A Traveller’s Perspective
December in Scotland is dark, cold, and wonderful. The days are short — it is light by about 8:30am and dark again by 3:30pm — but the darkness is part of the appeal. Christmas markets, lit castles, candlelit pubs, and the lead-up to Hogmanay give the whole month a particular warmth. If you are willing to wrap up and embrace the cold, December is one of the most atmospheric times to visit.
Edinburgh’s Christmas market runs throughout December on Princes Street and in East Princes Street Gardens. Glasgow’s Christmas market in George Square is smaller but has a good atmosphere. For something more intimate, look for Christmas events at Scottish castles — Glamis, Blair, and Dunrobin all run seasonal programmes. The Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations on the 31st are ticketed and sell out, so book early. Pack thermal layers, gloves, and a good hat — evenings can be bitterly cold.
Walking through Edinburgh on a December evening, with the castle floodlit against the dark sky and the Christmas market glowing below it, the city feels like something out of a Victorian novel. Frost glitters on the railings of Princes Street. The smell of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts drifts from the market stalls. Your breath hangs in the air. The stone buildings are lit with warm light from the windows. It is cold enough to make you walk quickly, but beautiful enough to make you stop every few steps.
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