Although I do love my home city of Glasgow, I do enjoy regular visits to our nation’s capital and in time for the festive fun, here is a wee blog from the good folks at Extra Mile Coaches on why you should visit Edinburgh this Christmas.

3 Reasons to Visit Edinburgh This Christmas

The year has sped by at an alarming rate. With Guy Fawkes Night behind us, Christmas is just around the corner, so you might be looking for some festive inspiration to make your Christmas one to remember. Don’t get caught in the trap of celebrating Christmas the same way over and over again. There are so many fascinating and exciting UK traditions to encounter — and Edinburgh in particular provides a wealth of magical festive experiences not to be missed.

Below, we have collected our three favourite seasonal traditions in Edinburgh that you need to take part in while you’re in the area. The temperature in Scotland can get notoriously low during the winter, so be sure to thoroughly wrap up and think carefully about transportation. Using an Edinburgh coach hire to get from place to place will keep you toasty warm and safe from the elements.

1. Festive Christmas markets

Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a trip to a few outdoor markets, with the scent of clove and cinnamon effortlessly encouraging feelings of festive cheer. Visitors to Edinburgh should certainly pay a visit to St Andrew’s Square, traditionally one of the best places for markets in the run-up to Christmas. You’ll be spoiled with delicious food and drink, and you’ll love the range of traditional crafts, which make for memorable and unique Christmas gifts.

2. Princes Street Gardens

Festive activities in the Princes Street Gardens return from 18th November. On top of the European Christmas Market, you’ll get to enjoy the famous Big Wheel, Santa Land and an outdoor ice skating rink. This really is the heart of Edinburgh’s Christmas, with something for all the family. For those who want an awe-inspiring glimpse of Edinburgh from up high, illuminated by fairy lights, hop aboard The Big Wheel and enjoy your view of the Edinburgh skyline.

Of course, one of the most loved activities to indulge in while you’re visiting the Princes Street Gardens is to take to the outdoor ice skating rink. Situated just under the Big Wheel and the Scott Monument, you and the whole family can glide around on the ice, get your blood pumping and really feel the holiday spirit.

3. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay party

Going to Edinburgh without experiencing the Hogmanay would be a real shame — and if you need convincing, this event has been featured in the Discovery Channel’s “Top 25 World Experiences“. The celebrations last for three whole days, beginning with a famous and enchanting Shetland Viking Torchlight Procession on 30th December. On New Year’s Eve, you can take in the remarkable fireworks display and on New Year’s Day, the bravest among you can take a freezing cold dip in the Firth of Forth. The event began in 1986 as a joke, the implication being that the refreshing sensation will cure you of your hangover. In the years that followed, the tradition was carried on as an act of charity.

Coach hire Edinburgh: safely getting from place to place

If you’re not a local, getting from place to place in Edinburgh might feel daunting. If you don’t fancy driving your party around and sacrificing a drink or two of whisky (and if the idea of public transport fills you with apprehension), you can always consider the option of a coach hire, or an Edinburgh minibus hire with driver. This way, you’ll safely get chauffeured from place to place in a warm, comfortable vehicle driven by a local who knows the best sights to see and places to visit. Not to mention, the cost of a coach hire is generally the most price-efficient option, especially when you’re dealing with a large party. Don’t allow your Christmas spirit get compromised by bad planning!

Whatever you do when you visit Edinburgh this Christmas, we hope you enjoy every second and that you experience all that the remarkable city has to offer.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post with the fee going to my Cancer Research Ironman Challenge Fund. That being said, Edinburgh is quite magical at Christmas or at any other time, when there are at least another 25 Reasons to visit.

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