What does Edinburgh look like at Christmas?
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. Above the city, on a high rock, stands Edinburgh Castle, and below it lies the Old Town, with stone streets that climb up and down between buildings several hundred years old. In December, the castle glows gold and the streets fill with lanterns, shop windows and decorated trees.
The market below the castle
Edinburgh’s best-known Christmas market is usually held in the Princes Street Gardens, right below the rock the castle stands on. Among the wooden huts turn a carousel and a big wheel, from which you can see the whole city lit up. All around, the Old Town and the castle make the loveliest winter backdrop.
What do you find at the market?
- Shortbread, Scottish butter biscuits, crisp and lightly sweet, sometimes cut into stars.
- Tartan ornaments, made from Scotland’s checked cloth: little hearts, baubles and bows for the tree.
- Music in the square, with bagpipes, guitars and carols.
- Hot chocolate and hot tea for cold December evenings.
What can kids do in Edinburgh?
- Ride the big wheel and spot the castle from above, among the city lights.
- Walk up the Royal Mile, the main street of the Old Town, full of lanterns and shop windows.
- Walk down Victoria Street, a curving street with brightly painted houses and toy shops.
- Look up at St Giles’ Cathedral, with its crown-shaped spire.
Two Scottish winter traditions
Festive tartan
At Christmas, tartan is everywhere: on scarves, on the ribbons on the tree and on ornaments. By tradition, each old Scottish family has its own checked pattern.
Hogmanay
After Christmas comes Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year celebration. In Edinburgh people walk the streets with lit torches, sing and gather to welcome the new year together.
A taste of Scotland: shortbread and tea
Nothing tastes more like a Scottish Christmas than a buttery shortbread biscuit and a steaming cup of tea. The recipe for classic shortbread fingers, to make together with an adult, is in the book.
How do you say “Merry Christmas!” in Scottish Gaelic?
Nollaig Chridheil!
Try saying it at dinner on Christmas Eve.
What word did Mira discover here?
In each of the eleven cities of the journey, Mira finds a special word. The word from Edinburgh is written in her Christmas passport, at the end of chapter 3.
