Wow! What a day I had here. I have wanted to go to the Edinburgh Christmas Markets for about 3 years now, but with one thing or another, wasn't able to go.
This year, however, was THE year, I ventured into Scotland to go to the market....and oh my days, I honestly had one of the best days!
I have a bit of a tradition, where every year I like to do a new Christmas Market. I have done Leeds, York, Lincoln, Durham, Harrogate, Ripon and now Edinburgh has been well and truly added to the list and I have to say it is well up there with maybe being my favourite of the bunch!
So being the organised person I am (!) I headed on the website a week or so prior to my visit to see what I wanted to do when I was there. On the 'What's On' page of the website, it lists lots of various activities you can do.
You can pre-book online before you go, or if you aren't sure and wish to decide on the day, there were ample box offices dotted around where you could pick up tickets for whatever you wanted!
I liked the look of: the big wheel, the Christmas Tree Maze and the double carousel. I booked before I went and just had to save or print off the bar code which I received via e-mail.
The day began with us arriving to Edinburgh's Waverley train station. It is in the most ideal location - you literally walk out of the station and boom, you are right there on Princes Street at the foot of all the Christmas fun!
The market looked beautiful, it was bustling with people and festive spririts. The majority of the market was situated on a very soft and squishy feeling carpet...which is so ideal for keeping your shoes free from mud!!
We had a pod to ourselves, and it provided a commentary whilst going round of facts of things you may be able to see.
The views from at the top were stunning, you could see for miles. It showed off the sea, the castle, the entirety of Princes Street and gave a spectacular birds eye view of the market!
This picture below I took when I was right at the top.
It is the Walter Scott Monument, and I think it looks like a giant spider! It also appears the ride is connected to it - it's not! It is behind it, but from this angle looks like the brave thrill seekers are dangling from the monument!!
Look at the blue skies on that! To say it was the 26th of November we went....I cannot believe how lucky we were with the weather! I didn't even feel the need to wear my gloves....and that my friends, is saying something!!
Next up, again, while it was quieter, we headed for the double carousel. I haven't been on one of these for years! Admittedly, it probably is more aimed for the younger visitors to the market, but there were no age caps on it, and why should they have all the fun ey?!
It was a beautiful traditional carousel with such detail gone into every part. It was a lot of fun, and like always with these things....the ride duration went by far too quickly!
Then, we moved onto the big one...and by that I mean THE HILL UP TO THE CASTLE!!!
It was a short walk from the market, but a steep one! However, when we reached the top it was so worth it! 360 degree views of the city up there are phenomenal.
We paused for a little bit up here, and sat on the wall and tucked into our packed lunch and admired the beautiful surroundings we were in....also to recover from the beast of a hill (haha!).
In front of the castle and to the right you can see Arthur's Seat. This is the highest - at 251 metres, of a group of hills which is made from the remains of a volcano. Wow!
Now, as with most things, walking down again is soooo much easier, and with stretching views of the city like this....it's hard not to enjoy isn't it?!
Walking around Edinburgh, it is so hard not to have your camera on permanently, everything is just so dramatic, and photo worthy.
At this point the market had really busied up. I managed to snap this when there was a momentary lapse in passing people.
The choices and smells of the food - savory and sweet coming from the market were unreal....in particular, for me, the doughnut balls....the smell of freshly made doughnuts is one of my all time favourites. It's one of those scents I could have bottled and never tire of smelling!! But there were crepes, waffles, chocolate coated marshmallows, German sausages, burgers, chips, fish and chips....and waaay more choices to even type!
Everyone was so welcoming and friendly and willing to help you out with whatever you needed.
Also, the stewards and the staff put on by Edinburgh Christmas were also so friendly and welcoming. It was clear who they were - wearing a red 'Edinburgh Christmas' sweatshirt, and were only too happy to help answer queries...exactly what you want right?!
We then headed to George Street and saw the ice rink which looked so lovely, and then went down to the Street of Light where they have built almost like a tunnel of light with 60,000 bulbs in the middle of the street! It looked great, but sadly, we wasn't there when it was really dark, and therefore, couldn't enjoy it to it's full potential. Very pretty and unique though nether the less!
For the last activity of the day, and as it was getting darker, we headed in the Christmas tree maze. It was so cute with little fairy lights dotted on all the trees. Good news...we managed to get out! But it's always fun getting lost in a maze for a while....even more so when it's the type of maze which gives you a bag of chocolate coins on exiting!
Then we sadly, had to walk back through the markets and head to the train station! We managed to pack in everything we wanted to, and had the most lovely day!
I don't know what it is about Edinburgh, but it's one of my favourite cities to be in. If you've been yourself, then you'll just know.
Unlike some markets, which are just open for a week or one festive weekend, this years Edinburgh Christmas is open from the 18th November 2016 - 7th January 2017. So even now if you are reading this before, or just after Christmas and still fancy heading there....it isn't too late!!
Have you been to this market before? Where should I head next year?
No comments:
Post a Comment