It’s that time of year again when the Edinburgh European Christmas Market comes to the capital. The market has been held in Edinburgh for the last 20 years, it’s beautifully light stalls and huts stretch from the Mound, along East Princes Street Gardens Terrace and around the Scott Monument. This year also included a Scottish market in St Andrews Square that showcases locally produced food, uniquely crafted jewelry and locally brewed beer all in the shadow of the Melville Monument and it’s surrounding ice rink.
The stalls, although a little repetitive, were all full of European inspired delights and made for a really unique shopping experience. The stalls were all presented beautifully, my favourite had lines and lines of little wooden nutcrackers all standing to attention, wind chines hanging from the ceiling and traditional wooden toys on display. The little huts wound themselves around the big wheel and 60 foot ‘Sky Flyer’ Swing ride that both looked stunning lit up in the night sky.
Although we were feeling festive and all fuzzy inside we were absolutely freezing – this is Scotland after all! As we walked through the Winter Wonderland we came across a carousel that had been turned into an outside bar! Unfortunately thanks to the change in Scotland’s drinking and driving regulations Ross was stuck with a hot chocolate while I ordered a Winter Pimms Hot Apple Toddy. It smelled of cloves and cinnamon – basically is was Christmas in a mug! I have to make this over the festive period, it was such a delicious treat that soon warmed us up so we could carry on.
There was also a children’s market situated in ‘Santa land’ with face painting and Christmas crafts. This year there was a Christmas Tree maze, where apparently Children could discover the Elves’ workshop and leave with a little treat from Santa’s helpers – I can’t wait to bring my children here; I hope they will love Christmas as much as I do or i’ll be devastated! Haha! Other rides and attractions in Santa Land include a Helter Skelter, climbing wall, North Pole slide, Santa train, Reindeer Ride round about and Santa’s Grotto.
As always we left Edinburgh all festive and cheery, despite the crowds and prices! Before we left the market we had one more stop to go to that we had been looking forward to all day – the crepe stall! We ordered a Nutella and banana crepe which was honestly one of the best things I’ve tasted in my life! Okay, that’s a little strong but on a cold Winter’s night it was just what we needed before our long trek back to the car. As soon as we got home we got our pyjamas on, got all cosy and watched The Muppets Christmas Carol – what a lovely day.
