As frightening as Halloween can be, nothing is quite as scary as the price of plane tickets around Christmas. Going even just a little abroad can be a present in of itself, but as always, the best option may just be further up north. Scotland, both as a country and collection of fantastic wee little wonders, is awash with great sights and further delights for all your other senses! We at Fine Scottish Hampers have decided to do a grande clatchin of 31 things to do in Scotland during Christmas:
#1 Edinburgh celebrations
- 'Bigger than ever', enjoy all the trimmings including rides & attractions, markets, shows, ice-skating and, of course, Santa's grotto!
#2 Aryshire Makers BIG Christmas Market
- Over 50 exhibitors with a fantastic selection of Scottish gifts for both friends and family! Local band Borealis will also be performing a series of seasonal favourites!
#3 Deck the Halls at Threave Estate!
- December 6th at one of Scotland's top ten most visited attractions will feature craft fair, muisc, choirs mulled wine and (sure to be) delicious mince pies!
#4 Cairngorm Mountain
- One of the the best places to find good skiing terrain and breaktaking peak views in the UK, you can find a truly unique Christmas market there until November 30th.
#5 Glasgow on Ice
- Now that the city's lights are nice and lit, make sure you take the opportunity to skate under the stars at Scotland's largest ever outdoor ice rink.
#6 Landmark Forest Adventure Park
- A nature trail, Treetop trail, viewing tower, 'Bamboozeleum and maze are just a few things to do at this extroadinary day out!
#7 M&D's Theme Park
- Five rollercoasters, two water rides, an arcade, theatre and Scotland’s only indoor tropical rainforest hardly become any less enjoyable at Winter.
#8 Santa's Family Holiday - There's No Place Like Burns Cottage?
- Stop by the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum on Dec 6-21st for a mini pantomime with fun for all the family, and a special gift from the jolly man himself.
#9 Snow Factor in Braehead, Glasgow
- The UK's longest indoor real snow slope, ideal for beginners or those who's feet are starting to get a little too warm.
#10 Stirling's Hogmanay
- Live music and a fantastic midnight fireworks display have made this award event a big draw year after year.
#11 Shortest Day Festive Food in the Wood
- Within Aberdeen woods lies this awesome sounding day of family woodland Christmas crafts, and festive foraging foodie fun.
#12 IRN-BRU Carnival
- Europe's largest indoor funfair celebrates 94 years with over 60 rides and attractions. Good fun for thrill seekers and families alike.
#13 Dune: The Musical
- For something
really different, Pilrig St Paul's Church in Edinburgh will play host to this vibrant song version of David Lynch's cult classic. Fancy dress: Space disco.
#14 The Edinburgh Ehtical Christmas Fair
- Celebrate a Christmas that won't cost the Earth, with eco-gardgets, fairtrade chocolate and much more to peruse and enjoy.
#15 A visit to Stirling Castle
- One of Scotland's most historically important sites, the costumed characters and family fun are equally enjoyable as any other time of the year.
#16 Wine Unearthed - Glasgow Wine Tasting Dec 6th
- Learn about wine in a relaxed and fun environment, with a delicious matching 3 course food and wine matching lunch.
#17 The Snowman Live Screening with Live Accompaniment
- Head to Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall on Dec 20th for a Royal Scottish National Orchestra presented version of Raymon Briggs' legendary Christmas film.
#18 The Ba' in Laing Street, Kirkwall
- Christmas day marks yet another game of this traditional version of mass football in the town streets, pitting the 'Uppies' against the 'Doonies'.
#19 Distillers' Fair at the Scotch Whisky Experience
- From Dec 29th-30th, you can meet Scotland's very own Whisky Distillers as they bring a few secrets and excellent drams of Scotch in time for Hogmanay.
#20 White Christmas at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Dec 19th
- Based on the much loved movie classic, this feel-good music features a 30-strong cast including Aled Jones and Tom Chambers.
#21 A Merry Cringletie Christmas 2014
- Edinburgh's luxurious Country House Hotel features a 3 night Christmas package, including a Christmas day feast, Boxing day treasure hunt and farewell supper.
#22 Glasgow's Santa Dash, Dec 7th
- A 5km charity run in the streets of Glasgow, where the main requisite is that every participant put on their best Santa suit!
#23 Scotch and Soda Circus at St. Andrew's Square, Spiegeltent
- All the way until Dec 21st, enjoy this whisky soaked evening of raucous circus, dance and music in an incredible Christmas cocktail.
#24 Rab's Video Game Christmas Morning, Dec 13th
- The National Museum of Scotland presents a quirky talk by comedian Rab Flroence, who leads us down a nostalgic trip to the best part of any 90's child's Xmas morning.
#25 A Royal Christmas at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
- From Dec 5th to Jan 6th, the Palace of Holyroodhouse will be transformed inside and out for the festive season, with endless astonishing lights and decorations.
#26 Hot Dub Time Machine in Edinburgh
- One of the highlights of the Fringe festival, this time-travelling dance party has had sell out runs all over the world.
#27 Christmas through the Ages, at Castle Fraser, Garden & Estate
- From Dec 13th-14th, rejoice the arrive of Father Christmas with Turdor and Victorian re-enactors, games and a lot more whilst drinking some mulled wine punch.
#28 Edinburgh's Hogmanay, Dec 30th - Jan 1st
- The world's best new Year Party lasts an amazing three days and nights in Edinburgh with a torchlit procession, street performers, fireworks and a big Hogmanay party.
#29 Stonehaven FireBall Festival, Dec 31st - Jan 1st
- An annual procession in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, that keeps an ancient custom alive, with great blazing balls of fire are swung into the air, then the sea in extraordinary fashion.
#30 Aberdeen Winter Festival
- With carol concerts and plenty of shows, Aberdeen's wondrous Winter Festival really does have a little something for everyone.
#31 Scottish Haggis Festival, November 29th
- Part of the Oban winter festival, seven Argyll butchers and haggis makers will go head to head to compete the hugely coveted golden haggis award!
What activity or Scottish Christmas day out are you most excited about this year? Let us know at the Fine Scottish Hampers Facebook page, Twitter and Google+!
