Edinburgh & the Cairngorms

Destination 01

Edinburgh

9 places

Scotland's capital at its busiest; 3 nights for the Christmas market, the Old Town and Hogmanay.

• Photo: Alasdair · CC BY 2.0

  Edinburgh's Christmas

  The city's Christmas market and fair, with stalls, rides and a big wheel in East Princes Street Gardens below the Scott Monument.

  Tip Go on a weekday evening; weekends after dark are very crowded.

  ShopNew Town$2 hrAfter dark
• Photo: Mike Shaw · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Edinburgh Castle

  Fortress on Castle Rock holding the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny and St Margaret's Chapel.

  Tip Book a timed ticket online and go at opening to beat the queues.

  SeeOld Town$$2.5 hrMorning

• Royal Mile

  The Old Town's spine from the castle down to Holyrood, lined with closes, St Giles' Cathedral and old tenements.

  Tip Duck into the narrow closes off the main street for views and quieter pubs.

  SeeOld TownFree2 hrMorning
• Photo: Mike Shaw · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Victoria Street

  Curving street of colourful shopfronts that drops from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket.

  Tip Walk it downhill and continue into the Grassmarket for pubs.

  ShopOld Town$$45 minLate afternoon
• Photo: nikko23_99 · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Edinburgh's Hogmanay

  The city's New Year festival; the 31 December street party on Princes Street ends with fireworks over the castle.

  Tip Street party entry is by ticket only; buy early and arrive well before 11pm.

  DoNew Town$$4 hr31 Dec, night
• Photo: M J Richardson · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Calton Hill

  Hill at the east end of Princes Street with the unfinished National Monument and views over the Old Town.

  Tip A short climb from Waterloo Place; come for sunset, which is around 3:40pm in late December.

  SeeNew TownFree45 minSunset
• Photo: Stablenode · CC0

  Arthur's Seat

  Extinct volcano in Holyrood Park; the summit gives a view across the city to the Firth of Forth.

  Tip Allow about 45 minutes up from Holyrood; paths get slick in frost, so wear grippy shoes.

  OutdoorsHolyrood ParkFree2 hrMorning
• Photo: Mike Shaw · CC BY-SA 4.0

  The White Hart Inn

  One of Edinburgh's oldest pubs, on the Grassmarket below the castle, with regular live folk music.

  DrinkGrassmarket$$60 minEvening
• Photo: Acediscovery · CC BY 4.0

  The Balmoral

  Grand 1902 railway hotel at the east end of Princes Street, known for its clock tower above Waverley Station.

  Tip Rooms facing the castle book out first for Hogmanay.

  StayNew Town$$$$

Destination 02

Aviemore & the Cairngorms

8 places

Highland base for the Cairngorms; 3 nights for reindeer, pine forest lochs and snow on the hills.

• Photo: Euan Nelson · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

  Base for Britain's only free-ranging reindeer herd; guided hill trips walk out to the herd on the Cairngorm slopes.

  Tip Book the hill trip in advance and dress for wind and snow on the hillside.

  DoGlenmore$$2 hrLate morning
• Photo: caroline legg · CC BY 2.0

  Loch Morlich

  Loch ringed by Caledonian pine with a sandy beach and a full view of the northern Cairngorms.

  Tip The beach at the east end has the classic view of the snowy corries.

  OutdoorsGlenmoreFree60 minSunset
• Photo: Graham Robson · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Glenmore Forest Park

  Pine forest around Loch Morlich with waymarked trails, including the walk up to An Lochan Uaine.

  Tip The An Lochan Uaine trail is about 2 hours round trip from the Glenmore visitor centre.

  OutdoorsGlenmoreFree2.5 hrMidday
• Photo: Peter S · CC BY-SA 2.0

  CairnGorm Mountain

  Ski area on the northern slopes of Cairn Gorm, served by Britain's highest funicular railway.

  Tip Check the snow report and road status the night before; lifts depend on wind as much as snow.

  DoCoire Cas$$4 hrMorning
• Photo: Spike · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Loch an Eilein

  Loch in Rothiemurchus Forest with a ruined castle on its island and a flat circuit of about 5 km.

  Tip The loop is easy in winter and a good choice when the high ground is closed in.

  OutdoorsRothiemurchusFree1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: hugh llewelyn · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Strathspey Railway

  Heritage steam line from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and Broomhill, with seasonal Christmas services.

  Tip Festive trains run on set December dates only; check the timetable and book ahead.

  DoAviemore$$2 hrMidday
• Photo: Bill Kasman · CC BY-SA 2.0

  The Old Bridge Inn

  Long-running pub by the Spey on the edge of Aviemore, serving food beside an open fire.

  Tip Book a table for dinner over the holidays.

  DrinkInverdruie$$1.5 hrEvening

• Cairngorm Hotel

  Turreted granite hotel on Aviemore's main street, opposite the railway station.

  StayAviemore$$