Best Christmas City Break Places in Scotland | VisitScotland (2023)

FAQs

Where should I go for a winter holiday in Scotland? ›

In the United Kingdom the most likely place to see snowfall on a Christmas Day is in North and North Eastern Scotland, in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire or the Highlands.

Yes - you read that right. Glasgow as been named the most 'Christmassy' place in Scotland and the UK as a whole - yet our sister city Edinburgh didn't even make the list. Glasgow came out on top and has been crowned the most 'Christmassy' place in Scotland.

December is a busy and festive time to visit Scotland's cities, and prices for flights and accommodations tend to climb around mid-month for a few weeks during Christmas and Hogmanay (New Year's celebrations); it's best to book hotels, activities, and restaurants well in advance.

December is a great month to travel to Scotland. It's still easy to drive around and visit the top attractions, including its lovely towns, historic sites and natural highlights. Here are some of the best places to visit in Scotland in December: Visit, shop and eat your way around the historic capital, Edinburgh.

From mountain sledging to the northern lights, relaxing spas to crisp winter walks, and distillery tours to snow-covered castles, there are so many ways to experience Inverness & Loch Ness this winter.

North Pole, Alaska - There's a 100 percent chance of snow on the ground on Christmas morning, and visitors to this aptly named town will wake to an average of 12 inches. 2.

Scottish Highlands

Among two of the snowiest places in the Highlands are the villages of Kinbrace and Knockanrock, which can see as many as 50 snow-covered days a year.

Edinburgh is known for being pretty and Glasgow is famous for being fun. It might be a bit reductive but essentially Edinburgh is famous for being pretty and Glasgow is known for being fun. The same might be said of their people.

Which part of Scotland has snow at Christmas? ›

One of the surest ways to find snow in Scotland is to head to the most northerly place, rather than setting off for the mountains. The islands of Orkney and Shetland are set off the north coast of the Scottish mainland and are easily reached by ferry from John O'Groats.

Seasonal Festivities Bring Back the Light

While it may be cold and dark outside, Edinburgh lights up like a winter wonderland in December. Edinburgh is a great spot for Christmas shopping, Christmas activities, and endless ways to celebrate the holiday season all the way up through Hogmanay.

Santa Claus, Indiana

Billed as "America's Christmas Hometown," Santa Claus, Indiana, is a real place that just happens to live and breathe Christmas every day of the year.

Bakewell

With a plethora of quaint cafés, snowy riverside walks, and cracking Christmas displays, it is easy to see why this is one of the best places to go for Christmas in the UK. As well as the attractive town centre, the magnificent Peak District National Park is waiting to be explored.

Edinburgh Castle

It takes the title of Scotland's most-visited paid-for attraction, and is, of course, one of the most popular tourist sites in Scotland.

Scotland experiences snow during winter, which runs from mid-November till early March. On average, the country experiences 15 to 20 days of snowfall during this period.

The cheapest time to visit Scotland is between November and December and again from late December through mid-March. Considered the area's low season, the temperatures drop, along with the number of visitors.

December, January and February are generally the coldest months in Scotland, with the average maximum temperature usually around 5°C (41°F). The average number of days with snow falling in Scotland ranges from 15 to 20 days. However, the peaks and mountains of the Highlands experience around 100 days of falling snow.

What is the rainiest month in Scotland? ›

The best time to see the celestial displays are in the autumn and winter months when nights are darker and the skies are clear. The most common months to see the northern lights in Scotland is December through February.

Most visitors to Inverness want to see Loch Ness during their stay. It's only eight miles from Inverness and there are various ways of getting there.

The distance on the drive from Edinburgh to Inverness is about 155 miles (250 kilometres) and while it should only take about 3 hours and 15 minutes non-stop in a car without traffic, there are many interesting stops to take if you follow a scenic route meaning you could easily spend a few days driving between the two ...

Rovaniemi - Lapland, Finland

Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland, may be the best place on earth to celebrate Christmas. Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Finns argue that it makes a much likelier home for Santa than even the North Pole.

Edinburgh's Winter Wonderland

Edinburgh is the ideal fairytale city for a magical winter wonderland. The Winter festivals in Christmas celebrations in Edinburgh are an enchanted burst of twinkling lights, magical sounds, along with lots of fun and laughter.

Braemar, in Cairngorms National Park, which is known for freezing temperatures and chilly winters. During the middle of winter, temperatures here drop to around 1.5°C / 34.7°F, but it's sometimes way colder. The UK's lowest-ever temperature was recorded at Braemar, sitting at −27.2 °C (−17.0 °F).

Which Scottish ski areas have the best snow records? Of the five Scottish ski areas, Glencoe, Nevis Range and Cairngorm are generally considered to be more reliable for snow than Glenshee and the Lecht.

Is it better to stay in Old Town or New Town Edinburgh? ›

Old Town and the Royal Mile is the best area to stay in Edinburgh for sightseeing (especially for first-timers). While the New Town with its numerous restaurants is an excellent location for shopping and dining out.

Which is cheaper Glasgow or Edinburgh? Edinburgh is an expensive city, that's for sure! While Glasgow isn't cheap, it's certainly more affordable than Edinburgh, in pretty much every category. From restaurants and bars to hotels and attractions, Glasgow is a more budget-friendly destination.

If you are a big Harry Potter fan, you will also have found the right place with Edinburgh. However, if you are someone who loves a busy, vibrant city with great nightlife and want to learn more about modern-day Scottish culture, then Glasgow is the city for you.

To increase your chances it is best to go somewhere like the cairngorm mountains. To quote our meteorological office: "The average number of days with sleet or snow falling in Scotland ranges from around 20 or less near the west coast to over 100 days in the Cairngorm Mountains and some other high peaks.

Tantallon Castle, East Lothian

Tantallon Castle in East Lothian has already been a popular feature of Scottish film and TV, featuring in big productions such as Mary Queen of Scots. In A Castle for Christmas, we see this Scottish landmark during Sophie and Myles's tour of the country.

Edinburgh. Very occasionally, you might see the northern lights from the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. This is a rare scenario but when it happens, it is pretty special! If you are visiting Edinburgh as part of a winter tour of Scotland, you could always have a look for the northern lights.

Edinburgh Christmas Market Tickets 2022

Rides and attractions are ticketed and cost various prices, from £3.50-£10, and can be booked online here. This includes the Ice Skating Rink, Christmas Tree Maze and the Big Wheel.

The Edinburgh Market is not ticketed, however, there may be a queue you will have to wait in before entering. Additionally, tickets will be required for experiences like the ice-skating rink and the ferris wheel which gives a stunning view of the festive city.

Is it worth travelling to Scotland in winter? Absolutely! There are so many reasons why travelling to Scotland in the offseason is a good idea – it's cheaper, less crowded and the snow-capped peaks of the Highlands are breathtaking.

Edinburgh – best for short breaks

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city centre, a few of the best places to visit in Scotland near Edinburgh include the charming rural village of Roslin, the beloved riverside village of Culross, and the tranquil coastal town of Dunbar.

Where is nice for a holiday in Scotland? ›

Scotland holiday destinations don't get much better than the countryside of Angus! The area stretches out from the city of Dundee, right around the east coast and inland to the lush valleys and soft peaks of the Angus Glens, which consist of five glens with 10 Munros.

Early to mid-November can be a wonderful time to see Scotland's glorious fall foliage. However, many sites close for winter from mid-October. Snowy conditions in December through to February can make travel tricky, although you'll be rewarded with spectacular wintery scenes and roaring log fires.

A December trip to Scotland can fill you with Christmas cheer. It is a jolly time to take in some of the winter landscapes on invigorating walks in the countryside. There's lots happening at this time of year - from winter festivals, Christmas markets, craft fairs and pantomimes.

Edinburgh

While the capital city of Scotland is best known for its incredible medieval castle - Edinburgh Castle is consistently ranked as one of the UK's most visited tourist attractions - there are numerous other parts of this beautiful city to explore.

A separate index covering just Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland puts Inverness in pole position, ahead of other Scotttish and UK cities, including Aberdeen, thanks to its quality of life.