Great festive events or places to visit in central Scotland?

[WhatWouldTheDoctorDo]

There's a few threads in the Christmas topic about events, places to visit etc. in the run up to Christmas, but they're mostly places in England.

Does anyone have any good recommendations for places in Central Scotland? We're in Edinburgh so usually spend a day at Princes St gardens anyway, but looking for other ideas for a bit of festive atmosphere.

Apologies if you come across this in active, but it is in the Christmas topic and the weather is pretty grim here so no summertime sunshine to keep thoughts of Christmas at bay!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I know at New Year they do the "Flaming Balls" walk in Stonehaven.
(Haven't been but I know someone who has)

My parents live in Central Scotland, I'll ask them if there's anything around them.

[Groovee]

It's not at Christmas time but October, I'd recommend the enchanted Forrest at Pitlochry x

[Redtartanshoes]

Pollock house do a lovely festive day with Mrs Claus

[WhatWouldTheDoctorDo]

Thanks everyone! I always remember Pitlochry too late so will definitely look that up.

[whitepuddingsupper]

There's usually an indoor funfair at Glasgow SECC at Christmas time.

[whitepuddingsupper]

Here you go 19th December-11th January.

[mumtoone1]

There's the Chrustmas steam train at Bo'ness. It's very Christmassy with a visit from Santa a short train ride and mince pies and mulled wine for the adults :)

[mumtoone1]

Stirling castle do the odd Christmas market too and usually do a couple of days when they recreate Christmas of ye olde times

[RumAppleGinger]

Princes street was so disappointing last year. If it's the same events company who are running it this year I won't be going back.

Enchanted Forrest is wonderful, I think the botanics in Edinburgh are going to attempt something similar this year but I thinks it's only one day rather than a fortnight.

Keep an eye on what the bigger Dobbies stores are doing. They usually have quite a good activity programme.

[WhatWouldTheDoctorDo]

Thanks for all these. We had a good day at Princes Street Gardens last year, but it didn't quite hit the right note and was expensive I thought.

When looking up the enchanted forest I discovered that the theatre in Pitlochry has miracle on 34th street the musical which could make for a fun festive day.

[dementedma]

Yes, Enchanted Forest is great. Take the Steamship Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine on one of the Santa Cruises. Think Santa also appears at the Falkirk Wheel cruises.
I thought the Christmas market in Edinburgh was really poor last year.

[TheScottishPlay]

National Trust run Christmassy things too. Their website will have details.

[curlycat]

Christmas cruises on the falkirk wheel. The xmas steam train at boness books up really quickly so you need to book soon if you want a time slot close to xmas. This is also the first year the helix has been properly open so I'd look out for christmassy stuff going on there

[WhatWouldTheDoctorDo]

Thanks again everyone. Is Bo'ness worth it at Christmas? We did the Thomas the Tank engine one when DS was younger and it didn't seem that great (the weather was abysmal though which may have been something to do with it).

[curlycat]

I have never actually beem to bo'ness. My sil took my 2 every year for years and they loved it. It seems to book up every single year really early so there must be something to it

[curlycat]

Just remembered new lanark looks fab for xmas as well. Again never been cos I think my 2 are too old now at 10 & 14. Wish I'd known about it when they were younger

[dashoflime]

I believe these are Santa's actual raindeer.
You have to go a little bit more north to see them though.