Caledonian sleeper in December - where to go?

[Eyelashesoffire]

We're looking at going to Scotland on the Caledonian sleeper for a weekend in December. We've been to Edinburgh a few times so we're thinking about a different destination - Glasgow, Inverness? It's just DH and me, we're not into winter sports, we'd just like to mooch about, I'm thinking pubs, fireplaces, long lunches. Inverness looks lovely but maybe not in December? At least Edinburgh will have lots to do if the weather is very windy and rainy. Any recommendations?

I did Fort William once - so pretty - but not sure what it'll be like in Winter

Aviemore. Old Bridge Inn is your ideal warm and cosy pub, lots of options for nice walks locally, more pub options in surrounding villages. Inverness might have more on, but IMO doesn’t have the either the charm or the diversity of options in Edinburgh or Glasgow so you’d be better off aiming for a more rural option further north

Fort William and Inverness will be rubbish in December. They will both be absolutely freezing with not much today. FW is a really outdoors town and Inverness is well a bit rubbish.

Edinburgh or Glasgow get my vote at that time of year, given you’re not outdoorsy!

I'd go to Edinburgh, Dunblane , dunkeld and Perth, you'll be near the Highland national park but not so tourist, look at the arrival times of the train, I think it arrives very early.

Fort William on the last week of November was amazing - we’re very lucky with the weather. If you want to just sit by log fires and drink whiskey etc it doesn’t really matter when you go!

I second Fort William. So atmospheric with the mountains, lochs and steam trains!

Thanks everyone, we've booked for Glasgow now, any recommendations for chilled out live music venues (no moshing!), places to eat, art galleries?

Kelvingrove art gallery and museum is magnificent building. Has the amazing Dali work ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’ . You can travel there by the Glasgow underground/ subway ‘the Clockwork Orange’.

While in the West end jump on tube again or walk to botanic gardens or Byres Road - numerous restaurants etc.

In town- Buchanan Street underground station - nicest shops - go down road to Princes Square centre with nice restaurants and cafes. Also an Ivy restaurant close to underground.

It’s been years since I was there but I previously enjoyed the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University - good mummies! The museum cafe is nice and you’re also close to Byres Road. But I loved the walk along the kelvin towards the botanics.

Another one - the Willow tearoom is Glasgow institution- Charles Rennie Mackintosh heritage.