Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to consider a break in Edinburgh in December

267 replies

LuLuuuuuuu · 03/09/2017 17:21

Just that really

I am wondering if anything is open as its not tourist time and not going in the week leading too, or after, Christmas .

Any Edinburgh MNs around to tell me there are things to do ?

TIA

OP posts:
squoosh · 03/09/2017 18:32

You're a bit obsessive in your anti Glasgow sentiment though. Do you think that's an important part of showing that Edinburgh is your one true love?

Comps83 · 03/09/2017 18:32

I had my heart set on a December break in Edinburgh but had to change my plans as hotels were well beyond my budget

wannabestressfree · 03/09/2017 18:34

Sorry I just realised I could have been talking about trains from anywhere. I meant when do the London to Edinburgh go on sale if you were going in December?

BuntyCollocks · 03/09/2017 18:34

😂😂😂

EllaHen · 03/09/2017 18:36

Don't go to Greenock.

I've been. Once. Never again.

Love, love, love Edinburgh though.

Pangur2 · 03/09/2017 18:36

Ah no worries. 'Tis not a deal breaker! A bit of damp never did anyone any harm...

BuntyCollocks · 03/09/2017 18:37

Hold up lads. We're being a bit harsh here.

Edinburgh will be open of course.

The running water and electricity shuts off 10 days prior to Christmas, though, and won't be back on until after Hogmanay.

BuntyCollocks · 03/09/2017 18:38

(Hogmanay is New Year's Eve - that's why we have to have the fireworks over the castle at the bells, so people can see their way home, because we're all blind drunk)

Corcory · 03/09/2017 18:40

Places aren't closed in Edinburgh at all. It is tourist season all year. There is a Christmas market in Princess St gardens every year. An out door skating rink or two and loads of other beautiful outdoor things like the big Xmas tree on the mound and all the wonderful floodlight buildings. The view from Princess St to the Castle and the Royal Mile at night especially at Xmas is wonderful. Make sure you bring a good fleece and warm jackets but I really wouldn't bother with thermals or you will be baking in the shops, pubs and indoor sites.

DrWhooves · 03/09/2017 18:40

Grin at Edinburgh being closed for Christmas.

Comps83 you could always look at prices for hotels in Fife, specifically at the leisure park in Dunfermline as there's a park and ride just across the road with buses every few minutes into Edinburgh city centre, you'll get to see the new bridge too.

NikiBabe · 03/09/2017 18:42

Im totally going now!

NikiBabe · 03/09/2017 18:44

How far is the bus journey to Edinburgh from Fife?

Calmanglass · 03/09/2017 18:45

I was gong to suggest the Watt library in greenock as it might have been cool to look at the local records and see if you could find your relative but it's closed for refurbishment. There's a heritage hub nearby though and stuff online

Nonibaloni · 03/09/2017 18:46

In defence of OP (even though I think she had a pop at me) I will be in Glasgow in December this year and had to google Christmas in Glasgow to see if anything was on Blush. I'm born and bred edinburgh, maybe I was confused with the festival.

HungerOfThePine · 03/09/2017 18:49

Edinburgh is still a busy place even in December and I imagine still touristy. The princess st gardens have the not so German market and rides and stuff. Has a lovely feel about it and still all the typical touristy things to do.

Wrap up it will likely be raining.

highinthesky · 03/09/2017 18:52

I'd love to do Edinburgh in December (only ever been there in August). I bet it's magical!

NikiBabe · 03/09/2017 18:54

If I was going to spend Christmas on my lonesome in Edinburgh where would be a good place to eat for Christmas day?

PollyFlint · 03/09/2017 18:54

Edinburgh is a capital city just like London; there is no such thing as 'not tourist time'. Everything will be open and there will be lots to do. It will be very busy, in fact.

I've been several times in December. It's obviously likely to be cold but it's cold everywhere in the UK in December.

It's a lovely city; have a nice time.

DrWhooves · 03/09/2017 18:55

How far is the bus journey to Edinburgh from Fife?

From the Dunfermline side of Fife I would say 30-60 minutes depending on traffic.

Leavingonajet · 03/09/2017 18:56

I doubt you will need more than a couple of hours in Greenock, it is unlikely to be somewhere you want to hang around in midwinter. You can easily get a train from Glasgow which will stop there. Glasgow on the other hand is a great place to spend a day or two, as to be fair is Edinburgh.

SetPhasersTaeMalkie · 03/09/2017 18:58

The hot cider at the Christmas market is amazing. I had a couple over an afternoon and floated along Princes Street.Grin

Hope you have fun if you do decide to go. I absolutely love Edinburgh.

mawbroon · 03/09/2017 18:59

I live in Edinburgh. There's plenty to do, but be prepared, it is really expensive.

As PPs said, it can be cold with that damp cold that chills you to the bone, and a wind that cuts right through you. But sometimes it is crisp and clear. Either way my southern softie Wink relative complains how much colder it is here than down south.
Plenty cosy pubs though Smile

pippitysqueakity · 03/09/2017 19:02

Nikibabe. Bring a bottle and my house. Very welcome.

wannabestressfree · 03/09/2017 19:14

Anyone? Sorry? Does anyone know how far in advance train tickets go on sale for December?

ForeverLivingMyArse · 03/09/2017 19:20

Bloody hell!

Yeah, this capital city just shuts for Christmas. We take the castle down after the festival.

Greenock is shit, waste of a day.