Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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:
ItsNachoCheese · 04/09/2017 20:23

Im taking my ds to this on the 1st of december, im really looking forward to it www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/news/article/13095/china-s-giant-lanterns-to-light-up-scotland/

53rdWay · 04/09/2017 20:29

Really not that cold. Apart from Haymarket platform 4 in the early morning which could freeze nitrogen.

squoosh · 04/09/2017 20:31

Average daily temps in Dec/Jan are probably about three or four degrees.

ItsNachoCheese · 04/09/2017 20:33

The dome is booked all through december im :(

flippinada · 04/09/2017 20:41

Compared to the rest of the UK, Edinburgh isn't that cold in winter. Honest. I remember being out once on me years and feeling warm in my winter coat - when I checked the temperature was around 12 degrees.

TooManyPaws · 04/09/2017 20:53

National Museum always used to be open on New Year's Day (was going to write Ne'erday as usual then realised I'd have to translate it! ) when I worked there, specifically for the tourists.

flippinada · 04/09/2017 20:58

*on new years, not me years.

florascotianew · 04/09/2017 21:01

As others have said, Edinburgh is well worth visiting at any time of year. The average temperatures are not too bad, but the east wind can be bitter. Museums and galleries - and/or shops, if that's your thing - are open and sheltered, anyway.
Greenock has a fascinating and very, very important history en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenock. Today, however, it is rather depressing, IMHO. I was travelling on a train passing through it over the weekend. (About 45 min from Glasgow Central; cheap day returns available.) The views of the water were lovely, but compared with Edinburgh or Glasgow, the area seen from the train does seem rather deprived and depressed. Most notable happenings were gangs of disaffected youth getting on the train and trying to dodge the ticket collector, then swearing horribly at him and hitting out at the train as they got off.

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 04/09/2017 21:04

Christmas market is on in December, it's fab 😊 always lots to do in Edinburgh. You'll love it 😊

HollaHolla · 04/09/2017 21:12

I wouldn't bother with the Dome, other than to go in for a bit of a look at the decorations. Overpriced for what you get, and mad crowded. If you're looking for a lovely afternoon tea in a fairly traditional setting (that you don't need a mortgage for - Cale, I'm talking about you....) try the Bonham hotel. It's a lovely old building set back in a terrace, with great service and comfy seats. They also have a decent gin bar! :)

gingerbreadmam · 04/09/2017 21:15

had a meal in the Dome a couple of Christmases ago. As a PP says - not really worth it for the food. Definitely pop in for a wander around and a drink if it's not too busy tho.

StoorieHoose · 04/09/2017 21:35

I've just read back the thread and I think it was my post that riled her up and then she was so annoyed she quoted a poster that was actually helpful rather than my sarcastic one. IM annoyed that no one picked up my Smith lyric in my post!

SuperBeagle · 04/09/2017 22:01

We're going to be in Scotland for the second half of December. Edinburgh for Christmas. Happy to see this thread!

We're Australian, but we live in an area where it snows, so I don't think the cold will bother us like it might other Australians.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 04/09/2017 22:02

No I wouldn't pick the Dome for food.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 04/09/2017 22:09

I don't know anything about The Smiths Stoorie Sorry!

Perhaps it was the lack of love for Greenock which tipped the OP into meltdown.

DrWhooves · 04/09/2017 22:25

We haven't had a proper cold, snowy winter for about 7 years now. That winter was cold, my legs were just about frozen in my thin crappy work uniform trousers after the walk up from the train station.

to consider a break in Edinburgh in December
Willow2017 · 04/09/2017 22:26

ItsNachoCheese

You beauty!

I didnt know this was on, have just booked it for me and kids.
Thank you Wine

Fluffyears · 04/09/2017 23:54

Ooh feck that was cold. I remember almost crying one morning on my way to work as my whole body was frozen. Then on the way home there was the time the whole motorway shut down, 6hours stuck and a 7 mile walk in deep snow was not fun!

Also I hate being called a 'jock' I'm a scot!

ItsNachoCheese · 05/09/2017 05:30

willow2017 your very welcome :) hope you and your kids have a brilliant time

Cailleach666 · 05/09/2017 06:48

I am wondering if anything is open as its not tourist time

I'm smiling at this.

deaddeadgood · 05/09/2017 06:56

Jesus that was cold -20 if I recall in weegieland and didn't get above zero for about 6 weeks.

IfYouDontImagineNothingHappens · 05/09/2017 06:56

If you can visit Edinburgh during the week near Christmas that's better than the weekends. It's tourist madness and whilst looks pretty magical it can be totally rammed and we've ended up leaving the markets a few times.

flippinada · 05/09/2017 07:31

The winter of 2010 — 11 was horrific. I live out near the pentlands, so relatively high up. DS' school was closed for a week, we had snow up to thigh level temperatures were definitely close to minus 20. Never known anything like it!

Knottyash5 · 05/09/2017 08:21

We went to Edinburgh last December for the Christmas markets. It was great.

Would love to go this year too but the school holidays start really late. So annoying.

It is a bit cold but it depends, the first day we were there last year it was actually quite warm and not quite Gluehwein weather.

Swipe left for the next trending thread