Top Five Festive Things To Do
Scotland is full of fun, quirky ways to enjoy the Christmas season! We bring you our top five festive favourites
From unique Christmas dining to fresh festive food markets and a show or two, our what’s on in Scotland festive events guide has got you covered.
Where to go, what to do, when to do it – it’s all here.
Take a look…
Nutcracker Ballet Themed Afternoon Tea, Gleaneagles, Perthshire
Ends December 22
Pirouette into the festive season with Gleneagles’ Nutcracker Afternoon Tea.
Inspired by Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugarplum Fairy, guests will have the opportunity to experience a gastronomic journey to the enchanted Land of Sweets with mouth-watering cakes and savouries, all freshly baked and prepared by Gleneagles’ Executive Pastry Chef Phil Skinazi. The afternoon tea follows on from their sold out Nutcracker performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Highlights of the Nutcracker Afternoon Tea include a Cambozola cheese and quince tart with bacon and candied walnuts; cranberry, orange and white chocolate scones; apple and cinnamon crumble scones; valrhona chocolate and salted caramel tart with mandarin; coconut and maraschino cherry cake; and eggnog macaroons.
Available from £45 per person.
More info or call 01764 662231
ALAMY
The Snowman, Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s Christmas Concert, various venues
December 18-22
This year the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s Christmas Concert will be performed to a special film screening of The Snowman.
Touring Scotland in December the concert brings Raymond Briggs’s classic and much-loved tale to life with the aid of Scots singer and presenter Jamie MacDougall.
Dressing up in Snowman-themed costumes or festive attire is encouraged for the audience and performers for an event that continues to have such a warm appeal.
Bowhouse Christmas Market, Bowhouse Farm St Monans
December 14-15
Bowhouse in Fife is bringing together the best food and drink producers from across Scotland with a very special FREE ENTRY Christmas market weekend on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December, 10am – 4pm.
With a soundtrack of live music, street food, hands-on activities and workshops, more than 30 carefully selected food and drink producers; and a dedicated craft area, Bowhouse is set to be the ultimate destination for food lovers in Scotland this Christmas.
Visitors to the market will enjoy a forest of Christmas trees available from the Kilted Christmas Tree in a range of sizes and live festive music from two community choirs. Children will have the opportunity to decorate a gingerbread man at a special workshop. There’s also a festive table decorating event from the resident organic flower grower and florist, Keeping the Plot. Chestnuts will be roasting over an open fire and Out-there Artisan will have mulled wine available over the weekend. Those looking for the best local produce will be spoilt for choice, with fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, spirits, baking and more from some of the best makers in Scotland. Representatives from the local Cambo Gardens will be hosting wreath making workshops to raise funds for the Cambo Heritage Trust.
Glenmore Reindeer Centre, Glenmore, east of Aviemore
December 14-15 and 21-24
The centre is open all year round but at this time of year the paddocks take on the tinsel.
See reindeer in their natural habitat on the Cairngorms slopes. Trips run by experienced reindeer hadlers take place daily at 11am, however this is weather depenedent.
Adults, concessions and children £4. Age three and under free.
MagicFest, Various Venues, Edinburgh,
December 27 – January 5
The programme has been revealed for the 10th annual MagicFest which takes place in Edinburgh between Christmas and New Year.
The line-up brings together top home grown and international talent from the world of magic and mind reading to offer dazzling entertainment for all ages.
This year Edinburgh International Magic Festival is moving from the usual summer dates to winter due to the tremendous popularity of the MagicFest Christmas Show, which has run for the past three years.
Plus an extra special Hogmanay House party at Lauriston castle is on offer. Come in, out the cold, have a dram (or a hot chocolate) and bring in the bells. Musicians, magicians and storytellers will help make merry and celebrate the magic and origins of Hogmanay!
For more Christmas fun pick up a copy of our December issue today >>
