Scotland's Annual Winter Festivals

City Spectaculars

The majestic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, silhouetted across the frosty sky, almost seems to nod down towards the Winter Wonderland of lights in Princes Street Gardens. Just being out and about in Scotlands capital at this time of year is an experience in itself. But from November through to January the gardens are transformed into one of the largest open air ice rinks in Europe, surrounded by outlets offering food and festive fun. For a different view of the city, the more adventurous can opt for a ride on the thirty-three metre high Edinburgh Wheel. And the usual Christmas bustle of the city is complimented by Santas Igloo Village, with lots of fun childrens activities.

Glasgow never likes to be outdone by its central belt neighbour. Glasgow on Ice dominates George Square, with skating available from early morning to late in the evening. There are also fairground rides and daily entertainment including live jazz concerts, family fun days, Celtic Connections Taster Sessions and free film screenings.

Pantomimes

Of course, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the traditional pantomime Cinderella, Aladdin, Babes in the Wood, Peter Pan and many others will be performed in village halls, community centres and city theatres. Details on many of these, including ticket prices and performance times can be found on the VisitScotland website.

Once you have exhausted yourself and your budget shopping, and had all the fun of the yuletide fairs, the National Trust for Scotland offers a different way to unwind, yet still offer some remarkable Christmas experiences. Many of the Trusts properties host seasonal events, ranging from carol festivals in many properties, to a glimpse of how our ancestors enjoyed the season to be jolly. Of course most will also feature a large man with a beard in a red coat carrying a sack load of gifts. Well, it is Christmas after all.

The Home of Hogmanay

While Scotland celebrates Christmas with style, it is the place to be for Hogmanay. No one marks the end of the old and beginning of the New Year quite like the Scots. From traditional fire festivals in places like Stonehaven near Aberdeen, to torchlight processions and outdoor concerts, the entire country seems to link arms, clink glasses and raise a toast to this special night of the year.

Edinburgh will again be the focus of worldwide interest, with over a hundred thousand revellers expected to throng the city centre ahead of the chiming of the midnight bells, and the launch of the most spectacular fireworks displays anywhere on the planet. A line up of top music acts always features to give the best possible musical backdrop to the celebrations.

For that morning-after feeling, it is hard to beat a New Years Day walk, whether it is through the rugged mountain passes of highland Scotland or the equally tranquil rolling landscape of the lowlands. Coastal walks are great for blowing away the cobwebs too and for a few hundred hardy souls the attraction of a dip in the sea on the first day of the year is irresistible. The most famous organized event is the Loony Dook, which takes place at South Queensferry just a few miles outside Edinburgh. With the skirl of the bagpipes urging them on, the swimmers plunge into the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth. Some stay in for no more than a few seconds, others brave the elements for up to half an hour.

Ball Games and Norse Heritage

The ancient sport of Ba takes place in many parts of Scotland around Christmas and New Year. The rules are simple. One half of the town or village has to get the ball to their respective side anyway they can and this usually involves mass scrums of dozens and even hundreds of people. Winning is a matter of great pride with some of the matches tracing their origins back to Roman times. If you can keep out of the way, Ba games are great fun to watch and can be seen at Duns, Jedburgh and Roxburgh in the borders, Scone near Perth and Stromness and Kirkwall in Orkney.

Further north still and the Shetland Isles celebrate their Norse heritage on the last Tuesday in January, with the spectacle of Up-Helly-Aa. Up to a thousand locals dressed as warriors and arranged in their jarles, or squads, parade through the streets of Lerwick before throwing their torches on to a replica longship. The torchlight procession and galley burning are said to represent an ancient Viking sacrifice to the sun. But the fun doesnt stop when the ashes die down. Revelry continues through the night and well into the following day.

That's Scotland for you, a nation that truly knows how to party!