Christmas Shopping at the Christmas Markets – a new tradition?

Yes, I think so! We now have a new Christmas Tradition in Edinburgh!

Not only do we have to visit Santa Claus, and see the big Christmas Tree in Jenners, but we now also visit the Christmas Markets. With just a little flurry of snow it can be quite magical in the great build up to Christmas Day and makes present buying a real family event.

Most Edinburgh Folk and tourists know about the German Market, at the Mound Precinct, where all the stalls and stall holders are genuinely from Germany. Here you will find Christmas presents just that little bit different from those on most high streets. Handcrafted toys, garments, decorations, jewellery, sweets, the list goes on, and on….and of course traditional German foods, both to eat there and to take home. My favourite is the Stollen Cake sold by weight, each year we buy a larger piece and it's still gone by Christmas Eve! Hot food and Gluhwein stalls abound, and encourage visitors to linger and enjoy the atmosphere. Not as well known however, is the Highland Village Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens. Located right next to the German Market, this market offering traditional Scottish fare and crafts is also well worth a visit, both for locals and visitors to the city. Here you can try the famous Aberdeen Angus Burgers, have a wee nip of *Glayva, and get your Black Bun ready for Hogmanay. I personally stocked up on the homemade jams (preserves), honey and home-baking, all beautifully wrapped and ready to go into the hampers for my elderly relatives. That is the people who have everything, and are very difficult to buy for! (There were Christmas Hampers ready made up for sale but I prefer to do my own.) It is also a great place for our self catering guests staying at Anne House Apartments to browse and often try before they buy. Both Markets are open 10.00-20.00 Sun-Wed and 10.00-22.00 Thurs-Sat

While the German Market closes on 24^th December the Highland Village Market is open until 4^th January, but closing at 18.00 31st December,(something to do with the visitors to the city for the Hogmanay Celebrations I imagine).

If you cannot find what you want on the markets, simply cross to the other side of Princes Street where Jenners, (known as Edinburgh's Harrods), have a Gift Department, open all year. While it might be "the thought that counts", Marks and Spencer is right next door, and they as you probably know, have an excellent returns policy, just make sure to get a gift receipt!

Happy Shopping!

* 6-21^st Dec

New cafe near Anne House Apartments

Last Sunday, our local newspaper, Scotland on Sunday, carried a review of a new Swedish bakery and cafe which has opened at the Quartermile - the new development on the site of the former Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. So this morning we decided to pay a visit there to see if it lived up to the glowing review we'd read.

It's called Peter's Yard, and the promise of a cardamom bun was enticing enough to lure this weary walker inside.

The space was high, light and airy, and the baking laid out in attractive mouthwatering displays. Coffees were big enough to satisfy, and cakes in generous portions. The cardamom roll would have been improved if served warm, but it was delicious with just the right amount of cardamom to give an almost floral taste.

We enjoyed our visit and will definitely return.

Peter's Yard
www.petersyard.com
0131 228 5876
27 Simpson Loan
Edinburgh