Scotland Christmas Mood

I always say Edinburgh becomes a completely different city in December.

The cold hits a bit harder, the sky gets dark much earlier and yet somehow everything feels warmer.

This morning when I stepped out of my flat in Leith, I could already sense that Christmas was creeping in.

Not fully here yet but definitely on its way.

I walked up toward Princess Street, wrapped in my favorite scarf, hoping to start my Christmas preparations before things got too chaotic.

Edinburgh in December is no joke.

Tourists everywhere, locals rushing around and the wind doing its best to ruin everyones`s hair.

Still, it`s part of the charm, I suppose.

My first stop was the Big Waterstones, I wanted to get a book for my mum.

She is impossible to shop for, but books are always safe.

The shop was busier than usual, full of people doing the exact same thing as me, trying to get ahead of the Christmas rush.

I could hear kids begging their parents for stationery sets, and adults wispering "Should we just get a gift card?"

It was classic December panic.

After escaping the crowd, I popped into a cafe on Jeorge Street for a feative drink.

Their Chistmas menu has just launched, so I treated myself to a Gingerbread latte.

The barista was wearing a Christmas jumper with tiny flashing lights on it.

She rolled her eyes and said "Our manager made us wear this."

But she was smiling, so I don`t think she minded too much.

With my drink warming my hands, I headed toward the Edinburgh Christmas market, the real sign that the season is arriving.

Even before I reached thd Princess Street Gardens, I could smell it, cinamon, grilled sausages, hot chocolate, churros, proper festive chaos.

The market was always buzzing.

Families, students, tourists, everyone packed together, trying to decide whether to start with food, shopping stalls or the rides.

I walked slowly, taking everything in.

Fairy lights hung everywhere, little wooden huts lined the path and the big wheel was turning against the gray sky.

It wasn`t snowing, but Edinburgh`s cold air makes you think it might at any second.

I stopped at the stall selling handmade soaps shaped like Christmas puddings and tiny snowmen.

I bought a few for stocking fillers.

Then I wandered over to a jewelry store where everything sparkled under warm lights.

I bought my sister a simple silver necklace, nothing fancy but thoughtful, and that`s what we go for in Britain.

Of course, no trip to the Christmas market is complete wihtout food.

I grabbed a cup of hot apple cider and a warm pretzel.

The cider was perfect, spicy, sweet and strong enough to make my cheeks feel warm.

A group of teenagers next me were filming TikToks with the big wheel in the background, they kept shouting "One more time"

Every time the wind messed up the hair.

As the afternoon went on, the city became busier.

I could hear bagpipes in thd distance.

Someone always plays them near the Scott Monument during December.

Not the traditional songs though, modern Chistmas music, but with that unmistakable Scottish twist.

People were stopping to listen, dropping coins in musician`s case, recording little clips to post on-line later.

Before heading home, I walked up to the Royal Mile.

The whole street was covered in wreath, fairy lights and little Christmas displays in the shop windows.

Tourists were buying tartan scarves and shortbread gift tins, like they were preparing for a lifetime supply.

A couple holding hands kept saying " It`s so magical here, and honestly, even after living here for years, I get it."

Edinburgh is magical in December.

I popped into a small independent shop to buy myself a candle, something with a winter scent.

The owner recommended one called `Frosted morning`.

When I opened the tester, it smelled exeatly like stepping outside on a cold day.

I didn`t even think twice, I bought it.

By the time I reached home, it was only 4 in the afternoon, but it was already pitch dark, typical Scotland.

I put my bags down, made a cup of tea and lit my new candle.

As I looked out the window, I could see Christmas lights reflecting on the wet pavement, people hurrying home with their shopping bags and the faint glow of the big wheel in the distance.

Christmas hasn`t arrived yet, but Edinburgh is definetely getting ready, and honestly so am I.

Every little thing, the markets, the lights, the festive drinks builds the season up bit by bit.

And for the first time this year, I felt it properly that quiet, familier excitement that tells you Christmas is on its way.