The European Christmas Market's amusement rides and vendors' stalls light up East Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The European Christmas Market's amusement rides and vendors' stalls light up East Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Polish and German-style brats cook on a grill at the European Christmas Market in Edinburgh, Scotland, in December 2013. The market is much like the ones you will find throughout Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Holiday decorations adorn vendors' stalls at the European Christmas Market in Edinburgh, Scotland, in December 2013. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Children ride the double-tiered merry-go-round at the European Christmas Market in Edinburgh, Scotland, in December 2013. There is a second carousel at the Scottish Market on St. Andrew Square. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A nighttime view of the European Christmas Market in Edinburgh, Scotland, as seen from the Ferris wheel. The market runs through Jan. 4, 2015. Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The bar at the Scottish Market on St. Andrew Square in Edinburgh, Scotland, served up beer and hot drinks in December 2013. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The European Christmas Market in Edinburgh, Scotland, with its Ferris wheel as seen from across East Princes Street Gardens, December 2013. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Skaters glide across the rink at Princes Street Gardens during last year's Edinburgh European Christmas Market. For 2014 there will be a second rink on St. Andrew Square where the Scottish Market takes place. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
An ice rink attracts skaters and onlookers at Princes Street Gardens during last year's Edinburgh European Christmas Market. The city has added a second rink for this year's market on St. Andrew Square. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Visitors enjoy food, drink and the company of friends at the European Christmas Market in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The smell of sausage and mulled wine wafts through the evening air.
It could be anywhere in Germany around Christmastime, but it is not.
It is Edinburgh, Scotland, but the aroma does not lie. We are at the European Christmas Market in the Scottish capital.
There is not much different here from what there is at a Christmas market in central Europe: stands selling Christmas ornaments, grilled bats and the hot, spiced wine; children screeching with delight as they ride the merry-go-round; and Christmas carols floating melodically through the cold night air.
One might ask, Why go all the way to Edinburgh when you can go to an original Christmas market in Germany? Well, during the day you can explore the city, with Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace among the highlights, and in the evening, after having your fill of Glühwein, you can switch to Scotch whisky-based hot toddies.
The Christmas market takes place in the East Princes Street Gardens, right in downtown Edinburgh, near the train station.
Besides the stands and the merry-go-round, there is a Ferris wheel that offers a brilliant view of Edinburgh castle, high on a nearby hill, and the city itself. At the foot of the ride is an ice skating rink where you can work off all of the excess calories you might have gained eating all the goodies.
Nearby, on St. Andrew Square, there is a smaller market, the Scottish Market. Here you can try local specialties such as Scotch, craft beer and haggis or scones. Scottish crafts are also for sale here.
This year St. Andrew Square features an ice rink and Helter Skelter, a tall tower slide that offers a view over sparkling Christmas lights before you slide back to the earthly fun.
On the lower level of East Princes Street Gardens, beneath the Scottish National Gallery, is Santa Land, a paradise for the wee ones that offers a children’s market with face painting, the Santa Train and a Christmas tree maze.
There is plenty to do, smell, eat and drink in Edinburgh at Christmastime, and if you want a slightly different look at European Christmas fun, the Scottish capital is the place to be.
Edinburgh, Scotland, Christmas markets Most of the Christmas action takes place at East Princes Street Gardens and on St. Andrew Square. The markets are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Jan. 4, 2015.
There are many other things going on in Edinburgh through the end of the year, including “24 Doors of Advent.” During each day of this event, which runs from Dec. 1 through Dec. 24, a different building that is usually closed to the public will open its doors. The Great Edinburgh Santa Fun Run, which takes place on Dec.14, is a charity event that features Santas running a two-kilometer course through East Princes Street Gardens.
For information, go to http://www.edinburghschristmas.com.
