Christmas at the Bailie

I went on a wee mindful evening stroll through some of Edinburghs Christmas delights, and thought I would take you with me. I find taking photos of where I am helps me slow down and soak in the little details I might otherwise miss. Instead of rushing through, I pause and experience what’s around me. It began, as do many things in Scotland, in a pub. Not just any pub, but one of my favorites. The Bailie is at the top of Stockbridge, where it feeds into the beautiful Georgian New Town, and it has a wonderful atmosphere with its cozy open fire and its gorgeous circular wooden bar. You can feel as though you have been transported back in time, and its full of local regulars, enjoying the space. The pub is under street level and they had decorated the antique lamp over the stair so beautifully for Christmas, that I was immediately smiling.

Entrance to the Bailie

After a little liquid refreshment we headed uptown and passed Britannia sitting resplendent over the entrance to the Royal Scottish Academy (of Art) at the foot of the Mound. She looked fabulous illuminated in festive red….(but I must invest in a better camera for capturing low light images!)

Britannia over RSA in festive red.

From here we headed into the Scottish Village and German Market, strung along the top of Princes Street Gardens. It was packed with visitors and locals alike, and everyone seemed to be smiling and having a good time, with cups of mulled wine to warm their hands. There were lots of romantic looking couples, as well as family groups, and this pretty stall was selling yummy hot chocolate and sweet treats.

Hot Chocolate stall

In the cold crisp air the fairground lights seemed to sparkle with a life of their own, and I found myself mesmerised with the bright colours set against the black night sky.

helter-skelter fun

It was like being transported back into childhood, and memories of fairgrounds and Christmas seeped into my mind, filling me with nostalgia.

Carousel at Christmas

This vintage style soldier had me thinking of Christmas visits to see the Nutcracker ballet as a little girl with my Mum and Granny. And this spilled into memories of Swan Lake and all the beautiful swirling skirts, and the ethereal beauty of the ballerinas, who seemed to me as a child to live in a world of impossible glamour. Ahh….Christmas past

Christmas soldier

Shifting my attention away from the sparkling lights and music of the fairground I saw the open air ice rink, below us in Princes Street Gardens. It looked beautifully enchanting and otherworldly with it pastel lights and its pristine white surface. It was just about to open, and soon the rink would be filled with the wild screams and excitement of skaters jostling for position on the ice.

Princes Street Ice Rink 2012

It was beginning to rain, and the temperature had plummeted while I was busy soaking in the sights, so it was time to head home to the warmth. Ahead of me, through the light spangled trees, the New Balmoral Hotel was bathed in golden welcoming light…there’s a lovely Edwardian Bollinger Bar tucked in here……

The New Balmoral from the Christmas Market