Christmastime in Edinburgh

After joining the coach, we make our way to our hotel and check in.

Christmastime in Edinburgh

We spend the day in Scotland’s bustling capital city of Edinburgh, where we can soak up the atmosphere of the wonderful Christmas Markets. Enjoy some of the tasty delights on offer and admire the work and crafts of local traders – it’s the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Christmastime in Edinburgh

Christmas Day is a day of laidback leisure, where our hotel provides a hearty Christmas lunch with all the trimmings as well as a light buffet dinner.

Christmastime in Edinburgh

We spend the day exploring the dynamic city of Glasgow. There is plenty to discover, including an 800-year-old cathedral and a Tall Ship floating museum on the Clyde that has sailed around the world four times, as well as a wide range of shops, cafés and restaurants. In the afternoon, we take our seats for a magical pantomime performance.

Christmastime in Edinburgh

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and spend some free time in Edinburgh before we head home.

On day 4, travel to Glasgow for a day that blends heritage and theatre. Step inside to explore the soaring Gothic interior of Glasgow Cathedral, linked to St Mungo, then head to the Clyde waterfront for the striking Riverside Museum and The Tall Ship Glenlee, an iron sailing barque that circumnavigated the globe. Between sights, stroll Buchanan Street’s grand Victorian facades and lively arcades.

In the afternoon, take your seats for a pantomime performance, a British festive tradition of songs, slapstick and boisterous call-and-response—with plenty of “He’s behind you!” and cheers for the heroes. The spirited audience energy and seasonal staging offer a joyful counterpoint to the morning’s historic landmarks, before you return to Edinburgh in high spirits.

On day 1 at the Britannia Hotel beside the Water of Leith, settle in and raise a glass at a welcome drink before a relaxed buffet-style dinner. After-dinner tea and coffee encourage easy conversation as you get acquainted with fellow travellers and ease into the festive rhythm of the break.

Most evenings, the hotel hosts light entertainment every evening—a friendly quiz, a local singer or a festive sing-along—perfect with a nightcap as you soak in the riverside atmosphere. This gentle, sociable close to the day adds a touch of Scottish warmth and camaraderie to the itinerary, with entertainment typically following dinner.

On day 3, Christmas Day unfolds at a leisurely pace. Enjoy breakfast and unhurried conversation before sitting down to a traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings—roast turkey, crisp potatoes, seasonal vegetables and rich gravy, followed by spiced pudding and sweet treats. Crackers pop, glasses clink and the mood is warmly celebratory.

Between courses, take a gentle stroll by the Water of Leith or simply soak in the festive atmosphere from the lounge. As evening draws in, the hotel serves a light evening buffet, letting you linger over the day’s conviviality. It’s a calm, convivial celebration that highlights Scottish hospitality and the simple pleasures of being together at Christmas.

On day 2, step into Scotland’s capital at its most festive as you join the Christmas bustle in East Princes Street Gardens. Browse wooden cabins of woollens and crafts, sample local treats and steaming mulled wine, and pause for photos and reflection beneath the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle. Lanterns glow, carousels turn and the air carries spiced aromas of cinnamon and cloves.

Continue into the Old Town to wander the Royal Mile and the closes around St Giles’ Cathedral, where pipers and buskers add a lively soundtrack. Use your time to enjoy a free afternoon exploring galleries, cosy pubs and viewpoints, then on day 5 savour a final hour or two in the city before departure. The contrast of medieval lanes and glittering market lights captures Edinburgh’s winter charm.