TELT Magazine

It all dates way back
to the Celtic Pagans
between 500 BC and
500 AD who celebrated
the winter solstice to
bring light to the dark
winter days - a time
known as Yule.
effigy of the Pope. It
was not until the 1960s
that Scotland began
to welcome Christmas
with open arms. The
day was only made an
official work holiday
in 1958 - could you
imagine working on
Christmas day now?
Market. The popular
twinkling stalls have
visitors steering away
from the traditional,
once forbidden, mince
pies and opting for
German bratwursts and
French crepes.
CHRISTMAS
IN THE
They would burn Yule
The city hosts this
logs to keep warm, kiss
enchanted wonderland
under the mistletoe, Fast forward to the for six whole weeks,
CAPITAL
and decorate pine trees present and Christmas with every stall, shop,
in their homes to bring is celebrated in full cafe and restaurant in
life into the living room, swing year in, year the city centre taking
which is a tradition we out. Cities all over part in their own unique
still know today.
Scotland are teaming way. Definitely making
with markets, festivities up for the 400 year ban
Then, in the 5th and and fun - especially us Scots faced many
TELT magazine have selected the best ways
6th centuries, as
the nation’s capital, centuries ago.
Roman Catholicism was Edinburgh.
for you to enjoy Edinburgh this winter
on the rise in Scotland,
This time of year is
With Christmas just
During the
things began change. The city is now
for enjoyment. People
around the corner,
Royal Botanic
mesmerising late night
Christian traditions famous for the Winter tend to be happier,
Edinburgh has been
Gardens
stroll, expect to come
became the norm Wonderland which chattier and more
taken over with tinsel
across the Fire Garden
until the established features everything compassionate. It
and lights, from
Edinburgh’s Botanical
– a circular carpet of
John Knox banned the from mulled wine to is sometimes hard
glittering shop fronts
Gardens will once
dancing flames that will
holiday as part of the hot cocoa, ice rinks to to remember to stay
to the ever-popular
again be displaying
send warmth through
country’s split with carousels and of course, positive when the city
German markets.
their flamboyant light
your core. And if that
the Catholic Church. the popular Ferris centre is at gridlock
However, with so much
show, adding a welcome
fails to do the trick,
This was then made wheel in Princes Street with the vast volume
going on at this time of
sparkle to those dreich
the festive fare, which
an official law in 1640 Gardens. You can of visitors, but it is
year, it is often difficult
winter nights. The
offers warm cider and
resulting in fines and even see a collection of important to take a
to choose the best way
trail of light snakes
hot chocolate, is just
prison sentences for stunning ice sculptures step back, if you have
to enjoy the festive
along the garden’s
the ticket.
those who tried to along George Street, room to move, take in
period.
paths, providing a
Exhibit opens - 24th
celebrate.
where you will also find your surroundings and
Never fear, we have
spectacular glow. The
November 2017
a giant dome made of appreciate the culture
handpicked the most
lights will guide you
Advance tickets - £14
It was then 40 years fairy lights. How braw around you. New
worthwhile activities
through a mile of the
later that a group of is that?
traditions have to start
to get involved in
world famous Garden,
Edinburgh’s
students at Edinburgh Much like many other somewhere.
including the quirkiest
providing a magical
European Market
University were said to European cities,
places to go as the
experience after dark
have held a protest that Edinburgh have
By Kendal Dick
temperature drops over
and fun for all of the
The European Market
included burning of an adopted the German
the next few weeks.
family.
has once again returned
TELT: Winter Edition 9