Christmas Break In Glasgow: Indoor Winter Activities & Attractions

Scotland in winter is simply magical. Smell the air, it's crisp and fresh. Christmas market lights shimmer like jewels across the city, luring joyful shoppers inside. In the countryside, inns and bars are turning on the fireplaces and drawing the drapes to welcome weary travellers in a cozy, homey atmosphere. Hogmanay, when Scotland welcomes the new year, is the biggest party of the year, and the entire nation is preparing food, drink, and entertainment for it. You'll discover that Christmas in Scotland has all the components of the ideal holiday getaway.

The crowded vendors' lights gleam like gems. You catch the aroma of warm mulled wine drifting through the chill night air. Laughter echoes from the ice rink. For a magical atmosphere, you can't beat a Christmas market. Major European-style markets with pubs, food stalls, rides, entertainment, and festivals can be found in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Similar winter celebrations can be seen in Perth, Aberdeen, and numerous other cities around the nation.And when you're done playing in the snow, walking across the white hills or gliding through the cool air on a sled, Scotland's got tonnes of fantastic indoor attractions where you can have fun and stay warm! So the next time you want to hibernate the winter away by wrapping up in your favourite blanket, resist the impulse! Come and discover the warmth of winter in Scotland instead:

Scottish Whisky or Gin Will Turn Up The Heat

What better way to enjoy a chilly winter day than to cozy up with some traditional Scottish beverages? This quirky and adventurous spirit might just be the perfect alternative winter tipple to mulled wine, and you can even make your own!
Any distillery that is spread around the cities offers you a chance not only to learn about what ingredients are required and how the process works but also to develop your own unique blend of gin with the help of their in-house distillers. The best thing, though? The homemade gin is yours to take home.Whisky too, is wonderful stuff, particularly on a winter's day. Scotland is home to more than 100 active distilleries, each of which meticulously crafts a different single malt and blend. You don't have to be an expert to enjoy whisky, and there is no right or wrong way to drink it. It's ideal to begin your whisky journey there. Take a tour of a distillery to learn about the age-old craft of making whisky and then relax with a small drink at the end.

Inspire Yourself At The Museums and Art Galleries

There are hundreds of fantastic art galleries or museums to choose from in Scotland, ranging from the grand and formal to the more unusual and quirkier museums. The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is one of the popular options. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, with 22 themed, state-of-the-art galleries and some 8,000 astonishing objects and lots of interactive displays, is somewhere you can easily spend the entire day.At Dundee Contemporary Arts, you can explore, develop, or rekindle your creativity through a variety of exhibitions, programs, and workshops where you can learn how to make an oriental pad-printed advent calendar, make your own advent calendar, or even watch a movie. At V&A Dundee, Scotland's first design museum and the only V&A museum in the world outside of London, you can explore inventiveness and success in Scottish creativity as well as the best examples of design from all over the world or take a look at heart-warming collections of toys and games from generations gone at the Highland Museum of Childhood in Strathpeffer where you can join an ancient crafts workshop for adults to weave your own mobile cover or a tartan weaving workshop for children.

Go For A Train Ride To Enjoy The Winter Landscape

One fantastic alternative is the West Highland Line, which is frequently praised as one of the world's most beautiful rail routes. The route departs from Glasgow and provides two fantastic journeys: either across to the west coast and Oban or northwest to Fort William and Mallaig. It includes the stunning Gare Loch and the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was used in the Harry Potter films, among Scotland's top views, all in one journey. Get ready for nonstop photos of breathtaking views as you awe at the vast area of enigmatic, frost-covered moorland. Simply speaking, the journey is one epic adventure.Linking Edinburgh with the Scottish Borders, a region famed for its rich cultural history and stunning scenery, the Borders Railway also offers a chance to enjoy a fantastic day out in the pleasant towns of Tweedbank, Melrose and Galashiels. Simply recline and take in the beautiful countryside scenery. The River Tweed can be seen admirably shimmering in the winter sun as the lovely path winds through woodlands and rolling hills.Whichever route you choose, if you want to make your train journey even more epic, turn these already extraordinary trips into a scrumptious winter adventure.

Eat Delicious Scottish Food By A Log Fire

Nothing is more appealing after a day of sightseeing or mountain hiking than a cozy bar. Settle in around the fire with a pint of real ale from the tap and great local food, and enjoy a great welcome from the locals. Look for Scottish produce that is in season, such as roasted vegetables, wild ducks, and others. Oysters are also a wonderful appetizer for special occasions, and a sumptuous winter salad can be a welcome change from hearty stews.There is no cozier place to be than in a tavern with a raging fire. The Ben Nevis in Glasgow offers a unique bar with cozy spaces and open fires to retreat to, as does the world-famous Mishnish in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Other examples include the Falls of Dochart Inn in Killin, where you may enjoy views of the Falls of Dochart. The Sheep Heid Inn in Edinburgh's Holyrood Park neighbourhood is Scotland's oldest bar and a favourite of kings and poets alike.

 

Experience The Splendour Of A Victorian Christmas

Although Scottish castles, palaces, and stately residences are stunning year-round, seeing them magically transformed with Christmas decorations is quite another sight. Their exquisite historical interiors look really stunning when paired with traditional Christmas decorations.Grab your family and friends and spend some time at the Palace of Holyroodhouse taking in the festive atmosphere. The palace will be transformed both inside and outside for the festive period. The palace is the ideal place to get into the holiday spirit, with sparkling lights encircling the courtyard and a decorative fountain, wreaths, garlands, and a brilliantly adorned tree in the Great Gallery. By the fireplace, you may hear tales of opulent feasts, follow a festive trail through the castle to find hidden gifts, and even create a homemade Christmas gift to take home.Set within the beautiful Perthshire countryside, Scone Palace is also getting into the spirit of Christmas with a calendar of events. Enjoy a variety of holiday activities, including brunch with Santa, candlelit tours of the castle, and wreath-making classes.This article is originally seen on: visitscotland.com/