Winter Fun (Edinburgh Christmas Market)

Member Name: wigglylittleworm

Product:	Edinburgh Christmas Market
Date:	13/12/08 (242 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: German market

Disadvantages: Highland market

Edinburgh, like many other cities up and down the UK hosts a continental market during the festive season, the city boasts two main markets with unique characters and they make an enjoyable trip for some unusual treats. The markets open in late November and are opened by the Lord Provost signaling a start to the festive period and they trade until Christmas Eve opening daily from 10am to 10pm.

The German market comprises around 30 small wooden huts on The Mound Precinct next to the National Gallery of Scotland. It sells a mixture of German food and drinks, sweets, wooden toys, Christmas decorations and ornamental goods.

The stalls are all manned by German men and women and I had always thought that the Germans were a rather humourless bunch but I'm delighted that this stereotype was shattered. The stallholders were all happy to chat with the customers and free samples were handed out in a very generous manner. There were two incidents which stood out in my mind; one vendor roared with laughter when my daughter tried to buy a pretzel by speaking in very clumsy German and spent ages talking to her and the vendor of a stall selling sweets and cakes gave the kids so many free bits of cake and chocolate that they could barely carry them all.

My favourite stalls sold gorgeous stained glass candle holders in unusual patterns so I bought a couple as a gift to myself. There was a wide range of beeswax candles and soaps, hand carved crystal decorations, jewellery and metal work as well as the wooden toys. The prices seemed fair for what were quality items and you can pick up some unusual gifts here.

There are several stalls selling food and drink here. I'm afraid I can't remember the German names for anything so I shall do my best to describe what I saw in English. There were numerous sausages for sale; unfortunately there were no English descriptions of what the sausage was like so I plumped for a pink one and the four year old for one like a hot dog. My pink sausage tasted remarkably like a Mattersons pork sausage so I was unimpressed by its ordinariness but the little one ate her hot dog happily. My daughter was very impressed by her huge baked pretzel and now wants to find a recipe to make them at home. Other food choices included a stall selling various hot chocolates, potato pancakes with apple sauce, various fried potato dishes, grilled meats and beers. Prices were very reasonable for the food and drink and many stalls also sold food to take away and cook at home and a range of beers.

The Highland market is located next door to the German market in East Princes Street Gardens and I was not impressed by the offerings here at all, anyone who has been to a farmers market in a Scottish town or city will recognise the format of overpriced food and crafts. The stallholders are a reserved bunch and will bleat on about how their produce is organic and locally produced in a manner that makes you want to reach for the turkey twizlers. They had the usual range of jams, oatcakes, meats, honey and cheeses at a price which will make your eyes water.

The craft stalls offer a range of Scottish made goods like jewellery or hand crafted wooden items or soaps. The biggest rip off has got to be the lavender bags, lavender grows like a weed and picking a few sprigs and sticking it in a fabric pocket and charging £3 for the resulting product is just ridiculous.

The food and drink here was the usual £5 for an Aberdeen Angus burger, £3 for a coffee in a paper cup but they did have things like hot toddies for sale.

There is also a small French market outside the St James centre. The huts just seem to take up space on a busy walkway with metal barriers providing a tiny walkway. There were only two stalls open when we visited one selling olives and another dried fruits.

The markets are ideally situated in the city centre a stone throw away from Waverley station and within a few minutes walk from the bus station. The backdrop of the Winter Wonderland with its ice rink and Edinburgh Castle make it a stunning place to visit. It is even better after dark, the place seems to come alive then and the Christmas lights are beautiful making it a truly magical experience.

Edinburgh is a brilliant city to visit during the festive period with a wide range of events in the festive calendar. The German market combines charm, fantastic goods for sale and a party like atmosphere so is a must see for any visitor to the city.

Summary: German market is brilliant