Christmas is finally here. Bells ring in the air and carolers sign on street corners. It’s a festive time of year in our beautiful UNESCO city. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or live locally, it’s hard not to feel the Christmas spirit.
One of our personal favourite Edinburgh Christmas activities is skating around the rink. We have some fantastic ice skating rinks as well as natural spots (weather dependent of course). Below you’ll find our recommendations for ice skating Edinburgh.
Every Christmas, St. Andrew Square comes alive with Christmas cheer. It’s here that you’ll find the Scottish Christmas market as well as one of Edinburgh’s best outdoor ice rinks. Christmas music and the smell of mulled wine fills the air as you skate around and around St Andrew’s monument. Kids and adults of all ages will love this magical experience.
Murrayfield Ice Rink Edinburgh
Murrayfield Ice Rink is a bit further afield, but also perhaps a bit less touristy. With a history dating back to the early 1930s, this indoor ice rink is a local institution and a favourite with Edinburghers. You can take ice skating lessons here to learn how to hockey stop or just simply stand up!
Murrayfield ice rink is also home to the Edinburgh Capitals ice hockey team and catching a game is a riveting experience! If you like to dance (like we do), there’s a Friday and Saturday night boogie with a DJ, catchy tunes and disco lights! What more could you ask for?!
Another Edinburgh Christmas Market with ice skating ice filled with Christmas cheer, it’ll be hard not to break into a jolly smile when ice skating in Princes Gardens. Winter Wonderland is a magical place with twinkling fairy lights and the smell of hot toddies and bratwursts in the air. You can refuel at the German Christmas Market, one of Edinburgh’s best Christmas attractions, and enjoy festive tunes all day long.
The Winter Wonderland can get busy and maybe a bit sludgy, but navigating the rink is half the fun!
While global warming makes finding a frozen loch a bit harder, it’s not entirely impossible. Weather permitting, cruising around a frozen loch in some of Scotland’s most stunning surroundings is an amazing experience. Curling clubs from Edinburgh and the Lothians have used this approach to practice their sport and escape from the crowds at the Christmas market ice rinks.
Whether you want to skate at St Andrew’s Square or Winter Wonderland, Edinburgh Flats has some fantastic self-catering accommodation Edinburgh within easy walking distance. Check out our holiday lets Edinburgh like Chessels Court, High Street, and Lochrin Place. It’s not too late to book a mini Christmas break!
Written by Karen
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