SUSAN CALMAN
Our columnist enjoys a very Scottish Christmas
Christmas, for me, is all about feelings. The excitement of a crisp winter morning, the joy from the lights on the tree, the thrill I get when wearing my snowman costume to the supermarket (it increases my ‘elf’ esteem). Unquestionably, some places can make me feel more Christmassy, and the festive season is the perfect opportunity to get out and about and immerse myself in the most wonderful time of the year.
I’m very lucky in that there are many gorgeous locations that are (practically) on my doorstep and can make Christmas extra festive. Places that can add even more cheer to my already full-to-the-brim heart. And if you can’t travel much this year, don’t worry, jump on my sleigh, hold on tight and let me try to transport you to my Yuletide favourites.
First up is Scotland’s capital city. Now, I’m a proud Glaswegian, but even I have to admit that Edinburgh knows how to do Christmas, not least because they have a winning attraction with their magnificent castle. I’ve spent many a December day wandering around it as snow gently falls on the battlements. It’s romantic, gorgeous and dripping with history. Venturing into the city, meandering round the winding cobbled streets, you half expect a character from Charles Dickens to pop his head out of a window and ask you to buy a large goose.
The only thing that could defeat a castle in a Top Trumps game of fancy houses is a palace. In the beautiful Perth countryside is the wonder that is Scone Palace (‘Scone’ pronounced like the name of classic 1980s TV show Boon). It’s like a Downton Abbey Christmas special come to life. I fantasise about waking up there on 25 December and sauntering down to the drawing room in my Noël Coward-style dressing gown to a roaring log fire, while my pretend children (called Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-frid) open their presents under a tree the size of the Eiffel Tower. If that wasn’t enough, the palace has a maze, and nothing screams festive like trying to lose your family in a load of bushes. But be careful – ‘elf’ and safety first (sorry).
If you want a wilder experience, the Cairngorms are beautiful, and the wildlife is extraordinary. I recently had the pleasure of visiting a herd of wild reindeer there. The herder I spoke to confided that Santa definitely visits and borrows some of the animals in time to deliver presents all around the world, and it wouldn’t surprise me. Scottish reindeer are a hardy bunch and are always ready, whatever the weather.
For a Christmas away from the hustle and bustle, I’d suggest the Isle of Arran, known as Scotland in miniature. It’s truly my favourite place on Earth. The Christmas illuminations shine even brighter without light pollution from the mainland, and who could resist cuddling up as the wind blows outside with a whisky and a blanket? On a winter’s day, as the mist clears in the glens, there’s even a chance of seeing the fabled white stag that roams the countryside and appears only rarely.
Nearer to home, for me, there’s nowhere quite like Pollok Country Park in Glasgow. A beautiful place to walk off the excesses of a large Christmas dinner, it’s also home to the most joyful animal I’ve ever seen: the Highland cow. Gifted to the people of Glasgow many years ago, these are adorable, cute and utterly brilliant. The sight of them never fails to lift my spirits and they are the very definition of magical. Oh, and they’re perfect to take an ‘elfie’ with (last one, I promise).
As you can tell, I love Christmas. And I love the way that even the most mundane of places can become magnificent with a few lights and some tinsel. I hope you have a very merry Christmas, wherever you are; I’ll be singing carols, making mulled wine and helping the cats unwrap their presents. Hopefully, my fictional children won’t be too jealous.
I recently met a herd of Cairngorms reindeer – Santa borrows some to deliver presents