A Dad and 2 Texas A&M Aggies…
There are two types of family holidays: the peaceful, serene kind you see in glossy brochures, and the real kind — the ones where someone is always hungry, someone else is always cold, and everyone is pretending they know where they’re going. Our few days in Edinburgh during the holidays fell squarely into the second category, but honestly, that’s what made it brilliant.
We arrived just as the festive season was in full swing. Edinburgh doesn’t do Christmas subtly. No, it goes full theatrical production — twinkling lights everywhere, markets bursting with mulled wine and handmade crafts, and the faint smell of roasted nuts drifting through the air like a warm invitation. Even the seagulls seemed more cheerful, though that might have been the tourists dropping chips.
New Town: Our Base of Operations at The Edinburgh Grand Hotel
We set up camp in New Town, staying at The Edinburgh Grand Hotel, which immediately made us feel far more elegant than any of us deserved. There’s something about walking into a beautifully restored historic building — marble floors, high ceilings, the kind of lighting that makes you feel like you should speak in full sentences — that tricks you into believing you’ve suddenly become a refined, cultured family.
New Town itself is the calm, well‑behaved sibling of Edinburgh — wide streets, symmetrical Georgian buildings, and a layout so orderly it feels like it was designed by someone who alphabetizes their socks. Staying at The Edinburgh Grand meant we could step outside and instantly feel like we were part of some polished 18th‑century social experiment… even though our actual morning routine involved arguing about who misplaced the room key and who ate the last shortbread.
It was the perfect launch point for our holiday adventures: close enough to wander into the festive chaos of Princes Street, but far enough away that we could pretend we were returning to our “quiet, cultured retreat” each night. Very posh. Very misleading.
Old Town: Where History Slaps You in the Face (Lovingly)
Despite our fancy New Town base, we spent most of our time exploring Old Town, which is basically a medieval fever dream of narrow closes, crooked buildings, and cobblestones that seem specifically engineered to twist your ankle. Walking through it feels like stepping back in time — if time also included a surprising number of tartan shops.
The Royal Mile was our first stop, because of course it was. It’s the spine of Old Town, stretching from the Palace of Holyroodhouse all the way up to Edinburgh Castle. And nothing wakes you up faster than trudging uphill toward a fortress while your family loudly debates whether it’s “actually a mile” or “just called that for dramatic effect.”
(For the record, it is roughly a mile — but it’s a very Scottish mile, meaning it feels longer, steeper, and slightly judgmental.)
We ducked into The Knights Vault, a shop that looks like it was designed by someone who said, “What if medieval armour… but make it fashion?” Swords, shields, helmets — the whole works. Instead of behaving like overgrown children, we found ourselves genuinely fascinated by the craftsmanship. We spent a good while examining blades inspired by period pieces from the 1600s, admiring the detail and imagining the kind of historical chaos they might have witnessed.
It was the sort of place where you could lose track of time without even noticing — part museum, part treasure trove, and entirely too tempting if you have even the slightest interest in history or shiny objects.
Edinburgh Castle: The Big Stone Boss of the City
At the top of the Royal Mile sits Edinburgh Castle, perched dramatically on its volcanic rock like it’s judging everyone below for not wearing enough layers. And honestly, fair enough — the wind up there could exfoliate your soul.
The castle is one of those places where every corner has a story. You can practically feel the centuries of battles, coronations, sieges, and tourists who didn’t read the signs and wandered into the wrong room. We explored the Great Hall, admired the Crown Jewels, and tried to imagine what life was like when this place wasn’t full of people taking selfies.
My favourite moment was when a guide casually mentioned that the castle has never been taken by force. My family immediately began debating how they would hypothetically conquer it, which is exactly the kind of conversation that makes other tourists slowly edge away.
Princes Street: Where Shopping Meets Scenery
After conquering (or at least touring) the castle, we headed down toward Princes Street — the land of shops, buses, and views so pretty they should come with a warning. On one side, you’ve got all the modern stores you could ever want. On the other, you’ve got the dramatic skyline of Old Town rising up like something out of a fantasy novel.
It’s the only street I’ve ever been on where you can buy a pair of trainers, a coffee, and a discounted Christmas jumper while simultaneously staring at a medieval fortress. Edinburgh really said, “Why not both?”
The holiday markets were in full swing, complete with twinkling lights, the smell of cinnamon, and at least three different stalls selling hot chocolate so thick it could be classified as building material. My family, naturally, wanted to try all of them. I’m not saying we were vibrating from sugar, but I’m also not saying we weren’t.
New Town Adventures: Orderly Streets, Chaotic Navigation
You’d think staying in New Town would make navigation easier. You would be wrong. Despite the perfectly logical grid layout, we still managed to get turned around near St. Andrew Square. My family insisted the map was wrong. I insisted the map was not wrong. The map, wisely, stayed silent.
Still, New Town during the holidays is gorgeous. The decorations are tasteful, the shops are warm, and the general vibe is “festive but classy,” like someone wearing a Santa hat with a tailored coat.
Haymarket: The Underrated Hero
One evening, we wandered into Haymarket, mostly because we took the wrong turn (again), but it turned out to be one of my favourite parts of the trip. It’s a bit quieter than the city centre, with cosy pubs, local restaurants, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to settle in with a pint and never leave.
We found a little place serving hearty Scottish food, and nothing bonds a family faster than collectively trying haggis for the first time. Reactions ranged from “surprisingly delicious” to “I’m not emotionally prepared for this,” but that’s part of the charm.
Haymarket feels like the Edinburgh locals actually use — less touristy, more authentic, and full of the kind of warmth that makes you forget your toes are frozen.
Final Thoughts: Heading Back Home to the Isle of Skye
As our days in Edinburgh came to an end, we packed our bags at The Edinburgh Grand and prepared for the journey back home to the Isle of Skye — a transition that feels a bit like stepping from one postcard into another. Edinburgh dazzles with its festive lights, grand architecture, and centuries of history stacked on top of each other like an overachieving layer cake. Skye, on the other hand, greets you with sweeping landscapes, quiet lochs, and the kind of peace that makes you forget cities even exist.
We left behind the cobblestones, the castle walls, and the dangerously addictive holiday hot chocolate, trading them for winding roads, dramatic mountains, and the comfort of home. There’s something grounding about returning to Skye after the bustle of the capital — like the island itself takes a deep breath for you.
So we headed north, full of memories, slightly too much sugar, and a renewed appreciation for both the chaos of Edinburgh and the calm of Skye. The rest of the holidays would be spent surrounded by familiar scenery, family warmth, and the kind of quiet that only the Highlands can provide.
And honestly, that’s the perfect ending to any winter adventure.
