Best winter hotspots across Glasgow and Edinburgh

Glasgow

Glasgow is cold and wet at the best of times, so we’re sure you’ve already got your favourite spots to escape from the elements for an hour or two. But the winter months require something a bit different – y'know, like piping hot soup to warm you up, real fires to cosy up to and sparkly lights (because they’re synonymous with Christmas, right?).

And so we kick off with the important stuff: for some of the best soup in Glasgow, head to Piece in Finnieston. It’s cheap, cheerful and guaranteed to warm your cockles. If you’re looking for something a bit stronger, but just as warming, pop across the road to the Ben Nevis for Glasgow’s best selection of whisky. And for mulled wine, check out the Curler’s Rest on Byres Road – best enjoyed beside their coal fire. Over on Great Western Road, The Belle also has a roaring fire – a lovely spot to while away a chilly evening. Their Malt of the Month is always a great deal, and they serve coffee for just 99p! Further down the road, Stravaigin also has a real fire to cosy up to, giving it a friendly country pub feel, glammed up with decorative, twinkly fairy lights. For something a little bit different, head round the corner to Tchai-Ovna, where you can cosy up under a blanket on their terrace as you sample their myriad teas and shisha. Or if coffee’s more your bag, cross the road to Artisan Roast, where you can settle down for the day with a nice strong cup of Joe and their selection of board games.

The always cosy Tchai-Ovna in Glasgow's West End

If you fancy braving the weather, why not head out on a wintry walk? Cathkin Braes, to the south east of the city, is a lovely area for a stroll (or mountain biking, if you’re feeling particularly fearless!) and as the highest point in Glasgow, there’s a (good) chance of snow. The Winter Gardens, part of the People’s Palace on Glasgow Green, is an obvious choice for a wintry day out. Full of exotic plants and palms from around the world, the best part is the tropical heat these plants need to survive. Bliss. And what could be more wintry than skiing? Head to Snow Factor, Scotland’s only indoor real ski slope, for ski and snowboard fun. There are rumours that Santa might even take to the slopes in the run-up to the big day...

Continuing on a Christmassy note, Glasgow always makes a big deal of the festive season – but if you don’t fancy the crowds at George Square, there are a few other places worth checking out. Sloans, just off Argyle Street, is your one-stop venue for eating, shopping, drinking and films. They’ve got a reliably good roster of classic Christmas films showing, and their Saturday market is a good bet for buying gifts. Or, you could just hole up in the bar with a big bowl of their mac‘n’cheese. There’s only really one place in the city to watch everyone’s favourite Christmas film, though, and that’s the GFT. Their showings of It’s a Wonderful Life are always packed out – definitely one to book in advance. And if you fancy a cultured night out, The Arches is our top pick for Christmassy theatre. They have a number of shows this winter, none of which involve the word 'panto'. [Lauren McKay]

Edinburgh

Finally the time of year to dig out the cosy jumpers, venture outdoors and begin to surreptitiously slurp mulled wine at the Christmas market... Ah, Edinburgh doesn't half do the winter season beautifully! Here’s a few top tips for how to spend the most wonderful time of the year in Scotland’s capital.

Brew Lab on South College Street, Edinburgh

Edinburgh is full of nice places to grab a cuppa but a few are particularly good for defrosting in during the winter months. Artisan Roast (Bruntsfield Place and Broughton Street) deserves a mention for its super coffee and hot chocolates (the chilli one in particular), and Brew Lab on South College Street, which seems to emanate smells of Christmas at this time of year. Newly opened Odds and Ends Coffee on Polwarth Crescent also does a lovely cup of coffee. And it serves hearty soups from local masters Union of Genius, ideal for warding off chill blains.

Alternatively, you could spend the entire festive period in Edinburgh’s cinemas and be quite happy. The programmers of the Cameo certainly don’t hold back on Christmas cheer and show all of the hits: Die Hard, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Home Alone are all on the bill this year. And just down the road Filmhouse has a super line-up as well, including the likes of It’s a Wonderful Life and the Raymond Briggs Trilogy (ah, childhood!). The cold weather also makes good excuse to hole up in your local theatre. The Festival Theatre on Nicolson Street has a strong seasonal programme of events, including the snowtastic Slava's Snowshow, while The Lyceum on Grindlay Street is a lovely, cosy venue for all the family – and, let's face it, who doesn't want to see their festive reworking of Roald Dahl's The BFG?! And of course the usual gang of Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott will be at King’s Theatre presenting its annual panto. Boo, hiss, etc. And if it’s music you’re after to get you in the festive mood, keep an eye on the programmes of Greyfriars Kirk which hosts a selection of classical music concerts.

Red Door Gallery – fertile ground for present-hunters

When the time comes for frantic Christmas shopping, Edinburgh has some lovely independent boutiques to break the monotony of the high street. Hannah Zakari on Candlemaker Row is a lovely shop for jewellery, art, stationary and clothes created by independent designers. The Red Door Gallery is another cute wee boutique full of interesting and unusual items, perfect for pressies. For a real dollop of Christmas joy, head down to the Royal Mile where you will find not one, but two shops entirely devoted to Christmas: Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe and The Nutcracker Christmas Shop. They are (somewhat confusingly) open all year round, but a completely justified visit is in order from about November onwards.

For outdoor fun, Edinburgh’s Christmas Market and Princes Street’s general hub of Christmasness is the place to be. There’s ice skating and white knuckle swingy things to enjoy as well as pretzels, mulled wine and more. And whilst you’re in the New Town, George Street is worth a visit for the beautiful Christmas lights, while The Dome's decorations are quite a sight to behold over Christmas – they go up at the start of November for good reason! And out of the city hustle and bustle the Pentland Hills make a wonderful location for winter walks, and maybe even a chance of snow on high ground. [Ellie Robert]

---

MORE FROM THE SKINNY:

 
• Mogwai, St Vincent and more – our top 10 albums of 2014

• Our Films of 2014, featuring artificial intelligence, aliens, lobby boys, and giant reptiles

---