Tag: winter wonderland

Merchiston Castle School spreads festive cheer with the return of its Christmas Fair

Merchiston Castle School, Scotland’s leading all-boys independent boarding and day school, has announced the return of its annual ‘Very Merchiston Christmas Fair’, with the addition of a special Forest School ‘Winter Wonderland’ on 2 December. 

Following on from last year’s success, Merchiston’s Christmas Fair will again be held in the school’s remarkable Memorial Hall, where a selection of high-quality, local businesses will display their very best wares.

Expect incredible jewellery from Jewel Tree Edinburgh, sample delicious spirits from Cairns Whisky and South Loch Gin, warming scents from the Edinburgh Candlemaker Company and festive foods from 181 Delicatessen all the while soaking up the festive atmosphere in the beautifully decorated Memorial Hall.

Last year, £1,433 was raised for the Braidburn School through suggested ticket donations and participation in Merchiston’s charity raffle. 

This year, the school is raising funds in support of Edinburgh Food Project, a local charity that supplies food to people in crisis, while seeking to address the underlying causes of food poverty. A charity raffle will take place on the day, with visitors invited to donate at the door. 

In addition to the Very Merchiston Christmas Fair, guests can also visit The Forest at Merchiston’s Winter Wonderland for families with young children.

Held on the school’s wooded grounds, the immersive experience for families interested in attending The Forest from 2024, will include a variety of engaging and interactive activities for little ones to enjoy, such as making reindeer food and creating their very own Christmas decorations.

Here, families can explore the enchanting woodlands, and learn more about Merchiston’s new educational offering, the much-anticipated Forest School which is due to open in September 2024.  

Jonathan Anderson, Headmaster of Merchiston said: “Merchiston’s Christmas Fair is the perfect way to herald in the festive season and pick up some exceptional gifts in the process.

“All are welcome as we celebrate Christmas while remembering it is a time for charity and giving too. We are very pleased to be raising funds for the Edinburgh Food Project so Christmas can be bright for many.”

Davina Bowers, Head of The Forest at Merchiston, added: “The Forest’s Winter Wonderland promises to be a lot of fun for families and little ones, with a variety of hands-on activities and games to take part in. 

“I am really looking forward to welcoming families to the Forest Winter Wonderland this December, and to give them a feel for what the Forest approach entails. It will be the event of the season!”

A ‘Very Merchiston Christmas Fair’ will take place on 2 December between 10am – 2pm in Merchiston’s Memorial Hall.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite here and are free of charge. 

The ‘Forest Winter Wonderland’ will run between 10:00 and 12:00 on Saturday 2nd December.

Booking can be made here.

Christmas is back with a bang as St James Quarter announces the arrival of Bar Hütte’s festive experience

Edinburgh’s Christmas is back with a bang as St James Quarter announces the arrival of Bar Hütte’s festive experience that is set to take shape from Monday 8th November, offering a unique take on ‘Alpine Après Ski’.

Proving popular in other cities across the UK, the pop-up concept provides private holiday style chalets for shoppers to get cosy with friends and indulge in festive speciality cocktails, whilst taking part in Christmas karaoke.

Located at St James Square, customers can also enjoy live music sessions whilst sipping on a hot gin or spiced mulled wine and tucking into mince pies until Sunday 2nd January.

Inspired by previous trips to Courchevel, Zermatt and Tignes, Bar Hütte have created the look and atmosphere of traditional Alpine ski resorts. Furnished with a warm, festive décor, the super-snug ski hüttes are the perfect place to accommodate wintertime get-togethers, a post-Christmas shopping ‘pick-me-up’ or date nights with a difference.

Each private, bookable hütte includes a karaoke set-up so you and the blast out Mariah, Wham or Kylie to your hearts content.

Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Bar Hütte to St James Quarter as part of our Christmas offering. With it being our first Christmas, we’re excited to join our customers in getting into the festive spirit and what better than mulled wine and karaoke to help us do that.

“These Alpine Après Ski’ inspired huts are the perfect way to create our very own winter wonderland here at The Quarter and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy them.”

To experience a ‘Cosy Karaoke Hütte’ for up to eight people for 1 hour 45 minutes, each hut requires a non-refundable booking fee of £60. This includes Christmas karaoke as well as a complimentary welcome ‘Bombardino’ – a warm drink made up of hot rum and eggnog topped with whipped cream & cinnamon.

Bar Hütte also has a VIP area that can cater for up to 20 people for two hours for £150. This includes hire of the space, Christmas karaoke, a welcome glass of prosecco and a Bombardino for all guests on arrival.

For more details and to book tickets visit: https://www.barhutte.co.uk/ or get more information on Instagram and Facebook.

It’s beginning to look a lot like …

Conifox Adventure Park’s Christmas Experience! 

Festive walk-through event with new Christmas markets featuring local produce – from 26th November to 23rdDecember 

Local businesses reminded to book stall space early to avoid disappointment  

‘Family run, for family fun’, Conifox Adventure Park announces the return of its sell-out Christmas Experience, which the big man himself has said will be ‘bigger, better and merrier than ever’!  

Here to sleigh, the festive fun returns in the shape of a walk-about winter wonderland which will have kids of all ages meeting their favourite Christmas characters and collecting stamps in their Christmas passport as they visit each of the sparkling shows. But beware, Santa and his elves will be inspecting the list (and checking it twice!) to see who has been naughty and who has been nice… 

Speaking of the red velvet suited, snow-white bearded, gold-belt wearing icon … well, what is Christmas without him?

Kids big and small alike are invited to visit him in his magical living room, where you can remind him what you want for Christmas (as if he doesn’t already know), meet his trusted elf Buddy and maybe even take home a little gift. You don’t have to worry that no one will believe you met him, you can take a photo as evidence!  

Running every 15 minutes, once you have seen Santa you might want to visit the four magical shows which will really get you (and mum, dad and granny too!) in the spirit.

Meet Postman Pete in the North Pole Post Room where you can write and post your letter for Santa to read, visit Patch and Jolly in the Toy Workshop as they make toys to fill Santa’s present sack and then take in the sweet smell of ginger and cinnamon as you enter Mrs Claus’s Kitchen, before helping her to decorate a gingerbread man to take away and eat. 

After all that, make sure you take time to venture outdoors to the forest to see the tree-mendously spectacular lights in the Elf Disco Village and show off your dance moves with cheeky elves Sparkle and Waffle.

Reindeer Flying School is also back again this year with Rudolph’s cousins, Floss and Flurry and Floss is trying to learn how to fly in time for Christmas Eve. Will you help her graduate with flying colours?  

Finally, NEW for 2021, the must-visit Conifox Christmas Market will be open!

Included in the ticket price, there will be plenty of stalls selling, crafts, food and more from local traders. What’s more, Conifox Adventure Park is still inviting local traders to book a stall, so make sure to be quick if you want to snap up one of the remaining few!  

James Gammell, director of Conifox Adventure Park, is ready to wrangle the reindeer: “Is it really the most wonderful time of the year again? It must be, because the staff here are buried deep in baubles and getting tangled in tinsel!

“We can’t wait to see you again this year and hope you will love the shows and markets as much as we do. Remember, after all the fun has been had, just before you go home to hang up the stockings and jingle the bells, why not stop by our shop and pick up a real Christmas tree or beautiful wreath? Its surely not Christmas without those either. Ho-ho-hope to see you soon!” 

For mummies and daddies … Please allow approximately 2-hours to catch all the Christmas Experience shows and take some extra time to browse the Christmas Market. Tickets are non-transferrable please ensure you check your booking time before confirming tickets. 

Beautifully bespoke gifts and family favourites, plus food, drink and live bands for you to enjoy whilst you take in the festive atmosphere. What more could you ask (Santa) for? 

From 26 November – 23 December: 26 – 28 November, 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 21-23 December 

2pm – 8pm. Child £19.95 Adults £14.95 plus booking fee. 

To find out more and to book tickets, visit the Conifox Adventure Park Facebook page @conifoxadventurepark or www.conifox.co.uk.