The globally renowned Edinburgh Christmas Market has once again opened its doors for 2024. Each year, it attracts millions of visitors from all over Scotland and beyond and it's just been crowned the most beautiful in Europe.
It was still daylight when we arrived - which didn't contribute positively to the atmosphere. The throngs of visitors pushing past each other and the screams from people on the nearby Star Flyer ride made it feel more like a fairground than a quaint Christmas market. However, there were certainly some hidden treasures to be found. My first purchase of the evening was from a stall offering beautiful decorative bowls and plates crafted in Palestine, where I secured a charming bowl adorned with a fish pattern for a very reasonable £8.
Having visited the market last Christmas, I was prepared for the food to be costly. However, I was still taken aback when the friendly man at the counter informed me that my waffle topped with a bit of melted chocolate amounted to £9 - pricier than the bowl I had just purchased! The rich chocolate was a delightful complement to the cakey waffle, although it wasn't particularly large and I wouldn't say it offered value for money.