The world-famous Edinburgh Christmas Market has once again welcomed visitors for its 2024 season. The annual event, which draws millions from across Scotland and further afield, has recently been named the most beautiful in Europe.
The crowds of people jostling past each other and the screams from those on the nearby Star Flyer ride made it feel more like a fairground than a cosy Christmas market. I also wasn't keen on the music selection, with too much emphasis on modern pop for my liking. 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! To ward off the chill, we chose a hot drink. A nearby stall was selling a gingerbread 'deluxe' hot chocolate, which seemed like the ideal choice.