We all love Christmas but north of the border its New Year – or Hogmanay – which has people traditionally kicking up their heels.
But the Scots don’t just confine their celebrations to Ne’erday. The festivities continue throughout December, and there’s nowhere better to enjoy them than Scotland’s beautiful capital city, Edinburgh.
Dubbed ‘the Athens of the north’ for its striking architecture, the city in winter is almost magical with its fairytale castle crowning a wonderland of handsome streets, vibrant designer shops, Christmas markets and world-class entertainment.
So while Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, attracting tens of thousands from across the globe, Christmas in the city offers visitors an equally unique experience.
Food is a major element in any trip to Scotland, with restaurants, pubs and cafés offering an unrivalled choice of cuisine. Forget the deep-fried Mars Bar cliche – Edinburgh is a sophisticated city with sophisticated tastes, and the chefs there know how to cater for them.
Using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, you can enjoy a fine meal to suit every budget.
Whisky, of course, is the traditional festive tipple and off the Royal Mile – the medieval street leading uphill to the famous castle – you will find a selection of specialist shops and restaurants offering a dizzying selection of single malts and fine blends.
The new Scotch Whisky Experience at Castlehill takes visitors on a swirling, bubbling barrel ride through a replica distillery. Along the way you’ll learn about the history and craft of whisky making with the help of expert guides.
Next door in the Amber Restaurant, executive chef David Neave, specialises in dishes cooked with whisky. We’ve managed to persuade David, and his fellow Scottish chefs Libby Andrew of the Scottish National Galleries Restaurant, and Neville Merrin, of the Roxburge Hotel, Kelso, to share some of their favourite recipes for Christmas and New Year (p64-65). 
But if you really want to treat yourself over the festive period, I’d recommend a trip north for the weekend, to give a true taste of Scotland at Christmas.
Several airlines fly to the city, and East Coast’s trains can take you from London’s Kings Cross to Edinburgh’s Waverley Station in just over four and half hours.
Quality accommodation is plentiful – but for a wonderfully central location try the luxuriously appointed Princes Street Suites which boast some of the best views of the city. Prices start from £140BB for a one-bedroom apartment, £180BB for a two bedroom apartment, and £210BB for a three-bedroom apartment. Visit www.princesstreetsuites.co.uk 
For more information on events, accommodation and travel visit www.edinburghschristmas.com

What is Hogmanay?
Since pagan times we’ve looked to the New Year as an opportunity for a fresh start – which is why most of us will celebrate the arrival of 2013 with a party.
In Scotland, the New Year feast took on more significance than Christmas when the dour Calvinists in the 16th and 17th centuries frowned on the frolics of the locals around a holy festival.
So the canny Scots transferred the party to Ne’erday or Hogmanay, a word derived from the Northern French hoguinané, meaning  a gift given at New Year.
As far back as 1692 one disapproving church elder dismissively wrote: “It is ordinary among some plebeians in the south of Scotland to go about from door-to-door upon New Years Eve, crying Hagmane.”
To this day, Scots still go “first footing” on Hogmanay – visiting their neighbours after the stroke of midnight on January 1. They take with them whisky, a black bun and coal – something to drink, something to eat and something to keep their hosts warm.
The first foot, or first person over the threshold after midnight should preferably be a tall dark man. A blond man is considered unlucky and stems from the fear of maurauding Vikings coming to your door.
One Hogmanay, my red-haired sister mistakenly stepped through the door to our home just after midnight, ahead of her gentlemanly tall dark haired fiance. To reverse the perceived bad luck this would bring, my mother sent her hapless boyfriend straight out the back door, so he could come in the front door again... with whisky, black bun and coal.  Problem solved.
Another Scottish Hogmanay tradition now celebrated the world over is the singing of Auld Lang Syne after the bells ring out at midnight.
Attributed to Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns, the song is actually an old folk song and roughly translated means ‘old times, long ago’.  It’s sung in memory of the old year that has passed, clearing the way for the New Year ahead.
So as you link arms with your family, friends and neighbours this year to sing Auld Lang Syne, just remember you are keeping alive a tradition started generations before.
Happy New Year everyone!