Experience a winter wonderland with the National Trust for Scotland.
Scotland’s fairytale heritage will be even more magical this winter, as the National Trust for Scotland reveals its festive plans.
The charity, which conserves and promotes Scotland’s heritage, has fairies, elves, reindeer parades, visits from Santa and Mrs Claus and even owls lined up to help families grab Christmas by the antlers.
Events are set to take place all over Scotland throughout the month of December – advance booking is essential for every event.
Highlights include:
CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND
CRATHES CASTLE, ABERDEENSHIRE
Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4, 10.30am-4pm
The castle has been transformed into Santa’s workshop. See Santa and his reindeer on parade, pop into Mrs Claus’ Christmas kitchen and try your hand at Christmas pudding skittles on the croquet lawn.
Tickets priced £7 adults, £5 children with concessions available. Contact: 01330 844525.
HOLLYFEST
DRUM CASTLE, ABERDEENSHIRE
December 3, 4, 10 and 11 from 11am-4pm
Back for its 22nd year, Holly Fest is a special time at Drum as Holly is the symbol for Drum. Come along and visit the indoor market, see the elves’ toy factory, enjoy driver-friendly mulled wine and pop-up music, and see the castle decorated for Christmas and pick up one of Drum’s signature holly wreaths.
Tickets priced £4.50 adults, £2.50 children with concessions available. Contact: 01330 700334.
CHRISTMAS PAST AND PRESENT
FYVIE CASTLE
Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4, 10am-4pm
Annual Christmas fair at the castle. Visitors can pay a visit to Santa in the billiard room by the cosy log fire, write your wish lists and post them in the special Fyvie Castle post box and enjoy music from The Fyvie Community Choir. Bacon Rolls will be served in the Victorian Kitchen tearoom from 10am, winter soup and sandwich lunches from noon. Home baked fresh scones and cakes also available.
Tickets, £5.50 adults, £2.50 children with concessions available.
Contact: 01651 89126
DECK THE HALLS AT CHRISTMAS
CASTLE FRASER
Friday, December 9, 7.30pm
The Great Hall will be come alive with a festive treat of carol singing, clarsach playing, readings, solo performances and much more. Following the show, join the performers and staff of Castle Fraser for delicious canapés and some warming mulled fruit punch.
All tickets priced £15.50. Contact: 01330 833463
MRS CLAUS’ MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
CASTLE FRASER
Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11, 10-noon
Join Mrs Claus for some storytellng by the fire, and enjoy Christmas party games, festive crafts, face painting and solve the clues to help find sneaky Edmond Elf, from Elf on the Shelf, who is causing all sorts of chaos at the Castle.
Tickets, children over three, £5.50; adults £3, under threes free. Concessions available. Contact: 01330 833463.
THE MARVEL OF PERU
BRODIE CASTLE
Sunday, December 11, 3pm and 5pm
The Marvel of Peru – players and singers directed by James Ross with soprano Aileen Birch. The ever-popular Baroque ensemble returns to Brodie Castle drawing room with two special Christmas concerts, including seasonal music by Bach, Handel and Corelli, as well as all your favourite carols to join in with.
Tickets priced £15, include festive refreshments. Contact: 01309 64137.
RETURN OF THE REINDEER
HOLMWOOD, GLASGOW
December 3, 4 10 and 11, 11am-4pm
Head along to Holmwood to meet Santa and find out if you made the “nice” list and then meet real reindeer. Shop for gifts and enjoy some warming festive treats.
Tickets £4.50 adults, children £6.50, concessions available. Contact: 0141 571 0184.
MRS CLAUS
POLLOK HOUSE, GLASGOW
From December 3-24, 11am-4pm (timed tickets)
Take the children to meet Mrs Claus at Pollok House this Christmas. The house will be decorated for Christmas and all good children will receive a special gift from Mrs Claus in her cosy festive room.
Tickets £6 per child. Contact: 0141 6166410.
For full details of the festive programme visit www.nts.org.uk
