It’s beginning to feel, if not necessarily look, a lot like Christmas.
And although he’ll have a long night ahead of him, Santa Claus has found time to visit several places in the Highlands in the run-up to Christmas Day.
Next Monday, December 23, he and his reindeer will join a pipe band and take part in a torchlight procession in Grantown.
Meet at the triangle near the Craiglynne Hotel at 7pm for 7.30pm. There’s carol singing in the Square around 8pm and mincemeat pies and fruit punch for sale.
On Christmas Eve, Santa and his reindeer will be at Glenmuick Church Green, Ballater, where he’ll hand out sweets to children. Catch him there from noon-12.30pm.
In Aviemore, Santa, reindeer and a pipe band will take part in a magical torchlight parade through the village.
There will be carol singing, mincemeat pies and gluhwein, plus a fireworks display to follow at the Cairngorm Hotel. The fun starts from 6pm but it’s advisable to get there early to find a good viewing space.
A similar parade will take place at Kingussie around 7.30pm, and at Newtonmore around 8.30pm, before Santa sets off on his journey around the world.
Meanwhile, across at the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig, near Aviemore, Father Christmas will be on hand to introduce visitors to his herd of magnificent reindeer.
The Santa reindeer walks are a great way of getting up close to these animals while learning more about them.
Tours take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm this Saturday, December 21, and Sunday, December 22. They are free to those paying normal admission prices.
Contact the park on 01540 651270 or visit www.highlandwildlifepark.org for full details.
Not far from there is Aviemore Station, where you can hop onboard a train which will steam through the winter wonderland that is the Cairngorms National Park.
Tickets for the Santa Express trains running from December 21-24 have now sold out, but there’s a cancellation list you can join by sending an e-mail to: information@strathspeyrailway.co.uk
Just as much fun are the mince-pie special trains which run on December 26, 27 and 31, plus January 1 and 2.
These leave from Aviemore station at 11am and 2pm or you can board the train at Boat of Garten (11.20am, 12.15pm, 2.20pm, 3.15pm) and Broomhill Station at noon and 3pm.
Contact: 01479 810725 or visit www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk