Edinburgh – Get Ready for what’s on this weekend
The Scottish Government launched its Get Ready for Winter campaign a few weeks ago. Even though the weather has been mild since then there are many outdoor events coming up, and they would like to offer a timely reminder of how to prepare for them. Even if you’re going to something indoors there is travel to think about, so read on to find out what you might think about before a night out.
Renowned across the world for its welcoming spirit and outstanding winter backdrop, Edinburgh is also a city full of festive fun and activities throughout the months of November and December.
The fun begins at Light Night on Sunday 23 November when a dramatic extravaganza will take place on George Street ahead of the city light switch on followed by live music and a spectacular firework display.
For something more traditional, celebrate St Andrew’s Day with a Scottish ceilidh on 30 November in St Andrew Square. Then it’s time for the big one – no winter in Scotland, or more specifically, Edinburgh is complete without Hogmanay! Events include a Torchlight Procession through Edinburgh’s Old Town on 30 December, followed by the famous street party, the Keilidh, a concert in Princes Street Gardens and a spectacular fireworks display on 31 December.
As well as its events, Edinburgh has some of the most famous landmarks in Scotland right. Don’t miss the sightseeing opportunities with panoramic views of Edinburgh from the top of the Christmas Wheel, or spin around on the charming carousel or brave a twirl on the 60-metre-high Star Flyer, all in East Princes Street Gardens.
New for this year, St Andrew Square will host a brand new, oval Ice Rink looping around the Melville Monument – hire a pair of skates and spin across the ice behind a gorgeous backdrop of the glittering city.
And it wouldn’t be Christmas without a festive pantomime to enjoy with the kids – or adults. Aladdin will run at The King’s Theatre from 29 November until 18 November and the Scottish Ballet’s Nutcracker at The Festival Theatre from 13 December – 3 January.
But, if it’s shopping that you are really after then Edinburgh is famed for its boutique stores to large department stores meaning there is something for everyone – and time to do it, with most stores having extended festive shopping hours until 8pm at least on some nights.
Or, if it’s something more unique then the festive markets throughout the city centre are a highlight for you whether you are a visitor or a local. With everything from crafts to food and drink, don’t miss the Scottish Market in St Andrew Square, the European Market at the Mound Precinct and the Children’s Market in Princes Street Gardens.
Scottish Government Ready for Winter? campaign
This year The Scottish Government launched it’s Ready for Winter? campaign to encourage all Scots to think now about getting prepared for whatever the winter months may throw at us. Whilst extreme weather can happen at any time of the year, winter still remains the time of greatest risk.
In the last two years Edinburgh has been fortunate to have experienced relatively mild winters, although some parts of Scotland have experienced severe weather. Recent research, by The Scottish Government and the British Red Cross, revealed that the milder conditions mean that people are now less worried about the ever present threat of severe weather, and many remain unprepared for a harsh winter.
The full research report can be found here: http://readyscotland.org/are-you-ready/ready-for-winter-2014/
With so many events going on in and around Edinburgh, the campaign offers advice on how to stay safe whilst out and about, reminding us of the simple actions we can all take to get ready: in the home, before a journey, at our place of work and in our communities. This will serve us well not just throughout the winter months, but all year round and will help you cope with a range of emergency situations.
Top tips
Out and about
Tips for a safe night out:
Have a fully charged mobile phone
Ensure your In Case of Emergency (ICE) number is stored safely in your contacts
Have the contact details of your local taxi company stored safely in your contacts
Be aware of transport timetables – bus, train etc.
Pay attention to the weather forecast for the night, don’t be caught out
Drink aware – alcohol can dull your senses. It really is that cold!
Wrap up warm – have a hat, scarf and gloves ready to put on and carry them with you
Take a change of sensible footwear
Always wear a jacket – most establishments will provide a cloakroom for you to store it in
Stay in a group – it is better to face the elements together!
Have fun, but be aware of your surroundings
Look out for black ice and take your time walking
Have fun, and be safe!
Travel
Before travelling in bad weather, you should:
Consider whether you need to travel right now, or if you can wait until the weather improves
Check the weather forecast and road conditions
Think about alternative routes and modes of transport
Allow extra time for your journey
Tell someone your destination and when you expect to arrive
Make sure your car is ready for a journey in poor weather
Fully charge your mobile phone
Make sure you have appropriate clothing, equipment and food
Pack an emergency travel kit if you are travelling by car
In winter, think about getting winter tyres
See also Transport Scotland’s guidance on driving in bad weather http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/ready-winter
Where to get travel info
For real-time journey information, visit www.TrafficScotland.org or follow them on Twitter via @trafficscotland
For public transport information, visit www.TravelineScotland.com, or their twitter feed @TravelineScot
Listen to your local radio station for travel updates
Pay attention to Met Office warnings for weather updates and advice
Keep up to date with local transport updates, e.g. @on_lothianbuses for Edinburgh
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
