December breaks in Scotland

Nicknamed “The Fair City,” Perth has an amazing arts scene that’s especially charming in winter. Explore the city’s creative heart through galleries, studios and festive showcases, or catch a panto at Perth Theatre. After dark, enjoy local light installations on the Perth Wildlife Lights Trail.

December is also a lovely time to visit Perth Museum, home to the Stone of Destiny, a stirring piece of Scottish history at any time of year. The Black Watch Castle & Museum offers a fascinating window into military heritage in a lovely riverside setting. And if you have energy to spare, lace up for festive ice skating at the Dewars Centre, with its Olympic-sized ice rink perfect for families and first-timers. Perth is compact, walkable and full of cafés, making it an easy, family-friendly base.

Things to do in Perth:

Winter markets & festive shopping

Perth Farmers’ Market brings seasonal goodies and fresh ingredients perfect for holiday feasts – ideal for self-catering holidays and foodie families. Browse the market stalls for artisan gifts and local produce, then warm up with hot chocolate or a festive coffee.

Perth Farmers’ Market

Perth Open Studios

Head to Wasps Perth Creative Exchange for a festive market, exhibition and open studios, where professional artists and makers showcase ceramics, jewellery, glassware and textiles. It’s the perfect place to find unique, locally made gifts.

Perth Creative Exchange

See the sights, live like a local

Stroll the North and South Inches – great local parks ideal for crisp winter walks – and admire public art along the River Tay. Venture to nearby landmarks like Scone Palace or Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park for woodland trails and panoramic views. Make sure to check paths for winter conditions as they can get particularly icy during spells of cold weather.

Perth & Kinross walks

You’ll find Glenshee on the A93, part of the beautiful SnowRoads Scenic Route and the highest main road in Britain. This popular glen sits between Perthshire and the Cairngorms in Scotland’s north-east. It’s renowned for the Glenshee Ski Centre, the largest alpine snowsports area in Britain, offering snowy pistes and exhilarating views when conditions are right.

Off the slopes, enjoy landscapes dotted with castles, grand estates and picturesque towns such as Pitlochry, Braemar and Ballater. For a warming tipple, Persie Distillery and Dalwhinnie Distillery offer whisky tastings against a backdrop of snowy scenery. Wildlife lovers can meet Scotland’s winter superstars at the Highland Wildlife Park, which is home to polar bears and snow leopards. This area is also home to the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre – Santa’s famous crew! Scenic drives, frosty forests and cosy inns make this a classic Highland winter break spot. Do check road and weather updates and carry winter essentials if you’re exploring by car.

Things to do around Glenshee:

Snowsports

Head to Glenshee Ski Centre for skiing and snowboarding across varied terrain, with lessons and equipment hire helping families get started with confidence. For a change of pace, head to Aviemore for seasonal ice skating, or keep kids busy indoors at Action Glen at Crieff Hydro.

Ski and Snowboard at Glenshee Snow Sports Centre

Winter walks

Enjoy gentle strolls in Braemar and around Balmoral (the gift shop and terrace café are open in winter). Or what about a potter through Pitlochry or Ballater, browsing independent shops and cosy cafés? The Hermitage near Dunkeld is magical in winter light – stick to waymarked paths and avoid hills unless you’re an experienced winter mountaineer.

Dunkeld, Blairgowrie and Glenshee walks 

Winter wildlife

Meet polar bears, snow leopards and more at the Highland Wildlife Park, or visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre to learn about these hardy icons. In the Cairngorms National Park, look for red deer, mountain hares in their white coats, and yes – Highland coos (best spotted at farms and estates).

Visit the Highland Wildlife Park 

Cosy stops & scenic drives

When the weather behaves, the SnowRoads delivers jaw-dropping vistas – plan photo stops and estimate daylight hours carefully. Warm up afterwards with hearty food in local inns: think venison casseroles, creamy Cullen skink, and a wee dram by the fire.

The SnowRoads: A 90-mile Road Trip in the Scottish Highlands

Few places feel as dramatic in December as Glencoe. Snow-capped peaks rise like giants, while the glen’s brooding beauty comes alive in the winter light. For seasoned skiers and mountaineers, the high ground can be exhilarating – but conditions demand specialist skills, good awareness and the right kit. For non-specialists, the village and low-level trails offer a serene alternative: crisp woodland walks, scenic viewpoints, or peaceful hours spent by a roaring pub fire.

Winter brings spectacular photography opportunities, wildlife sightings, and that calming sense of being away from it all. Add in a long and welcoming list of hotels, inns and lodges – many with festive menus and Hogmanay packages – and Glencoe becomes a dream December base. Always check the weather, paths and daylight hours, and choose routes that suit your experience.

Things to do around Glencoe:

Glencoe Mountain: skiing & sledging

At Glencoe Mountain Resort, enjoy skiing and snowboarding with beautiful views over Rannoch Moor when conditions allow. Families will love the dedicated sledging slope – a brilliant, low-pressure way to enjoy the snow. Always dress for wind chill and follow on-site guidance.

Glencoe Mountain Resort

Magical winter walks for families

Try Signal Rock and An Torr for enchanting woodland paths and accessible viewpoints, each steeped in local legend. Pop into the Glencoe Visitor Centre for maps, hot drinks, a 17th century replica turf house, as well as a short cinema experience sharing the glen’s stories.

Glencoe Visitor Centre

Hotel or lodge holidays

Choose from a range of hotels offering special Christmas and Hogmanay breaks. Picture festive dinners, live music and a lazy brunch on New Year’s Day. Prefer peace and privacy? A cosy lodge with a fire pit makes for romantic stargazing evenings. Pack layers and torches, and always keep an eye on forecast and road conditions.

Explore Glencoe accommodation on our map

Winter food & drink

Tuck into hearty, local fare at favourites such as The Old Inn, The Pier House, The Glencoe Inn and The Ballachulish Hotel. Expect comforting classics like seafood, game and rich stews, all served with roaring fires and warm Highland hospitality.

Scottish food & drink