By Andy, founder
Winter in Edinburgh is dark and chilly, but it has its own magic: frost on the Old Town rooftops, the city lit up for Christmas and a warm welcome by the fire. If you've been waiting for the right moment to meet someone, the quieter months are a good time to do it. Here are some easy winter dates to try.
Out in the weather
Take a frosty walk up Calton Hill
A bright, cold morning on Calton Hill or in Holyrood Park is one of the best things about an Edinburgh winter. Walking side by side takes the pressure off, and it's easy to extend if it's going well.
Blow away the cobwebs at Portobello
The prom in winter is quiet and bracing. A walk by the sea, then a warm drink, makes a lovely relaxed date.
Wrap up for the Botanic Garden
The garden is free to visit all year, and a crisp winter walk there, with the city skyline beyond, is a peaceful way to spend an afternoon together.
Warm and cosy
Find a fireside pub
From the Old Town to Leith and the villages around the city, there are plenty of pubs with a fire and a quiet corner. For a first date, a weekday afternoon is ideal: calm, unhurried and easy to leave after one drink if you'd like to.
Visit a museum or gallery
The National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery are free. Talking about what you're looking at is a natural icebreaker.
Share a proper afternoon tea
A tearoom on a dreich afternoon is hard to beat. Add a scone or a slice of cake, and you've got something to talk about straight away.
Festive and seasonal
From late November, the city centre lights up for Christmas, with markets and lights around Princes Street Gardens. A stroll round the lights with a hot chocolate makes a lovely early date. Then there's Hogmanay, and in late January, Burns Night is a great excuse for a supper for two.
A few winter tips
- Check opening times. Many places keep shorter hours in winter, so check before you go.
- Plan for the dark. It's dark by four o'clock in December, so a lunchtime date is often easier.
- Check the trains and roads. Winter weather can disrupt travel, so have a plan B.
- Dress for the weather. Nobody is at their best cold and soaked.
- Stay safe. Meet somewhere public and make your own way there. Our guide to dating safely has more.
Looking for more ideas? Our first date ideas in Edinburgh work all year round.
- date-ideas
- winter
- edinburgh
