Watching my friend’s Instagram stories over the past week, I was filled with jealousy at their university campuses covered in snow, videos of them frolicking through swirling snowflakes covering every corner of my feed. Each throw of a snowball, each snowman rolled, filled me with an intense desire that when our gorgeous city was finally gifted snow I would certainly maximise the opportunity to splash it all over my stories.
So, I made a plan. I checked the forecast for the week ahead, saw snow on Saturday morning, and resolved to wake up at 8am to get the perfect winter snaps.
However, an accidental lie-in on the morning of Saturday meant that by the time I woke up, not only had the snow stopped falling but it had started melting into a horrible, slushy mess which squelched like a wet carpet underfoot. To make matters even worse, I was haunted by pictures and videos of friends in my own city who had clearly found the discipline and willpower to capture the snow at its peak. Even a short trip around the base of Arthur’s Seat wasn’t enough to quell my disappointment.
So, for the benefit of our readers, if it is to ever snow again, here is the exact plan you should follow to maximise your fun in the snow, and to get the most jealousy-inducing pictures…
- Wake up early. Check the forecast at least a few days in advance and set your alarm to perfectly the time when the snowfall will be at its optimum. Then, grab a mug of tea and watch the snow fall picturesquely from the comfort of your bed. Maybe take an Instagram photo if it feels right.
- Make plans to walk to the Royal Mile. In any other weather, I would strongly advise against going anywhere near there, but the snow is a different story. There is something so magical about watching the spires of the Old Town capped in white, the snow reducing visibility to the point it seems the castle has been transported back in time, a lone building standing upon a cliff. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not head to Calton Hill for the best view of the city (sorry Arthur’s Seat).
- Buy a sled. This is imperative, especially if your accommodation is anywhere near Arthur’s Seat. These can be found in many of the touristy shops around the Royal Mile.
- Sledding and Hot Chocolate. Now is the time to put your sled to use. Head through the meadows over to Arthur’s Seat, stopping for a hot chocolate from Uplands (or your favourite café) along the way. Once you have arrived at the gates of Holyrood Park, sled to your heart’s desire, build snowmen, have a snowball fight, and be certain to take as many photos as possible to make all your friends at home wish they’d chosen to come to Edinburgh.
- Home. When the cold in your feet has finally reached the point it feels your toes may fall off, take a brisk walk (or bus) back home, have a hot shower, and tuck into bed to watch your favourite film with a good, hot drink.
If that doesn’t sound like the perfect snow day, I don’t know what is.
Image by Anni Hodgkinson