Edinburgh in winter

I have narrowed down my visit to the UK to 10 weeks, arriving Nov 2 departing Jan 10.  I am planning to visit London, Bath, possibly Brighton and a day trip to Bedford. I would love to see Edinburgh but I am woried about the weather. How much snow might I run into? Rain is fine (I am from Seattle) but I am trying to keep down to one bag and a lot of snow gear might put me over.

Thanks,
Anne

My husband and I spent Christmas in Edinburgh last year and there was no snow at all, but there was a blizzard shortly after we left that interfered with the New Year's celebrations.  I guess my best advice would be to try and get to Edinburgh early in your trip.

Ok, thank you! I will go in November. This is going to be so much fun!

Anne

Have a good time! Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen.  I'm sure you will love it. 

I'm in Edinburgh, and while the Hogmany celebrations (Christmas / New Year) is great fun, it is crowded and that takes away from the enjoyment (unless you like street parties with 10,000 + drunk people).

Novemeber is a great time of year though.  The weather has not turned to total rain and it is quite pleasant to walk around town.  Of course, outside of the city limits you will find that a lot of smaller tourist venues are closed from Oct 1 until Easter...the major sights in Edinburgh are open though...and well worth the journey.  Be sure to get away from the Royal Mile and Princes Street though so that you can see "the rest" of the town.

Enjoy your visit!!!

I took my degree at Edinburgh Uni so I was there for four years. One of my children did that too then for a PhD - yes I am that ancient...lol
In all those years I don't recall snow ever being a problem.

The proximity to the water (Firth of Forth) can make it very cold though.

And it is the most beautiful city in the world.

My husband lived in Edinburgh for a long time too and says that snow really isn't that big of a deal there at all.  It does get cold and very windy but the UK is a fairly temperate climate.  You won't see more than a couple inches of snow at the most anywhere during the winter.

Thanks everyone for the info!

10,000+ drunk people PARTY!! Sounds like fun but I think I would like a bit quieter a time. After I have visited once it would be something to keep in mind for a future trip 

Cold and wet sounds like perfect weather to avoid most of the tourists! Yes, I want to go see all the touristy sights about the city, but I don't want to wait in the long tourist season lines.

I am thinking 2 weeks in Edinburgh. Would that be long enough to see the tourist sights as well as get to know the real city a bit, or should I plan 3 weeks? I am disabled and don't get around as well as I once did, much to my frustration.

I am sooo looking forward to this trip; I have wanted to go to the UK for about 15 years. I just wish I could see Ireland as well but it will have to wait for my next visit.

Anne

Two weeks is great for Edinburgh.  That also gives you the time to travel a bit further afield...maybe a guided tour of the Highlands or the Border Abbeys.  There are a lot of great sights to see, and I am sure that you will have a great time seeing them.

I'm in the states for a wee while helping my folks, but if you stop in to Whigmaleeries tourist shop on the Royal Mile, give a hello to my darling Fiance...
;-)

We were there on our honeymoon in April '00-and I think it is the best city I have ever visited.  I love love loved it, it is stunningly gorgeous and we had a wonderful time.

The weather in April was perfect-cold enough for coats but not deathly cold.  I like the cold, though, so am eager to go in winter.

I don't think two years would be long enough to really absorb everything () but two weeks would be enough, I think, to see a lot.  You can do Holyrood House, the Royal Mile, and Edinburgh Castle in a day if you're fast and early, but two is better and three leaves time for wandering.  The rest of the time you can see all the less well-known but still neat stuff.

I'm so jealous.  I waannnnaaa goooo!!!!!  

Frances - I will put it on my to do list   I want to see and meet as many people as I can. Have a wonderful time with your family.

Saf - to be able to visit for 2 years... that would be heaven!

Anne <----- who wishes the world was a visa free zone 

Apart from Edinburgh, you MUST visit Culross. It is about 20 miles north of Edinburgh.
If you you need to be convinced, do a gogle search.
We lived there for some time. Our back garden overlooked the palace.

Culross looks amazing! Thanks for pointing it out, you are right I have to see it. That must have been quite a view from your back garden.

Anne

Culross looks amazing! Thanks for pointing it out, you are right I have to see it. That must have been quite a view from your back garden.

Anne

We lived in the same street as the Palace. The rear garden was terraced at three levels. From the top, you could look down on the palace, and over of the roof of our house to the Firth of Forth. I might post a picture later when I have a bit more time.

Winter in Edinburgh is very dark, fantastically windy at all times, and pretty cold. But that just makes it all the sweeter when you get inside ye olde coffee shop, pub etc and drink beer/hot choc by the fire.

You would have, I think, a swell time in Edinburgh.