How to Get Your Hygge On in Edinburgh

There is a whole lot of ‘hygge’ in Edinburgh this time of year, and we want to share some of our favourite ways to find your inner hygge in our beloved city. If you’re unfamiliar with what ‘hygge’ actually means, it’s a Danish term that can be translated into ‘cosiness’ and everything related to that – such as spending time with your loved ones, a bubble bath or a candlelit dinner. See our previous hygge article to find out more (as you can see we’re mad about hygge!).

Have a drink at Pickles of Broughton Street

This wee gem on bustling Broughton Street is tucked away underneath L’Escargot Bleu and the ideal place to enjoy a drink after work or pop in for a glass of wine, beer or coffee. Pickles has hygge written all over the place with dark purple walls, rustic wood tables and tartan here and there. And candles of course! If you get peckish do try their divine Scottish cheese platter that comes with crusty bread, oatcakes, pickles and chutneys. Only £15 for two and £28 with a bottle of wine!

Shop at Tartan Blanket Company

Nothing is more hygge than wrapping a classic tartan blanket by the Edinburgh-based Tartan Blanket Company around you when the temperature drops. There are so many lovely designs to choose from that you won’t have a problem finding one that fits into your home. And believe it or not, they only cost £30! (A great Christmas gift idea for you right there!) We also love love love their oversized blanket scarves – it’s like a blanket you can take with you to work! Last year we had a chat with the owners, you can read more about it here.

Enjoy some soup at Union of Genius

Another thing that goes hand in hand with hygge is a hearty bowl of hot soup. And the place to have soup here in Edinburgh is obviously at Scotland’s first soup cafe, Union of Genius, located on Forrest Road near the National Museum of Scotland. What is really great about this cafe is that they take a sustainable approach to everything they do – meaning they use local ingredients and suppliers, recycle and ride a cargo bike (also recycled) to deliver soup. You’ll even receive free soup if you use your own soup container or return your takeaway packaging!

Get pampered at Fletcher’s Cottage Spa

Fletcher’s Cottage Spa is part of Archerfield House in East Lothian in between Gullane and North Berwick, and the ultimate place to get your hygge on. The interior throughout the spa is so well put together and just oozes comfort and cosiness. All the treatment rooms look onto a beautiful garden and it’s all very luxurious as you get your own well appointed shower room with products, hairdryers and hair straighteners. Try the VOYA Organic Beauty facial in the Himalayan salt room – it’s brilliant! If you don’t have a car you can easily reach the spa by getting a train to Drem. Read our previous post about our visit to the spa here.

Indulge at Mary’s Milkbar

There is nothing that will spoil your sweet tooth better than one of Mary’s Hot Chocolate Ice Cream Floats – these legendary cups of heaven could be described as hygge in a mug. With a range of exciting flavour combinations on offer you won’t be the only one to hold the queue up…Modelled on traditional 1940s milk bars with vintage furniture and rocking a 60-year old milkshake machine that still works (!), Mary’s Milk Bar in the Grassmarket really is worth a visit. There are some wonderful seasonal flavours to try at the moment – how about mince pie ice cream? Keep in mind that the Milk Bar is cash only.

Stay in a Dickins Home

To really get a sense of what Scottish hygge is all about you need to visit an Edinburgh home – and we’ve got plenty of homes packed with hygge. For a good dose of Scandi hygge we recommend our lovely home on 13 Simpson Loan – the perfect place with the perfect sofas to lie down on after Christmas Day lunch as well!

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Browse our other self catering homes here.