Christmas Time in Scotland

Aye.
I was at Howies Waterloo early today and climbed up Calton Hill, which we sit at the bottom of and took these photos.  Crackers aren't they? It's funny even when you live here it sometimes takes your breath away.
Back down on Princes Street Edinburgh has transformed itself into it's annual Winter Wonderland. The main street is now brimming over with good cheer in the form of the big wheel, a helter skelter, the German Market, a couple of London double decker buses, the drone of bagpipes, parp of brass bands, and waft of hot chestnuts as red cheeked over excited children buzzing around their parents.
We are due for the biggest party of the year on Hogmanay - 31st December - and with a mild winter so far Primal Scream playing in Princes Street Gardens the party is just getting started.
Howies Waterloo is situated right at the East End of Princes Street a 1 minute walk from The Balmoral Hotel, Travel Lodge and Apex so  we are in the perfect spot to observe everything as it reaches fever pitch with the arrival of the big man in the red suit on Christmas Eve.
With only a few days left in which to pull a cracker - pun intended - we hope you're not over wrought and over turkey before the big day itself.

Here at Howies we have been selling mulled wine by the gallon as there is really little that whips up the spirit of Christmas than the wonderful aroma of cinnamon, cloves and red wine. Hmmmn.

If you fancy making your own here's the oldest recipe we could find! From about 1390 - yes I know people have been knocking it back for 750 years and yet still we get hangovers! I wish someone would work on that with as much enthusiasm. If you would like a look at this amazing tome then here's the link to
The Forme of Cury 

So we've been going for 20 years - not quite as long but I can recommend this is a corker of a recipe to put a smile on your guests faces when the pop in this Christmas.

Howie's Mulled Wine.
Orange studded with cloves.
A few shards of Lime &/or lemon peel
A slug of Crabbies Ginger Wine - old Man Crabbie lived in Edinburgh a local delight,
1 Cinammon Stick
A little Nutmeg
1 Star Anise
A sprinkling of Sugar
Red Wine - decent house type wine - Merlot works well with it.

Aye just pop your everything in a pan and then slowly heat, stirring to ensure you melt down your sugar, then ....em......well.......drink it!
Play with quantities and other bits and pieces til you find your perfect blend, by goodness me that's the fun part I can tell you.
Sponsored by paracetamol.

Going to get the hangover cures from the chefs and post them for 1st January, It's aye worth a try.