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The Winter Solstice is a 3000-year-old tradition that has stood the test of time. Commonly known as the shortest day of the year due to the sun’s limited time in the sky, many see this day as a chance to start anew and celebrate the changing of the solar calendar. In Scotland especially, we experience an exceptionally short day compared to the rest of the UK. Our most northerly point in the Shetland Isles experiences approximately 5 hours and 53 minutes of daylight compared to London’s 7 hours and 50 minutes.
In many ancient cultures, the winter solstice is one of the most important days of the year. Some believed that the days shortening was a punishment from God, so once the days started to lengthen, the communities would gather and celebrate the sun’s rebirth. Others would come together to feast and welcome the crop renewal. Nowadays, it’s seen as a chance to hunker down, appreciate our ancestors and find peace ahead of the madness that Christmas and New Years can bring.
Discover the best spots across Scotland to escape the noise and celebrate the shortest day of the year.
Location: Achmore, Isle of Lewis
Booking and info: Here
This award-winning house celebrates the stunning local scenery with floor to ceiling windows, granting you an amazing view of Loch Acha Mor and the surrounding area. Make sure to give the electric sauna a try too, it’s a real lifesaver during the bitter winter months. The Summer House has vibrant colours and a creative spirit, making it the perfect setting for your winter island escape.
Where to celebrate: The Callanish Stones
Oriented to mark the midwinter sun where, at sunset, the sun nestles itself between the stones to create a dramatic spectacle. This allowed their builders to track their placement throughout the year. This ancient collection of stones has been a rite of passage for many over the years, even after the decline of the cultures that created it. Some modern day visitors have reported a mystical energy connected to the site - including heightened emotions and a feeling of disorientation when amongst the stones. It really has to be seen to be believed.
Location: Dounby, Orkney, KW17 2HS
Booking and info: Here
Get a taster of island life in this luxurious, newly renovated farmhouse cottage. The cottage itself is based on an active farm going back five generations, giving guests an insight into local history and nature. Situated in the west-mainland, this is the perfect spot to explore the historical sites across the island, whilst also being a short-distance from local amenities. After a long day of exploring, you can warm yourself up by the woodburning stove in the cozy living room.
Where to celebrate: Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
An unassuming grassy mound with a rich, neolithic history. For around 6 weeks in the depths of winter, the setting sun aligns itself with the chamber's entryway, lighting up the surprisingly spacious chamber. It is the source of many theories; does this shaft of sunlight carry away the souls of the dead? Did the entry of the sun represent rebirth, or a fertility rite of some sort? Historians are still debating what the ancient cairn was used for all those years ago, but we are lucky enough to still see it in action today and experience a sliver of history.
Due to the size of the cairn, it’s recommended to book ahead for the 21st December tour.
Location: 5 Strone, Drumnadrochit, IV63 6XL
Booking and info: Here
This sizable house perched on the banks of Loch Ness provides the perfect space for you and your family to hunker down and watch the world go by. Get cozy by the stone fireplace for a family games night, or enjoy the gorgeous 180 degree views of Loch Ness from the dining table, perfect for Nessie spotting!
Where to celebrate: The Clava Cairns
This bronze age site is a unique step back in time, located roughly a mile away from Culloden battlefield near Inverness. The careful arrangement of red and pink sandstone to the southwest of the circle appear to glow red at Midwinter, and at peak sunset the sun shines directly though the once fully enclosed cairn to illuminate the ancient walls.
Location: Killiehuntly, Kingussie PH21 1NZ
Booking and info: Here
Take your pick from either the friendly guest house or self-catered cottages for your highlands stay and be treated to a delightful scenic getaway with panoramic views of the frosty Cairngorms. Upon arrival at Killiehuntly, you will find a kitchen full of local produce, a roaring log burning stove, and a home from home to call your own.
Where to celebrate nearby: The Cairngorms Dark Sky National Park
It’s often said that the Cairngorms come alive at the peak of winter, the snowcapped hills make for a dramatic skyline that takes your breath away. The longest night of the year offers the unique opportunity to take in our night sky at its darkest. We recommend wrapping up warm with a hot cup of tea and stepping into nature to observe the amazing constellations and the beauty that lives in the skies above.
Location: Portpatrick, Stranraer, Scotland, UK
Booking and info: Here
An expansive estate in the Scottish lowlands with panoramic views of land and sea and options for all types of getaways. Find your inner peace while luxuriating in one of the many cottages and lodges. Get lost in the on-site hedge maze, and make sure to visit one of Scotland’s many waterfalls to the West of the estate. This place really has it all.
Where to celebrate: The Wrens Egg
This site is home to two aligned standing stones which date back to the Bronze Age, east of a large glacial erratic boulder, known as The Wren's Egg. The Egg stands tall at an impressive 6ft high compared to the 0.6m high standing stones. The story behind this ancient collection is highly debated amongst historians; there is the potential for buried deposits to survive intact beneath the stones and their immediate vicinity. Exploring the site on the winter solstice is a fantastic way to get an insight into the lives of our ancestors and connect with ancient history whilst basking in the last of the winter rays.
The winter solstice is the perfect opportunity to take a step back and reflect on the past year, so why not take a leaf out of our ancestors books and spend some time with loved ones whilst exploring our ancient history? Hunker down in one of these coorie stays and experience the mystical magic of the Solstice. Don’t forget to tag us in your adventures on Instagram! Tag us at@meanderapparel or use the hashtag #everydayadventures.
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