Edinburgh's secret spots for sparkle

There are plenty of interesting places to enjoy the festive season in Edinburgh if you are willing to explore a little.

Here are my top tips on how to discover Edinburgh’s festive sparkle.

Tree trimmings - Nestled in the West End Village in Stafford Street, Remus Interiors has a magical array of unusual decorations for your tree. A smart interior design shop, there are lots of displays to browse through until you find your must-have accessory.

Shopping heaven - For a charming alternative to the main drag, shoppers can scour the small, independent retailers of the Old Town. Here the shops are bursting with unusual gifts. For quirky accessories and artworks visit the Red Door Gallery on Victoria Street, for a unique selection of books try Analogue in its new home in Candlemaker Row and for some expert advice on hotly-tipped bands for 2012, pop into Avalanche Records.

Calming Christmas - If the bustle is becoming too much, St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile provides a perfect spot for some time out to gather your thoughts. The stunning stained glass and peaceful air will help restore equilibrium before heading out into the throng once more.

Festive food - Avoid the mass catering of the usual George Street haunts and opt for a cultural experience instead. The Scottish Café in the National Gallery complex at the Mound serves up first-class Scottish food in comfortable surroundings. At £24.95 for lunch, the prices are on a par with most other local venues. Best of all, there won’t be any office parties loudly doing Noddy Holder impressions. Unless it's me...