Scotland's Awesome Christmas Trees

Christmas trees are one of the biggest symbols of the season and it has been claimed that Scotland does not disappoint when it comes to Christmas trees. 

 

From beautifully decorated royal Christmas trees to lavish restaurant trees and trees that are not trees at all. BBC Scotland have put together some of Scotland's finest trees of 2022 – and here are my 5 top picks:

 

Isle of Raasay Whisky Barrel Tree 

 

A wee dram would set visitors rocking around this Christmas "tree" on the Isle of Raasay. 

 

Built from whisky casks, it was the idea of the team at the Isle of Raasay Distillery. 

 

The Isle of Raasay lies off the west coast of Scotland in the Inner Hebrides, and is rooted in centuries of illicit distilling. Fortunately this one was constructed at the island's first legal distillery. 

 

Strathaven 'Ninja' Tree 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A small town that is 7.5 kilometres south of Hamilton in South Lanarkshire is no stranger to the talents of its local crafters. (Note: South Lanarkshire borders the south-east of the City of Glasgow and contains some of Greater Glasgow's suburban towns as well as many rural towns and villages). 

 

The Strathaven Combat Crochet and Knitting Ninjas have been yarn-bombing events in the area since 2017. It has taken 20 people, 75 balls of wool and four years to get the knitted Christmas tree together and this year the dream became reality. 

 

Describing themselves as the "Banksies of the yarn craft world", they put their projects out under the cover of darkness and keep their identities a secret. 

 

The Dome, Edinburgh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the wow factor, look no further than The Dome in Edinburgh. The old Physicians' Hall built in 1775, and latterly housing the Royal Bank of Scotland, became a hospitality venue in 1996. 

 

It is renowned for its lavish Christmas decorations inside and out and its spectacular tree which sits over the bar in the Grill Room. 

 

Ullapool Creel Tree 

 

The Ullapool creel tree must be one of the most unique and distinctive of Scotland's best-loved trees.

 

The 9m (29.5ft) "tree" is made from about 400 fishing creels and lets the west Highland village celebrate the town's close links with the sea. 

 

First constructed in 2016, it is now a well-established tradition and has spawned other light celebrations around the town. Ullapool is located around 45 miles northwest of Inverness in Ross and Cromarty, Scottish Highlands. 

 

Sir Walter Scott's Book Tree 

 

Another fascinating tree that's not a tree can be found in the Scottish Borders. 

 

As the home of one of Scotland's greatest storytellers, Abbotsford is a house built on books. The Christmas tree, constructed in the bow window of Sir Walter Scott's beloved library, is lovingly constructed from hundreds of research books relating to the life, literature, and legacy of the author in the world today. It is even topped off with an angel with a literary twist. 

 

Whether they are traditional, modern, quirky or not even grown in the ground, they are sure to evoke swells of festive cheer.