A cast of costumed interpreters portray historic characters as they take visitors on a yuletide journey through the ages, from the origins of the festive season right through to the Christmas traditions of the present.
Performances will highlight how the season’s festivities have developed from early pagan ceremonies and Christian celebrations, through the dark days of Oliver Cromwell’s proclamation banning Christmas, on to the times of Mary Queen of Scots - and the sumptuous banqueting of the period, and later, Robert Burns.
Then there’s a focus on a Victorian Christmas - when most of our current festive traditions such as Christmas trees, cards and crackers date from - and finally, a humorous look at a Christmas of the more recent past, in the 1970s, when Bay City Rollers LPs, lava lamps and chopper bikes featured highly on Santa’s lists.
The Story of Christmas is included in the cost of admission to Edinburgh Castle (current season prices are Adult £11.00, Child £6.00, Concession £8.00, Historic Scotland members free).