Win a four-day winter stay in Edinburgh this new year 

Ever dreamed of exploring Edinburgh’s hidden sides in winter? From windswept coasts to cosy streets, from wild nature to refined culture? Now’s your chance. One lucky winner and their guest will enjoy a three night, four-day break in Edinburgh between January and March 2026, curated for you to Stay Different – extended stays, contrasting experiences and a city full of surprises beyond the familiar.  

As part of Forever Edinburgh’s Stay Different campaign, this exclusive prize introduces you to the people and places that make Scotland’s capital unforgettable. Experience Edinburgh at its most atmospheric, from frosted coastal morning walks to softly glowing city streets, all in the comfort of luxurious boutique accommodation.  

Get ready for a three-day winter escape that blends wild coastal energy, hidden histories and fireside indulgence. The prize includes contrasting boutique stays, unforgettable cultural experiences, invigorating outdoor adventures, hands-on cookery classes, distillery tastings and warming seasonal dining across some of Edinburgh’s most distinctive neighbourhoods. From canal-side calm to rooftop golden hour to the creative buzz of Leith, this is your chance to see Scotland’s capital through a completely different lens.  

Edinburgh is a city of contrasts, offering centuries-old streets and modern culture, indulgent dining and wellness, thrilling adventures and peaceful escapes. You’ll experience how one stay can feel like several holidays in one – combining coast and city, adventure and calm, history and creativity – embracing the diversity that makes Edinburgh so unique. Train travel to and from Edinburgh from a UK train station will be included.* 

Read on to see the full stay itinerary and enter the prize draw!

*To a certain amount, dependent on availability 

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Day one – arrive and Stay Wild 

Your adventure begins by embracing Edinburgh’s natural side with bold experiences, coastal views and a unique stay. 

Stay aboard the unique Four Sisters Boatel, a floating apartment moored on the Union Canal. The Four Sisters Boatel offers a peaceful waterside setting located a short stroll from the heart of the city. Its warm wood interiors, cosy cabins and waterside location create an atmospheric home base.. This also includes a luxury hamper. 

Afternoon 

National Museum of Scotland – Giants Exhibition 
Through life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, fossils and hands-on experiences, discover ten enormous but often overlooked giant creatures. Meet the largest land mammal to have walked the Earth, the largest shark to have swum the oceans, and Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the world’s largest ever snake. How were they able to grow so large? What advantages did their size offer? And why did they eventually face extinction? 

Evening

Three-course dinner at Badger & Co. 
Located on Castle Street in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, this modern Scottish restaurant sits in the former home of Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows. Expect comforting seasonal dishes with a contemporary twist, playful interiors inspired by the novel.

Day two – Stay Wild in South Queensferry and West Edinburgh 

Morning 

Kayaking in the Firth of Forth with Driftwood Adventure 
Winter is a top season to kayak in Edinburgh; the calm water and crisp air combine to create picturesque views, with potential for spotting wild seals and winter seabirds. Waterproof gear will be provided to keep you cosy while enjoying Edinburgh’s wild side. 

Lunch 

Samphire Seafood Bar & Grill (Orocco Pier, South Queensferry) 
Warm up along the waterfront with fresh, sustainably sourced dishes. Expect Scottish seafood favourites such as haddock, cod cheeks and king prawns and shoreline views, bringing all the flavours of the coast right to your table. 

Afternoon

Edinburgh International Climbing Centre 
Set in a converted quarry, this world-class climbing facility offers dramatic indoor walls suitable for beginners and experienced climbers alike. Put your skills to the test with a one-hour climbing or bouldering session surrounded by incredible architecture.  

Lost Shore Surf Resort – Wellness experience at a world first venue and Dining  
Scotland’s newest adventure and the world’s first inland surf destination offers rejuvenation and calm. Enjoy a revitalising wellness session, (choose from a massage, facial, body exfoliation and more) in peaceful surroundings, followed by time to relax in their spa-style facilities, designed to restore mind and body.  

Evening 

Round off the day with seasonal, locally sourced dishes at Lost Shore, which champions the best in Scotland’s independent food and drink scene with seasonally rotating guest kitchens. It’s the ideal place to unwind after a day of adventure.  

Hotel 

Nira Caledonia, Stockbridge
You’ll stay for two nights in Nira Caledonia, an elegant Georgian townhouse in the New Town, close to galleries, restaurants and cultural attractions. Its cosy atmosphere and fireplaces make it perfect for winter evenings. 

Your stay contrasts contemporary luxury with the laid-back coastal charm of the previous night, offering a broader taste of Edinburgh’s hospitality scene. 

Day three – Stay Enlightened 

Celebrate the city’s creative spirit with immersive cultural experiences. 

Morning  

Breakfast at the Pantry, Stockbridge 
Begin the day in one of Edinburgh’s most loved neighbourhood cafés. The Pantry is known for its comforting brunch dishes and seasonal specials, as well as a focus on locally sourced produce.  

The Real Mary King’s Close  
Travel back in time on a guided tour beneath Edinburgh’s streets and discover what life was like 400 years ago. Wander the atmospheric stone corridors and hear the stories of the people who once lived there. Voted the UK’s favourite tourist attraction on Tripadvisor in 2024, this immersive experience brings Edinburgh’s hidden history vividly to life. 

Lunch 

Lunch at the Edinburgh Larder 
A much-loved Old Town staple, with a focus on local growers, producers and honest Scottish ingredients. Seasonal winter menus feature hearty soups, root vegetables and locally sourced produce, ideal for a cosy mid-day meal. 

Evening 

Golden hour drinks at Nor’ Loft 
Nor’ Loft, perched above Market Street Hotel, is one of Edinburgh’s most scenic rooftop lounges and offers panoramic views stretching across the Waverley Valley, Calton Hill and the Old Town skyline. You’ll receive a bottle of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut Champagne to share, the perfect cheers to a wonderful stay.  

Edinburgh New Town Cookery School 
Join a hands-on cookery experience to learn new techniques, prepare a delicious meal from fresh ingredients and enjoy the dishes you create in a convivial, elegant setting. 

Day four – Stay Enlightened

Morning 

Pilates session at The Pilates Hub, Leith 
Start your day with a rejuvenating session at this boutique studio in Leith. Led by expert instructors, you’ll enjoy a tailored Pilates class designed to strengthen your core, improve posture and leave you feeling energised and ready for the day’s adventures. 

Lunch at Barry Fish  
Enjoy a relaxed winter lunch at this local seafood spot, renowned for its fresh catches and seasonal specials. This spectacular new city favourite  showcasing the best of Scottish seafood created by award-winning chef Barry Bryson. 

Afternoon 

Port of Leith Distillery and Lind & Lime Distillery – tours and tastings 
Explore one of Edinburgh’s newest whisky distilleries with a tour and tasting at the Port of Leith Distillery, Scotland’s first vertical distillery where innovative production meets age-old tradition. Then continue to their sister distillery, Lind & Lime, to discover the story of its award-winning, sustainability-focused gin in a stylish maritime setting with an engaging tour and guided tasting. 

Evening 

Dinner at the Fingal Lighthouse Restaurant 
Set aboard the magnificent Fingal, a floating luxury hotel in Leith, this restaurant delivers an unforgettable dining experience. Serving up the very best of seasonal Scottish seafood and hearty winter dishes in luxury nautical surrounds, it’s a perfect way to round off your stay. 

This itinerary is brought to you by Forever Edinburgh as part of its Stay Different initiative, delivered as part of a three-year campaign, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Celebrate the people, places and ideas that make Scotland’s capital one of a kind. 

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Terms and Conditions

1. Eligibility 

• This competition is open to individuals aged 25 years or older at the time of entry. 

• Entrants must be legal residents of the UK. Proof of age and residency may be required to claim the prize. 

• The competition closes on 31 December 2025. Entries after that date will not be included. 

2. Prize details 

• The prize includes a three-nigh, four-day luxury trip to Edinburgh for two people as described in the promotional material. 

• The prize is non-transferable and non-exchangeable and no cash alternatives will be offered. 

3. Booking and redemption 

• The prize must be taken between 1 January and 31 March 2026. 

• Blackout dates apply, including Valentine’s weekend and Saturday 7 March 2026. 

• Prize redemption is subject to availability and must be booked at least 30 days in advance. 

4. Expenses 

• The prize does not include additional personal costs incurred during the trip, such as meals outside the itinerary or gratuities. 

5. Entry 

• Only one entry per person is permitted. Duplicate entries will be disqualified. 

• By entering, participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. 

6. Winner selection and notification 

• The winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries. 

• The winner will be contacted via the details provided upon entry. If the winner does not respond within 7 days, the prize will be reallocated to another entrant. 

7. Publicity 

• The winner agrees to take part in reasonable publicity, including the use of their name and images for promotional purposes. 

8. General 

• The promoter reserves the right to amend or withdraw the competition at any time in circumstances beyond their control. 

• The promoter’s decision on any aspect of the competition is final and binding. 

9. Liability 

• The promoter is not responsible for injury, loss or damage arising from participation in the competition or acceptance of the prize. 

• Travel insurance is the responsibility of the winner and is not included. 

10. Promoter information 

• The competition is run by Forever Edinburgh. All decisions regarding the competition are final.