For me, a good Christmas market needs a few things. The first is a great location with a proper festive atmosphere: somewhere you want to linger. The second is good food and drink on hand, because Christmas shopping on an empty stomach never ends well. The third, and the one I care about most, is a selection of really good gifts, ideally from independent makers you haven't come across before.
The fourth is one people don't often think about: the market needs to be well promoted. When organisers get the word out, the crowds come, and that's what makes a market feel buzzy rather than flat. Every market here is run by people who do this well.
These are the markets I think tick all four boxes this year. I'll be at one of them myself, so do come and say hello.
Haddo's Christmas Craft Fair, Aberdeenshire – 7 and 8 November
Beautiful National Trust for Scotland-owned Haddo House kicks off the season early, with nearly 50 Scottish makers spread across four indoor exhibition spaces. There are carol singers, mulled cider and food trucks, plus the gardens to walk round between stalls. Booking ahead is recommended. Find out more.
Winter Market, The Burrell Collection, Glasgow – 7 and 8 November
Another classic Glasgow location, and a brilliant setting for a market run by Tea Green Events, who have been championing Scottish makers since 2014 and curate some of the best markets in the country. Expect textiles, jewellery, ceramics and illustration, and once you've done your shopping you can wander round the collection. Free entry. Find out more.
Winter Market, Aberdeen Art Gallery – 14 and 15 November
The same high standard of independent makers, in one of Scotland's most beautiful galleries. Free entry. Find out more.
Bowhouse Market Weekend, St Monans, Fife – 14 and 15 November, and 12 and 13 December
I'm such a fan of Bowhouse. They manage to gather together fantastic makers and producers, the space is brilliant and the food and drink is excellent. It's just all good. The winter weekends add Christmas trees, wreaths and a dedicated craft area. Free entry. There's more in my post on Bowhouse's Christmas market. Find out more.
Blair Castle Christmas Market, Perthshire – 20 to 22 November
There's nothing like a Christmas market in a really beautiful old building, and Blair Castle has it all. Stalls fill the ballroom and a tented Christmas village outside, the castle is dressed for Christmas, and there's plenty of local food and drink. Entry £4, children free. Find out more.
Winter Market, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh – 21 and 22 November
Another Tea Green event, and the perfect place to be on a cold November day. It's a great showcase for some really good makers, and afterwards the galleries are yours to explore. Find out more.
Kings of Kinloch Pop Up Shop, near Blairgowrie – 24 and 25 November
Billed as "not your average Christmas shop", with 13 stalls. Tuesday evening (6.30pm) is a ticket-only fashion show and shopping with canapés and fizz; Wednesday (from 10am) is shopping with coffee and mince pies. I was invited and sadly can't make it, but it looks like fun and I know some really good makers are going. Check the Kings of Kinloch Instagram for the latest.
Winter Design Market, V&A Dundee – 27 to 29 November
The V&A is such a great space for a market, and that amazing cavernous hall shows off contemporary Scottish design beautifully. Free, drop-in. Find out more.
Hopetoun House Christmas Shopping Fair, near South Queensferry – 27 to 29 November
This is the most utterly magical market. As you drive down that long, stately drive, the whole house is lit up, with bright trees all around. Inside, stalls are nestled in huge rooms with roaring fires, old artworks and even older furnishings. It's grand, it's festive, it's everything you want from a Christmas market. It's always busy, so pick your timing, and book ahead. Find out more.
ANTA, Rose Street, Edinburgh – 28 November
I'll be at ANTA's Edinburgh shop at 169 Rose Street with our ANTA x Made Scotland gift hamper bags. Come and find me. Find out more.
Balgove Larder Christmas Night Market, St Andrews – 1 December, 4pm to 8pm
I've never been, but I'm told it's a really good one: an evening market in the Steak Barn, with food from the wood-fired grill, local producers and the farm shop open late. Find out more.
Festive Winter Market, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow – 5 and 6 December
A December weekend in one of Glasgow's best-loved buildings, right in the heart of the West End, and a good one for finding makers you haven't met yet. Find out more.
Summerhall Winter Market, Edinburgh – 5 and 6 December, 11am to 5pm
I love the way this one spreads through different rooms, so you're really burrowing through the old vet school building to find each stall, and the quality of the gifts is really good. Mulled wine and street food in the courtyard keep you going. Find out more.
Edinburgh Farmers' Market, Castle Terrace – Saturdays, 9am to 2pm
So good just before Christmas. Go on the last Saturday, 19 December, for amazing cheeses and all sorts of delicious things, as well as gifts, with the castle as a backdrop. Find out more.
Can't make it to a market? My Christmas gift boxes bring together the best of Scotland's independent makers, delivered to your door.
