by Ella, age 7 from Edinburgh, Scotland, asks Santa about Christmas wallpaper, Edinburgh Castle’s volcano, and Hogmanay.
Ella from Edinburgh, Scotland
Dear Santa,
My name is Ella, and I am seven years old. I live in Edinburgh, Scotland, where our big castle sits on top of a hill made from an old volcano, and my granny says it has not erupted in a very, very long time.
Dear Ella, your granny is right to sound relaxed about it, that volcano has been quiet for millions of years. I do fly a little higher over the castle just in case, old habits die hard.
I hope you and the reindeer are ready for the wind, because my granny says Edinburgh in December can knock a person clean off their feet.
The reindeer have learned to fly low and lean into Edinburgh’s wind, and I will admit it has knocked my hat off more than once.
Santa, I have some important questions.
First, can I get Christmas wallpaper for my bedroom? My mum says it might be too babyish once I turn eight.
Christmas wallpaper is never too babyish, Ella, some of the elves still have it in their own rooms and they are several hundred years old. Tell your mum that liking twinkly lights on your wall is simply good taste, no age limit required.
Second, do you like Christmas lights? Princes Street has a huge Christmas market with lights every year.
I adore Princes Street in December, Ella, the lights and the big wheel make it one of the prettiest stretches of my entire United Kingdom route.
Third, is it true Edinburgh Castle really sits on top of an old volcano?
It is completely true. Castle Rock, where the castle stands, is what is left of a volcano that was active hundreds of millions of years ago, long before anyone was decorating trees. It makes for one of the most dramatic landing spots on my entire route.
Fourth, have you ever seen the Loch Ness Monster on your way to deliver presents in Scotland?
I have flown directly over Loch Ness many times, Ella, and I will simply say the water there keeps its secrets very well. Nessie has never once replied to my Christmas Eve schedule, though I always keep one eye on the surface just in case.
Fifth, my teacher says Scotland used to celebrate New Year, called Hogmanay, as a bigger holiday than Christmas. Is that true?
It absolutely is, Ella. For a long stretch of history, Christmas celebrations were actually discouraged in Scotland, so families poured all their winter cheer into Hogmanay instead, with bonfires, songs, and visiting neighbors right after midnight. Christmas has caught up in popularity since then, but that tradition of warmly welcoming neighbors into your home is still very much alive.
I also have some follow-up questions.
Do you like haggis?
I do, though I pace myself, a whole plate of haggis and an entire night of chimneys do not mix well.
Do the reindeer mind the Scottish wind?
They complain loudly, then secretly enjoy the extra speed boost it gives them.
Is it true Scotland has hundreds of castles?
It is true, hundreds of them, and I have landed on more rooftops near castles than I can properly count.
Do you visit the Highlands too, or just the cities?
Every glen and every city, Ella, no chimney gets skipped just because the road there is a little longer.
Thank you for reading my letter, Santa. My mum helped with spelling but the questions are all mine.
Your mum raised a thoughtful letter writer, Ella. Keep asking about the old stones and old stories around you, Edinburgh is full of them. Merry Christmas to your whole family.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Ella MacGregor
Edinburgh, Scotland
P.S. Can you leave extra shortbread for my granny this year?
Already on the list, Ella, your granny has excellent shortbread karma.
