There is a splendid slice of Edinburgh folklore in the story that Charles Dickens was inspired to create the character of Ebenezer Scrooge after a visit to one of the city’s graveyards.

The writer is said to have misread the tombstone of corn merchant Ebenezer Scroggie, thinking it had described him as a “mean man” rather than a “meal man”.

Regardless of how tall that particularly tale is, the spirit of Scrooge seems to rear its ahead as soon as the first Christmas lights twinkle into life - ever year, before Halloween, on the glowing facade of The Dome bar and restaurant on George Street.

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It is a good few weeks before Edinburgh goes into full-on festive mode in the city centre, by which time dividing lines are drawn. For many businesses, particularly in the city centre, Christmas simply can't come soon enough.

It is little wonder. By the time the city's official Christmas festival is up and running in mid-November, the heart of the Scottish capital is literally going like a fair, thanks to a seemingly endless array of rides, stalls, entertainment and festive attractions spread across both the west and east sections on Princes Street Gardens.

Edinburgh's Christmas festival runs from mid-November till early January. (Image: Ben Whiting)

According to official figures, around 2.8 million visitors flocked to the main Christmas events in Edinburgh last year.........

© Herald Scotland