Date Published: 8th December 2021

It’s almost Christmas and the first third – EIGHT doors – of Alexander McCall Smith’s Advent Calendar of Joy are all now live. Take a peek on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You will find inspirational and uplifting cheer as a new door swings open every day. OR, in case social is not really your thing, all of the Advent Calendar of Joy doors posted so far are shown below. Click on each image and you will see a whole host of tiny animations, readings and quotes.

We hope you will enjoy recalling all of your favourite characters and quotes from Scotland Street. Listen out for an audio reading on the 8th, a video of Alexander reading on the 12th, and a special Christmas message on the 24th.

If you want to read more about the individual characters who live on Scotland Street (or in the neighbourhood) you will find them here. And you can find a full list of all the books in the series right here. Edinburgh is a great place to be at Christmas-time, even if only in your imagination.

A huge thank you goes out to Caleb and Anna for the animation and hosting. Alexander’s team have had great fun pulling all of this together. A learning challenge that has made us smile all the way. Ho ho ho!

And in the words of Angus Lordie [dressed as Santa] as he passed a can of Irn Bru to Bertie, urging him to open it immediately:

‘The Spirit of Christmas,’ said Angus. ‘Touches ilka heart.’