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Destination Edinburgh

Edinburgh Shopping Guide

Edinburgh is a wonderful shopping destination - as well as the designer boutiques it hosts a diverse collection of boutiques where you'll discover exciting specialities and eccentricities.

The range is vast, from high street brands to an unrivalled range of quality Scottish merchandise: whisky and woolens, food and antiques. And look out for more unusual gifts - maps and prints, fossils, kites and candles!

Princes Street

Princes Street is a shopper's paradise. On one side of the street, you'll find all the big national and international names, while on the other side, one of the most unique and spectacular skylines in the world. It's also home to Jenners, the world's oldest independent department store dating back to 1838, and other favourites like Marks and Spencer.

The streets that link Princes Street with George Street are worth exploring for their mix of interesting smaller retail outlets and eateries. Rose Street, a pedestrianised lane behind Princes Street, is justly famous for its pubs, but is also excellent for high quality speciality shopping and restaurants.

Towards the City's East End, you'll find Princes Mall, a favourite shopping haunt on two floors, with plenty of entertainment stores and fashion outlets. Here you'll also find John Lewis, boasting a breathtaking assortment of wares.

George Street

Located between Princes Street and Queen Street, with Charlotte Square and St Andrew Square at either end, George Street's many architecturally stunning buildings now play host to a staggering array of upmarket and designer shops.

George Street's appeal is strengthened with the excellent choice of bars and restaurants providing sustenance for happy shoppers. Here you'll find splendid examples of 1800's bank-turned-classy eatery and if you find yourself in one of the street's bars or nightclubs, there's every chance you'll bump into the odd celebrity.

Unlike in some other cities, the tradition of personal service and quality has not been abandoned around these parts, with a few well-established George Street favourites renowned for their approach to customer service.

Multrees Walk

Multrees Walk is a newly developed part of Edinburgh, just off St Andrew Square and home of "the very best luxury retailers". Louis Vuitton, Emporio Armani and Harvey Nicholls are already situated there with a wide variety of designer shops.

The West End

The West End is typical of Edinburgh. It's the kind of place where shopping is a true leisure activity. Within 300 metres you'll find leafy green squares and crescents, imposing churches, graceful architecture and ye ole shoppes, all within a minute of two lively thoroughfares.

Queensferry Street hustles with just as much bustle as its neighbour Shandwick Place and between the two you'll find a plethora of eateries and speciality shops.

William Street's bars, bistros, art galleries and exclusive boutiques attract a discerning crowd, while Stafford Street is a hub for interior design. Randolph Place is another quiet haven hiding within it some high-fashion treasures.

The Bridges to Broughton Street

To sample the truly eclectic nature of Edinburgh shopping, take the journey from the Bridges at the East End of Princes Street down to Leith, taking in Broughton Street on the way. Here you'll find an intriguing mix of shops, from cheap'n'cheerful through to proper posh, and everything in between.

South Bridge is home to an abundance of shops catering for the vibrant student community, from books, music, comics and urban fashion.

On Broughton Street you'll find a combination of antique shops and boutiques, not to mention an ample selection of stylish bars and cafes. Veggies and alternative health enthusiasts can pick up all manner of supplies, and there's plenty for the carnivores at the various delicatessens.

Leith Walk is home to countless second-hand shops, traditional butchers, Sikh and Muslim haberdasheries, Chinese supermarkets, much-celebrated delicatessens and speciality shops

Cockburn Street

When shopping by stereotype, it's safe to say all under-twenties would be delighted with a gift from vibrant Cockburn Street. Its unique selling point is its wickedly quirky shops, overflowing with an extraordinarily wacky and weird array guaranteed to solve your Present problem. Return to Sender has everything required by the rebel without a cause; Whiplash Trash provides the essential accessories for the recreational experimenter; and a gift voucher for Primal Piercings would literally hit the spot.

From the mundane to the occult, various youth sub-genres are well-and- truly covered: Goth, hippy, clubby, and upmarket. Ground Control's purpose-built piercing studio shares space with punk babies and coloured contact lenses; Eden offers crazy wrapping paper emblazoned with everything from Abba and aliens to Wonder Woman; Lava features fun fluffy computer covers and eponymous lava lamps; Kick Ass sells in-yer-face cards and posters; and Route 1 is right up skateboards' and sports shoes' enthusiasts' street. Project Crew 2000 provides information and support for stimulant users especially relating to clubbing.

Crystal Clear caters for a healthy mind, body and spirit and Beyond Words are specialists in photographic books. Practically opposite, tarot, astrology and clairvoyance is offered at Enchantment. Art mirrors life in not one but two galleries: Stills and the Collective, both concentrating on challenging provoking work.

Cockburn Street boasts four record shops: Fopp, Edinburgh's leading independent outlet; Avalanche Records and Uber-disko offering vinyl and DJ equipment; and Underground Solu'shn, specialising in hip hop, house, garage, techno, drum 'n; bass and disco rarities.

For that important pit stop, try seriously stylish Southern Cross Cafe, the Rusticana, a favourite of Paddy Ashdown's; tucked down Craig's Close; Chez Janine which offers classic authentic French cuisine; the righteously popular Viva Mexico and Cappuccino Express or the famous 18 year-old Baked Potato Shop, serving the best vegetarian baked tatties in town

The Royal Mile

The unusual shops of the Royal Mile, the historic centre of Edinburgh, can provide an adventurous treasure hunt. With its wide spectrum of wares, from designer knits to antiques, these unique outlets offer an excellent range of affordable and luxury goodies.

Also in this area are restaurants, cafes and pubs to suit a variety of budgets so you can round off your shopping with a meal or a couple of drinks. New Street and Market Street offer ample parking, bus services are frequent, and it's only a three-minute walk from Waverley Station.

Victoria Street and Grassmarket

Need a brush? An antique cookery book, or a quarter-pound of Wensleydale? Behind the brightly-painted exteriors of the shops on Victoria Street lies a selection of goods you might find difficult to pick up anywhere else - let alone on the same street!

Victoria Street and the Grassmarket play host to some of the City's most celebrated and unique retail attractions. Ranging from contemporary sophistication to vintage funky, just about every fashion is catered for.

For the weary shopper, there are an abundance of watering holes in the area. Venture further down the Grassmarket to find a variety of pubs, bars and restaurants.

Address:24 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EP, Scotland

Telephone: 0870 411 0030 / +44 131 556 3840 (International)

Fax: 0131 558 1999 Mobile: 07980 555 259

Email: info [at] destination [dash] edinburgh [dot] com

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This page was last updated on 25 July 2008.

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