Edinburgh Castle. Photo © mariocito
The beautiful and historic city of Edinburgh is the perfect setting for a stunning wedding or party, but if you’ve arrived in the Scottish capital without having had time to grab a present, you’ll also discover that it’s a great place for boutique shopping and unique gifts.
Here’s our guide to the best of Edinburgh’s gift shops.
1. Best for quirky, homey gifts: The Dragonfly
The Dragonfly is well known among locals thanks to its unique mix of classic, vintage and retro gifts. An independent store, they source their gifts from around the country. In other words, you’ve got a high chance of finding the right item for the right occasion. The staff are always friendly and ready to help, and they don’t stock too many of any one thing so you don’t run the risk of double-gifting with another guest.
111a Broughton Street
2. Best for something old: Anteaques
As the name suggest, great tea and great antiques all under one roof. This gorgeous little shop is packed full of treasures, including beautiful tea-time paraphernalia and vintage kitchen utensils.
Cool tea sets
Naturally, it’s also full of people, so if you want to take a tea break during your visit it’s best to book in advance. But you can always grab some loose-leaf varieties to take away with you. Shopping here is a pleasure and you’re bound to find something totally adorable to make a fun gift.
17 Clerk Street
3. Best for modern crafts: Hannah Zakari
Hannah Zakari started as an online shop and has now opened a modern, chic boutique in the heart of Edinburgh. There are plenty of works by Scottish designers on display here and everything is handpicked for the shop by the boutique’s exacting curator. Choose between beautiful jewellery, stationery, bags, art and clothing, each piece sourced from an independent designer. Not only is this a special place to bag a gorgeous gift, it’s also good to know you’re supporting small businesses too.
43 Candlemaker Row
4. Best for jewellery: Halibut and Herring
Halibut and Herring offer a range of gifts to suit all price ranges, from pocket-change, £2 items for stocking fillers to larger bespoke art pieces that edge past the £100 mark. The shop is packed to the rafters with quirky and colourful knickknacks of all descriptions, but their jewellery is the main attraction. Come here for beautiful handmade and original items for men and women.
108 Bruntsfield Place
5. Best for books: The Edinburgh Bookshop
Just along the road from Halibut and Herring sits this stunning local gem.
More than classics
Voted best Scottish Independent Bookshop of the year in 2014, this treasure trove of popular, classic and rare books offers gorgeous gifts galore. Pick up a coffee-table classic or even an edition of someone’s favourite childhood read.
219 Bruntsfield Place
Looking for somewhere to stay in Edinburgh? Travelodge has several pocket-friendly hotels around the city centre for easy access to all of the main sights and event venues, including Travelodge Edinburgh Central Princes Street, which is right in the heart of the city’s main shopping area.
