A list of ten of Edinburgh’s best bookstores, ranging from cozy secondhand shops to the oldest bookseller showcasing the hottest releases.
As the first-ever place to be named by UNESCO as a City of Literature, you can bet that Edinburgh has a slew of bookstores you don’t want to miss.
Armchair Books
As you might expect from the name, Armchair Books is top-tier cozy, and the perfect place to be hugged by secondhand books on all sides. This store is a maze of bookshelves, each doorway with a set of shelves stretching over guest’s heads. It’s as easy to get lost in here as it is in the world of your favorite novel.
The collection ranges from old to new and classics to sci-fi, so it can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Thankfully, if you need a recommendation or just a friendly ear, the owner is a warm, welcoming sort, happy to strike up a conversation with the casual customer.
Blackwell’s Bookshop
Easily recognizable by its striking blue storefront, Blackwell’s has three floors and is the oldest bookstore in Edinburgh, established in 1848, and standing at its current location in South Bridge since 1853.
It has quite a long, winding history. It started out not as Blackwell’s, but as James Thin, a single store selling academic texts near Edinburgh University that grew into a chain with 35 branches across the UK over the course of 154 years. Blackwell UK bought out the chain in the early 2000s, shortly after which it remodeled the original South Bridge store into its current glory. Nowadays, its focus is on new releases, literary merchandise, and stationery.
Till’s Bookshop
This secondhand bookstore has a close-knit, friendly ambiance. It’s small but contains a generous number of carefully curated books, both fiction and non-fiction. It’s not stuffed to bursting as you might find in some places, so if you like having a bit of room to breathe and relax, this will be an ideal stop.
The interior has a smattering of small, tasteful decorations and paintings that give the store life and character; the small, antique stove in the fireplace; the gentle glow of round paper lanterns; and strings of seashells hung in the window. The owner updates decorations regularly, so don’t be surprised if you find something new when you step inside.
McNaughtan’s Bookshop
McNaughtan’s is a discovery waiting to be made. It has a broad range of books, including classics, poetry, old Scots history, and rare finds such as signed copies and early editions. Combined with the knowledgeable staff eager to offer their keen advice, book lovers and collectors will be overjoyed at the high-quality selection.
Since it has a fairly loose organization, it’s not the best place to go in search of a specific book. However, if you want to browse and stumble upon a new discovery, it will give you an adventure worth taking.
Typewronger Books
If the picture of this store seems suspiciously similar to McNaughtan’s, there’s a reason for that. Typewronger is McNaughtan’s sister bookshop, situated right next door but with a precision-laser focus on LGBTQ+, sex, and sexuality.
As a sister shop to McNaughtan’s, you can expect the same high caliber of books found there, simply with a different flair.
Golden Hare Books
Established in 2012, Golden Hare Books presents a warm, welcoming space filled with an expansive range of literature, both fiction and non-fiction—though it does place a bit more emphasis on its fictional collection.
It has a colorful and inviting kids’ section and open, well-organized book displays. Golden Hare hosts countless events throughout the year, helping to foster a love of books in people of all ages.
Edinburgh Books
Not to be mistaken for the similarly-named The Edinburgh Bookshop, Edinburgh Books is the largest secondhand bookshop in the City of Literature and sports a wry sense of humor born by its decades in business, exemplified in the water buffalo head hung on the wall.
Like any decent secondhand bookseller, this store is stuffed full of books of all sorts, including some old, rare, and signed copies.
Topping & Company
Topping & Company is a bookstore chain with four branches (soon to be five) across the UK, and their biggest is in Edinburgh. Not only does it have loads of reading rooms with comfortable seating spread across its three floors, you get to play out your fantasies of being Belle on their rolling ladders. The store’s majestic architecture paints an impressive picture with its rounded storefront.
What really makes this Topping & Company shine, though, is its top-notch customer service. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly – which, to be fair, is not unusual for independent bookstores, which are often driven by passion and a love of books. What is unusual is the complimentary tea or coffee they give to their patrons. Talk about service!
The Portobello Bookshop
Though it opened fairly recently in 2019, this spacious bookstore has a classy but natural feel, with a distinctive character found in its art easel-like bookshelves. Customers rave about the fantastic service offered by staff, and the dedicated care put into the store’s many events.
They’re welcome to orders, whether domestic or international, and offer a wide variety of books, tote bags, and stationery.
Waterstones
This is a bookstore with a view; specifically, a view of Edinburgh Castle. The Waterstones bookstore chain has four different branches in Edinburgh, but its best (certainly its most grand and elegant) is right on Princes Street, a stone’s throw from the city’s famous castle grounds.
This particular location also has the benefit of a lovely café that serves as a perfect vantage point of the castle, all while you enjoy some reasonably-price cake and tea. It also makes a stunning venue for its numerous literary events.
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Odessa
K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
