A Local's Guide: Best Bookstores in Edinburgh
A Local's Guide: Best Bookstores in Edinburgh
Travel Kat Tours
Available for hire
If you are a bookworm like me, then read this post to find the best bookshops in Edinburgh. After all, Edinburgh is known as the city of literature!
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John Kay's, Victoria Street
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John Kay's Shop
@travelkattours
They specialise in old vintage books, maps and Scottish folklore and history. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you can buy the Scots language version in here.
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Armchair Books, West Port
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Armchair Books
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This cosy cute bookshop sells second hand and antique books. They have a nice collection of history books and beautifully bound hard back classic books. Look out for a Robert Louis Stevenson book, he was born and raised in Edinburgh,
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Blackwells, South Bridge
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Blackwell's Bookshop
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Scotland's oldest bookshop is located directly across from the University of Edinburgh. Set over three floors, there is literally something for everyone here. My favourite section is the Scottish section, where you will get history books and folklore tales on Scotland. They also have a great true crime section upstairs.
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The Portobello Bookshop, Portobello High Street
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The Portobello Bookshop
@travelkattours
Although not directly in Edinburgh, Portobello bookshop is easily accessed via the city bus. Inside this modern shop they have a good range of graphic novels, beautifully illustrated art books and a large children's book section.
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Argonaut Books, Leith Walk
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Argonaut Books
@travelkattours
This is a relatively new edition to Edinburgh, but this bookshop has a good range of horror, sci-fi and queer books. I always make a beeline for their cookery and recipe books which are always unique and make great coffee table books. They are a community bookshop and frequently have events and book clubs.
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Topping & Co, Blenheim Place
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Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh
@travelkattours
This is such a beautiful store, set over three floors Topping and Co and in a grade three listed georgian building. The have lots of nooks to explore and filled with local knowledge books, autobiographies and a really wide travel book section. They have a few signed edition copies on the ground floor.
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Lighthouse Bookshop, West Nicholson Street
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Lighthouse Bookshop
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Lighthouse is a queer owned and women led bookshop. The sell a huge range of lgbtq+ books, revolutionary history books and poetry and left wing political texts. I love this store if you are looking for a new topic to read and I especially love their section on anti-racism books in the young adults section.
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Black Moon Botanica, Candlemaker Row
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Black Moon Botanica
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This independent magical shop has a great range of books, zines and journals. If you have an interest in modern witchcraft, herbal medicine and incantations then check them out.
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John Knox's House (Scottish Storytelling Centre)
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Scottish Storytelling Centre
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Inside the shop section of the Scottish Storytelling centre they have a good range of local history and Scots language books. If you want a unique souvenir to take back around Scottish culture then check this place out.
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Edinburgh Community Bookshop, Great Junction Street
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Edinburgh Community Bookshop
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This bookshop supports a different local charity every month, the second hand book shop has a good range of genres and you can make a donation here of any unwanted books too.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Travel Kat Tours
Available for hire
Hi, I'm Kat a female business owner in Edinburgh, Scotland. I run small group and private walking tours. I specialise in Scottish history, film tourism (Harry Potter and Outlander) and the dark side of the witchcraft hunts in Edinburgh.
I reside in one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK - Leith. Which is famed for it's indie shops, coffee and street art.
When I am not guiding around bonnie Scotland I like to travel.
I have been lucky enough to travel to over 55 different countries. Usually now with my husband, but on occasion, but have been partial to a solo adventure also. I enjoy exploring bustling cities, enjoying the local food and finding unique places to eat. As a small business owner, I like to find independent places to try out.
To me travel is the best education you can give yourself. When I am exploring a new destination I will delve it to the culture and history of that location, and I like to find off the beaten track sights.
It is hard to define my favourite country, as I feel many places are special to me.
As a keen photographer, the vivid colours of India was incredible. Alongside the vast landscapes of Iceland, where last year (2023) I was fortunate enough to elope there.
My guides will be varied, my Scottish guides will be through the lens of a local. I have experience in the industry in creating Scottish itineraries and like to prepare personalised and tailor made plans.
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