Edinburgh is arguably one of the most beautiful and quirky cities in the whole world. It takes you to a fairy tale world and makes you feel like you have travelled back in time. Every street and corner around is full of little surprises and beautiful architecture. So in many senses this city is one of a kind and has various unique features that you cannot find anywhere else in the world (proven by the testimonials of thousands of visitors).
Just as this city, many shops and boutiques in it are also unique and has many beautiful arts, crafts, accessories and gift items that you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. Today, I'd like to enlist 10 of those beautiful shops that offer unique gift lines (in no particular order). In addition to their beauty and uniqueness, these shops are also very important because they all support the independent local maker community by giving them the opportunity to exhibit their work. I tried to enlist a shop from each central (and a couple not-so-central) neighbourhood that you would be thrilled to visit anyway because of its beauty.
I also included a small note for the shops in which you can browse Workshop After Six items.
Located at the heart of one of the most dreamy towns of Edinburgh, Stockbridge, this spacious gift shop offers homewares, furniture and gift made by local makers of Scotland. Every centimeter square of this shop is full of accessories, prints, jewellery, magnets, greeting cards, etc. you can get for yourself or your loved ones. You'll definitely taking a beautiful reminiscent of Edinburgh with you with the items you get from this shop.
You can find Workshop After Six items here.
Victoria street of Old Town is claimed to be the inspiration for the famous "Diagon Alley" of Harry Potter. Whether it is or not, it is a charming street with colourful shop fronts and "The Red Door Gallery" is one of them. It is an independent art gallery hosting contemporary art prints, illustrations, jewellery & designer wares. There is a big range of items made by various locally based artists.
3. Bonkers:
Originally established in St. Andrews (another gorgeous city in Scotland) in 1983, Bonkers is an independent gift shop located in Hannover Street at the very centre of Edinburgh, selling gifts, cards, stationery, jewellery, toys, home and personal accessories. Don't miss it while shopping from big retail stores nearby.
4. Raf Edinburgh:
Bruntsfield is one of the exquisite neighbourhoods of Edinburgh and it is mainly residential but the main street Bruntsfield Place is full of charming little cafés and shops. Raf Edinburgh is among these little shops, curating beautiful giftware from more than 50 Scottish based independent maker. The wide range of products includes jewellery, skincare, homeware and many more gift items and they are all handmade.
You can find Workshop After Six items here.
5. Cloud 9:
Easter Road, located a little bit away from the very centre of the city, is therefore a hidden gem in Edinburgh, full of artisan cafés, bakeries and shops. Cloud 9 is at beginning of this long street and although a rather small shop, it has a vast selection of gifts & houseplants.
6. Paper Tiger:
Operating since 1981 in the West End area of Edinburgh with two shops (Lothian Road and Stafford Street), Paper Tiger offers design led cards, stationery, wrap and gifts products from new and established Edinburgh and UK based artists. All products are carefully selected and includes a large selection of creative cards, stylish stationery, gifts, toys, books and wrap. They proudly represent local Scottish work at both of their Edinburgh stores.
7. Logan Malloch:
Located down at the end of Leith Walk, Logan Malloch exhibits contemporary Scottish Design, Prints, plants, books and local makers goods. They have gift items from 50 Scotland based artists, crafters and makers. The shop is rather away from the centre, so you need to do a 30 mins of walk in on the distinctive Leith Walk street of Edinburgh and find yourself in the characteristic town Leith.
You can find Workshop After Six items here.
Although named as 'New Town', as almost nothing could be considered new in this city, New Town of Edinburgh was established in the 18th and 19th Century (rather new compared to Old Town). It has as distinctive looking architecture compared to Old Town buildings with Victorian Style windows and beautiful town houses. Broughton Street of New Town hosts a number of elegant small shops and Curiouser is one of them. They offer a wide range including illustrative prints, jewellery and homewares with an emphasis on good design and bright colours. They support local designers where they can, so the majority of their artists are British based, with many from Edinburgh.
9. Pippin Gifts:
Based in Haymarket, a west end town of Edinburgh, and established by an independent designer, Pippin Gifts showcases emerging British design talent alongside established brands and aims to bring together an eclectic mix of products not previously seen in Edinburgh. It sells jewellery, cards, gifts, homewares and much more, and provides a friendly service.
10. Rua Morningside:
This small shop at the southwest Edinburgh offers colourful and fun gift items. It is an independent gift, vintage inspired home décor and lifestyle store with beautiful Scottish cards and gifts. Morningside is another not-so-central beautiful town in Edinburgh and it is a must see town full of dazzling shops and cafés if you are not in a fully-packed Edinburgh visit. Don't forget to pop by this nice little gift shop while you are there.
Bonus: The University of Edinburgh Visitor Centre and Gift Shop
Although not an independent gift shop in the conventional sense, I wanted to include University of Edinburgh gift shop for two reasons: Firstly, it exhibits merchandise from the University of Edinburgh (dah!), one of the trademarks and most important features of this city. Secondly and more importantly, it collaborates with independent local artists and makers of Edinburgh and hence has a range of locally made Uni souvenirs. We also collaborate with the University of Edinburgh gift shop and create a line of full-grain vegetable-tanned leather items, exclusive to them, branded with the uni logo.
You can find Workshop After Six items here.
I hope you like this recommendation blog about the gift shops of Edinburgh (also implicitly about the towns of Edinburgh) and let us know in the comments if you have other favourite independent gift shops in Edinburgh.
Have a wonderful day,
Melike.