5 of the most amazing bookshops in Edinburgh

First of all, let me tell you that every time I make a post like this is an absolute torture! I think I have stressed this enough, but I can’t really buy any books during this trip. I am always flying in cheap airlines with very restrictive luggage policies so I can’t really afford carrying the 700 pages illustrated edition of Alice in Wonderland. No matter how many times I cry every time I see it.

Ergo, either I use my e-reader (which I still don’t like) or I exchange books in the hostels I stay (although sometimes that leaves me with very limited choices). I mean, I get by, one way or another. However going to a city like Edinburgh, which bursts with unbelievably beautiful bookshops all around town, but without actually being able to buy a single book is as closest to hell for me as it is ever going to get.

Edinburgh is a perfect city for book lovers. It is not called UNESCO’s City of Literature for nothing. Not only Edinburgh is filled with plenty of tributes to its many authors, but it’s full of spots that inspired many famous novels and even a (free) writer’s museum. However, my favourites book-related attractions in the city are the many bookshops it offers to us, avid readers.

No matter if you are into old books or new ones, Edinburgh caters to every taste. I’d be impossible for me to cover all of its shops, but I managed to make a list with some of the best ones I found during my stay.

1. Armchair books

“Armchair Books” is everything you expect from a second-hand bookstore. It is small, crowded and the smell of old paper and dusty cover really works as an aphrodisiac (too weird?).

Their collection is amazing. They have some contemporary volumes at the entrance and a fair section of sci-fi and fantasy in great shape, but their classics are a delight to the eye. The leather covers and the titles printed in gold can almost make you time-travel. Besides, the bookshop is conveniently located near Grassmarket, so you can enjoy one of their extremely affordable titles while you sit on a near bench and bask in the view of Edinburgh’s Castle.

2. Blackwells

OK, Blackwells may lack the old charm that surrounds the other second-hand bookshops, since it only sells new copies. However, it has its own appeal. The place immediately caught my attention after just one look to those windows. I admit, it is a plus that they were Harry Potter themed, but the girl in the counter told me that they always put a lot of effort in making their displays as beautiful as possible. I believe her.

Also, the place has three floors of potential dangers to my wallet. Just imagine the amount of time someone could spend there? And, the cherry of the cake, they also have a Café Nero where you can start to devour your new acquisition (and a scone).

Finally, this may only be important to me, but their illustrated book section is fantastic! Their editions are beyond gorgeous and their children’s section is definitely worth a look, as well. Yeah, I’m 25 and I read children’s books, which is your guilty pleasure?

3. Cabaret Antiques, Curios & Books

This, to be honest, was my absolute favourite from the bunch. I found Cabaret Antiques, Curios & Books while I was wandering around the city looking for a place to eat. Obviously I diverted from my main goal, spent more than two hours inside the shop and missed lunchtime. But hey, I saved money on a meal!

At first sight, I wasn’t completely sure if it was a bookshop. The outside window displays a bunch of knickknacks and trinkets, but since I also love those, I decided to go inside. The store looked minuscule from the outside, however, although tiny, it had an almost secret staircase leading to an equally huddled basement. Just to go down the stairs was an achievement of its own. They were steep, tiny, creaky and, therefore, fascinating! I felt I was Mary Lennox about to discover some sort of secret garden, just that, in this occasion, it was a vintage bookshop. Which is obviously ten times better.

The downstairs area consisted in several crunched bookshelves filled with Victorian volumes. The old illustrations were marvellous and you could even find some vintage music sheets and postcards. The Jane Austen editions I bumped into were to die for. But I won’t talk more about them because the wound is still fresh.

4. National library of Scotland

Technically not a bookshop, but hey! You can still read and even do it for free in this place! Believe me, if you are in town (and if you are a booknerd) The National Library of Scotland is really worth the visit. Not only it has a sort of Hogwarts-y charm, but they also hold some public exhibitions related to the city and its literature.

When I went, they had this really cool exhibition about the maps of the country. It may seem a bit boring at first, but I came across a plan of Edinburgh that mapped the main aromas of the city. Turns out that the Scottish capital’s main smells are Fish and Chips, sea breeze, whisky and… surprise, surprise, old books! (I know, I am a weird person for finding this fascinating).

Oh, also, they had this superb book sculpture depicting one of my favourite books ever. How can you not love this place?

5. Edinburgh Books

I particularly enjoyed Edinburgh Books because this cute little place has an amazing collection of Scottish independent volumes. I am a HUGE fan of British literature in general, as you guys might have realized. There are many favourites around, but when I was like 11 years old, I found this old, battered copy called “Candles in the Woods”. The author was Alexandra Manners, a British writer whose main theme in most of her books was, precisely, Scotland, particularly the Highlands. I fell in love with the book and I have devoted myself to find more books of this woman. However, it’s proven to be extremely difficult.

The lady in question wrote under many, and I mean MANY, pseudonyms. Additionally, she is a very underground author, so finding her novels is a complete nightmare… Until I came across with Edinburgh Books. I know, I know at the beginning I said I didn’t allow myself to buy books while travelling on the long run. But this was too good to let it pass! During my visit, I found a copy of The Stone Maiden and I’m not going to let go, no matter how many pounds it’ll cost me at the airline.

Anyways, forgive my deviation. This place is perfect if you want to read more local literature and find awesome second-hand editions. The place is crowded and old and it’ll make you want to sing “I want much more than this provincial life” in no time.