Shopping

Not content with being a site of historic fascination, the city has really built itself up to be a shoppers paradise. The main shopping district centres on Princes Street, perhaps the city’s most famous road. On the North side, you’ll find big name department stores like Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and BHS, and the South side presents a more relaxed atmosphere as shoppers can meander through the royal gardens that sit in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. The street is also home to many independent department stores making a name for themselves in the city. George Street follows on from Princes Street, and is the place to be for fashion fans, with its many exclusive boutiques and chic, modern shops.

If you’re planning to make a shopping day of it, head to St Andrews Square, where there are countless other big names waiting to be perused, Harvey Nichols has recently moved in, and the far end of the street, Multrees Walk, has been compared to Bond Street in London, for it’s international feel and popular outlets.

Grass Market is a fantastic place to shop if you’re not into name brands, or you’re just saving your pennies. Great quality second hand products can be found throughout the many streets in this area. Looking for antiques, art, jewellery, books and more? The stores in the Grass Market district are usually open from seven thirty in the morning to eight at night, leaving you with plenty of time to browse at your leisure and find that bargain.
Music fans should make a beeline for Cockburn Street, where exclusive, independent music stores cater to a wide variety of musical tastes. If you can’t find what you’re after in the high street shops, it could be worth checking out Underground Solu’shn or Avalanche, who usually have a much broader selection.

Finally, if you’re visiting the area, or you just fancy getting your hands on a bit of Scottish heritage, take some time out to shop on the Royal Mile. There are lots of stores offering goods made in Scotland; in particular, specialist retailers who provide cashmere sweaters, lambs wool products, bagpipes, kilts, clan tartan and every other souvenir you can think of that Scotland is famous for.