Shopping · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
Shopping in Edinburgh
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mtcv, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Edinburgh shopping ranges from tartan and cashmere on the Royal Mile to department stores on Princes Street and independent boutiques in Stockbridge and on Victoria Street. Look for Scottish knitwear, whisky and design rather than mass-produced souvenirs. Best souvenirs: Cashmere and lambswool, Harris Tweed and Scotch whisky.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 4
- Top souvenir
- Cashmere and lambswool
Where to shop
Princes Street and St James Quarter
High-street chains facing the castle and the St James Quarter shopping centre at the east end.
George Street and Multrees Walk
Upmarket fashion, Harvey Nichols and designer brands in the New Town.
Victoria Street and the Grassmarket
Independent shops selling tweed, whisky, cheese and themed gifts behind colourful shopfronts.
Stockbridge
Charity shops, independent boutiques, delis and galleries along Raeburn Place and St Stephen Street.
Markets
Edinburgh Farmers' Market
A Saturday market on Castle Terrace selling Scottish meat, game, cheese, bread and smoked fish below the castle.
Stockbridge Market
A Sunday market of street food, local produce and crafts beside the Water of Leith.
Leith Market
A Saturday market at Dock Place in Leith with street food, produce and crafts.
Edinburgh's Christmas market
Stalls of food, mulled wine and gifts in East Princes Street Gardens from late November into early January.
What to buy
Cashmere and lambswool
Scarves, jumpers and throws from Scottish mills, sold in shops on the Royal Mile and in the New Town.
Harris Tweed
Hand-woven tweed from the Outer Hebrides, made into jackets, bags and caps and certified with the orb trademark.
Scotch whisky
Single malts from specialist shops on the Royal Mile and in Leith, many of which offer tastings before you buy.
Tartan
Kilts, scarves and fabric in clan tartans from kiltmakers who can help you find a family tartan.
Shortbread and tablet
Fresh shortbread and sugary tablet from bakeries and sweet shops, packed in tins for travel.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Street · Old Town
The Royal Mile
The spine of the Old Town runs for roughly a mile downhill from the Castle Esplanade through the Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate to Holyrood.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Shopping
Street · Old Town
Victoria Street and the Grassmarket
Victoria Street curves down from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket in a row of brightly painted shopfronts with a raised terrace walk above.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Photo spot
- After dark
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Scotch whisky, Cranachan, Shortbread and Scotch pie. Whisky bars in the Old Town and Leith, and the Scotch Whisky Experience by the castle esplanade. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| New Town | $$$$ | Georgian crescents, Princes Street shopping and elegant squares |
| Stockbridge | $$$ | A village of independent shops, cafés and a Sunday market by the Water of Leith |
| Leith | $$ | Edinburgh's old port of waterfront restaurants, bars and the Royal Yacht Britannia |
| Southside and Newington | $$ | University quarter, the Meadows and guesthouses near Arthur's Seat |
| Bruntsfield and Marchmont | $$ | Sandstone tenements, delis and the Meadows |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in GBP. Tip about 10–12.5% in restaurants if a service charge is not already added. Tipping in pubs is not expected, and taxi fares are usually rounded up.
- Tap a contactless card on Lothian buses and trams; fares are capped at a daily amount.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–March and November; the busiest months are August.
- April: Edinburgh Science Festival (usually April)
- April: Beltane Fire Festival on Calton Hill (30 April)
- May: Edinburgh Marathon Festival (usually late May)
- July: Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (usually July)
- August: Edinburgh Festival Fringe (usually most of August)
- August: Edinburgh International Festival (usually August)
Staying near the shops
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, luxury and families
New Town
Georgian crescents, Princes Street shopping and elegant squares
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Edinburgh?
Cashmere and lambswool, Harris Tweed, Scotch whisky and Tartan.
+Where is the best shopping in Edinburgh?
Princes Street and St James Quarter: High-street chains facing the castle and the St James Quarter shopping centre at the east end.
+What are the best markets in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Farmers' Market, Stockbridge Market, Leith Market and Edinburgh's Christmas market.