I loved these 13 quirky Edinburgh shops

It wasn’t the tourist attractions that made me eager to visit Edinburgh. Instead, I was most intrigued by the city’s variety of independently owned shops. While researching the area I found myself adding more cute stores to my itinerary than anything else. 

Edinburgh has marshmallow specialists, witchy boutiques, official Harry Potter merchandise sellers, and places to discover local artists’ work. 

The city’s unique stores were just as delightful as I anticipated. I even found a few one-of-a-kind souvenirs to take home with me. These are 13 shops I visited in Edinburgh and why browsing them was one of the most memorable parts of my trip. 

#1 – The Red Door Gallery

The very first store I wanted to check out in Edinburgh was the Red Door Gallery. For more than two decades, it’s been a staple of the famed Victoria Street. Every corner of the space is filled with pieces from over 150 different local Scottish artists [Source].  

Red Door had everything from handmade greeting cards, magnets, and prints to mugs, jewelry, and coasters. There were so many distinct artistic styles represented at the shop, but it was still cohesive. It felt like a combination of an art gallery and a boutique shop. 

The simple rainbow mug photographed above put such a smile on my face that I had to grab it for myself. It cost £12 or a little under $15 at the time of conversion. Now it’s my go-to for my daily morning coffee. 

#2 – Pie In The Sky

I tend to be wary of small clothing retailers because they either have nothing that matches my taste or everything is very expensive. This expectation was completely shattered at Pie In The Sky less than 5 minutes from where I stayed on the Royal Mile.

There were tons of cute fashion pieces for women and men, loads of stickers, cards, iron-on patches, and posters. While I wanted to buy up everything they had in stock, I was especially drawn in by the pull-over sweatshirts. They were simple, but also gave me a chuckle. 

I couldn’t leave Pie In The Sky without this blue one that reads “Is It Over Now?” across the front. It cost me £35, which was less than many similar shops I’ve visited. It’s incredibly soft inside and made with thick, high-quality cotton, so I thought it was a pretty decent price. 

#3 – Museum Context

In Edinburgh, there is a very high chance of walking by someone wearing a Gryffindor scarf around their neck. It’s a Harry Potter city and many even claim that Diagon Alley in the book is inspired by Victoria’s Street. 

The main place to satisfy Harry Potter fixations is the Museum Context. Here, visitors have access to a bunch of the franchise’s official merchandise. While I’m not the biggest fan, I did read the books as a kid and I was intrigued to step into the wizarding world. 

Museum Context has two floors of Harry Potter goods to buy including home decor, wands, notebooks, clothing, feather quills, and more. There are also a few replicas of props used in the movie on display throughout the space. 

The only thing I wasn’t thrilled about at Museum Context was the line because it took over half an hour to get through. I’d recommend making it your first stop early in the day to avoid looking like a tourist during this lengthy wait. 

#4 – Mr. Wood’s Fossils

I grew up in a hippie New York town called Woodstock that instilled a love of crystals in me. Hence why I was pumped to see Edinburgh had its own crystal shop called Mr. Wood’s Fossils. Not only did it have gorgeous crystals, but tons of other geological wonders as well. 

As the name suggests, the store’s main specialty is fossils. There are so many fossils that this tiny shop is like a science museum where you can purchase the displays. There are also items like rare minerals, meteorites, and real dinosaur teeth available. 

The owner’s love for rocks was palpable and they were knowledgeable about every piece in the store. Mr. Wood’s Fossils would be a really fun place to visit on a family trip because I could imagine kids loving the diverse collection. 

#5 – Black Moon Botanica

Besides the Harry Potter connection, Edinburgh is witchy all on its own. There are quite a few metaphysical shops across the city, but I thought the most intricate one was Black Moon Botanica. 

Located on Candlemaker’s Row, one of the best areas of Edinburgh, this magical store has all kinds of genuine occult supplies. There is an array of perfume oils, books, jewelry, crystals, candles, and herb concoctions. 

By far my favorite section of Black Moon Botanica was the stunning tarot cards. Their large selection of decks came in varying styles to match any taste. 

I heard this superstition that you’re not supposed to buy a tarot deck for yourself. So instead, I opted for their 3 crystals for £6 deal. I picked ones meant to soothe nerves and attract wealth and they currently live on my desk. 

#6 – Greyfriars Art Shop

While I lean more toward literary art than visual art, I still loved wandering the selection at Greyfriars Art Shop. This teeny establishment has been providing Edinburgh with art supplies for 185 years [Source]. 

Even though it’s a compact space, Greyfriars Art Shop was incredibly well-stocked. There were paints, journals, pens, crayons, and all sorts of other artistic mediums available. 

The people working at the shop were really friendly and eager to help me find anything I needed. They even offered to let me test out some of their watercolor crayons and fancy pens while I was there. 

#7 – Armchair Books

Visiting quaint bookstores makes me feel like a local traveling around the UK because it’s not usually an activity on the standard tourist itinerary. It provides a different glimpse into the city. 

The adorable Armchair Books reminded me of libraries from childhood because it felt more homey than a big chain like Barnes and Noble. Almost like browsing the extensive book collection at a friend’s house. 

My favorite read I stumbled across was a philosophy book centered around the TV show “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.” I spent nearly an hour at Armchair Books glued to the pages because it was so accurate and hilarious. 

#8 – Uplands Roast

I visited Edinburgh amid December’s frigid chill and I was desperate for a way to warm up while walking around. Uplands Roast ended up being my solution. 

This delightful cafe cart is on the University of Edinburgh campus and it’s locally famous for its rich hot chocolate. One thing that Americans should know about the UK is that they take their hot chocolate game seriously.

It tasted like thick, straight up melted chocolate – not the cheap powdered stuff. A cup of cocoa with the works cost £4.50. Their menu was stacked with lots of other warm drinks as well like matcha, Vietnamese coffee, and a huge selection of teas. 

#9 – The Wyrd Shop

The variety of goods at the Wyrd Shop had me verbally saying “aw” and “oh, look!” more times than I could count. There was everything from fascinating magic gear to mystical home items. 

I was decidedly amused by the collection of fairy and gnome sculptures, each with a distinct expression and personality. I think they would be precious guardians of a garden or pieces in a children’s room. 

The Wyrd Shop also features literature on witchy topics, pretty tarot cards, incense, colorful crystals, wall art, and jewelry. I think this is the perfect place to learn about witchcraft. The person working was passionate about the topic and happy to share their knowledge while showing people around the store.  

#10 – Kilted Donut

One of the differences I noticed between Brits and Americans is our breakfast preferences. People in the UK go for savory, while Americans like the sweet stuff. That’s why I was a tad surprised and excited to come across Kilted Donuts in Edinburgh. 

This cafe is known for its massive, sugary donuts that come in a wide assortment of flavors. Of course, they had classics like the ‘Homer’ donut with pink frosting and sprinkles. But they also served more uncommon options, like pistachio, lime berry, and dirty chai. 

Their donut flavors change every month, so there is always something new on the horizon. During my trip, I went for the French toast donut for £4 and I was blown away by how fresh and fluffy it was. It supplied a sugar rush that carried me through a whole day of exploring, too. 

#11 – The Marshmallow Lady

The Marshmallow Lady inspired my entire endeavor to Edinburgh. I’m the type of traveler who plans a trip around one seemingly small activity. When I saw a TikTok explaining that they have free marshmallow samples, I was sold. 

Ever since making my own batch of homemade marshmallows a couple of years back, I’ve been in love with the authentic version of the confection. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on real marshmallows again and Ms. Marshmallow Lady provided tenfold. 

I got a hot chocolate with a huge eggnog marshmallow and a bag of traditional vanilla marshmallows for around £15. I also helped myself to free samples of the mint chip and cookies and cream marshmallows (both incredible). The store itself was very charming with lots of room to sit and relax. 

#12 – Lannan Bakery

The main reason I decided to add Lannan Bakery to my Edinburgh itinerary was that it has such outstanding customer reviews. People swore up and down that if there’s one bakery you want to try in the city, it’s Lannan. 

When I first arrived, there was a huge line curling around the corner of the street and I was a bit put off, but I decided to just wait. This ended up being a wise decision because the pastries were melt-in-your-mouth exceptional. 

I went for a traditional croissant and a honey bun. For both large baked goods, it cost me right around £9. While they weren’t the cheapest ever and the line was a headache, I still thought Lannan was well worth it for how tasty everything was. 

#13 – The Gently Mad

The Gently Mad was by far one of the top free attractions in Edinburgh for me. While it obviously costs money to take a book home with you, visitors are welcome to explore the collection without spending anything. It’s easier than you might think to get lost in the titles. 

I’ve always wanted to visit a store like this where you can find copies of rare or classic books tucked away. Since it’s not strictly organized by category, it almost felt like a treasure hunt to go through all the shelves. 

My goal was to find a version of one of my childhood favorites and I was so excited when I finally saw one! I purchased an old-school copy of Peter Pan for just £4. Make no mistake, I had to physically force myself not to get more than that. 

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Edinburgh’s precious shops are a major part of its personality. They set the city apart as a destination in my opinion. When I think back on my time in Edinburgh, it’s these 13 stores that immediately come to mind as highlights. 

There is much more to Scotland than just Edinburgh, though. To learn more, head over to Louise’s guide on the best places to visit in Scotland next!