Favourites: Edinburgh’s Top Tier Independent Shops

I recently took a Scottish break with my friends, the first holiday in what felt like a lifetime. Edinburgh is one of the places I have been longing to return to for a while now and to finally be there was so exciting! First on my agenda, do a sweep of the city to check all of my favourite shops were still alive and kicking – I’m pleased to report they were. It was so lovely to visit these special places again, all incredibly curated and celebrating art and design at its finest – here’s my top pick of the indie shops in Edinburgh.

This purple fronted independent is my mum’s favourite shop in Edinburgh, and fast becoming one of mine too. At its heart it is a wonderful gift shop, with British products and many local designers work. If you’re ever stuck for a birthday or Christmas present, this is the sort of shop you can go to and know you’ll find something that is really special – plus their selection of cards is pretty top notch. An added bonus here is they also run a bespoke framing service, which can be hard to come by, and can add that little something extra – especially if you’re purchasing one of their gorgeous prints.

Just down the road from Curiouser & Curiouser, is another of my favourite local haunts – Lifestory. Perhaps one of the coolest shops I’ve ever been to, Lifestory grounds itself in Scandinavian design and lifestyle, bringing together beauty and functionality to offer a wonderful selection of elevated everyday objects. They stock brands from HAY and Studio Arhoj, to local makers work and it comes together as the most perfectly curated collection. I’d like one of everything please!

Situated on a must-visit street for any Edinburgh visitor, The Red Door Gallery is a picture perfect addition to a rainbow of colourful independent shops curling up from the Grassmarket. For art lovers, illustration fiends or anyone with a keen eye for British design – this is the shop for you. Supporting the work of over 150 artists / small businesses, you’ll find everything from divine prints and cards, to homeware and stationary. To have so many indie artists and brands represented under one roof is so exciting and I can tell you now, it is never a short visit to this shop!

Have you ever visited Edinburgh and have I missed any of your favourite shops?