Renowned for its historical, yet incredibly cutting-edge environment, Edinburgh is home to dozens of bookshops, making it the perfect literary city. Don’t just take my word for it though, UNESCO agrees, making the Scottish capital a “UNESCO City of Literature” in 2004, the first of a number of “cities of literature” all over the globe. Bookstores here range from modern chains in the bustling New Town to second-hand gems on quieter cobbled streets. Whoever you are, Edinburgh has both exactly what you are looking for—and what you didn’t know you needed—in its bookshops.
Lighthouse Books
43-45 W Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9DB
Edinburgh’s only “radical bookshop,” Lighthouse Books, is barely a street away from George Square, making it the perfect place for students to stop between lectures. Lighthouse Books is part of the Alliance of Radical Booksellers (with over 50 other stores in the UK), meaning they are “committed to making the world a better place.” Their “Pay It Forward” scheme gives the gift of reading to those who may not have otherwise had the financial opportunity, through a donation fund for books and event tickets free of charge. Lighthouse Books has something for (almost) everyone, with fiction and non-fiction alike; they are dedicated to and refreshingly outspoken about their unique moral purpose.
Edinburgh Books
145-147 West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DP
Filled floor to ceiling with pre-loved literature, the simply titled “Edinburgh Books” is far from simple on the inside. Their stock stretches from second-hand copies of your favourite classic novels to exclusive antiquarian collections. The bookish smell is unlike anywhere else, with nooks and crannies of dusty hardbacks, Edinburgh Books serves an immersive and historical literary experience.
Armchair Books
72-74 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LE
Located on the ground of ancient Scottish booksellers in West Port, the bookish history fills the atmosphere upon entry. An Edinburgh student commented that entering Armchair is “like stepping back in time,” and that is just it; the charm of the ancient literary scene, something
inherently unique to the entire city of Edinburgh. Whilst you may not find the newest titles here, the store doesn’t lack range with an extensive second-hand collection, with much more than initially meets the eye from its deceptively humble exterior. Furthermore, Armchair allows customers to sell their used books to the shop; it’s no wonder their shelves are bursting at the seams!
The Edinburgh Bookshop
176 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4DF
On the corner of the glorious Edinburgh Meadows, The Edinburgh Bookshop caters to a more modern literary scene. By pushing new releases and hosting book festivals, The Edinburgh Bookshop acts as a one-stop shop for students to stay informed in the literary world. The Guardian nicely tied the feeling of The Edinburgh Bookshop together, writing, “This is the kind of bookshop we’d all like to have in our neighbourhood.”
Book Lovers
6 Melville Terrace, Edinburgh, EH9 1ND
Founded in 2024, Book Lovers is the UK’s first (and Edinburgh’s only!) brick-and-mortar romance-only bookshop. Its striking pink exterior makes it hard to miss, and its location, tucked away on the southwest corner of the Meadows, caters perfectly to your everyday romantic, with the idyllic reading spot just across the street. Don’t be mistaken, though, the shop’s “romance-only” nature does not limit its range in the slightest; in fact, the opposite may be true. Their romance collection spans from signed editions of the latest rom-coms to up-and-coming LGBTQ+ fiction and everything in between. The store prides itself on its unfaltering inclusivity, with Caden, Book Lovers’ founder, emphasising their aim to “celebrate” their “books, authors and readers” alike.
Blackwell’s
53-62 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1YS
Conveniently positioned on the lively South Bridge, Blackwell’s’ Edinburgh branch uniquely caters to the growing student population of the city. With their 15 per cent student discount (until 4 October) and their convenient in-store spotlighting of relevant course texts, this shop unashamedly caters to students of the University of Edinburgh.
Typewronger Books
4a Haddington Pl, Edinburgh EH7 4AE
Partially inspired by Paris’ renowned Shakespeare and Company store, Typewronger harnesses that old-timey charm, alongside the classic Edinburgh homely feel. As a not-for-profit enterprise, Typewronger puts its customers first, running their risograph studio at low prices, meaning that they are dedicated not only to distributing literature but to fostering new creativity in the city.
Image by Mark Chan for The Student
