If you’re looking for a wordy weekend away you could do far worse than Edinburgh
Indie greats
Last weekend was spent in Edinburgh. Alongside the castle and the Royal Mile I went with the express purpose of visiting some of its fab books shops. First on my list was The Golden Hare. Located in Stockbridge, just back from the main throng, the walk to it is past some of Edinburgh’s most beautiful streets. The shop itself is also gorgeous and felt like an art gallery with the books displayed like works of art. It has a boutique feel of exclusively selected books and a small children’s room at the back. Inspired by the trendy setting I purchased Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin. The salmon pink postcard style cover feeling very apt and Instagram-able.
My total fav of the whole weekend was Toppings. Think wall to wall books, light flooded rooms and ladders on wheels (I felt like Belle in Beauty and the Beast). Hardbacks are a plenty, as are signed copies and author events but every subject is well catered for. Oh and you can sit and drool over your purchases whilst having a brew. Perfect
Second hand book shops obviously got a look in from Mooses wearing masks to market stalls in the Grassmarket. My favorite was Armchair Books in West Port. The books are stacked floor to ceiling on shelves that look like they will topple under the strain at any moment. There is a good ‘popular’ second hand book section alongside a ‘proper’ second hand collection of rare and antique books. Multiple copies of one title were available allowing me to choose a very beautiful copy of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and a copy of Rankin’s Noughts and Crosses – well, when in Edinburgh!
And for the kids
There was evidence of Corona Virus, not least by the copious amounts of hand sanitiser I consumed. One shop was closed due to the owner shielding, another was taking the opportunity to refurb. We also missed out on visiting one of my most anticipated shops (Portobello) due to reduced opening hours. But all in all me, the hubby and three kids were well catered for. Waterstones on Princes Street having the largest children’s selection by far that drastically savaged my purse.
Harry Potter connection
Book lovers will also appreciate the Harry Potter element to Edinburgh, after all this is the city where Rowling wrote them. There’s Greyfriar’s Kirkyard where you can find Tom Riddell’s grave (look out for other gravestones including Potter, Pettigrew and McGonnagal). You can visit the cafe Rowling wrote the first book in (now known as Spoons) or the street that inspired Diagon Alley (Victoria Street). You can even stay in the room she finished writing The Deathly Hallows in (room 557 of The Balmoral Hotel now renamed the Rowling Suite complete with signed statue by Rowling confirming said fact). Oh and don’t forget the various Potter themed Guided Walks, Escape Rooms and even Pub! None Potter fans can eat in Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, the person who inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde. Oh and you can visit RLS’s grave and see where Agatha Christie got married. The possibilities are endless!
If you’re looking for a bookish weekend away Edinburgh ticks all the boxes for all ages. What are you waiting for?