Student Bloggers

Scotland has an abundance of rich literary history. The country is renowned for its famous novelists, like Robert Louis Stevenson and Muriel Spark, and today, its literary scene continues to prosper, home to brilliant creatives, like Ali Smith and Jenni Fagan. Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, is a particular hub of bookish brilliance, recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature. You can find monuments celebrating the city’s literary past, such as the Scott Monument honoring Sir Walter Scott, enjoy countless exhibitions, like those inside the Writers’ Museum or the Scottish Poetry Library, and, of course, buy books. From retail chains like Waterstones to indie shops like the Lighthouse, this city is full of cozy places for you to find your next read. Here is a list of all the wonderful bookstores I went to while abroad.

1. Lighthouse
   On my first day in Edinburgh, I took a trip to Lighthouse Books, a store I would end up returning
   to multiple times. It is an independent, queer-owned shop that sells books covering a diverse array of topics. They are proud to host a feminist, queer, and antiracist community, and I can absolutely attest to the welcoming atmosphere they provide. On some days, you might even catch a glimpse of one of the store’s resident dogs.
2. Tills Bookshop
   This secondhand bookstore was a pleasure to browse through. The deceptively small exterior hides a large supply of books. It is known for its rare and antiquarian collection, but it has books new and old lining its shelves. I was personally surprised to find many of the books in excellent condition, and I enjoyed the shop’s comfortably quiet atmosphere.
3. Topping & Company
   Topping & Co. was one of the highlights of my book browsing journey in Edinburgh. Equipped
   with three floors and a labyrinth of shelves, it is sure to offer something for everyone. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and the store itself feels incredibly classy and clean. I only bought one book here, but I spent a long time admiring its abundant display.
4. Waterstones
   Of course, I had to take a trip to the U.K.’s number one bookseller. There are a few Waterstones locations in Edinburgh, but I went to the one on Prince’s Street. Being from the U.S., I was already familiar with the outlet’s “sister” chain, Barnes & Noble, both businesses being owned by Elliot Investment Management. The stores are very similar in their selections and modeling, but it was an exciting experience nonetheless.
5. Blackwell’s
   I took three separate trips to Blackwell’s, as it had probably my favorite selection of books out of all of the stores I visited in Edinburgh. I could have spent days wandering its aisles! Of its three floors, my favorite was the basement; it offers a wide selection of genre fiction, specifically sci-fi, fantasy, and manga, the largest hub of which I saw in the entire city.
6. Typewronger
   One of the most unique bookshop experiences I had was at Typewronger. It is a humble store with a lovely community of customers and employees, boasting an interesting array of small press-published and indie books. After purchasing a book from this shop, you have the option of getting it marked with the store’s signature stamp, and they also offer you a tiny origami creature made out of book pages. My favorite part, though, was the community typewriter, where you can sit down and type a sentence or two into a local collection of words.
7. McNaughtan’s
   Right next to Typewronger is McNaughtan’s, the oldest second-hand bookstore in Scotland. Browsing this shop was a charming experience, as you are surrounded by a rich collection of old and rare books. This shop would be especially wonderful for vintage book lovers or anyone looking to get lost in the beauty of the antiquarian.
8. Transreal Fiction
   For lovers of genre fiction, Transreal Fiction might be the bookstore for you. The cozy shop has an exclusive collection of sci-fi and fantasy books and is located within a popular tourist area in Edinburgh. It was nice to take a break from the business of the streets and hop into this unique store.
9. Armchair
   Out of all of Edinburgh’s bookstores, I have to say that Armchair was my favorite. Another secondhand bookshop, the store gives off the wonderful aroma of old books as you browse its well-organized shelves. Its vintage charm was captivating and cozy, the book selection lining its walls from floor to ceiling. I was able to buy an edition of Virginia Woolf’s Flush here, one of her rarer works that I was absolutely shocked but excited to find. The employee I talked to was very friendly, and overall, I had such a delightful time here.