Shopping in Edinburgh

One of Edinburgh’s best known shopping malls, St James Quarter is a large galleria retail shopping centre in the city centre. The site is built on the site of the St. James Centre which closed in 2016 and the development is close to Edinburgh Waverley railway station and the Bus Station.

The Waverley Mall, at the end of Princes Street and close to Edinburgh Waverley train station, is a good place to go for a fast-food refuel and some last-minute souvenirs to take home. If you need help planning your trip to Scotland, pop into the Visit Scotland shop.

Within easy walking distance of our Edinburgh A1 (Newcraighall) hotel, Fort Kinnaird retail park offers great shopping opportunities. Alongside all the top name brands such as Marks & Spencer, Topshop and H&M, a new £13 million extension has brought a seven-screen Odeon plus brand new eating opportunities such as Five Guys and Chiquito.

Ocean Terminal is a 15-minute drive from central Edinburgh in Leith. Designed by Sir Terence Conran, it’s a state-of-the art retail and leisure complex that champions independent art and design as well as major names. Debenhams, French Connection, Superdry, Pizza Express, Wagamama and a VUE cinema are particular highlights.

Edinburgh’s other out-of-town shopping centre is called The Gyle. More functional than inspirational, it’s good to know about in case you need to get anything from Boots, sort out your phone or go to a supermarket. It’s close to Edinburgh Airport, too.

Find some vintage threads or win extra friend points by taking them back a one-of-a-kind gift at one of Edinburgh’s coolest markets.

Stockbridge has a great mix of independent and vintage shops all year-round, but there’s an extra reason to visit on Sundays. Each week, tourists and locals alike congregate at Stockbridge Market, and it’s easy to see why. Wolf down some tasty street food as you browse stalls selling jewellery, bags, clothes and handmade soap.

It’s always an event when the award-winning Lou Lou’s Vintage Fair rolls into town. Held at the Assembly Rooms on George Street, you’ll find colourful stalls packed with all things retro, from cool clothing to kitsch collectables dating from the 1920s to the 1980s - it even has its own vintage beauty salon offering retro treatments.

The Edinburgh European Christmas Market will warm your cockles, no matter how cold and dark it gets between November and January. As romantic as it is festive, you’ll find over 100 stalls selling hand-crafted gifts and everything you need to deck the halls at home. And rest assured that there’s a Premier Inn near the Edinburgh European Christmas Market with comfy beds to sleep off all that mulled wine.

Looking for upscale fashion pieces? You’re in luck. From department stores to tiny boutiques, Edinburgh has more designer options than you can shake a Prada flip flop at.

Many of Edinburgh’s most luxurious labels have set up shop on Multrees Walk, St Andrew Square. Designer department store Harvey Nichols is at the heart of it all, offering chic shopping and spectacular views from its restaurant. Links of London and Swarovski appeal to jewellery magpies. Mulberry, Louis Vuitton and Michael Kors are the places to go for luxury accessories. Sandro, Tommy Hilfiger, Boss and Burberry take care of any high-end fashion needs. And you won’t wear out your Jimmy Choos getting back to your hotel, because there’s a Premier Inn near Multrees Walk with comfortable rooms for you to kick off your shoes.

George Street is lined with super stylish brands such as Whistles, Hobbs, Jaeger, Church’s, Phase Eight, Jigsaw and Cruise. Those interested in fashion history should stop by Crombie, the home of the Crombie coat.

Thanks to award-winning boutique Jane Davidson, designer shoes and accessories shop Pam Jenkins, denim specialist ALC, Thistle Street now has some of the best designer fashion credentials in the city. It’s here you’ll find 21st Century Kilts, a must-visit store (unless you’re a tartan purist) selling both off-the-peg and bespoke kilts in some contemporary fabrics.