Edinburgh’s Best Vintage Shops: A Treasure Hunter’s Guide

Edinburgh’s Best Vintage Shops: A Treasure Hunter’s Guide

Is there anything better than spending a few lazy hours mooching in and out of vintage shops, never quite knowing what you might find, and leaving with a hidden gem? Edinburgh is such a brilliant spot when it comes to vintage: bohemian boutiques, nostalgic treasure troves, antique emporiums, second-hand bookshops and tiny, beautifully curated independents. From pre-loved fashion and vintage jewellery to furniture, old maps and dusty old books, there’s something wonderfully addictive about never knowing what might be waiting around the next corner. Here are some of our favourites, and we hope you’ll enjoy seeking them out too.

TORN Vintage, West Port 

A lovely, bright shop just off the Grassmarket, TORN is filled with beautifully displayed vintage clothing, jewellery and accessories. There’s a reassuring attention to detail here and anything that looks like leather, whether a bag, jacket or accessory is genuine leather, so there’s no second-guessing what you’re buying. The jewellery is deadstock: pristine, unsold vintage shop stock dating from the 1970s to the 1990s. Add in the sunglasses, bags, warm service and great shopping experience and you have an unmissable vintage find.

Armchair Books, West Port 

It would be almost impossible to leave this iconic Edinburgh institution off the list. Step inside and you enter an atmospheric world of floor-to-ceiling second-hand and antiquarian books. Armchair Books has long been famous for its cosy lighting, overburdened shelves and threadbare rugs. It has recently had a renovation, so you can make up your own mind as to whether it has lost a little of its old-world personality or not, although it remains a favourite and a must-visit for book lovers.

Edinburgh Books, West Port

Another West Port landmark, Edinburgh Books has been a favourite with book lovers for more than forty years. Formerly known as West Port Books, this wonderful shop has a large and wide-ranging collection of second-hand and antiquarian books. Just when you think you’ve scanned every shelf, you realise there are more rooms in the basement. One basement room is devoted to sheet music, while another room is dedicated completely to Scottish interest. It’s a glorious, book-filled treasure trove.

Armstrongs, Cockburn Street & Grassmarket

An Edinburgh institution and a world-famous vintage emporium, Armstrong’s was established in 1840 by William Armstrong, originally selling traditional men’s attire from a tiny store in the Cowgate. Today, its wonderfully eclectic collection spans decades, with rails overflowing with vintage dresses, knitwear, military uniforms, Harris Tweed, kilts, leather jackets, cowboy boots and vintage accessories: a real Aladdin’s cave of pre-loved clothing.

Also don’t miss:

Herman Brown, Godiva and Cabaret Antiques.

LEITH WALK

Pascal & Co, Albert Place, Leith Walk

Our last trip took us to the tiny and beautifully curated Pascal & Co, and to its equally lovely owner, Edinburgh artist and writer Asta Petkunaite. How had we never been in before? Behind its super-cute green façade- so cute, in fact, that we bought a hand-drawn print of the shop to put up in the kitchen- is the most charming and inviting little world of Pascal & Co. It’s clear that every piece has been lovingly hand-picked, and Asta personally cleans and steams all the clothes before they go on the rails. Beautifully curated, full of personality and totally charming. We loved it.

5th Season Vintage, Haddington Place

Another absolute favourite, and recently extended, 5th Season is undoubtedly the coolest of the bunch. The 1970s-inspired aesthetic is impeccable, with rails of leather and tweed jackets, trench coats, rows of cowboy boots and a brilliantly edited selection of vintage pieces. There’s a lovely, friendly atmosphere, too, and a genuinely warm welcome.

Also don’t miss:

Folly Antiques We couldn’t believe we hadn’t been in before. Behind its modest sign is a gorgeous collection of beautifully displayed furniture and homewares, including stunning dinner and tea sets. We could quite happily have bought half the shop.

WEST END

Don’t miss:

RetroEcosse on Morrison Street with a wonderful selection of furniture including mid-century modern pieces, Ercol and beautiful contemporary glass.

STOCKBRIDGE

Skout, Deanhaugh Street

Opened only last year but already one of the city’s most-loved indies, Skout sits behind its cheerful butter-yellow exterior and is packed with beautifully curated second-hand homewares, apparel and accessories. Look out for the charming collection of children’s books and vintage postcards, too. We don’t mind admitting that we have a soft-spot for Skout.

Mr Purves, St Stephen Street

Another wonderful long-standing favourite, with the friendliest welcome. Mr Purves is such a vibe with its ship in the window and stuffed full of vintage antiques which spill right out onto the pavement.

Elaine’s Vintage Clothing, St Stephen Street

A long-standing and much-loved shop with a distinctly bohemian feel, Elaine’s is filled with beautiful finds from a bygone era. And how gorgeous are those Art Nouveau-inspired shutters?

Also don’t miss:

Skinny Pig, St Stephen Street. And don’t overlook the charity shops around Stockbridge, either. One of our relatives once found the most beautiful silver Biba dress in a charity shop here for just £30 and it’s nothing short of stunning.

CAUSEWAYSIDE

Patrick Buckley Antiques

Recently reopened, Patrick Buckley Antiques has a great new shopfront and a wonderful selection of antique and hand-stripped furniture, vintage signage and other intriguing finds for your home.

Courtyard Antiques

A real treasure trove spread over two floors, Courtyard Antiques takes you on a journey from the Georgian era right through to the 1970s. There’s an eclectic mix of furniture, memorabilia and curiosities, and entering the shop feels rather like stepping into another world or onto a film set.

NEW TOWN

James Scott Antiques, Dundas Street

On our very own Dundas Street, James Scott Antiques has been an Edinburgh must visit antique shop for decades. It specialises in smaller antique pieces, including silver, brass handles and other decorative treasures. You’ll always get a friendly welcome and it’s cash only, so come prepared to make sure you don’t miss out.

Unicorn Antiques, Dundas Street

Tucked away in the basement of a former dairy, Unicorn Antiques is another Aladdin’s cave. Established in 1969, the shop occupies the former premises of the Edinburgh and Dumfriesshire Dairy Company. Inside you’ll find an eclectic mix of china, glass, ceramics, cutlery, brass fittings, chandeliers, light fittings, paintings and historic maps. Many of the pieces are sourced in Scotland.

6A Howe Street

One of our very favourites. Beautifully curated and wonderfully light and bright, 6A feels less like a shop and more like walking into a particularly stylish home. They specialise in vintage and antique furniture and homewares, including many beautiful pieces sourced from France. Everything is thoughtfully curated, making this a lovely place to browse.

Also don’t miss:

Quadrant Antiques where homewares, curios and other treasures spill out onto the pavement.

CANONMILLS

The Gently Mad Bookshop & Bookbinder, Summer Place

Owned by father-and-son team Rab and Baz Mullin, The Gently Mad feels like stepping into a wonderful little whimsical world of its own. There are floor-to-ceiling books, old leather volumes, birdcages, decorated ceilings, cosy lighting and vintage postcards. And it isn’t just a bookshop. The team also specialise in bookbinding and restoration, including fine leather bindings, restoration of leather volumes and gilt decoration, with clients including the film industry and HM Queen Elizabeth II so if you have a much-treasured book that deserves a new lease of life, this is the place to take it. It’s tiny, welcoming and bursting with hidden gems.

PLUS…

Keep an eye on Instagram for pop-ups around Edinburgh and further afield from Pam Picks, whose beautifully curated selection of vintage homewares is always worth seeking out. At her last pop-up in Edinburgh I couldn’t resist taking home with me a vintage Dundee Marmalade utensil pot.

And then there’s Jimmy’s Retro Furniture another name to add to your vintage radar. Jimmy stocks a brilliant range of Mid Century Modern Furniture at his warehouse based out in Wallyford.

And finally also look out for Funk Fairs events showcasing antiques, vintage and mid-century finds at various Edinburgh venues throughout the year.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our Edinburgh’s Best Vintage Shops: A Treasure Hunter’s Guide Blog as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together. And tell us, which vintage shops have we missed and need to go to next? We’d love to know in the comments! And if you’re planning a visit to Edinburgh, make sure to explore our other guides over on our Blog.