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Edinburgh is one of the largest cities in the country of U.K..

Shopping in Edinburgh

Edinburgh defined by AbbreviationFinder is a great place for shopping and has a good selection of shopping centers and department stores. Here you will find all the major chains that you will find in all other major cities in the UK, with pretty much the same range and prices.

Edinburgh has several smaller specialty shops selling the distinctive Scottish. Most tourists buy some garments in shotgun designs. These patterns are called tartans, and are found in over 2000 variants, which are linked to different clans. An expert can see where in Scotland the garment belongs. The whole thing can be compared to our costumes, just a lot more complex.

Kilt and bagpipes in Edinburgh

The classic is of course a real kilt, but it will cost you many thousands of dollars to sew your own kilt in the traditional way. Fortunately, they are available in considerably less expensive editions, without people at home ever wanting to make a difference. The King of Kiltmaker is Geoffrey (Tailor) Highland Crafts, which also sells everything else you associate with Scotland.

The bagpipe is next to the kiln the most archetypal Scottish imaginable, although the Irish also use bagpipes, and the ancient Romans had their variation of the instrument. But again, a real and good bagpipe will cost tens of thousands of dollars, and since you’re unlikely to spend it much, you might as well go for a cheaper copy that looks just as good when hanging on the wall. But if you are serious, then visit Bagpipes Galore in 82 Canongate on the Royal Mile.

Scottish whiskey is also a sovereign classic, though it rarely lasts as long as the kilts. It is teeming with whiskey shops with a solid selection and sellers with high knowledge of the brands. For example, try Royal Mile Whiskeys at 379 High Street, Robert Graham Ltd at 194a Rose Street or Edinburgh Gift & Whiskey Shop at 515 Lawnmarket.

If you are content with more traditional shopping, you should visit the world’s oldest independent department store. Jenners is an institution in Edinburgh. The department store opened its doors in 1838 on Princes Street, where it is still located. Jenners was run as a family business until 2005, when the chain House of Fraser bought it up.

Main shopping streets in Edinburgh

The main shopping street is probably Princes Street with all its chain stores, department stores and shopping malls. Also try cross streets and parallel street George Street.

The street stump Mulltrees Walk is a find for those who have extra spending money and want to use these in fashion. This stump goes from St Andrew Street (just off major St Andrew Square) to Elder Street.

In general about shopping in Edinburgh

The stores are usually open from 0900 to 1700 or 1800 on Monday to Saturday, often with a long day on Thursdays.

And don’t forget that for larger purchases you can get a refund of the VAT at the airport upon departure. Not all stores have this scheme, so feel free to ask first, or look for the Tax Free Shopping sign at the entrance.

Eating in Edinburgh

Like its neighbors Ireland and England, Scotland has not left its mark on international haute cuisine. Scottish national law haggis probably falls under the category of “especially interested”. Haggis consist of liver, lung and heart from sheep. The intestines are ground and seasoned with kidney fat, flour, onions and cooked in the sheep’s stomach.

The other local, and more common specialties, are most often seafood, lamb and bird. The dishes are often served with fresh vegetables, including potatoes and carrots.

There are plenty of restaurants serving traditional Scottish food, but if this is not tempting then finding Chinese, Italian, Indian, Thai, Mexican or French eateries in most price categories is no problem. All along the Royal Mile and the side streets are teeming with restaurants, but most Scots would advise you to steer clear of the local eateries here, as they are mainly aimed at tourists who do not know better.

If you want to try one of the city’s most renowned restaurants, starred in the Michelin Guide, you need to get out of the city center. Martin Wishart Restaurant is located by the harbor in the Leith district, serving lunch from 1200 to 1400 and dinner from 1900 to 2200 Tuesday through Saturday.

Drink in Edinburgh

Like Irish and English, the Scots have been thoroughly respectful when it comes to alcoholic beverages. Scotch whiskey is considered the best in the world, and whiskey is referred to only as Scotch in the United States. The production of whiskey is a science of its own, and a tour of one of the region’s whiskey distilleries is almost mandatory for a tourist with respect for himself. For your convenience, visit the Scotch Whiskey Heritage Center on Castle Hill.

Edinburgh has an almost legendary nightlife, thanks to many tourists, stag parties on tour, and not least the over 23,000 students at the city’s university, one of the largest in the UK. Especially the area around Cowgate is popular with students. Most pubs in Edinburgh close later than the rest of the UK, and the first one opens again at 0500. It’s called The Black Penny and is located at Waverley Station.