World Travel Guide

Home -  City Guide  - Edinburgh  - Shopping
Shopping

Edinburgh has it all with regard to shopping: department stores, friendly little boutiques, the traditional, the new, the expected and the unexpected. Princes Street is the location for Scotland's most famous shop, Jenners (the oldest independent department store in the world), which has a fabulous food hall. The Royal Mile, on the other hand, is scattered with off-beat stores and souvenir sellers. Nearby Grassmarket (a trading place since 1477) and Victoria Street are packed with arts and crafts shops, bookshops and specialist food stores. Some of the city's smartest designer stores, such as Escada, are along George Street in the New Town. The main modern shopping centres are Cameron Toll Centre, 6 Lady Road, and the Waverley Shopping Centre on Princes Street.

In general, shops are open 0900-1730, with late-night shopping on Thursday until 1930 or 2000. Sunday opening is increasingly popular, particularly among the larger stores.

Visitors to Edinburgh who want to take home a little piece of Scotland may be tempted by tartan fabrics, Celtic-inspired jewellery, shortbread and, of course, whisky. All these items are available from numerous boutiques and specialist shops in the city. Many shops (especially those frequented by tourists) are part of the tax-free scheme. Visitors must keep their receipts and fill out a claim form to have the VAT refunded.



Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
GENERAL
City Overview
City Statistics
Cost of Living
History
Language
Accommodation
 
GETTING THERE
Air
Road
Rail
 
GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
BUSINESS
Business
 
SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
Key Attractions
Further Distractions
Tours of the City
Excursions
 
ENTERTAINMENT
Nightlife
Sport
Shopping
Culture
Special Events
Food and Drink