Shopping that suits everyone! The second most visited tourist destination in the United Kingdom, Edinburgh offers a shopping experience like no other. It’s a place with a variety of shops and malls and whatever you’re looking for, the city has something to suit. Edinburgh’s shops are not only best known for traditional Scottish souvenirs, but also for an increasing number of designer stores and funky boutiques providing a wide range of opportunities. You’ll be spoilt for choice.
The medieval buildings which elegantly dominate the city are already astonishing eye catchers. What is also recognizable about Edinburgh are its inhabitants wearing stylish clothes with screaming colours. Let’s have a look which shopping areas are the most worth seeing and which stores bear a hand to fill Scottish wardrobe:
The main shopping quarter is Princes Street. It’s a shopper’s paradise with a difference. It combines shopping and sightseeing at the same time. On the north side you’ll find the most favourite department stores, such as Zara, Gap, H&M, Topshop, Jenners and many others, opposite you’ll see the spectacular Edinburgh Castle. A block away from Princes Street you’ll find George Street. Flooded with boutiques, bars and restaurants, it’s the city’s most stylish street. St James Shopping Centre is the place extending the fabulous range of stores on Princes Street. It is home to stores like Next, Republic, River Island and John Lewis.
The best place for Scottish souvenirs is the Grassmarket. Popular for its deep historical background, it offers a large variety of interesting things to see and do. Also worth visiting is the Royal Mile, where you can’t avoid shop windows decorated with scary-looking dolls wearing traditional tartan and kilt outfits. Here you’ll find finest cashmere and first-class tartan as well.
Amongst all this tourist kitsch, the beautiful St. Andrews Square offers much for all those who are looking out for chic clothes, designer stores and exclusive boutiques. Like the multi-coloured tartan patterns found in the boutiques and High Street stores, Edinburgh mixes different kinds of shopping: From tourist kilts to high class design.
Text by Desi Ilker
Edinburgh March 2010
Shops you shouldn´t miss!
Ready for an unforgettable sugar rush? Just visit the I ilovecandystore. Who can resist delicious cupcakes in glowing pink or tasty colourful bonbons? You can´t?! Then you are exactly right at the ilovecandystore shop near Princes Street. While visiting the cute store in 38 Hanover Street you will immediately feel like being in the land of plenty with rivers of creamy chocolate, trees made out of delicious fudge and waterfalls made out of slushee…
The distinguished range of sweets is credited to the shop owner who tries her best to find sweets which are special and hard to get. Thus the store is crammed full of as many different eye-popping kinds of goodies. For example traditional Scottish treats like lemon macaroons and vanilla fudge, retro sweets such as flying saucers as well as yummy chocolate and delectable handmade cupcakes. All can be accompanied by a nice pot of tea or coffee.
But the special thing about the shop is not only the wide range of sweety sweets but also its cosy atmosphere. Light pink wallpaper, affectionately selected souvenirs accompanied by retro music of the glorious 50´s create a nostalgic candy paradise at its best. That´s why you not only see sparkling eyes of children in the shop but also people of all ages pouring in to rediscover lost goodies from their younger days. This shop is definitely a childhood dream come true, so dive into a wonderful world of candy and memories by visting the ilovecandystore store.
Text by Stephanie Haupt
Edinburgh March 2010
UND WAS NUN?