A Literature Student’s Guide to Edinburgh’s Best Bookshops

Bea Foz Asuncion
Apr 5
4 min read

Images of books with title saying "Literature students guide to the best bookshops in Edi"

Given Edinburgh’s rich literary history, it is no surprise that the city currently calls itself home to a variety of bookshops, offering Edinburgh residents and tourists an unparalleled selection of books from any genre or interest, whether niche or popular. As a Literature student and avid reader myself, Edinburgh’s literary scene has never failed to inspire new interests, pique an endless series of curiosities, and provide the often ill-advised self an apothecary of literary wisdoms.

After first arriving in Edinburgh to begin my degree programme, the city’s numerous independent booksellers stood out to me, offering curations of classic literature, contemporary novels, and beyond, with many specializing in specific genres. Here is every literature student's guide to Edinburgh's best bookshops.

1. Toppings & Company

Toppings & Company is a two-storey independent bookshop located near Leith Walk, with branches in St Andrews, Ely, Bath, and a York location opening in Fall 2025. The bookshop is divided into a series of interconnected rooms, each one belonging to a specific genre. Toppings’ ambience is truly unmatched. Picture: bookshelves reaching for the ceiling, labeled in gold lettering by genre, lined with moving ladders; tea while sat by large bay windows overlooking Edinburgh’s streets; exploring what feels like an infinite number of rooms, each with something different to offer. Toppings is a book lover’s dream home made real.

2. McNaughtan’s Bookshop and Gallery

McNaughtan’s Bookshop is the oldest antiquarian bookshops in Scotland, buying and selling old and rare books. The bookshop offers customers hundreds of books dating back centuries in genres ranging from art and architecture to law, literature, and languages. Located down a short staircase on Haddington Place, the bookshop, though small and quaint, feels enchanted, as if one is stepping back in time. McNaughtan’s is a top recommendation for anyone interested in collecting rare and archive-worthy works. Additionally, McNaughtan’s booksellers can be frequently found in rare book fairs around the United Kingdom.

3. Typewronger

Typewronger Books is a small independent bookshop located right by McNaughtan’s Bookshop, also on Haddington Place. The bookshop specializes in new books, zines, and independent publications. Typewronger is also home to a risograph studio and offers Edinburgh-based writers a chance to partake in a writer’s residency where successful applicants will be issued access to a studio space dedicated to writing and creative endeavours. At Typewrong, readers may also purchase a “Bookland” passport, where they can record the independent bookshops they visit through stamps, making for a fun way to support independent shopping.

4. Lighthouse Books

Lighthouse is an independent bookshop promoting political writings and radical ideas. Located near George Square, Lighthouse makes for a fun and enlightening stop in between lectures. Specializing in activist literature, Lighthouse offers books on a variety of topics from feminism to climate change and capitalism. On top of that, readers can also find a range of children’s books, queer novels, poetry, history, and so much more. Moreover, true to form, Lighthouse maintains a “pay it forward” board where customers can write vouchers to provide discounts on Lighthouse products to those in need.

5. Blackwell’s Booksellers

While not an independent bookshop like most of this list, Blackwell’s is a constant student favourite. Located near Old College, Blackwell’s spans two floors on South Bridge. Their upper floor appears to never end, seemingly an infinity room of books. At the beginning of each semester, Blackwell’s organizes the Literature programme’s required readings by specific module while also providing students with a generous discount, making Blackwell’s the perfect spot to pick up personal copies of course readings. Artists and art lovers will also find fascination in an entire room of art and crafts supplies, from paint to cross-stitching materials, located on Blackwell’s ground floor.

6. Till’s Bookshop

Till’s Bookshop occupies a quiet corner space between George Square and the Meadows. With large windows, comfortable seating and a fireplace, Till’s is a wondrous second-hand bookshop with a selection of rare and old books as well as a range of notebooks and candles for readers to peruse with care. Till’s also has another larger location in Portobello, which includes a cafe, not far from Portobello beach, perfect for a beach day out.

7. Armchair Books

A lot of books with stairs going down in the middle

Tiny yet extremely popular, Armchair Books is a second-hand bookshop situated not far from the ever-bustling Grassmarket. Inside the shop, bookshelves run from floor to ceiling and even forming doorways readers can walk through while glancing above in search of any compelling titles. Armchair Books transports its customers to another world, where books defy gravity.

8. The Gently Mad

The Gently Mad is an antiquarian bookshop and bookbinder, run by a father and son duo, nestled just some steps away from the Botanical Garden in Stockbridge. Walking through the front door, customers are immediately greeted by a staircase with a large bookbinding sign hanging over it. Looking up from the staircase reveals a loft occupied by hundreds more books and a busy bookseller. Around the whimsical shop, readers will find rare and special editions, prints and vintage postcards, and a selection of books across various genres including Scottish interest, Children’s illustrated literature, natural history, classics and so much more.