This shop really brings me back to my childhood, it's got a retro appearance, with bright toy box…read morecolours and the windows chock full of toys and games. They specialise in traditional toys here, you are unlikely to find really complex electronic gadgets, just good old fashioned fun. There are loads of board games, lego, child's dolls, for some reason Warhammer, and a few things I had never seen before. It is a bit of a shambles as well, but in a cute independent shop way, you can get lost in amongst piles of toys and games. The people there are great as well and you can see that they enjoy selling toys to little kids, and bigger kids as well. I did see a few adults having a cheeky peek around and it was amusing realising that they were enjoying it more than the kids. Since the closure of Woolworths there are few toy stores around any more, and even fewer independent toy shops. Toys Galore is there to bring fun to people and in that respect it succeeds. A great place for gifts, either for children or for those who still claim to be 'young at heart'

They're not kidding. This place is overflowing with toys of all kinds - board games, dolls, action…read morefigures, that Warhammer stuff that the weird kid in school used to paint. And, given it's an independent store, it really isn't that expensive. Monopoly and Cluedo were £15. Now, I'm 22. And as a child I never had that many toys. My parents bought me books to turn me into the verbose, intolerant specimen I am today (I'm really very nice, and so are my parents but that doesn't work for reviewing purposes). I used to get so jealous of my classmates, with their cool toys. I did have loads of Lego, mind. Given this deprivation as a child you'd think I'd go wild in a place like this. You'd think I'd be sliding down the isles on my knees, crashing around with glee. Or at least, you know, be a bit excitable. Not so. It was dark and eerily quiet. It all felt a bit serious. It was everything a toy shop shouldn't have been. Mr Magorium wouldn't be impressed.

What an awesome toys store! I visited specifically for the purpose of buying monopoly. It's allowed…read moreback in my house now (I've been told I tend to throw a tantrum when I'm not winning, I dispute this). So, after a quick search online, Smyths Toys was suggested. I was easily able to locate purchase online (so I knew it was in stock) and made the drive over. I didn't realise this is a huge toy store! There's a massive selection of board games, toys for all ages, scooters, musical instruments and of course, console games. So I found monopoly, and ended up buying not only the original but also world edition. And whilst exploring the isles I also found aqua dragons which I HAD to add to my list (they sound so much more badass than sea monkeys!) I didn't notice at the time but there is also a toys R us nearby in the event you can't find what you're looking for (which I highly doubt, but still). Service was ok, the service desks are a bit hard to navigate but staff are friendly enough. Plus there seems to be some kind of sale on now. So if you're in need of board games, now is probably the time to stock up.

Even during covid they've managed to get loads of costumers and are still powering through.read more

Hawkins Bazaar has recently opened in the Kingsgate centre and have to say already its one of my…read morefavourite shops it has a collection of odd and unique collection of toys gadgets and gifts. The go out of their way to source out of the ordinary products which appeal to all different age groups. The have products like space hoppers, flippin pets, wind up toys as well loads books, puzzles, science experiments, party bag loot games and a whole lot more think gadget shop but a whole lot better.

This store closed down years ago. Don't know why it's still got an active listing. Was good during…read morethe peak years then the unit switched to Primark and Toys R Us moved to a much smaller store before going out of business.

This was the first Toys 'R' Us ever in Scotland and if that's not something to brag about, I don't…read moreknow what is. Who doesn't love this place? It's awesome! A huge store filled to the brim with toys of all kinds. My mum and dad used to take me here when I was younger when were through in Edinburgh and I'd more often than not leave with a new toy in toe. Result! My favourite toy I ever got from here was a Cabbage Patch doll called Rosalee Molly, I took that doll everywhere with me even though she was probably the ugliest doll ever made. Nowadays whenever I think of Toys 'R' Us I think of the scene in Toy Story 2 where the gang are running around a toy store crusing around with the Barbies, hilarious!

The Smart Stork is definitely for the more sophisticated child!…read more I like to think I'm all grown up, but I couldn't resist heading in there as I'm a sucker for any pink and mini sized! This is probably the only toy store in Bruntsfield, and when one walks past the initial room, which is filled to the ceiling with toys and games galore, there's the most adorable children's clothes section in the back. The clothes are exactly what I picture children wearing; pastel colours, cute and innocent looking! I have no children, and had a little too much pride to buy myself any toys, so I have no idea of the price range, but I just have to stress how adorable this shop is.

The Smart Stork is yet another cute children's clothing boutique in the Bruntsfield area. If you're…read morelooking for gifts for newborns then this is the kind of place you could get gorgeous presents or christening items that they can keep until they're older and think back at their younger years. They stock all manner of toys, pictures, room decorations, teddies, christening mugs. Most of the toys you wouldn't give to a terrible tot to play with but keep them for decoration, perhaps on a shelf in their room. You could spend ages in here "oohing" and "awwing" at all the cuteness on offer and although it's not the cheapest store, the prices reflect the quality and I wouldn't begrudge paying the prices for the beautiful items for sale here.

As I walked into Hamilton's shop and you could be forgiven for thinking you have stepped back in…read moretime. I really don't think this place has changed in the 120 years that a shop has been on this site, you will understand if you go there. Also sold here is toys for the beach with the usual bucket and spade, tennis bats and foot ball's. Selection of juices also available.

This M&S is so convenient! The Princes Street M&S is too complicated (the escalators confuse me)…read more And the Fort Kinnaird M&S is huge but it isn't really that well stocked. This one however, at the Gyle is the biggest one in Edinburgh and is all on one level which is good because you can see where everything is and not have to consult the directory. There is a café at the back where I finally got to try a slice of the famous lemon drizzle cake and it was well worth the wait! One of the best lemon cakes I've eaten! There is a food hall at the front which is well lit and well stocked but it is quite small. Even the Fort Kinnaird food hall is bigger! There are also 2 sets of toilets. (One at each end) and the ones I went to (near returns and customer services) were in pristine condition. There are a lot of entrances too. There is one from the Gyle centre, one from the car park into the clothing and one from the car park into the food hall. If you know what you are there to get, I suggest using the Gyle entrance because it places you in the centre of everything and everything is well signposted. Anyway, one of my favourite M&Ses.

Working at Edinburgh Park, there are not too many options for lunching or shopping apart from at…read moreThe Gyle Shopping Centre. Marks and Spencer Foodhall is definitely my go to for super tasty, fresh and healthy salads or wraps for lunch. The quality is much better than any of the cafes at the Gyle and yet is cheaper, although only option is to takeaway of course. I would say that their main groceries are dearer than your average supermarket, so I don't do my main shop there, but do keep an eye out for any specials and often end up picking up a few items. On the way to and from the Foodhall, you may find yourself browsing the main department store for any needed/wanted clothing and homeware items also. This Marks and Spencer is the biggest in Edinburgh and really is a one stop shop.

This is one of those unusual and wonderful shops that are very rare these days. If you are looking…read morefor a traditional shop that only sells one kind of thing, like toys, or cards, and find it hard to deal with a wider range of items that seemingly defy neat classification into one category, then this is not for you. If however you are interested in all things beautiful, handcrafted and at the same time would like to support the care of adults with learning disabilities, then this is the place to go. The Mulberry Bush in Edinburgh is part of Garvald Edinburgh and has no links to the other Mulberry Bush online shop that's based in Sussex. The website for the Mulberry Bush Edinburgh is https://www.garvaldmakers.com/ where you can get a good overview of what you can purchase in the shop. The Garvald approach to social therapy "brings together all the factors that are important for any person in their daily life. A work-like environment provides meaning, structure and stability. The physical environment is even more important for people with learning disabilities. Our day facilities are calm and creative spaces and we encourage respect for the natural world around us. This nourishes the senses and and develops a feeling of community and respect that would be otherwise very difficult for our members to experience. Isolated people become integrated people. Garvald Edinburgh now supports people across four locations. We are also one of the founding organisations of get2gether Edinburgh, which arranges social activities for people with disabilities in safe and friendly places throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians."

I'm really not sure how to approach this review. It's probably best to make a list of some of the…read morewonders that The Mulberry Bush stock: Wool; paint; skincare products; toys; second hand books; new books; greetings cards; diaries; dolls. I could go on, but I won't. As you'll have gathered, I don't know how to approach it because I can't fathom what this shop is supposed to be. At first I thought it was card shop, given the racks of cards by the door. Then I noticed the paints and pencil crayons and thought it must've been an art supplies shop. But then I saw the toys and dolls. Oh I get it, it's a toy shop that sells and art supplies. Hang on, what about the books? A book shop that sells toys, greetings cards and art supplies? Surely not. I can't even place the skincare products in any of this. I'm so confused.