This is a really exclusive shop, and certainly for those who have the excess money to spend. The…read moreproducts are unique, well made and certainly exquisite, but unfortunately, the prices do reflect it. The exclusivity of the store means that the item you buy is likely to be unique to you, and certainly exclaimed at by friends and family.

Lovely shop, lots of great presents for yourself or someone else.read more

Hello! When did this wee gem spring up?…read more It's not really wee, and it looks new - I'm guessing it's only been on Cockburn Street under a month. Old Town Context is a refreshing, traditional store on Cockburn Street, steering away from the style of the tourist traps on the Royal Mile to offer alternative gift ideas. They have some old English, French and American advert poster art, cards, stationery, gifts, mugs with pin ups on them, clocks made out of recycled glass drinks bottles - a very eclectic and classy selection. Its inspiration is clearly from bygone era's, and I was very impressed with their postcard range. They also have some cracking cards and original prints with cats on them. These cats are wearing kilts and rugby shifrts, quoting Burns and other Scottish poets within the print. It's a very odd idea but entirely up my alley. Overall a very enjoyable shop for the family. It's difficult to walk out of here without buying anything.

I am glad that my 200th review is on this hidden gem... actually it isn't that hidden, but I have a…read morefeeling that lots of people just walk right on by. In a very different and almost vintage way, it is a souvenir shop. I say that because there were lots of prints, cards, coffee mugs of the city and various British 'things', but they are not the types of souvenirs that you would find in the every single store on the Royal Mile... yeah, you know what I mean. I loved the different prints of the city, my favourite was a very art deco-ish print highlighting the castle in a yellowy-orangish hue against a dark background. They had it as a large print, a card, and a coffee mug. I am now kicking myself that I did not buy it. If you love globes or tin signs, they have loads of them! If you are looking for a different kind of souvenir for someone... or just something for yourself, stop in here because they have some really wonderful items.

This building used to be the local post office that had to close down due to the locals not using…read moreit enough, thankfully there is something new there to replace it. It's such a shame for a small village to have hardly any facilities available to passing trade our group was glad to see this place, that has one side that is used as an antique shop and the other for a tea room. The cafe has not got a hot food licence so can only offer sandwiches and a bowl of soup if you are lucky, we where at least able to get a good cup of tea and something to eat to recharge our batteries. My friend had a sandwich with the only choice available being cheese and tomato, but there is a good selection of home baking on display. The lady that served us was nice and chatty, that made our visit a pleasant experience.

lovely wee tearoom and secondhand shop run by 2 friendly ladies…read more We stopped in to Simpatica on the way back from a walk - and what a delight! Not only did the owners stay open a little later for us they also allowed us to bring in our wee dog and we were then treated to an assortment of homemade soup, freshly baked cakes and teas and coffees all at a very reasonable price. The two ladies running the shop are just lovely - really friendly and chatty added to the whole experience and you are surrounded by beautiful, ornate vintage homeware and oddities. It's like a step back in time this little gem of a place where your tea is served in beautiful china tea cups and saucers in a homely enviroment. Definitely worth stopping in if you are passing through / in the area.

Gift shops are my Achilles' heel, and Edinburgh has a wonderful selection of them…read more Curiouser and Curiouser is full of lovely artwork and prints, gifts and other things you never knew you needed until you walked in here. They also offer a fantastic bespoke framing service. A few years ago I was looking for a very specific size and design of mirror. I asked for help on Twitter and Curiouser and Curiouser saw this and replied offering their services. I went into the shop, they made a framed mirror exactly as I wanted and of fantastic quality. If you are ever around Broughton Street area then I definitely recommend you popping in here. And maybe go to Treacle for some food after :)

Why am I only just discovering this little gem today?!…read more A stop off in Edinburgh is always great fun, and a wander along Broughton St is always great. Today the highlight of the wander was coming across this place. Filled with lots of cute and wonderful things - from books on how to knit zoo animals, greetings cards, ceramics and prints and artwork with price tags that won't break the bank. It appears to be a small family business and the staff are pretty relaxed and more than happy to chat; but the dog didn't seem all that interested in what was going on. I bought some prints for my living room, a book on print-making and a ceramic bowl for my coffee table. I could easily have purchased most of this shop. So if you're in search of a special card or gift, I can't recumbent this place any higher!

Those looking to unleash the interior designer within themselves can do no better than to come…read morehere. It's not particularly cheap, but if it's modern and slightly more unique items you are after then this is the place you are looking for. However, it should be noted that this place does not deal exclusively in lights and also offers other interior items generally including some sort of relationship to light in one form or another such as a number of items of furniture consisting of mirrors as their external surface. IF you do want something a bit more specific and have the money to spend then a visit here might be in order.

I was a little confused as I walked up to Cotterell Lighting store in the Newington area. I was…read morepresented with what appeared to be a beautiful old church but the "Sale now on" said something different. Then, I noticed the huge signs for "Cotterell Lighting" and I decided to pop in. I was still really confused and wondered if I was entering some kind of bizarre lighting cult. As soon as I entered I realised that it was indeed a shop, and it sold lighting, all kinds of lighting, in every design you could think of. There were two friendly staff members working who just told me to give them a shout if I needed any help so I decided to browse. I couldn't believe how many different lighting styles they had and if you're looking for a new lampshade or light then you will find exactly what you're looking for here. In addition to lighting they also do a small amount of furniture. I noticed a really cool mirror ball light, a lampshade on a stand that was designed to look like a fish bone and a huge mirror that I like instantly as it made me look better than I actually do. I have to admit, it was a little odd walking around an old church and it was pretty much intact apart from the missing pews. When I looked up I could see that the upper seating of the church was still there and if that area was still accessible you could have taken a seat and looked down at the now lighting shop. The creaking floor boards were still there as were the stained glass window and painted high ceiling. It seems a waste that such a beautiful church is now just a shop and even stranger that it hasn't been disguised as a shop. I'd recommend visiting under the guise that you need a new lightbulb, as it really is an experience.

One of the most beautiful stores you'll ever see. It is just…read morelike the Anthro.s in the States: colorful, original, and tempting! Unfortunately I thought it was to expensive there, so to come here where the prices are the same, just in pounds (as in, an 80 USD skirt is 80 GBP) it's crushingly expensive. I will save my pennies and scour sale racks. Still, I walk through Anthropologie just to feel inspired.

She and I, we have a strange friendship. She invites me into her home on occasion - she never comes…read moreto mine. Each time, I am quietened. For example, I will pick up a cushion, and she will casually mention its value. I'll quickly replace it, blushing. "Sorry," I say. "I'm just... it's really pretty." She smiles - laughs actually - not a tinkling, vanishing laugh, but a proper laugh full of sparkle and fun. "It's fine," she says, with a wink. But I've put the cushion back too straight. This is not a house of straightness. As she bends to re-skew it, back to the perfect angle, just so, I notice the way her dress falls. It's elegant. It's quirky. It's colourful. Oh, for a dress like that. The coffee table is laden with enormous books: Berlin. Photography. Seasonal Pies. Spaces... Spaces? They're beautiful, and they don't look like they've ever been opened. They are there to be on the table. The table, likewise, is there to bear their unread weight. A candle in a tin, too, wide, with three wicks, which have never been lit; a fresh, fruity aroma hovers around it all the same. I turn to comment on the beautiful smell but she's pulling on a patchwork apron over her beautiful dress. It messes up her hair a little bit, improves it somehow. "Let's make a cake!" she laughs - that laugh again - and pulls me out into the hall by my arm, starting to make for the kitchen. I wonder vaguely if she ought not to perhaps try making one of the Seasonal Pies instead. I nearly trip over a padded fabric doorstop on my way out, a paisley and polka-dot letter "A". Ah. Her name stops doors from closing. Of course. "I'm - I'm sorry," I stammer, un-straightening the A, checking it for a mark where I've kicked it. No. Thank goodness. "Actually, I - I have to be heading off again pretty soon." I seem in danger of knocking everything, and yet there's so much room here. Spaces. "But you never stay!" she cries, with a playful pout. "I've got these pecans to use up, you know..." "No, really, sorry, I know, ha. Um." I shrug. I'm trying now not to be standing on the rug. Has anyone ever stood on this rug? She probably stands slightly above it. "Oh, spoilsport," she grins. "Ok, off you go then. See you next time, Cressida!" "Thanks. Bye. Thanks. Bye, Anthropologie." She waves to me from the door, an embroidered oven glove on her hand, as I walk out into the street, holding nothing in mine. Already I regret leaving - already I want to go back in - already I will visit her again. I turn to wave back, but the door has closed.

Bought a table and chairs last saturday, was delivered on wednesday morning as they promised. Realy…read moregood and friendly service, even put the table in to place for us! :-) Would def buy more from this shop... highly recomended to have a nosy around...good quality stuff ! Grtz from Forfar, Mike & Lin.

Every where you turn and look in this shop you see something else that you want to buy.Lots of…read moredifferent gifts that you don't see in other shops. Myself, wife , kids love this shop, and could spend hours looking at the items for sale.The furniture is very good too, solid and looks great.The owner is very friendly and likeable, leaves you to look around without any hassle.

An Amazing shop, stocked with all your DIY and home furnishings and a good Trade selection to boot!…read moreReasonable prices and knowledgeable, friendly staff.

It's downstairs you go into the rabbit hole…read more And this isn't just being cute. It is a place to find weird but awesome pieces and gifts. Like a pillow that has a photo of a cat, in the shape of a cat, so that it really seems like a cat is sitting there when you first look at it. Or a small white desk lamp made from a cast dog's head. Or animal teeth jewelry-probably casts as well, but I didn't want to know. They have redone some furniture into unique and totally enviable center pieces. Lounge chairs, side tables, bookcases, coffee tables...probably more and I'm forgetting. Some looks like decoupage, but they find really creative ways to do it. Oh! My favorite was a set of small mirrors that were all scratched up and had been written on in erasable marker "you look great." Seriously, you don't need to look in the mirror, you're beautiful. The art is bizarre, sometimes cartoony though strangely fitting, but you know that when you leave this shop you will remember back and think wtf? It's good. I like when people who visit me see something and have to stop and wonder 1. where I got it 2. why I got it 3.what it tells them about me if I am just strange or just like to mess with people. I change my mind on this one a lot. When it's just me at home, I am the strange one with questionable art. When people are around I am messing with them. See-two for the price of one :)

From the owner: Shop featuring artwork, jewellery, cards, gifts, paintings, household items and furniture…read more Everything is made or upcycled by local artists, mainly by Dodo, who you will usually find working in the shop making the items. She will also do commissions if you have an old piece of furniture you would like brought back to life.

This review is for two shops : Spektakular and Lilla. They are sister shops that sell a range of…read moreScandinavian products, the former geared more for adults and the latter for children. I stopped in here today because they had Moomins in the window. The fact that they sell Moomin mugs would be enough for 5 stars in my mind, but that is not the only endearing quality. They sell a great selection of products and the staff are kind and friendly. Emma was very nice and helpful to me today, and patient while I squeaked with joy over the merchandise. They have a great selection of holiday ornaments and gifts. You should definitely visit them for any gifts you may need this upcoming season!

Little independant shops are so much nicer than big chain stores and this place is no exception as…read moreit brightens up the street. I often go in when im buying gifts for people but of course I always come out with something for myself too :) The best thing about this shop is that the goods are very affordable but the quality is not compromised..a combination that is hard to find!I'm slowly building up a Spektakular collection and when I move flat in a couple of months i'll be making space especially (and i'll have to arrange a party so I can buy the gorgeous martini glasses I have my eye on too). definitely worth a look, particularly if you are looking for gifts.