The space is absolutely iconic so beautiful. The columns and the library. It feels so formal but…read morecan be more relaxed. We saw others in parkas, joggers and leggings. The flavors are complex and definitely geared towards foodies. I went all in what was described as a Portuguese cheese roll which tasted like Gorgonzola very heavy which is one of my least favorite cheeses so it was a matter of personal preference. The desserts loved the banana rice pudding. It was divine and my favorite item. The chocolate mousse w/a cherry filling was to die for. The desserts were my favorites. Service is prompt and it's leisurely go at your own pace. We did not feel rushed even being 1 of the last tables remaining.

Edinburgh has no shortage of places for afternoon tea. After some internet research, we landed on…read morethe Signet Library. If you want a very quiet and peaceful experience, this is for you! If the quality of the bites matter, this is for you! Stepping into the tea room is literally like stepping into a library. Voices are hushed and tables are spaced out widely to allow for a very intimate experience. The savory tray was filled with delectable treats that were all so well made. The sweets tray that followed was equally gorgeous and delicious! You can really tell that they take pride in creating delicate bites that are very well thought out! So tasty! At 69 pounds, the tasting is more expensive than you'll find in some of the restaurants, but the ambiance and experience is very elevated!

I have loved this library since forever, its collection of books old and new spans 2 or 3 floors…read morefloors. Its interior and exterior is both impressive. The library has many book groups as well as bookbug for children. There's a study space, music library and here you can also get hearing aid batteries and apply for a bus pass.

Excellent ease of access. Just walk in and ask your questions. Located the title and headed down…read moretwo levels to the Scottish collection. Online access to British newspapers online. Register and you can save your search results and review at home later on. Helpful, friendly staff.

I love Edinburgh. Where else do you have a library which has museum like exhibitis and across the…read morestreet from another library! We sought refuge here since it was raining but ended up having a wonderful time taking in everything.

Easy registration even if you haven't already started the process. Just up the entrance steps and…read morearound the corner. Then straight to drop off your outwear and pens. Then it's on to one of the reading rooms. BTW the cafe is quite reasonable after passing through the Royal Mile. And WiFi if you purchase something. At an aside, your academic network connection (eduroam) may work as well. Otherwise it is available upstairs upon application.

Situated in a historically interesting building in an old industrial centre of Edinburgh,…read moreFountainbridge, this library serves the local area well. I pretty much love all public libraries so I'm slightly bias to begin with, but Fountainbridge library really doesn't disappoint. I mean its a local library that offers book. All kinds of books for all ages. For free! What's there not to like? Of course its not huge, for a genuinely large collection you would need to venture (not far) to the central library, but it does its best. Fountainbridge Library also offers events such as storytelling sessions for children, book groups and free computing classes. It's also well serviced by bus routes and I believe the numbers 34 and 35 stop here.

Nice old fashioned library tucked away in Dundee Street in Edinburgh. Usual range of reading…read morematerial, papers and magazines. CDs too, and lots of audio books. Computers can be booked for word processing, internet and the like. Nice little children's area too. Regular storytimes and Bookstart Rhymetimes which are fun for parents with very young children.

In terms of resources and books available, the University Library gets 5 stars. The resources are…read moreworld class, with books about absolutely everything. There is also excellent access to scientific journals online, and a facility to borrow laptops if that's necessary. So in terms of available facilities, excellent! However, actually staying in the library to study is a different story. It's always packed, especially at busy exam periods, and there is insufficient alternative study space nearby. If indeed a computer is free, I've often found it to be out of order. Very annoying. If you need a book for your course, this is the place to go. However, in terms of actual study space, I would recommend looking elsewhere.

Recently refurbished the library is now even more useful for students. On the ground floor you'll…read morefind the cafe should you want to grab a coffee or a bite to eat and a help desk that will be able to help you with any specific needs and point you in the right direction. From walking in, head to the far right corner and you reach the group study pods with a large computer screen. For group work or group studying these are idea, though if working alone it is best to refrain from these pods; when you come to do group work you'll realised how annoying it can be to see people in there working alone. Upstairs the floors all hold a similar pattern - computer areas and desks to work at. Bar at exam time when the Hugh Robson Building across the square is quieter there are usually more than enough computers. The best places for working, however, are the desks. The walls of books on either side close in and form a study cocoon. By this I don't mean that it's claustrophobic, instead it greats an atmosphere of studying that helps keep you concentrated. Generally the library is a good place to study, but in exam time I'd recommend your subjects library instead. At peak times the library has the opposite effect of making you want to study and can be distracting. For the rest of the year it will help you concentrate on your work and limit your distractions.

As far as libraries go there's not a lot wrong with Morningside library. It has books, and lots of…read morethem. It also has telephone directories, audiobooks, internet access and newspapers. Everything really. It even has a massive separate room for children's books, which is great, because let's be fair, children are irritating at the best of times, never mind in a library. Add this to its opulent setting (the ceiling above the main desk is magnificent), with its original pillars and cornicing and you've got the makings of something great. Why only 3 stars then, you cry? I just felt the whole place felt drab, tired if you will. The carpet looks like an enormous piece of baize, and the tables and chairs are old. A little makeover (and it wouldn't take much) and this would be a truly resplendent place to get your literature fix.

Morningside is an area with an above average age. Add to this the fact that older generations tend…read moreto frequent libraries more than younger ones and you start to get a picture of what this library is like - the World War II section is one of the most comprehensive for starters. That said, if you do belong to the two extremes of the age groups or have a young child this is a good set up for you. There is a large print section, massive audio book section (generally tapes) and a good range of children's books including some for sale at 10p each. If you aren't of these age ranges this isn't particularly set up for you, although there are books of interest. It's rarely quiet here and if you want to come out for a quick visit you will be welcomed in, but beware of the predominant age groups if you are one of those people who feels easily out of place.

I'm kinda into literature, being a recent graduate of English Lit and all. That's one helluva…read morerevealing statement, isn't it? So yeah, I like going to readings. I know more poetry geeks than anyone should ever know in a lifetime too. The most star-struck I've ever been is when I met Yusef Komunyakaa. I mean, seriously, that beat being in the same cafe as Maggie Gyllenhaal, and I have one huge girl-crush on her. The SPL is a great resource for a huge range of books on poetry and of poetry. And it's hella easy to become a member. You don't even have to pay. One of the advantages of this place is that not many students actually know about it, so if you're writing a poetry-related paper, you can bagsy all the books first. And you can keep them for up to a month. They also have publications by independent publishing houses and they host delicious events. The Reader-in-Residence is Ryan Van Winkle who recently won the Crawshaw Poetry Prize and is going to be published by Salt Publishing. And Penny Hughes, who also works there, is the editor of Anon Magazine. On a street right off Canongate (an extension of the Royal Mile), it's kinda hard to just stumble upon, so make it a point to stop by and have a look. I don't know about you, but I've never heard of a poetry library anywhere, so it's definitely worth checking this one out.

This little place is fascinating - the poetry library is tucked away behind the Royal Mile but it…read moreis worth seeking out. There is a great receptionist who will guide you through their sections and give you information on what you are looking for. The sections are clearly set out and the staff go to a lot of trouble to make this place contemporary and relevant - decor is lovely and the actual building is funky with a large glass front.

The Scottish Library is in Edinburgh's Central Library and has a stock of all things Scottish -…read morebooks, maps, images, videos and newspapers. Special Collections can be viewed in the library, and the department also has a wide collection of items which are available to borrow. The staff will help with any requests or queries, and can be contacted in person, by phone or email or via the libraries website. Internet access is available in this department.

This library provide a friendly local library service. There's computer facilities and children's…read moreevents plus the atmosphere is nice and relaxed. It is quite small though so you may not always be able to find a specific book, but if you ask they'll do an inter-library loan for you and you can go back and pick it up.