Edinburgh has its fair share of tourist tat, but venture to George Street for an
altogether smarter shopping experience. Haggis, whisky and kilts are perennially
popular purchases that often find their way into visitors’ suitcases.
Shopping Streets
George Street features a number of expensive fashion and jewellery shops. At
its east end, on St Andrew Square, lie the two biggest department stores in
the city, Harvey Nichols and Jenners. On the Royal Mile you can
find most Scottish gifts and some kilt makers.
Edinburgh has a thriving Farmer’s Market, which takes place each Saturday at
9am-2pm on Castle Terrace. Scotland has a multitude of excellent fresh produce and
the beef, game and raspberries (in season) are particularly fine. In Princes Street
Gardens each winter, at the foot of the Scott Monument, there is a German
Christmas Market, which sells traditional mulled wine and wooden crafts.
There’s no need to take on Princes Street on a Saturday, as all the shops there can
be found in the St James Centre at its east end as well. Standard shopping hours are
Monday to Saturday 9.30am-6.30pm (late-night opening Thursday but varies from shop
to shop) and Sunday 11am-5pm.
