If you’re thinking of treating a book lover this Christmas, why not support a local business?
Here in Edinburgh we are lucky to have a huge number of independent bookshops to browse – from radical shops to second hand and antiquarian specialists. It’s been a tough few years for small traders, so we’ve made a list of some of the best bookshops in the Capital.
You can also visit bookshop.org to support local businesses this festive season.

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The best Edinburgh bookshops to buy presents this Christmas (Google Streetview/Getty Images via Canva Pro) Photo: Google Maps

. Lighthouse Bookshop
Edinburgh’s radical bookshop, Lighthouse is a queer-owned and woman-led independent community shop in Nicolson Street. Nominated as Scotland’s best independent bookshop in 2020, this is the best place to get a gift for someone interested in Scottish politics, intersectional feminism, environmentalism, LGBT+ writing and more. Visit: lighthousebookshop.com Photo: Google

. Golden Hare Books
Described as a "charming independent bookshop with a wood-burning stove", Golden Hare can be found in St Stephen Street in Stockbridge. Here you can find passionate booksellers, a popular reading subscription service, and a free 48-hour ordering service. Visit goldenharebooks.com Photo: Google

1. Lighthouse Bookshop
Edinburgh’s radical bookshop, Lighthouse is a queer-owned and woman-led independent community shop in Nicolson Street. Nominated as Scotland’s best independent bookshop in 2020, this is the best place to get a gift for someone interested in Scottish politics, intersectional feminism, environmentalism, LGBT+ writing and more. Visit: lighthousebookshop.com Photo: Google

2. Golden Hare Books
Described as a "charming independent bookshop with a wood-burning stove", Golden Hare can be found in St Stephen Street in Stockbridge. Here you can find passionate booksellers, a popular reading subscription service, and a free 48-hour ordering service. Visit goldenharebooks.com Photo: Google

3. Argonaut Books
Argonaut Books is a community book shop in Leith Walk which has a diverse selection to choose from and also hosts book launches, discussion groups, board game sessions, spoken word nights and more. Photo: Argonaut Books Instagram

4. Rare Birds Bookshop
Rare Birds Books is a shop devoted to championing female authors. Found in Raeburn Place, Stockbridge, it is Scotland's only bookshop dedicated to women's writing and has a popular subscription book club which gives you the choice of two "secret" titles each month. Visit: rarebirdsbooks.com Photo: Rare Birds Bookshop FB