What souvenirs to buy in Edinburgh Scotland and where to buy them | From Scotch whisky to Harry potter

Gem
Jan 5
4 min read

Updated: Jan 19

Best of all: All of the places I recommend are very close to each other and includes a free map!

Edinburgh, Scotland has many characteristic parts which can translate into perfect souvenirs for yourself or a loved one. As a self-proclaimed professional souvenir hunter, I probably walked into about 30 souvenir shops before I found right places and the right items to buy my keepsakes. I also went on the hunt for the best postcards, which are included in this short post as well.

This post also includes a Google Maps link with all the locations pinned!

In a hurry? Pin this post for later!

What souvenirs to buy and where, Edinburgh Scotland

Table of Contents

1. What to buy

2. Where to buy them

3. The locations map link

1. What to buy

First of all, below is a list of what souvenirs to buy in Edinburgh, just to give you some ideas.

Highland cows

My first thought when I went to Scotland was that I wanted to get something with a Highland cow, because that is what the country is known for (and because they are cute). And I did buy one, which you will see further on in this post.

Scotch Whisky

Something Scottish people are really proud of is their Scotch whisky. They have certain rules and regulations concerning the making of their scotch embedded due to its long heritage, making it Scotland's national drink.

Anything with a tartan print

When you think of Scotland, you probably think of kilts and bagpipes, but this might not be the best souvenir to take home. Luckily, you can get the tartan print, which is usually on the kilts, on many different (smaller) souvenirs as well. For example, on bags, scarves and blankets.

Something made of cashmere or tweed

Besides the tartan print fabrics, Scotland is also known for producing high-quality tweed and cashmere. Tweed is a durable, woollen fabric that is warm and therefore makes for great sweaters, blankets and outdoor wear. You can even buy tweed with the tartan print for the ultimate Scottish combination. Scotland produces the finest cashmere in the world, and therefore used to produce most of the cashmere in the world. In certain shops you can buy genuine Scottish cashmere sweaters, scarves and accessories.

Something Harry Potter related

This one is for the Harry Potter fans. Since Edinburgh was part of the inspiration for the Harry Potter series, and J.K. Rowling wrote most parts of the books here, you will be able to find many Harry Potter-related souvenirs.

In the next part of this post I will tell you about the perfect store to find these.

2. Where to buy them

Postcards

First of all, I always look out for postcards. Of course, you can find these in any store, but I am very particular about postcards, especially what I want them to look like. If you would like to know my requirements, check out the Postcards page!

In Edinburgh I bought a postcard at Olde Edinburgh. They had many options with my preferences and the cards weren't expensive either. Although the prices of postcards do not differ much in Edinburgh, so do not worry about this too much.

Highland cows

Olde Edinburgh actually has many objects with Highland cows on them as well. But I bought a plushy at a different store: Crest of Edinburgh. This store has reasonable prices and basically everything you are looking for. The people working in the store are also very nice and helpful, just check the reviews! Below is the highland cow plushy that I bought. Isn't he cute?

Highland cow plushies at Olde Edinburgh

Scotch whisky

I can't recommend a better place to get a small bottle of Scotch whisky than at The Scotch Whisky Experience. When you join any of their tours, you can taste a small glass of whisky for free and you even get a whisky glass to keep. In the museum shop, you can buy a small bottle of your liking if you want to. The whisky is guaranteed to be authentic and some of the best in Edinburgh at the museum, so you can't go wrong with this souvenir!

Th shortest tour through the museum, including the tasting and tasting glass costs £25,00 (€28,82 or $33,71).

The impressive collection at The Scotch Whisky Experience

Tartan print, cashmere and tweed

For the best products with a tartan print and things made of cashmere and tweed, don't look any further than Tartan weaving mill and exhibition. This shop has anything from socks and scars up untill sweaters, ponchos and blankets. They even have Edinburgh merchandise, which is, in my opinion, the least cheesy merchandise I could find. Check out their website to see some of the products thta they sell.

Harry Potter

Museum Context is the place to go for official Harry Potter merchandise without spending an hour in a store. With three small floors, Museum Context has many Harry potter products in many shapes and sizes. The store is nicely decorated for taking pictures and even has a photo spot at the top floor. There are two stores under this name, but the one I am talking about is in Diagon Alley, as shown on the map at the bottom of this post. I also bought a tote bag here with a beautiful drawing on it. It is of great quality and the print has not come of yet at all after a year of use.