Edinburgh, the first UNESCO City of Literature in the world, is like an open book of culture and art. Here, J.K Rowling wrote most of Harry Potter and declared that several times, saying, “…Edinburgh is very much home for me and is the place where Harry evolved over seven books and many, many hours of writing in its cafés.” Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson enrich the city with their stories from the less travelled alleys to the Royal Mile area.
A Wide Literary Variety
In Edinburgh, you find everything from stories of the past to contemporary literature. All are spread from the Old Town’s cobbled streets to the New Town’s neoclassical elegance. If you are driving through this charming capital, you will find yourself making a lot of stops to check out pieces of history, art, and literature. Edinburgh is the home of Scottish literature and a place both readers and writers love to visit often.
The literary foundation of the UNESCO City of Literature was created through the works of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson, as well as other monumental writers. Stevenson’s “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” and “Kidnapped” bring out the hidden side of Edinburgh, while Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley novels highlight the profoundness of Scottish identity. The spirit of Scottish culture is pridefully surprised by Robert Burns’s poems.
Starting with the train station named after a famous book, Waverly, by Sir Walter Scott, and ending with charming literature festivals, this city is every reader’s heaven!
The Writer’s Museum
As a book lover, you must attend the Writer’s Museum in Edinburgh. This museum is free to visit, and you can find it in Makars’ Court.
Here you will find mainly the works of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. You can find first editions of their books as well as manuscripts and even the rocking chair Sir Walter Scott had in his childhood.
At the end of your visit, you can stop at the museum gift shop to purchase souvenirs and books. The address is Lady Stair’s Close, Lawnmarket, Lady Stair’s Cl, Edinburgh EH1 2PA, and it is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
National Library of Scotland
No book lover would miss a visit to the National Library of Scotland, which is the most extensive library in the country. Besides a wide variety of books, you will find exhibitions here about different historical and cultural themes.
Reader cards are free, and they give you access to reading rooms where you can read and study. The library is located on George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW, and it is open 9:30 am-7:30 pm Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; 10 am-5:pm Wednesday; 9:30 am-5 pm Friday and Saturday.
Scott’s Monument
The Scott’s Monument is a Victorian Gothic construction dedicated to Sir Walter Scott. It is the second-largest monument of a writer in the world. The story of its construction is quite interesting.
It turns out there was a competition to decide who would build the monument after the writer died in 1832. The autodidact architect George Meikle Kemp won the contest and built the monument by 1844.
Golden Hare Books
Every reader is looking for the perfect bookshop, and the Golden Hare Books might just be it. Despite it being a relatively small shop, the books you can find here are true treasures.
You will not find mass-printed books but rather rarities, and it will be difficult not to pick each one of them.
The shot was awarded the Independent Bookshop of the Year in 2019 as the best among UK and Ireland bookshops. You can find it at 68 St Stephen Street, EH3 5AQ, and it is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
The Elephant House
If you are a fan of Harry Potter, you can’t miss the Elephant House. This is the cafe where J.K Rowling wrote a lot of pages in the book that was about to become world-famous.
Each table is taken by 9:30 am each day, so you want to get here early if you wish to enjoy a coffee. The restroom is covered in Harry Potter symbols and quotes. The cafe’s name becomes apparent when you see the hundreds of elephant models inside.
Find this iconic coffee shop on 21 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EN. It is open daily from 8 am to 10 pm, except on weekends when it opens at 9 am.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The art of live storytelling has a home at the Scottish Storytelling Center. It is the first centre in the world built precisely for live storytelling.
Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of cultural events, from musicals to theatre, storytelling events, and exhibitions. Also, here you’ll find the John Knox House, the oldest mediaeval building in Scotland from 1470.
The Scottish Storytelling Center can be found at 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR. It is open from 10 am to 6 pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
Armchair Books
Armchair Books is the best place to get pre-loved books in Edinburgh. The store is covered in books on every wall, and prices are very reasonable.
Besides selling old books, the store itself looks vintage, with a charm that will captivate every visitor. It has the best classics and rare books you might not even have heard of.
Armchair Books is on 72-74 West Port, EH1 2LE, and is open from 10 am to 6:30 pm every day.
Explore Edinburgh’s streets and heritage with Scotland Minibus Hire.
Scotland Minibus Hire helps you discover the city with its minibuses in Edinburgh without worry. You can book one of their Edinburgh-tailored journeys and travel with a 9-seater, 12-seater, 14-seater, 16-seater, or 24-seater minibus. SMH offers stress-free transportation services with comfortable conditions and experienced drivers. You can focus only on your journey and let the SMH driver take care of how you get to your destination as you admire the beauties of Edinburgh.
Literary Landmarks and Tours
Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour
The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour is hosted by actors who make the adventure that much more enjoyable. The tour was launched in 1996, and it was a success from the beginning.
It is a literary experience that covers both the Old Town and the New Town. Enjoy life experiences, literary discussions, and extraordinary beverages with tickets starting at £14.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
While there are many cultural events and festivals in Edinburgh throughout the year, the Edinburgh International Book Festival is by far the most famous among book lovers.
The festival takes place in the last three weeks of August each year at the Charlotte Square Gardens. Besides hundreds of author events, there are activities for both adults and children that visitors can enjoy.
Final thoughts
The best way to make the most out of your literary tour is not to drive yourself but to get a bus. You don’t want to focus on directions and traffic signs and miss the beautiful gems hidden in this capital. Every street comes with a fascinating story, and many characters were born in this part of Scotland. Make the most out of your trip!
