Your Guide to Edinburgh's Best Record Stores and Vinyl Culture
Edinburgh's vinyl scene thrives in the shadow of its world-famous festivals and rich musical heritage. From the historic shops lining Cockburn Street in the Old Town to the independent stores scattered across Leith and Stockbridge, Scotland's capital offers serious diggers a compact yet rewarding hunting ground. The city's literary and artistic legacy has fostered a passionate community of collectors, with stores specializing in everything from Scottish folk and trad to post-punk and electronic music. Whether you're browsing after visiting the castle or exploring the creative quarters beyond the Royal Mile, Edinburgh's record stores reflect the city's unique blend of tradition and contemporary culture.
All Record Stores in Edinburgh
Greenhouse Records
10 Barclay Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 4HP, UK
Almond River Records
253 St John's Rd, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 7XD, UK
Umbrella Vinyl
20 Valleyfield St, Edinburgh EH3 9LR, UK
Terminal V Records
99 Giles St, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6BZ, UK
Assai Records Edinburgh
1 Grindlay St, Edinburgh EH3 9AT, UK
Thorne Records
125 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4EQ, UK
Slow Progress Records & Coffee
53 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh EH1 1NB, UK
Good Vibes Neighbourhood Store & Studios
151, 153 Constitution St, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 7AD, UK
Retrospect Edinburgh
58 Clerk St, Edinburgh EH8 9JB, UK
Lounge 33
373 -375 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 8SE, UK
SOUND by James-Morrow
1 Home St, Edinburgh EH3 9JR, UK
FOPP
42 Shandwick Pl, Edinburgh EH2 4RT, UK
Underground Solution
9 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BP, UK
hmv
84a Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 2ER, UK
Vinyl Villains
5 Elm Row, Edinburgh EH7 4AA, UK
Elvis Shakespeare
347 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 8SD, UK
VoxBox Music
21 St Stephen St, Edinburgh EH3 5AN, UK
Backbeat Records
31 E Crosscauseway, Edinburgh EH8 9HE, UK
Backtracks Music Film & Games
17 Brougham St, Edinburgh EH3 9JS, UK
The Vinyl Scene in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's musical identity has been shaped by centuries of folk tradition, the explosion of post-punk in the late 1970s, and its position as a festival city that attracts global talent every August. Labels like Fast Product and Postcard Records helped define Scotland's independent music scene, while venues like The Venue and Sneaky Pete's have nurtured generations of local talent. The city's compact size means record stores often serve as community hubs where musicians, DJs, and collectors converge to discuss new releases and unearth rarities. Edinburgh's academic population and year-round cultural calendar sustain a healthy demand for both new vinyl and vintage pressings. This combination of historical depth and contemporary vitality makes the city's vinyl scene punchy and diverse, with stores catering to everyone from traditional music scholars to techno enthusiasts. The influence of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Hogmanay celebrations also means stores stock international sounds alongside homegrown Scottish talent.
Best Neighborhoods for Record Shopping
Cockburn Street in the Old Town remains the spiritual home of Edinburgh's record shopping, with its steep cobbled incline hosting several iconic stores within minutes of each other. This historic street connects the Royal Mile to Waverley Station, making it perfect for tourists and locals alike to browse between sightseeing stops. Leith, the city's historic port district, has emerged as a creative hub with independent shops offering carefully curated selections alongside vintage furniture and coffee culture. The area around Nicolson Street and South Bridge near the university attracts student buyers and hosts stores with strong sections in alternative, punk, and experimental music. Stockbridge, with its village-like atmosphere northwest of the city center, features boutique stores that blend vinyl with books, art, and lifestyle goods. These neighborhoods are all accessible on foot or via Edinburgh's excellent bus network, making a dedicated record shopping day entirely feasible without needing a car.
What Genres & Pressings to Look For
Edinburgh's record stores excel in Scottish folk and traditional music, with original pressings from artists like The Corries, Ewan MacColl, and Dick Gaughan highly sought after by collectors. The city's post-punk heritage means stores often stock rare releases from Fire Engines, Josef K, and The Scars, along with compilations from the legendary Fast Product label. Electronic and dance music has a strong presence thanks to Edinburgh's club scene, with local techno and house labels like Numbers and Soma Quality Recordings producing collectible vinyl. Jazz and classical sections tend to be robust, reflecting the city's educated demographic and the influence of the Edinburgh International Festival. Look for original Scottish pressings on labels like Lismor, Greentrax, and Topic Records, which can be surprisingly affordable compared to English equivalents. The proximity to Glasgow also means crossover stock from that city's influential indie and alternative scenes, making Edinburgh stores a treasure trove for broader Scottish music history.
New vs. Used Vinyl in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's record stores offer a balanced mix of new releases and second-hand stock, with many shops dedicating separate sections or even floors to each category. New vinyl typically ranges from £20-35 for standard releases, with deluxe editions and imports pushing higher, while used records can start as low as £3-5 for common titles and reach triple figures for rare Scottish pressings. The condition of used stock is generally excellent, as Edinburgh's climate and collector culture mean records are often well-preserved and carefully graded. Many stores have knowledgeable staff who price fairly and are transparent about pressing variations, matrix numbers, and condition issues. Expect to find charity shops around Morningside and Bruntsfield occasionally yielding bargain vinyl, though dedicated stores offer better curation and condition guarantees. The city's compact geography means you can easily compare prices across multiple shops in a single afternoon.
Record Store Day & Local Vinyl Events
Edinburgh celebrates Record Store Day enthusiastically each April, with participating stores opening early and offering exclusive releases, in-store performances, and special discounts. Cockburn Street becomes particularly lively, with queues forming before opening and a festival atmosphere developing as collectors move between shops. Beyond RSD, the city hosts regular vinyl fairs at venues like the Corn Exchange and Assembly Rooms, where dealers from across Scotland gather to sell rare and collectable records. Several stores organize listening parties for major album releases and host DJ sets that showcase their stock and support local music culture. The Edinburgh Vinyl Festival, when it runs, brings together sellers, DJs, and enthusiasts for a weekend celebration of record culture that complements the city's already packed cultural calendar.
Vinyl Shopping Tips for Edinburgh
Start on Cockburn Street
Begin your record shopping on Cockburn Street where multiple stores cluster within easy walking distance. This allows you to compare stock and prices efficiently while soaking in the Old Town atmosphere. The steep street connects directly to Waverley Station, making it an ideal first or last stop when visiting Edinburgh.
Visit on Weekday Mornings
Edinburgh's record stores are quieter on weekday mornings, giving you more time to browse and chat with staff who can offer recommendations and insider knowledge. Weekends, especially during festival season, see heavier foot traffic and faster turnover of desirable stock. Early visits also mean you'll catch fresh stock before other diggers pick through the new arrivals.
Walk or Use Buses
Edinburgh's city center is compact and most record stores are within a 20-30 minute walk of each other, making store-hopping on foot the best option. For visiting Leith or Stockbridge, use the frequent bus services that connect these neighborhoods to the city center. Bring a sturdy bag as you'll likely accumulate records, and most stores provide protective sleeves for purchases.
Nearby Cities
Discover vinyl stores in nearby cities
FAQ - Record Stores in Edinburgh
| Where can I buy vinyl records in Edinburgh? | Edinburgh's record stores concentrate primarily along Cockburn Street in the Old Town, where you'll find multiple shops within a five-minute walk of each other. Leith Walk and the Leith waterfront area offer additional independent stores with more specialized selections. You'll also find vinyl at Nicolson Street near the university, in Stockbridge's boutique shops, and occasionally at the weekend markets in the Grassmarket. The city center's compact layout means most stores are easily accessible on foot from Waverley Station. |
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| What are the best record stores in Edinburgh? | Edinburgh offers a diverse range of record stores catering to different tastes and budgets. The city has long-established independents specializing in everything from folk and traditional Scottish music to techno and house, alongside stores focusing on rock, punk, and alternative genres. You'll find specialist jazz and classical shops, vintage dealers with deep crates of second-hand stock, and newer stores curating contemporary releases with café culture vibes. Several shops have been operating for decades and are destinations in their own right, while others have emerged more recently to serve the city's evolving music community. |
| Where to find used vinyl records in Edinburgh? | Dedicated second-hand record stores throughout the Old Town and Leith offer the best selection of used vinyl, with knowledgeable staff who grade condition accurately. Charity shops in Morningside, Bruntsfield, and Stockbridge occasionally yield bargains, though selection is unpredictable. Regular vinyl fairs at venues like the Corn Exchange bring together dealers specializing in used and collectible records across all genres. |
| Do record stores in Edinburgh buy vinyl collections? | Most independent record stores in Edinburgh actively buy vinyl collections, either offering cash or store credit depending on the quality and desirability of the records. It's best to contact stores in advance, especially for large collections, as some prefer appointments or may even visit your home for substantial holdings. Stores are particularly interested in Scottish pressings, well-preserved classic rock and jazz, and genre-specific collections that match their specialty areas. |
| When is Record Store Day in Edinburgh? | Record Store Day occurs annually on the third Saturday in April, with a second Black Friday event in November. Edinburgh's participating stores typically open early (often around 8-9am) and release exclusive limited editions throughout the day. Arrive early for the most sought-after releases, and plan to visit multiple stores along Cockburn Street to maximize your chances of finding specific titles. |
| What vinyl is Edinburgh known for? | Edinburgh is renowned for Scottish folk and traditional music pressings on labels like Lismor, Greentrax, and Topic Records, many of which are highly collectible. The city's post-punk legacy means original releases from Fast Product artists like The Mekons and Human League's early work, plus local bands like Fire Engines and Josef K, are prized by collectors. Electronic music from labels like Soma Quality Recordings and Numbers also represents important Edinburgh vinyl heritage. |
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