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The purple front of Rare Birds Book Shop at 13a Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, its name in white capitals above two wide windows.
Edinburgh

Rare Birds Book Shop

A bookshop of women's writing on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, opened in 2021 by the Rare Birds Book Club as its home.

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Welcome

Rare Birds is a bookshop given over to women's writing, and a cheerful one, behind a purple front on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge.

It began in 2017 as the Rare Birds Book Club, sending surprise books through letterboxes all over the world, and in August 2021 the club opened this shop as its home. It's Scotland's only bookshop dedicated entirely to women's writing, with everything from literary fiction to breezy beach reads, non-fiction, special editions and a small shelf for teenagers. The booksellers are happy to order in any book you like, whoever wrote it, usually in two or three days. Try a Lucky Dip, where you choose the genre and they choose the book, or come along to one of the author evenings in the shop. Dogs aren't just welcome here, they're encouraged. It's open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm and on Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with Stockbridge's cafés and shops all along the street outside.

Round the cornerFortitude CoffeeThe Stockbridge coffee house of Fortitude, an Edinburgh roaster, on Hamilton Place, with seasonal coffees roasted in the city.1 min by roadSee itFortitude Coffee
Before you go

Books by women across every genre, and any other book ordered in.

Dogs are welcome.

Where
13a Raeburn Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH4 1HU.
Open
Monday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm.
Dogs
Welcome, and encouraged.
Children
No children's books, but a small range for teenagers.
Ordering
Any book in print in the UK, usually in two or three days.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
10am–5.30pm
Tuesday
10am–5.30pm
Wednesday
10am–5.30pm
Thursday
10am–5.30pm
Friday
10am–5.30pm
Saturday
10am–5.30pm
Sunday
10am–5pm

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Where it is

On Raeburn Place, the main street of Stockbridge, EH4 1HU.

Close byStockbridge and the Water of Leith.
  1. StockbridgeStockbridgeAn old village on the Water of Leith below the New Town, of Georgian terraces, a market arch of 1825 and a street of independent shops and cafés.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Inside Herbie of Edinburgh on Raeburn Place: the cheese counter, a chalkboard of the day's recommendations, hams hanging behind and shelves of jars, oils and wine.Herbie of EdinburghA small, long-running delicatessen on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, for artisan bread, cheese, cured meats and wine.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. An Independent ZebraAn Independent ZebraA gift, homeware and furniture shop on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, set up by makers in 2016, selling the work of small independent makers from across the UK.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. The Pastry SectionThe Pastry SectionA bakery and cafe on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, baking everything from scratch on site, from brownies and cinnamon buns to lemon meringue tarts.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. Saorsa GallerySaorsa GalleryThe studio and gallery of the painter Tommy Fitchet in Stockbridge, hung with his seascapes and landscapes of the islands and coasts of Scotland.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Stockbridge MarketStockbridge MarketA Sunday market of food and makers in Saunders Street by the Water of Leith, every week of the year since 2011.Under a mile 1 min by road
  7. KESTINKESTINThe Stockbridge shop of KESTIN, the menswear label Kestin Hare founded in Edinburgh in 2015, which cuts Scottish fabrics for modern life.Under a mile 1 min by road
  8. TreenTreenA sustainable clothes shop over two floors on St Stephen Street, founded by Cat Anderson in 2018, for women's and men's clothes made with care.Under a mile 1 min by road
Directions
The coral-pink shopfront of Sotto on Deanhaugh Street in Stockbridge, with green awnings, its name in the windows and steps up to the door.RestaurantsSottoA step away
The counter at Mootz General Store on Raeburn Place, with a stack of schiacciata loaves, the sandwich board lit up on the wall and framed posters above the shelves.CafeMootz General StoreA step away
Barista steaming milk on a espresso machine beneath a black pendant lampCafeArtisan RoastA step away
Poached egg and smoked salmon on a black plate with black teapotRestaurantsThe Scran & ScallieA step away
A large steak on the bone cooking over glowing coals and flames on the grill at The Captain Darling.RestaurantsThe Captain Darling0.2 miles
Wooden table set with cheese boards, wine glasses and bread on white platesRestaurantsSmith & Gertrude0.2 miles
Barista in a striped jumper pours coffee beneath a chalked menu boardCafeFortitude Coffee0.2 miles
The dining counter at eòrna, a curved bar lined with upholstered stools facing the open kitchen, under a high corniced ceiling.Restaurantseòrna0.2 miles
Plate of fudge, truffles, biscuits and cake with "Happy Anniversary" piped in chocolateRestaurantsPurslane0.2 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near Rare Birds, and when each is next free.

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Rare Birds
Check datesA hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from Rare Birds
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from Rare Birds
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • 2 miles from Rare Birds
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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