Best Record Stores in Edinburgh

Some step into a record store with a strict checklist, on the hunt for elusive first pressings and rare treasures. Others surrender to the thrill of the chase, losing hours flicking from ABBA to Zara Larsson in search of a spontaneous gem.

There’s real magic in happening upon a record you didn’t know you were looking for. Nothing compares to bringing it home and dropping the needle for the first time, letting the melodies fill the room. If your music collection lives entirely on streaming platforms, this wonderfully analogue ritual is a pleasure you must experience.

Edinburgh is the perfect place to start, with plenty of independent vinyl shops just a short stroll apart. Catch a train to Edinburgh Waverley from all over the UK with CrossCountry and discover the best record stores in Edinburgh.

Umbrella Vinyl

Our first record shop in Edinburgh is in Tollcross, a pleasant neighbourhood worth visiting for its lovely brunch spots and impressive park complete with rose garden and farm. The story of Umbrella Vinyl starts in 2015, around 6,000 miles away, in Hong Kong, where three friends met for the first time. Seven years later, Umbrella Vinyl opened in Tollcross with an amazing selection of music from all over the world. From Dub and Ska to Bollywood and Funk, you’re bound to find a new favourite record.

Umbrella Vinyl is a twenty-five-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley; you’ll walk past St Giles’ Cathedral and the Museum of Scotland, along The Meadows, before arriving on Valleyfield Street for a rewarding crate-digging session.

Thorne Records

Head to Bruntsfield Place, home to Thorne Records. Owned by Mark Thorne, the shop offers a considered experience where every detail matters. At the till, you can have your vinyl’s shrink wrap removed for responsible recycling, and a percentage of every purchase is donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society Scotland. You can even have your own review displayed by your favourite LP to encourage others to give it a listen. It’s a thoughtfully run operation, born from a real love of music and sharing it with others.

Thorne Records is a thirty-five-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley; alternatively, you can catch a bus from Princes Street all the way to Bruntsfield Place.

Rows of vinyl records in a record store with wooden divider tabs labelled with artists like The Doors, Eagles, and Hendrix.

Assai Records

Located in the West End theatre district, Assai Records is a sleek shop with a curated selection of LPs stacked atop old crates. Originating in Dundee, they are renowned for their exclusive Assai Obi Editions, limited edition albums with special artist-approved Japanese-style paper bands (or obi strips). They also serve as a meeting point for small in-store gigs and album signings, hosting both local Scottish artists and international bands.

Assai also has shops in Aberdeen and Glasgow. If you’re looking to reach the store from Edinburgh Waverley, it’s just over fifteen minutes walking distance. If you prefer public transport, there are plenty of bus routes to Usher Hall (a must-visit live music venue); Assai Records is a two-minute walk from there.

Voxbox Music

In our opinion, one of the best free activities in Edinburgh is wandering amongst Stockbridge's many booksellers, charity shops, independent businesses, and record stores. Voxbox Music is perfect for this, although it may be difficult to resist buying something! The store is split into two sides; ‘Side A’ offers premium, ultrasonically cleaned VG+ records, while ‘Side B’ is a treasure trove of LPs and singles for £1 and under. They are also famous for their lively Record Store Day parties, featuring a full day of free live music.

To get to Voxbox from Edinburgh Waverley, catch a bus to Kerr Street from Princes Street. Alternatively, it’s a lovely twenty-minute walk. If all this record shopping has made you peckish, head to Stockbridge Market, one of the very best street food hubs in the city.

Greenhouse Records

Tucked away near the Meadows, Greenhouse Records is an Edinburgh vinyl shop that focuses on underground sounds. Their record selection is ideal for vinyl enthusiasts looking for experimental dance tracks, with genres ranging from dancehall to post-punk and techno. Alongside the music, they also sell literature on a variety of interesting topics. You could come in to buy a record and leave with a book on Scottish bothies.

Greenhouse Records is a thirty-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley; on the way, be sure to make a pit stop at The Treehouse Café, one of our favourite places for pancakes in Edinburgh.

If you’re planning to go shopping for vinyl records in Edinburgh, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.

Info

At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.