Local Shops for Self-Catering at Craigwell Cottage, Edinburgh

One of the first things that you will want to do on arrival at Craigwell Cottage is to make sure that you have arranged sufficient supplies for your immediate needs. We do leave small supplies of tea, coffee, salt, pepper, sugar for you, but if you have a requirement for us to do some shopping ready for your arrival we'd be happy to provide this service for you. We will charge any groceries purchased at cost, with a small charge of £5 for the service. This will be deducted from your security deposit before it is returned to you. Please contact us by e-mail if you would like to discuss your requirements.

There are a couple of local convenience stores within walking distance of Craigwell Cottage which are useful for immediate needs such as bread and milk. You'll find Canongate Stores by crossing Calton Road, going up Campbells Close opposite Nether Craigwell, and turning right when you reach the Royal Mile.

If you cross the Royal Mile and go through one of the closes just up from Canongate Primary School - such as Bull's Close - you'll find your way through to Holyrood Road. Turn right on Holyrood Road and continue past Pizza Express, Bean Scene and Thyme and you'll find Nisa Metro Mini Market where there is a wider range of goods as well as magazines and newspapers.

You could of course forget self-catering altogether and pop in to Clarinda's Tea Room (where Campbell's Close meets the Royal Mile) - they open early in the morning for cooked breakfasts and you won't be able to resist going back later in the day for reasonably priced lunches or delicious home baking.

The nearest Marks and Spencer Simply Food store is in Waverley Station, which is a short walk up Calton Road. You'll find the entrance to Waverley Station on the left side of Calton Road and a footbridge takes you to Platform 2 where the Marks and Spencer Simply Food Store is located.

There is a large branch of Marks and Spencer at 54 Princes Street where you'll find a food hall in the basement.

There is a Sainsbury's Central situated on St Andrews Square, which you'll find immediately behind Jenners the famous Princes Street Store.

The food hall in Jenners is worth a visit too - you'll find speciality foods and whiskies there. The Edinburgh Evening News Article comparing up-market food shopping in Edinburgh gives a comparison between Jenners, Harvey Nichols, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose. Finding this reminded me that there is a food department in Harvey Nichols but to date I've not managed to add this particular store to my list of shopping experiences.

We're also starting to explore the area around the top of Easter Road to find more local stores within a short walk from Craigwell Cottage. I'd definitely recommend the baker's shop and cafe called 'The Manna House' which you can find at No 22-24 Easter Road. A wonderful patisserie and bakery shop with croissants, cakes, scones, speciality breads. Definitely worth a quick early-morning stroll there to find breakfast. If you read the Guardian Review of this local treasure, you will be drooling already! The locals rate it highly too - another rave review to read.

If you've come by car to stay at Craigwell Cottage there's a large Sainsbury's Store at the Meadowbank Retail Park if you want to do a supermarket shop to stock up.

Susan McNaughton
May 2007