(Last Updated On: 12th May 2019)
It’s February. Winter’s alllllmost over. Soon we’ll be packing the bunny slippers and onesies in the cupboard for another year and leaving our warm, cozy caves to explore outdoorsy Edinburgh. To ease you back into it, and because your wallet’s probably not had a workout since Boxing Day, I’ve compiled a list where you can both stretch your legs and get your fill of the best artisanal, bespoke, hand made, organic, vegetarian and intolerance friendly goodies Edinburgh’s markets have to offer.
The Pitt – Food and Flea Market
If you like street food and food trucks, this market’s for you. Similar to London’s Kerb in King’s Cross or Ely’s Yard off Brick Lane (but on a smaller, Edi sized scale), you might be wondering why Edinburgh’s not had anything like this before. Or was that just me? Think food trucks, tarps and upcycled wooden crates turned into tables and benches. Skip breakfast. Come hungry and on some Sundays there’s arts, crafts and all sorts of original works by local Edinburgh makers. Check their social media for what’s happening this weekend.
Where: 125 Pitt Street, EH6 4DE
Stockbridge/Leith/Grassmarket Market
One of the city’s most well known and popular events, the Stockbridge Market is small, usually packed and somewhat pricey. But don’t let that turn you off. It’s well worth a visit and if you team it with a wonder along the Water of Leith toward the stunning Dean village, you’ll have yourself a lovely little outdoors day. Super popular The Marshmallow Lady, Steampunk Coffee and Harajuku Kitchen are some of the regulars. The same team also runs similar markets at Leith and the Grassmarket each weekend.
When and where:
Stockbridge – 1 Saunders Street EH3 6TQ, Every Sunday 10am-5pm
Grassmarket – Grassmarket EH1 2JU, Every Saturday 10am-5pm
Leith – Dock Place EH6 6LU. Every Saturday 10am-5pm
This monthly market is run by arts an and education charity – Out of the Blue – and held in an old drill hall in Dalmeny Street just off Leith Walk. In a somewhat bastardised version of the old saying, drop by here and you can have a sift through someone’s ‘trash’ to see if you can find yourself a treasure. It’s quite small and quaint, but as a bonus there’s coffee, cake and light lunches available at the onsite cafe.
When and Where: 36 Dalmeny Street EH6 8RG, the next market is Saturday 27th February 10am-3pm. Click the link above to go to the website for regular updates.
A weekly farmers market held at the base of the castle (Castle Terrace to be exact) that has been going for 15 years now. Most of the traders grow/produce what they are selling and you can get some of the country’s best meat (wild boar, venison, buffalo), seafood, fruit, veg, cheese, bakery products, charcuterie, preserves and confectionery right here. Think top quality, home made and organic.
When and where: Castle Terrace EH52 6RH, every Saturday 9am-2pm
Located on platform two of Waverley Station, as well as arts, crafts, fashion and jewellery from small local traders, there’s food to be had from long time market stallers Edin-Burgers and Bakery Andante.
OK, so you can only go to this one in November and December, but it’s a once a year extravaganza where you can get every Christmas trinket and specialty European food you’d ever want, so I couldn’t leave it off. Read my other posts about it here and here.