No trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to historic Edinburgh. While you’re there you’ll need to know where to get your scent-fix. Print this page and take it with you!
Boots the Chemist
A large chain of chemists (Drugstores) that sell everything from fragrance to first aid. All stores carry a range of skin care essentials, but to find the designer brands you have to find a larger store (Marked with a *) Same goes for fragrance, only the larger stores carry them. Nothing outstanding in the range. Put it this way you will find 212 but they don’t sell Creed and the likes. The larger stores also stock exclusive brands such as FCUK grooming and fragrance, Charles Worthington IMPACT etc.. Patrick Cox High is available. This used to be exclusive but is turning up everywhere at the moment! If you want more info take a look at the website http://www.wellbeing.com I have included all the larger stores and a few of the smaller ones. Mainly because there are so many! Check out the website if one near you is not shown. 5-9 St. James Centre, Edinburgh, West Lothian EH1 3SN (*) 101-103 Princes Street, Edinburgh, West Lothian EH2 3AD 207-209 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, West Lothian EH10 4QT 21 Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, 6-12 Lady Road, Edinburgh, West Lothian EH16 5PB (*) 174 Portobello High Street, Edinburgh, West Lothian EH15 1EX 129 St. John’s Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, West Lothian EH12 7SB 10 Gyle Park Shopping Centre, South Gyle Broadway, Edinburgh, West Lothian EH12 9JR (*) 164 High Street, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 7DA Turnhouse Road, Edinburgh Airport, West Lothian EH12 9DN
Crabtree and Evelyn
A small store with a variety of the Crabtree and Evelyn range. Not much in the men’s section. 4 Hanover Street Edinburgh (Just off Princess Street) http://www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk
Debenhams
Large department (well it is for Edinburgh!) located in Princess Street and Ocean Terminal. Sells a large range of designer label goods including clothes, leather, skin care and fragrance. A little more “up market” . Designers include Guerlain, Clarins, D&G, Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss etc.. Friendly and helpful staff. Not bad, nothing special. Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre Ocean Drive Leith Edinburgh 109 Princes Street Edinburgh http://www.debenhams.com
House of Fraser
Another large department store along the same line as Debenhams but, in my opinion, a little better. Similar size and ranges as the above. 145 Princes Street Edinburgh, EH2 4YZ www.houseoffraser.com/
Harvey Nichols
Now we’re talking! This is the latest addition to the chain. The most “up market” of the bunch and the best (well in my opinion!) Very friendly and helpful staff, very free with their samples too! There just lying around for you to pick up. The best range in Edinburgh with the likes of Creed (I can hear cries of joy!), Diptyque (in the Space NK department), Molton Brown, Costume National, and the usual mix of designers. They have also just released their own fragrances for men and women 30 – 34 St Andrews Square Edinburgh EH2 3AD (At the back of the St James Centre, just off Princess Street) http://www.harveynichols.com
Jenners
Scotland’s answer to Harrods. Large department store founded in 1838, with a little emphasis on the Celtic! Again a good range of designers very similar to that of Harvey Nichols (yes they sell Creed!) Staff quite friendly, a must for visitors to the country if only for its quaintness and Scottish charm! 48 Princes Street Edinburgh EH2 2YJ http://www.jenners.com/
John Lewis
Yet another department store! Limited range of skin care and fragrance. Standard ranges from Elizabeth Arden, Estee Lauder, etc.. Always worth walking through on you’re way to Harvey Nichols! St James Centre Edinburgh EH1 3SP
Space. NK
Also in Harvey Nichols. Sells a range of their own skin care products and some specially chosen others. This is the only store where I found Diptyque. 97-103 George Street Edinburgh EH2 3ES
Superdrug
Another large chain of chemists. Usually cheaper than Boots and a larger range of fragrance gift sets. Great for picking up a bargain or too. They always have some good offers on. Again the larger the store the bigger the range. Less varied skin care range than Boots but a better fragrance selection. Eg Joop!, Versace, Calvin Klein etc.. 4-6 St James Centre Edinburgh EH1 3SR 83 Princes Street Edinburgh EH2 2ER http://www.superdrug.com
The Perfume Shop
As the name suggests, the sell perfume. Quite a varied range with the odd bargain. Again the standard names as with most stores here. If you want to find something more “top drawer” then Harvey Nichols or Jenners is your best bet. The Gyle Shopping Centre Unit 24, The Gyle Shopping Centre, South Gyle Broadway, Edinburgh EH12 9JT Unit 36 St James Centre Edinburgh (I would avoid this particular branch as the service is AWFUL. So bad I sent in a complaint!) Unit RU15 Ocean Terminal Leith Edinburgh EH6 6JJ http://www.theperfumeshop.com/ You will also find loads of independent small chemists (drugstores) dotted around. Sometimes with the odd bargain lurking inside!
