Edinburgh has a great sense of community and one of the best places to experience this is at one of the city’s weekend markets. Filled with stalls offering local food and goods, the markets are a place of the people. From freshly baked breads and antiques to handmade crafts, the markets have a bounty to offer for both locals and tourists.
Edinburgh Farmer’s Market (Castle)
Who: A variety of local producers and craftsmen. Check out their website below for a list of all the producers and who will be there on any given Saturday.
What: Fresh fruit and veg, Meats/fish/dairy, Sweets and Baking, Knitwear and ready-made foods.
Where: Castle Terrace
When: Saturday, year round, between 9am & 2pm.
Why: Right in the city, this market is easily reachable on foot (with access through the grassmarket via some stairs off King’s Stables road and Prince’s Street) and parking is generous with both street and a paid NCP parking lot nearby.
Market Highlights:
Eden Brewery – At the Market ever Saturday. They have some delicious and creative beers to try and buy.
Multiple Fresh fruit stands to choose some delicious local offerings
More Information:
http://www.edinburghfarmersmarket.co.uk
Stockbridge Market
Who: Organized by the same group as the Grassmarket Market, this market boasts a variety of vendors including local craftsmen, artists and tasty street food.
What: Craftwork, gifts, fresh breads, clothing, cheeses etc.
Where: Saunders St, Stockbridge, EH3 6TQ
Recommended parking is on India place or MacKenzie place.
When: Sundays, year round, 10am-5pm
Why: This market, a little out off the main drag, is a great weekend destination. The market itself has no dearth of interesting and beautiful craftwork as well as a great selection of street food and coffee vendors. After you have satisfied your senses at the market, head southwest following the Water of Leith to find yourself a beautiful riverside walk through Dean’s Gardens.
Market Highlights:
I’m a sucker for pretty things, especially natural pretty things. So naturally I was quite entranced by a stand selling beautifully cut and polished wooden wares. All Things Wood is a husband and wife team that gathers wood from trees that are cut down (for safety reasons) in and around Edinburgh. This means that all their products are locally sourced and environmentally friendly. Pretty cool right. What’s cooler is that these trees have a lot of history. I purchased a cutting board from them which was hewn from a 160 year old Elm tree that used to grow under the Edinburgh Castle. Seriously awesome. I won’t say how much it was here but I can say that it was quite a steal and you can easily find more expensive generic cutting boards from Sainsbury. They don’t have a website but you can find their Facebook page here.
More Information:
http://www.stockbridgemarket.com
Grassmarket Market
Who: An eclectic range of vendors from the old to the new and, of course, the tasty.
What: Antiques, fresh produce, Sweets (Macaroons! Etc.), cheeses and tasty street food.
Where: Grassmarket, EH1 2JR
Park in the NCP on Castle Terrace (apparently if you get your token validated at the French Connection Creperie at the market and you can have all day parking for £8).
There is also often metered street parking on King’s Stables Rd.
When: Saturday, 10- 5pm
Why: Grassmarket itself is charming and home to many interesting shops and pubs. The Saturday market here can only add to its charms and draw. Drop in for a bite and some shopping before heading on to the close by, castle, high street and other attractions.
Market Highlights:
Paella! – The Madvatter and I try our best to plan our visits around lunchtime so we can partake in the best Spanish street food the city has to offer.
We also sometimes finish our visit with a tasty crepe from the French Connection van at the far end of the strip.
More Information: http://www.greatergrassmarket.co.uk/my-greater-grassmarket/weekly-farmers-market
Adventures in Whisky Land 