Independent shops

It's a spanking-new establishment, but we're intrigued. Architecturally sculpted into the bottom of DanceBase to international hairdresser Lesley Moses' vision, darling, Sublime stays open til 9pm, providing customers with a glass of wine before they go…

Fabrick print t-shirts while you wait. They didn't say what you should wait for, but with 300 designs and 25 lettering styles you are sure to be kept busy. Custom print a hoodie, a bags, a t-shirt or even some underwear (clean of course). Prices range…

Brilliant, dedicated, er, design shop for the most fabulously stylish households around. Design Shop UK is run by knowledgeable and trend-aware staff, and stocks thoroughly contemporary and progressive pieces by the likes of Phillippe Starck, Missoni…

A huge range of wooden toys, fair trade baby clothes and accessories, biodegradeable nappies, eco-friendly baby wipes and organic potions to satisfy the greenest of tots in your life. And we're not talking about jelly babies.

A proudly offbeat independent furniture boutique specialising in natural fabrics and one-off finds. Based in Aberdeen, the store has expanded and opened a new shop in the depths of Leith.

Interiors, furniture, wall-hangings, vegan handbags, candles and art deco birthday cards. Oh, and jewellery, Christmas decorations, ceramics, soft furnishings and the occasional ashtray shaped like Chairman Mao's head. The fully comprehensive range of…

{hb} has all the atmosphere of a club, yet bizarrely lacks books. But don’t feel short-changed – the menus have clever wordplay a-plenty to get literary tongues wagging. Enjoy a brunch, things involving eggs, connoisseur sandwiches, meaty stews and…

Pretty cotton print frocks, brief, patterned smocks and edgy T-shirts from the likes of Eucalpytus, Yamama, Ruby Walk and Sugarhill. Certainly at the top end of the Cockburn Street price range, but still that little bit more affordable than anywhere…

Totty Rocks is the main outlet of the clothing label of the same name, set up by two lecturers from the Edinburgh College of Art's fashion course. Young, fresh and seriously gorgeous girl-fashion at prices that'll make you think twice before drinking…

From the folks behind Watermelon, another treasure trove of vintage clothes and accessories.

Loved and revered in Glasgow, the Missing enterprise used to be a bit more of a chain, but everything's now concentrated on this one hub near the Arches (with a wee sister out in Paisley). Still got a brilliant selection of secondhand music and films…

So much a Cockburn Street institution that it practically defines the area's identity, this tiny, dark little shop sells legal highs and all the assorted paraphanelia, as well as the odd saucy nurse outfit. Difficult to define, but very much part of the…

The first thing you notice about Emma Hall's salon is that it doesn't smell like your average hairdresser's. This is because, as the first 'clean air', all-organic salon in Edinburgh, they make a point of not using any of the chemical-laden 'product…

In 2005, at the Scottish Parliament, the Dalai Lama told Reka Gawa: ‘Don't forget you’re Tibetan; keep the culture alive.’ She had long dreamed of opening a shop, and in 2007, inspired by his words, she did so: the photo of their meeting hangs proudly…

A record shop of the old school, One Up is run by music lovers for music lovers. The only independent record store in Aberdeen is stacked with CDs, posters, and signed memorabilia. Boxed sets are a speciality while downstairs is a den of vinyl and…

Simple, basic and excellent wee record shop with absolutely no attitude, selling a great selection of blues, rock, folk, reggae and jazz, mostly second hand. Will occasionally buy records too.

White Blossom is a small independent shop stocking a large range of coloured card, beautiful handmade papers and envelopes, Japanese Chiyogami and Thai silk range. This beautiful little boutique in Bruntsfield also has a range of recycled cotton paper…

Long-running joke shop that has become something of a local landmark thanks to the gigantic funny nose and specs suspended over the Victoria Street Shop front.

No need to flounce around looking for a frilly name to hoist above your furniture shop. Edinburgh's oldest established sleep emporium dispenses a no-nonsense approach to quality beds and mattresses.

This bright little boutique showcases fashion-forward plus-size womenswear (size 16 and up). Although it's aimed at an older age range, the clothes are decidely un-frumpy: there's a wide range of interesting designer lines in store, and some…