While visiting Edinburgh, I wanted to send my friend some flowers. The bouquet did not disappoint…read more - it was beautiful and, more importantly, the recipient was delighted with the beautiful arrangement. I will not hesitate to contact Simpson's again next time I'm in town. Thanks for making me look good!

I can't say enough good things about Simpson's florist! My family is Scottish and my husband grew…read moreup in Edinburgh. We are usually there about twice a year but have been separated from our family and stuck in Los Angeles due to COVID. Simpson's delivered a stunning arrangement of flowers to my sister-in-law within the hour. Frances was kind, thoughtful and a consummate professional. I can't wait to come back home to Scotland and give everyone at Simpson's florist a post-covid thank you.

Casablanca is an utterly delightful card shop just off the tourist beaten track in Newington…read more Selling a number of quirky gifts, from old fashioned wind up toys and wooden snakes to gorgeous girly ornaments, there's something for everyone inside. They have some older, refined styles of cards, gift wrap and gifts but a lot of their collection is contemporary and funky. It's fairly big inside so they have room for a lot of stock, and you could lose yourself for a good while in here deciding what you want to buy for a loved one. Personally I loved their tiny candles in porcelain heart candle holders - five for 2 pounds was a steal! They would be great for birthday parties or for dinner soiree's. All in all, it's a lovely shop with lots of variety, and I'm glad the name of the store enticed me in! What's a store like you doing in a place like this? It's bringing a great selection of gifts and quirky collectables to the community of Newington, that's what!

Casablanca is a nice gift shop. Pure and simple. It's not somewhere I would personally come and…read moreshop, other than for presents for others perhaps. But I still appreciate it. Glass ornaments, fridge magnets, wall hangings. It's a pretty eclectic range. Gifts on offer here are usually of better taste (as opposed to tatty), a little pricier and probably geared toward middle aged women. Although this is a generalisation and as Marj points out in her review, there is something in here for everyone, making it very pleasant to browse in. They also sell a nice range of arty gift cards. When I was looking around the owner was having a pleasant conversation with a fellow browser who must have been a complete stranger. Her welcoming and friendly attitude was a nice touch. I expect this is the sort of place that goes out of its way to help.

I recently ordered a bouquet of flowers for a birthday from this florist and they were absolutely…read moregorgeous. I gave the florist some idea of the colours that I wanted and I was not disappointed. The detail and design of the bouquet was of a high standard and I would not hesitate ordering from here again!

I bought a lovely christmas tree from this florist in tollcross and was very happy wiith it and the…read moreprice was very reasonable around £ 25.

After visiting loads of sites for a particular colour and style, settled on McDowells. Absolutely…read morestunning!!!!!! The Timeless White hand tied is the most beautiful ever, my sister was over the moon!! Lots of perfect flowers, all her favourite. I messed up with the chocolates, more were sent right away though. I wouldn't use any other florist now, far superior compared to other, more well known florists. Delighted, thank you!

I would definately recommend ordering flowers from Mcdowells, the flowers i ordered for my mother…read morewere beautiful and have lasted a good while and came in a lovely basket. Both my mother and I were very happy. Will definately use Mcdowells again.

I decided to buy some flowers as a gift for a friend. The shops seem to have endless sales on so…read morenothing gift wise was sticking out amongst the junk. Normally I like M&S flowers or Waitrose by delivery as they last and are good quality but M&S flowers were looking poor today. I remembered Arkadius on Rose Street. I had a peek in and liked the flowers I saw - they all looked fresh and bright and not at all scabby. My request was simple, £20 worth of flowers in water and the colours were to be pinks and purples. The bouquet made up was lovely. Roses, Gerberas, Carnations, lisianthus and a couple of other types I don't know the name for. Lots of flowers and a nice balance of greenery. My bouquet was made up right away and is a decent size. I would use Arkadius again - lovely flowers to suit my budget (with no attempt to make me spend more than my student budget allows) so well worth a visit.

Out of business. Closed for good. Requires 85 characters to post sorry for the extra words.read more

I was shocked to see that flowers can exist in this smog filled part of the city, let alone a…read morewonderful little flower shop. The girl who served me was very nice, very knowledgeable and very forgiving of my lack of. I managed to get a little gift for sick aunt for under £10, which impressed the hell out of her. Give this place a try!

I always say this about shops of this nature, but fairy ornaments etc remind me of the wicca craze…read morethat hit in the mid to late 90s. Perhaps Charmed and Buffy saw that trend flying into my high school, and I distinctly remember my then best friend's room looking not unlike this shop. Shops like Enchantment are becoming fewer and further between, but it's nice that this one still does well. There are little pewter ornaments of delicate garden sprites, elves and fairies lining the shelves of this place, and dangling from the ceiling in abundance. If you're into pixies, healing stones and a touch of magic, then you'll like it. My mum likes ornaments like these and it's a great wee resource not too far from the Royal Mile if you're looking for an impish wee pressie. It's a nice change from seeing green ornaments in the shape of Loch dwelling monsters.

Enchantment is very enchanting indeed and as soon as you walk in you are surrounded by fairy…read morefigurines, crystals and various other magic related items. I can imagine this place would be ideal for people who are into alternative healing therapies with their range of crystals on offer and the whole shop has a very peaceful, tranquil feel to it. It's a little bit different to your average shop and I can't see myself ever needing anything from it but if fairy's float your boat, then why not?

You only get a true measure of a business when something goes wrong. I had originally ordered some…read moreflowers (same day for collection) - but when I arrived to collect, nobody could remember taking my order. The manager and staff, to their credit, immediately rallied around and put together the most beautiful bouquet. The significant other loves her gift and I will definitely be coming back. Next time I'll do better and give them more time to prepare!

If you ever need chocolate or flowers. This is the place to come!…read more Harvest Garden has been in Morningside, for forever it seems. They do beautiful displays of flowers immediately outside the shop, and in the windows. For me, the reason to go here. Chocolate! Harvest Garden is the only Scottish, if not UK stockist of Laura Secord. These are gorgeous chocolates that I first had in Canada. Beware, these are not cheap! In season, they sell chocolate figs. These are handmade in someone's house in Spain. Basically, it is a fresh fig that has chocolate fondant in the middle, then they are foil wrapped. That description could never do them justice though. I am always guaranteed to find what I want here for birthdays, christmas etc. There is a good range of chocolate stocked, and a price to suit all pockets. I haven't made it to the handmade chocolate counter yet though.....

The Paper Gallery is a great place to pop into in Edinburgh to buy cards and gifts for all…read moreoccasions. They sell really unique cards, which can be a wee bit on the expensive side if they are handmade, but they are gorgeous and they have a vast range on offer so you are able to find a card to suit every occasion. In addition to cards, The Paper Gallery also sells wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, mugs and plenty of little gift items. As the couple who run the shop are Chinese there are lots of oriental ornaments and gifts which are very cute and a great present to buy for a birthday or Christmas. Probably my favourite aspect of the shop is the counter at the front of the store which has a lovely selection of unique jewellery. If you look down when you pay you will notice the beautiful selection of jewellery on offer which is very reasonably priced. The Paper Gallery is in a very convenient location, just around the corner from the University so it is great place for students to pop into to buy a birthday or valentine's card if they are running late.

The cards from here are definitely unique and you do get some cards that tend towards being a bit…read morebizarre and more than just a little unusual. Some might prefer the more traditional cards you'll find elsewhere, but if it's something a bit different and that breaks the mould you are after then this is most certainly the place to come. If you are among those who love to perfectly wrap up a gift to the point where it becomes a work of art rather than the mass of sticky tape I usually end up handing over, you'll also find this shop capable of providing all you need for the very finest in gift art. All in this place is a bit more expensive than the cheaper places, but if you're after something a bit special, you might decide that the extra expense is a worthwhile one.