I called into this branch of the co-operative stores as there was no other place to buy provisions…read morein Kingsbarns a place where I was staying for a few days. A pretty small shop with lower ceilings in some areas, only express checkouts at this branch with hardly any room to manoeuvre due to lack of space. This shop has no coffee machine or cash dispenser outside.

Stopped off here to pick up some groceries and snacks. It has a decent variety of food but not the…read moremost orderly store and the employees seemed grumpy which was unusual given my experience with others in town.

This Sainsbury's Local store is in a useful location on Shandwick Place, just off Princes Street in…read moreEdinburgh city centre. The selection is mixed, they have a great to-go food and drink section, which includes a Costa Express machine, however, the stock of essentials and groceries wasn't too good while being at the usual inflated convenience store pricing. The layout of the store was easy enough to follow, but due to the presence of security gates, you will need to go through the checkout area even if you don't buy anything, which can be a pain, especially if there's a big queue and the item you wanted to purchase is out of stock. There are a couple of hotels nearby, so this can be a great stop to get a couple of things to take back to your room, without having to travel far, but better alternatives for sure around the city. 3*

Almost by default, Irvine's is my newsagent of choice on the Royal Mile, as on principle I refuse…read moreto put up with old misery guts that works in The Scottish Grocer just a few doors down. It's exactly as you'd expect from a newsagent, stocking papers, mags, sweets, drinks and fags. There's also a few Scottish bits and bobs for sale, but it doesn't appear to be the main focus. It's a very small shop, so there's not a huge amount of choice, but the friendly atmosphere keeps their noses in front of the rest.

As Gavin has already mentioned, Irvine's isn't the largest newsagents around but boy to they know…read morehow to make the most of the size and it's full to bursting with goodies. I popped in here the other day for a magazine to read on the train and some chewing gum and I also noticed that this place has a really nice friendly atmosphere. As far as newsagents goes, this one is pretty darn good!

After mailing some postcards and breakfast at The Painted Rooster on the morning of Friday 19 July…read more2019, I was on my way on foot to Holyrood Park to do some hiking. I had packed some food and decided that if I passed a small store on the way I would stop and see if they had any last food item(s) I wanted for a morning of exploring. Nearing St John's Episcopal Church, I was seeing the stores thin out and spotted Tesco Express. I slipped into the store and quickly looked through the offerings. I went with a small snack/candy item. There was a short line, which while standing in I noticed a small case of Krispy Kreme donuts. I did not get one of those, but it was a reminder I was going back to the United State of America the following day. Oddly, or goodly depending on one's perspective, it made me want to stay in Scotland more than go back to America.

Euan at Princess st store is a very valued member of staff always very polite, patient and service…read morewith a smile. He should have best staff member badge and a day off :) well done as you are young and this is rare.

All airports need some kind of mini-supermarket or convenience store in arrivals. It's the ideal…read moreplace for one. Think about it - you've landed, got through security and grabbed your bags, you're tired, quite possibly hungry and you just need things to be easy for ten minutes. Convenience is king. This is especially true when the options available include M&S so you can feel like, even though the holiday is over and you're back too late to cook a real meal, at least it'll be a nice ready meal that you're buying. Sure, it's pricey, but you're not quite ready to quit holiday mode just yet. This branch is pretty tiny, but it has all the essentials. The staff are pretty great too and get through the queues rapidly. I'll definitely remember that it's here for the next time I travel.

This has been a great addition to Edinburgh Airport. Located 'landside' near the new exit leading…read moreto the trams and rental cars, it's easy to stop in before or after a flight. Before a flight, of course you can't buy liquids but I was thrilled to see they have my favorite breakfast - boiled eggs with fresh spinach!! I've grabbed these at Pret at other airports - but sadly the Eats in Edinburgh airport don't have them - but I can now get it at M&S before going through security. When arriving back in Edinburgh, it's great for grabbing some essentials so you don't have to go to the grocery store on your first day back. Missing star is because there isn't much fresh produce (mostly sandwiches, milk. crisps, drinks...) but it has so much more than was ever at the airport before.

The is a handy and ubiquitous convenience store chain we saw throughout Scotland. The best thing…read moreto me is that their ATM's had the best rates for ATM cash. Their rate was the current 1.35 USD/GBP exchange rate plus only a 3.95 GBP charge. Other ATM's I tried at the airport and at a bank wanted about a 1.55 USD/GBP exchange rate which equates to a ridiculous 15% fee! Otherwise, we like convenience stores like this during our travels for items like bottled water and such.

Sainsbury's on West Port, not too far from Chalmers Centre, in Edinburgh was the first grocery…read morestore I went to in Scotland. On my second day, first morning, in Scotland (6 July 2019), I was looking to get a few food items for the day before picking up my rental car and was aware of this store as I passed it the evening before on foot when going to get dinner. The store was bigger on the inside than it looked like on the outside. Sections were well set up and easy to navigate and peruse. I was particularly impressed with a bakery/fresh-baked breads section at the back of the store. In the United States of America, the stores of an equivalent nature might have hot dogs or donuts available, but not fresh-made bread. I got a few items and went through self check out. It took me a couple tries to get the payment right, but everything worked. Worker(s) were friendly.

'Meh' is right on…read more This on-campus cornershop just about does the job when the study stomach rumbles kick in but when it comes to fresh produce, I'm consistently disappointed with the quality of the fruit. Stock is limited, prices are higher than other supermarkets and it generally makes for a cramped shopping experience. I grab and go. As fast as I can. On the plus side, staff couldn't be nicer and the asian food section is very reasonable. But avoid the sad, poorly fruit section!

It does what every other Tesco's does. It's cheap (ish) , it has loads of stuff that you might…read morepossibly want and it has very accommodating opening hours. But any time I have bought my lunch there, it feels like some kind of compromise of price over taste. Still, just because the food is manky, it shouldn't reflect badly on the shop staff who always seem nice, if a little harassed due to there being two tills, two self service tills (one frequently breaks) and not enough staff for a busy shop.

There's a Tesco Express at Fountainbridge that offers a wealth of variety for the local student…read morepopulation. The fresh sandwiches come in a vast range of unusual fillings, fillings I had no idea Tesco even offered. They have all the essentials and enough space to whisk around at a steady pace and get your weekly shopping done. I wish Holyrood's Tesco Express was more like theirs. They're like the Express that Tesco forgot, still packing sandwiches like Just Ham and Just Cheese. As a regular (and the Duke) it's embarassing. The aisles are narrow, there are pillars everywhere and they don't stock anywhere near what other Expresses and Metros in the near vicinity do. The fridges have the most random array of fresh meats and ready meals, the rice and pasta section is about two shelves big, woeful, just woeful. Given the amount of colleges, universities, offices and residential areas around, it beggars belief why they didn't buy a bigger space, or at least re-design the space they have.

I think the guy's name may be Scott. While on holiday at Pittenweem we have been using the co-op at…read moreAnstruther for our daily messages. It is a well stocked, clean and friendly store. I realised when I got home today after visiting the store that I must have dropped some money. I called the store on the off chance that some kind person may have handed it in. Straight away, the nice man I spoke to said he had picked it up. I was so grateful as I had worked really hard for that money. Thank you, it's nice to know there are good, honest people in this world. I wish you all the best. Beverly.

An excellent supermarket and indeed the only one of any substance for miles around. Despite its…read morecaptive market it still offers a good variety of fairly priced Fair Trade produce and of course some good food and wine deals. Ideal for holidaymakers and locals alike to stock up and a real retail oasis that you can rely on in terms of stock and opening times. It also has good deal prices on games and dvds to keep younger family members happy. Ideal for family holidaymakers on a rainy day