The only thing that impresses me more than either good food or a good bookshop is good food followed by a good bookshop. And the place to go for that is in Edinburgh's Stockbridge area, where of course you can also find Comely Bank Publishing. Stockbridge is in fact awash with fabulous eateries, and at the bridge end you can find – for a start – Chinese, Spanish, Italian and traditional Scottish food plus an excellent Pizza Express. All good, but you can check those out for yourself.
 | Today my wife Katherine and I went to the David Bailey exhibition in the National Gallery in Princes Street, then we each had Spanish coddled eggs for lunch in The Pantry in North West Circus Place.  |
But the biggest surprise was Golden Hare Books, a small independent bookshop in St Stephen's St which has been around since the middle of 2014 but only came to my notice thanks to one of those pull-out features in the Scotsman – on this occasion probably timed to coincide with this week's Stockfest 2015, running from this weekend until Sunday 20th September.
When you step inside Ian Macbeth's bookstore, you're reminded that this is how bookshops used to be. It's a fairly minimalist white interior, with a varied stock but not a massive one, and the visitor is left with the impression that the books on display are those which Ian himself personally approves. This is not a place to find latest bestsellers piled high and flying out in quantity; the books here are about quality. More to the point, if I wanted to go in and ask for a recommendation for a present, I reckon Ian would give me one – even enjoy the challenge – and not behave like some pain-in-the-backside-let-me-do-my-job sales assistant. We haven't had that sort of service in Stockbridge since Read Books in Raeburn Place closed.
One last thing. If you ever want to order a book, support your local independent bookseller. They'll do it just as cheaply, probably quicker, make sure it's done correctly, and your custom will help them stay in business.
– Gordon Lawrie
When you step inside Ian Macbeth's bookstore, you're reminded that this is how bookshops used to be. It's a fairly minimalist white interior, with a varied stock but not a massive one, and the visitor is left with the impression that the books on display are those which Ian himself personally approves. This is not a place to find latest bestsellers piled high and flying out in quantity; the books here are about quality. More to the point, if I wanted to go in and ask for a recommendation for a present, I reckon Ian would give me one – even enjoy the challenge – and not behave like some pain-in-the-backside-let-me-do-my-job sales assistant. We haven't had that sort of service in Stockbridge since Read Books in Raeburn Place closed.
One last thing. If you ever want to order a book, support your local independent bookseller. They'll do it just as cheaply, probably quicker, make sure it's done correctly, and your custom will help them stay in business.
– Gordon Lawrie
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