The Gently Mad Bookshop Edinburgh: A Hidden Gem for Book Lovers
Hidden just a short walk from the Royal Botanic Garden, The Gently Mad Bookshop & Bookbinder is one of Edinburgh’s most magical secret spots. This tiny, family-run bookshop feels like stepping into another era: shelves stacked floor-to-ceiling with vintage hardbacks, leather-bound classics, fairy-tale collections, and old maps, all watched over by the soft glow of old lamps and the smell of aged paper.
If you love independent bookshops, rare books, and dark-academia vibes, this is the hidden bookshop in Edinburgh you can’t miss. In this guide, we’ll look at what makes The Gently Mad so special, what you’ll find inside, how to get there, and a few curiosities that turn this little shop into a true book-lover’s dream.
📚 Why The Gently Mad Is a Hidden Gem in Edinburgh
While most visitors head straight to the Royal Mile or Princes Street, The Gently Mad Bookshop & Bookbinder sits quietly in the Canonmills area, tucked away near the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. From the outside, it looks like a tiny, old-fashioned shopfront — but step inside and you’re in a narrow, atmospheric labyrinth of books, prints, and curiosities.
Wooden shelves bow under the weight of antiquarian and second-hand books; little staircases disappear behind towers of novels and encyclopedias; and every corner seems to hide a forgotten story. It feels intimate, slow, and wonderfully old-school — the kind of place where you lose track of time while leafing through a dusty hardback you didn’t know you needed.
For book lovers visiting Edinburgh, this is the perfect contrast to big chain bookshops: a family-run, character-filled bookshop where each title has been chosen with care.
✨ What You’ll Find Inside The Gently Mad Bookshop
The selection here is small but incredibly curated. Instead of endless duplicates of the same bestsellers, you’ll find one-of-a-kind editions and carefully chosen titles spanning many subjects.
- Antiquarian & rare books – Leather-bound volumes, first editions, and older prints that feel like true collector’s items.
- Scottish interest & Edinburgh history – Perfect if you want to dive deeper into the city’s stories, legends, and local characters.
- Fairy tales, myths & legends – Beautiful illustrated editions, folklore collections, and magical stories from Scotland and beyond.
- Natural history & science – Old field guides, botanical books, and scientific works that pair perfectly with a stroll through the nearby Botanic Garden.
- Poetry, philosophy & classic fiction – Shelves of well-loved classics and lesser-known authors, ideal for readers who like to explore.
- Prints, postcards & ephemera – Vintage postcards, 19th-century prints, and small antiques that make unique souvenirs.
Compared to modern bookstores, The Gently Mad feels more like a tiny private library that has opened its doors just for you. Every shelf invites you to slow down, browse, and discover something unexpected.
🪡 A Working Bookbindery Under the Shop
What truly sets The Gently Mad Bookshop & Bookbinder apart from other bookshops in Edinburgh is what happens downstairs: a fully working bookbindery and restoration workshop.
Here, the team works on fine leather bindings, restorations, slipcases, conservation boxes, and bespoke guest books. From repairing beloved family Bibles to rebinding rare volumes for collectors, the bindery gives new life to old books while preserving their history.
If you have a special book at home that needs some love, you can bring it here and ask about book restoration or custom binding. Even if you’re just browsing, it’s fascinating to know that downstairs, someone is literally sewing, pressing, and gilding books by hand in the traditional way.
📖 The Story Behind The Gently Mad
The Gently Mad is very much a family story. The shop was opened in 2012 by bookbinder Rab Mullin, who was later joined by his son, Baz. Together, they’ve turned this small space into a haven for readers, collectors, and anyone who loves the feel of an old book in their hands.
Over the years, their work has attracted clients ranging from local readers to institutions and even high-profile commissions. Yet the atmosphere remains warm and welcoming: you can chat with the owners, ask for recommendations, or simply soak in the quiet charm of the place. It’s the kind of bookshop where you’re encouraged to browse slowly, ask questions, and fall in love with something unexpected.
📍 How to Get to The Gently Mad Bookshop & Bookbinder
Address: The Gently Mad Bookshop & Bookbinder, 2 Summer Place, Edinburgh EH3 5NR, Scotland
The shop is located in the Canonmills area, just a few minutes’ walk from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. It’s easy to combine a visit here with a stroll through the gardens or a walk along the Water of Leith.
- From the city centre (Princes Street) – Walk north across the New Town (around 15–20 minutes), or take a short bus ride down towards Canonmills.
- By bus – Several Lothian Buses routes run along nearby streets connecting Canonmills with the Old Town, New Town, and Leith.
- By foot from the Royal Botanic Garden – Exit the gardens on the Canonmills side and walk a few minutes towards Summer Place — ideal after a peaceful garden visit.
⏰ Opening hours: usually late morning to late afternoon (often around 11:00 – 17:00, daily). Hours can change, so it’s best to check their official website or Instagram before visiting.
📸 Best Time to Visit
You can visit The Gently Mad year-round, but some moments feel especially atmospheric:
- Autumn & winter – Dark-academia heaven: grey Edinburgh skies outside, warm lamplight on old spines inside.
- Weekday mornings – Quieter and calmer, perfect if you want to browse slowly and chat with the owners.
- After the Botanic Garden – Pair a nature walk with a bookshop visit for the ultimate slow-travel day in Edinburgh.
Because the shop is quite small, it can get busy in the afternoon. Arriving early gives you more space to explore the shelves and discover hidden treasures without rushing.
🔍 Hidden Details & Curiosities
- Staircase of books – Look out for the little staircase packed with books on every step; it’s one of the most photogenic corners of the shop.
- Dark academia vibes – From old rugs to worn wooden shelves and antique prints, the whole space looks like a set from a period drama or fantasy novel.
- Bookbinding clients – Over the years, the bindery has worked with collectors, institutions, and special commissions — proof of the quality of their craft.
- Globally recognised – The Gently Mad has been highlighted as one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, cementing its status as a true literary gem in Edinburgh.
🎒 What to Bring
- A bookish wish list – Have a few authors or themes in mind, then ask the owners for recommendations.
- Camera or phone – The shop is incredibly photogenic, from the display window to the stacked shelves inside.
- Reusable tote bag – You’ll almost certainly leave with a new treasure (or three).
- Cash or card – Payment options can vary, so it’s always handy to have both.
🌟 A Must-Visit for Book Lovers in Edinburgh
The Gently Mad Bookshop & Bookbinder isn’t just somewhere to buy books — it’s a place to slow down, wander, and reconnect with the joy of reading. In a city already famous for its literary heritage, this hidden bookshop near the Botanic Garden feels like a secret chapter: creaking floors, whispering pages, and shelves filled with stories waiting to be rediscovered.
Whether you’re a collector of rare editions, a fan of fairy tales and folklore, or simply someone who loves the smell of old books, The Gently Mad deserves a spot on your Edinburgh itinerary.
📍 The Gently Mad Bookshop & Bookbinder
2 Summer Place, Edinburgh EH3 5NR, Scotland
View on Google Maps
🌿 Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a trip to Scotland and love discovering hidden bookshops in Edinburgh, don’t stop at the big names in the Old Town. Add The Gently Mad Bookshop & Bookbinder to your list and experience one of the most atmospheric, character-filled bookshops in the city — a tiny world of leather, paper, and stories just waiting to be opened.
💬 Have you ever visited The Gently Mad Bookshop & Bookbinder? Tag us on Instagram @inceptiontravelers and share your favourite hidden bookshop in Edinburgh!