Typewronger, Edinburgh: Independent Scottish Bookshops Series
This is the first in a series of posts on Scottish independent bookshops. For a small country, Scotland has a significant number of independent bookshops, as well as the larger chains.
From remote towns and island communities, to the busiest of high streets; wherever you live or travel in Scotland there’s probably a bookshop near you. Some cater to specialist interests, others provide a cornucopia of second-hand or vintage books. Many are full to bursting with the latest thrillers, romances, literary tomes, and all the fantasy and sci-fi you could ever need.
In this series, I’ll bring you with me as I travel around Scotland visiting independent bookshops along the way.
Typewronger Books
22 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4HNhttps://typewronger.com/“A pun is a good place to start” - me, and the owners of this bookshop, probably
How many bookshops can say they started life in a police box? I reckon maybe only one, and that one is Typewronger in Edinburgh. There’s a little more space now in the shop than that original and unusual pop-up location, and in fact Typewronger recently moved from their first bricks-and-mortar premises on Leith Walk to a new shop location on Bruntsfield Place, on the edge of Bruntsfield Links.
Left Image (© author): the old basement-level shop on Leith Walk
Right Image (©Typewronger Books): the new location on Bruntsfield Place
Now a Community Interest Company, the lovely folks at Typewronger are big fans of being a force for good in their local area. Proudly inclusive and with a keen focus on accessibility for all, part of the reason the shop moved location was to improve access to the shop for those with mobility issues. The old storefront looked great, but those old Edinburgh stairs are no joke!
The shop stocks a curated range of new books, as well as indie publications, zines, and prints. The stock is primarily fiction, as well as a good range of poetry, LGBTQIA+ books, history, and signed copies of various titles. They even have their own Riso print company! There is a consistent core of booksellers, who are passionate about what they do, and who love a natter about what they’re reading as well as making recommendations if you’re not sure what you want to pick up next.
On the day I was in, I bought Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson, though it took me a whole lot of time browsing before I made my choice. The typewriters displayed around the shop are mostly decorative (though the shop will help you spool new ribbon onto cartridges for your own machine if you need a helping hand!), but it all adds to the atmosphere — this is a place where words are taken seriously, both as knowledge and as art.
You can pick up the usual kinds of merch — stickers, bookmarks, and so on — and who doesn’t need another tote bag so that you can carry your purchases home in style?!
As the pièce de resistance, if you make a purchase in the shop, you’ll probably find yourself the proud owner of a hand-crafted origami animal. I am in full approval of such whimsy. My pet sits on my bookshelves, keeping an eye on my tottering TBR piles.
adorable, frankly
Typewronger considers itself a welcoming ‘third space’ — ie not work, nor home, but a place to hang out and spend time around others. To that end, they are (at the time of writing) open from 11am-9pm every single day. This includes Christmas, when the shop serves warm food and the team ensures everyone has a place they can be welcomed that day. There are often author events and other chances to spend time with fellow booklovers - keep an eye on shop socials for latest information.
Edinburgh is absolutely bursting with bookshops (as befits the first UNESCO City of Literature!) all of which are worth a visit and time spent browsing. But Typewronger must be near the top of your list. If you do manage to visit, let me know what origami friend you come home with!
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