Where to Find the Best Charity Shops in Edinburgh

About the author: Hello! My name is Madelaine Lee but I usually go by Maddie. I'm the UniHomes Edinburgh Content Ambassador, and I'm also currently a 2nd year Fine Art student at the University of Edinburgh. I love doing things that are hands on – whether it's art and crafts, gardening, painting, pottery, you name it! I am also very much a nature girl and love going on walks and hikes. My art studio is where I spend most of my time, but if not you will probably see me dancing or ice skating too. I can't wait to share the ins and outs of university life with all of you!

Student budgets don’t exactly leave much room for shopping, especially after rent, food shops and meal deals. Buying new clothes or homeware isn’t always realistic; however, that’s where Edinburgh's amazing charity-shop scene comes in.

If you’re looking for a jumper or want to find cute things to add to your student house, or just love the experience of finding a bargain, Edinburgh has plenty of charity shops worth exploring.

You can easily pick up clothes, books, and home essentials for a fraction of what you’d pay at full price (thrifting is also a much more sustainable way to shop as it gives used items a second life instead!).

Throughout this blog post, I will guide you on the best charity shops in Edinburgh so that you can find hidden gems on a budget!

Where to find the best charity shops in Edinburgh

In need of some charity shopping tips first? Read our Norwich Content Ambassador Tabitha’s ultimate guide to thrifting as a student here!

Stockbridge: the ultimate charity shop neighbourhood

Stockbridge is the perfect neighbourhood packed with lanes full of charity shops, and it’s particularly known for its high quality clothes, books and homeware. I’ve spent the whole afternoon here as it’s so easy to hop from one charity shop to the next.

You can start browsing at Mary’s Living & Giving Shop, where you might find designer or premium brands at a much cheaper price. Nearby is also Cancer Research UK, Shelter Scotland and British Heart Foundation, which all offer a great mix of books, fashion, homeware and all sorts of accessories.

Stockbridge is also one of Edinburgh's more posh areas, so donations are often high quality. This makes it the perfect place to hunt for hidden gems.

Newington and Nicolson Street

If you’re a student based near the University of Edinburgh, you’re in luck as the Newington area and Nicolson Street both have many charity shops near campus. This makes charity shopping the perfect activity for study breaks or post-lecture browsing.

You can find British Heart Foundation on Nicolson Street and Cancer Research UK on South Clerk Street, as well as Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, The Salvation Army and Bethany Christian Trust all within the area.

As this part of the city is especially popular with students, it’s a great place to look for trendy clothes, kitchen essentials and homeware, as students tend to donate unwanted items before moving out towards the end of the academic year.

Morningside and Brunstfield

Although slightly quieter than the city centre, both Morningside and Bruntsfield are specifically known for their long stretches of charity shops filled with clothes, accessories and furniture. You’ll find familiar names like Oxfam, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Barnado’s here, alongside smaller independent charity shops.

Locals recommended this neighbourhood if you are looking for smart outfits, cozy jumpers and vintage finds.

Special mention: Edinburgh Furniture Initiative

The Edinburgh Furniture Initiative is one of Edinburgh’s best spots for second-hand furniture. This includes offers on everything including sofas, desks, dining tables or kitchen appliances, and another option could also be the British Heart Foundation Home Store.

These are perfect options for students who are moving into an unfurnished student flat and starting from scratch.

Edinburgh is one of my favourite places to charity shop as a student! This city is filled with hidden gems and no shortage of places to explore. Whether you’re trying to build a new wardrobe, save money or make your flat feel more like home, charity shops offer a fun, affordable and sustainable alternative to the high street.

Curious about what else there is to do as a student in Edinburgh? Check out my A to Z guide on things to do in Edinburgh.

Find student accommodation in Edinburgh

Here at UniHomes, we work with letting agents across Scotland to bring you a wide variety of student accommodation in Edinburgh – so whether you’re looking for a flat in New Town or a house in Leith, we can help you find the student property that’s perfect for you (with bills included, too!).

If you’ve already found next year’s home-away-from-home, sort your utilities with UniHomes’ student bills packages. We bundle your gas, electricity, water, and Wifi into one monthly payment that’s split fairly between you and your housemates, so you can spend less time stressing about bills and more time focusing on uni.

Click here to get a quote.

This post is part of the UniHomes Content Ambassador programme, where current students across the UK share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. Like these guides? Add UniHomes as a preferred source in Google with just one click by checking the box to see more expert content from our student writers!

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