Resident Advisors: Euan Robertson, The Portobello Bookshop

This article is taken from the 2025 edition of The Skinny Guide to Edinburgh – a 116-page selection of some of our favourite things to do and places to go across the city. Pick up a copy at venues across Edinburgh this summer, or read it online via Issuu.

What’s been a highlight of the last 12 months for The Portobello Bookshop?
In the last 12 months, we've had the pleasure of hosting many authors that mean so much to us as a bookshop. In October 2024, the inimitable Ali Smith visited the bookshop to launch her latest novel Gliff. Smith is universally beloved by the booksellers here and the most unexpected and incredible part of this was that she dedicated Gliff to the bookshop team – one of the most joyful things that's happened since we opened six years ago! 

Where do you recommend people go in Edinburgh?
Well, Portobello for starters of course! Some people don’t realise Edinburgh has a huge, beautiful beach, and a great high street just a few yards from it. Aside from Porty, Leith and Stockbridge are great areas to wander and explore, both filled with great local shops, bookshops, bakeries. In fact, the water of Leith walkway will take you right from one to the other, and that’s one our of favourite walks on a sunny afternoon.

Why do you like living here?
Edinburgh has the sea, hills, rivers, a canal, and historical buildings, what else could you want? We also love our thriving indie bookshop scene.

What annoys you about living here?
Although Edinburgh is a city with a rich literary scene, we are jealous of Glasgow's music scene!

Do you have a Fringe survival tip?
We survive by being based in Porty, so we’re just far enough to avoid some of the crowds and noise (though it still gets quite hectic here in August). And not that you’d want to avoid the crowds all the time – the Fringe is really exciting and a lot of fun, with so many great things to see.

---

Portobello Bookshop, 46 Portobello High St,