The Story of Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
Occupying an enchanting historic storefront at 145 Canongate on the lower Royal Mile, Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe is Edinburgh's original 365-day holiday artisan boutique. Operating within a charming 18th-century stone close building near the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the shop maintains the warmth and wonder of the festive season throughout every month of the year.
Stepping across the threshold, visitors enter a wonderland illuminated by fairy lights, where pine fragrances mingle with the soft sparkle of thousands of handcrafted tree ornaments. The boutique specializes in uniquely Scottish holiday crafts, working with domestic glassblowers and European artisan workshops to create mouth-blown glass Scottish thistles, miniature Highland cattle with real wool forelocks, and hand-painted Edinburgh Castle glass baubles.
Alongside collectible glass ornaments, the shop features tartan-trimmed holiday stockings sewn from genuine wool, hand-carved wooden bagpipers, and Celtic cross tree toppers. An in-house calligraphy artist offers personalized inscriptions on delicate glass ornaments, allowing travelers to memorialize their Edinburgh journey or celebrate family milestones with a custom holiday keepsake made to be cherished across generations.
Signature Specialties & Crafts
Key Venue Highlights
Edinburgh's enchanting year-round festive artisan boutique celebrating Scottish holiday craft in all seasons
Rare hand-painted mouth-blown glass ornaments depicting Edinburgh landmarks and Scottish Highland wildlife
Atmospheric interior housed in a charming low-ceilinged historic Canongate stone building
“Request the in-house artisan calligrapher to hand-inscribe a mouth-blown glass Edinburgh bauble with your family name or the date of your visit as an enduring keepsake.”
Tax-Free & Overseas Shopping Advice
Expert bubble-wrapping and protective postal boxes for fragile glass ornaments traveling internationally.
Direct overseas export zero-rates UK 20% VAT on qualifying purchases dispatched to non-UK residential addresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Christmas shop really open all year round in Edinburgh?
Yes, Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe operates seven days a week through all twelve months of the year, celebrating Scottish holiday crafts across every season.
Can I have an ornament personalized with a name or date while in the store?
Yes, in-store artists can hand-inscribe your choice of name, wedding date, or custom greeting directly onto glass baubles in fine metallic script.
How are delicate glass baubles packaged for overseas travel?
Every fragile ornament is individually wrapped in protective cushioning and boxed in sturdy gift packaging designed to survive transatlantic travel safely.
Nearby & Related Boutiques
Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers
Master kiltmakers handcrafting traditional 8-yard bespoke kilts and Highland dress on the Royal Mile, home to exclusive registered Scottish tartans.
The House of Cashmere
Historic Royal Mile purveyor of Scottish Borders-milled cashmere, merino wool travel wraps, and authentic clan tartan knitwear.
Cadenhead’s Whisky Shop
Scotland’s oldest independent whisky bottler (established in 1842), renowned for natural single-cask single malt Scotch bottled at full cask strength with zero chill filtration.
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