The Edinburgh Book Fair’s new home

Submitted: 5th September 2021

The Edinburgh Book Fair has a new home

A chance visit to Edinburgh in late August is always a good thing. When you get to visit the new site of the Book Fair and get a tour around, then it’s even better! I insisted on visiting it all – the site, the cafe, the bookshop and the various seating areas to test them out. The children’s section and the author’s yurt…Yes the authors have a yurt and it’s next to an open air bar and snack area so it really is the perfect place! I didn’t want to leave to be honest.

Come on it! Edinburgh Book Fair (c) The BookTrail

I was curious to see the new site having been a regular at the old one. There’s a sign on the railings in Charlotte Square where the festival used to be telling visitors that their beloved fair has moved. It was pinned to the railings like a notice announcing the birth of a royal baby. Well, this is perhaps more of an occasion to be honest! For Booklovers!

Edinburgh Book Fair (c) The BookTrail

The site itself is a home from home and there are plenty sitting areas, cushions, seats, tables and other areas perfect for reading. Some are covered for rainy days whilst there’s plenty of grassy areas for when the sun shines. I was there on one of the hottest days of the year so I sat and read a book in the covered area whilst sampling Book Fair coffee.

Edinburgh Book Fair (c) The BookTrail

After wandering around a bit and a literary meeting I can’t say anything about – I had the best time just soaking it all in. I actually liked this site better than the old one if I’m honest. It felt more compact but more spacious if that makes sense.

Edinburgh Book Fair (c) The BookTrail

There’s one stage and more areas to sit and chat. It felt more of a community and village. It’s held within the grounds of the Edinburgh School of Art so there’s tons of cafes and hotels around without it having the business and noise of the site closer to Princes Street.

Just look at where the authors hang out….

Author yurt Edinburgh Book Fair (c) The BookTrail

Just around the corner, you have Edinburgh Books, Armchair Books and The Edinburgh BookShop. It’s only a short walk to Princes Street as well so you can soon be in the main shopping street and close to the Charlotte Square site itself. If you visit the city for the Fringe, this new site is also closer to that. It’s in the old town so felt more gothic and more atmospheric especially at night. The bookshop of the fair is in a gorgeous building and is very spacious…

Bookshop at Edinburgh Book Fair (c) The BookTrail

I wanted to buy all the books to be fair but I also want one of these in my garden now I’ve spotted it and can’t stop thinking about it. A book bridge. Well, they say books link people and you can travel via a book with a good sense of place: