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Outdoor Shops

Tiso

The largest retailer of outdoors equipment in Scotland, with two large shops in Edinburgh. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff in their mountaineering andwalking sections, you'll get better service during the week as it can be very busy at weekends. They stock a wide range from professional kit to good quality basics, with something of a bias towards The North Face and Berghaus. Their own brand is good quality and excellent value. Some mid-range branded gear is cheaper elsewhere, so once you've found what you want it might be worth shopping around. They are very good for climbing equipment and winter gear. Excellentboot fitting service.

The Leith branch hires out boots for around £10 per weekend. 

Tiso run discount nights in the spring and autumn for all outdoorclubs. No student discount.

  • 123 Rose Street (New Town) EH2 3DT (0131) 225 9486
  • 41 Commercial St (Leith) EH6 6JD (0131) 554 0804
  • www.tiso.com

Nevisport

Another large chain, their original shop in Fort Williamhas it's own café and pub! They have a shop at the east end of Rose Street.

Nevisport have a habit of heavily discounting certain products,especially some of the top models of boots. They have a good selection ofclimbing, camping and walking gear, though stock is sometimes a bit thin. Come the winter they stock ice axes and crampons. They also give a 10% discount with a student card.

Blacks

Another place with 2 shops in Edinburgh, Blacks have shops in nearly every major town.

Great for budget to mid-range gear. They tend to stock the less glamorous makes of outdoor equipment (Regatta, Hi-Tec and their own Peter Stormbrand) rather than wall to wall Berghaus. This is a great place to come if youare only planning to come away occasionally with us. Reasonably priced waterproofs, boots, tents, and winter woollies. If you do buy boots herethough, make sure that they will be waterproof and match the criteria for boots we ask for on the essential gear page. 10% discount on production of a studentcard.

  • 24 Frederick Street (New Town) EH2 2JR (0131) 225 8686
  • 14 Elm Row (Leith Walk) EH7 4AA (0131) 556 3491
  • www.blacks.co.uk

Millets

On the same street as Blacks, even more widespread across the UK andpractically the same type of shop - in fact they are the same company! Milletsstock good basic gear, especially recommended for camping. Again they don'tstock the more expensive makes but then if you want cheap gear then it's worthgoing here for a look. 10% student discount.

Trespass

If you already are in this area of town it might be worth having a look at Trespass just across the street from Millets and Blacks. They have some outdoor equipment and if you are just looking for some very basic waterproofs then you might find them there for a very reasonable price. 10% student discount.

  • 27/29 Frederick Street (New Town), EH2 2NF (0131) 225 7456

Leith Army Stores

A great place to go for cheap, good-quality, hardwearing outdoorgear, especially camping kit; stocking lots of things the mainstream outdoorshops seem to overlook. A separate footwear shop next door is great for yourfirst pair of boots but steer clear of the toecaps and Doc Martens.

Newington Army & Navy Store

A very small shop that's far too easy to miss on the way homefrom uni. Not a huge range but it's great for all the things you rememberyou've forgotten on the way home from town - bootlaces, hats, flasks, bottles,whistles, compasses etc.

  • 10 Clerk St (Southside) EH8 9HX (0131) 667 8963

Mountain Warehouse

A discount warehouse store, a bit out of town but on the Number30 bus route from The Bridges. They offer heavy reductions on mid-range andfashionable clothing and accessories, and if you're lucky you might find a goodpair of boots much cheaper than elsewhere.

Hawkshead

Hawkshead, based in the Lake District, is part of the Burton /Dorothy Perkins / Topshop group and is found in the top floor above all threestores on Princes Street. They are undoubtedly a high street fashion shop withan outdoors twist, however some of their gear is very good quality and looksmuch better than cheap models from expensive brands. They have given us a few10% discount cards that you can borrow from the gear secretary, as well as some £5 off vouchers first come first served!


Charity Shops

Edinburgh's charity shops can be useful to source cheap yet good gear. They can be especially good for finding cheap insulation layers, hats, gloves and scarfes, and occassionally a reasonable waterproof or pair of boots.