McNaughtan's Bookshop
@mcnaughtans.co.uk
Rare & second-hand bookshop in central Edinburgh, est. 1957.
Open every day 11am to 5pm, and till 8pm on Thursdays.
Open every day 11am to 5pm, and till 8pm on Thursdays.
A very intriguing book on the cataloguer’s desk today— psychic Margaret Underhill claims to have received the text here in automatic writing from the psychologist William James.
With scant biographical information online, this will be a delightful rabbit hole to disappear into for a short while…
With scant biographical information online, this will be a delightful rabbit hole to disappear into for a short while…
November 26, 2025 at 4:04 PM
A very intriguing book on the cataloguer’s desk today— psychic Margaret Underhill claims to have received the text here in automatic writing from the psychologist William James.
With scant biographical information online, this will be a delightful rabbit hole to disappear into for a short while…
With scant biographical information online, this will be a delightful rabbit hole to disappear into for a short while…
A signed, limited set of Alasdair Gray’s first novel, winner of the Saltire Society book of the year prize in 1982 and a landmark of contemporary Scottish fiction.
www.mcnaughtans.co.uk/product/lana...
www.mcnaughtans.co.uk/product/lana...
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
A signed, limited set of Alasdair Gray’s first novel, winner of the Saltire Society book of the year prize in 1982 and a landmark of contemporary Scottish fiction.
www.mcnaughtans.co.uk/product/lana...
www.mcnaughtans.co.uk/product/lana...
We are very excited to be working on the new extension of our business.
In 2026 we are planning to open Spyglass Books, a new bookshop for children’s and illustrated books.
In 2026 we are planning to open Spyglass Books, a new bookshop for children’s and illustrated books.
November 20, 2025 at 11:43 AM
We are very excited to be working on the new extension of our business.
In 2026 we are planning to open Spyglass Books, a new bookshop for children’s and illustrated books.
In 2026 we are planning to open Spyglass Books, a new bookshop for children’s and illustrated books.
A previous owner has annotated the index of this 1720 printing of Herodotus with topics he felt should have been included, among them the shape of camels (four thigh bones and four knee bones to the rear, apparently).
November 16, 2025 at 4:19 PM
A previous owner has annotated the index of this 1720 printing of Herodotus with topics he felt should have been included, among them the shape of camels (four thigh bones and four knee bones to the rear, apparently).
I have twice glanced at this yellowback currently on the #cataloguersdesk and seen a grotesque two-headed, eight-legged beast depicted there, only to look closer and see that, more prosaically it is 2 horses, one behind the other.
November 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I have twice glanced at this yellowback currently on the #cataloguersdesk and seen a grotesque two-headed, eight-legged beast depicted there, only to look closer and see that, more prosaically it is 2 horses, one behind the other.
Absolutely charmed by these illustrations from Orlando the Marmalade Cat’s 1952 Seaside Holiday by Kathleen Hale. These photographs are from a just-landed modern facsimile reprint.
November 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Absolutely charmed by these illustrations from Orlando the Marmalade Cat’s 1952 Seaside Holiday by Kathleen Hale. These photographs are from a just-landed modern facsimile reprint.
Some highlights from our substantial Classics section.
November 12, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Some highlights from our substantial Classics section.
Some lovely vintage Penguin paperbacks currently in available in our shop.
November 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Some lovely vintage Penguin paperbacks currently in available in our shop.
Before and after of our setup at the PBFA Edinburgh one-day book fair today - we’re here at the Augustine Church Hall on George IV Bridge until 4pm!
November 8, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Before and after of our setup at the PBFA Edinburgh one-day book fair today - we’re here at the Augustine Church Hall on George IV Bridge until 4pm!
A window full of Norse and medieval treats to kick off November! And who doesn’t love a book about bog bodies?
November 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
A window full of Norse and medieval treats to kick off November! And who doesn’t love a book about bog bodies?
Penny for the Guy?
Thought this fantastic hand-coloured engraving from an 1804 edition of ‘The Costume of Great Britain’ was appropriate for today. It might be hard to start any bonfires or fireworks in this November rain, though.
Thought this fantastic hand-coloured engraving from an 1804 edition of ‘The Costume of Great Britain’ was appropriate for today. It might be hard to start any bonfires or fireworks in this November rain, though.
November 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Penny for the Guy?
Thought this fantastic hand-coloured engraving from an 1804 edition of ‘The Costume of Great Britain’ was appropriate for today. It might be hard to start any bonfires or fireworks in this November rain, though.
Thought this fantastic hand-coloured engraving from an 1804 edition of ‘The Costume of Great Britain’ was appropriate for today. It might be hard to start any bonfires or fireworks in this November rain, though.
Bibliophiles, check out this hot new tote bag now available for purchase in our shop. Design by @spyglassart.bsky.social
#booksky
#booksky
November 4, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Bibliophiles, check out this hot new tote bag now available for purchase in our shop. Design by @spyglassart.bsky.social
#booksky
#booksky
All set up and open at the @abararebooks.bsky.social Chelsea Book Fair! Open 2pm to 7pm today and 11am to 5pm on Saturday.
October 31, 2025 at 2:05 PM
All set up and open at the @abararebooks.bsky.social Chelsea Book Fair! Open 2pm to 7pm today and 11am to 5pm on Saturday.
Some legible and not so legible 17th century handwriting on the cataloguer’s desk today. What can you make out from the second picture?
October 30, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Some legible and not so legible 17th century handwriting on the cataloguer’s desk today. What can you make out from the second picture?
New bookish Christmas cards from @spyglassart.bsky.social are now in stock at McNaughtan’s
October 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
New bookish Christmas cards from @spyglassart.bsky.social are now in stock at McNaughtan’s
My favourite book inscription I’ve ever catalogued, to the rear board of a 1748 Bristol printing of Thomas à Kempis edited by John Wesley.
October 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
My favourite book inscription I’ve ever catalogued, to the rear board of a 1748 Bristol printing of Thomas à Kempis edited by John Wesley.
Just a few highlights from the books fresh on the shelves today. It’s a been a lovely, bustling Saturday in the shop— wishing everyone a delightful weekend of bookshop browsing!
October 25, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Just a few highlights from the books fresh on the shelves today. It’s a been a lovely, bustling Saturday in the shop— wishing everyone a delightful weekend of bookshop browsing!
Some spooky illustrations currently #onthecataloguerdesk from a scarce book of Tales of Fairy Land from 1847. They represent (in order) “The Unburied Legs”, the Elfin Piper, The Black Spider and Peter Schlemiel.
October 24, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Some spooky illustrations currently #onthecataloguerdesk from a scarce book of Tales of Fairy Land from 1847. They represent (in order) “The Unburied Legs”, the Elfin Piper, The Black Spider and Peter Schlemiel.
Delighted by these little characters found in a book by George Cruikshank on the cataloguer’s desk today.
October 23, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Delighted by these little characters found in a book by George Cruikshank on the cataloguer’s desk today.
Spooky season is well underway, so it seemed time to feature some of our favourite haunting titles. Come on down for a browse and claim some of these magnificent books before they disappear!
October 21, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Spooky season is well underway, so it seemed time to feature some of our favourite haunting titles. Come on down for a browse and claim some of these magnificent books before they disappear!