Our main destination was Topping and Company Booksellers. We've always loved Topping's in Bath, and when we discovered the Edinburgh shop, we put it top of our "bookshops to visit" list.
We had a lovely drive up to Edinburgh, the roads were very quiet and we passed through lots of pretty towns and villages, once we left the M74. So many of these small market towns and villages belong in the novels of D E Stevenson, especially Biggar and Silver Burn, which finds its way into Miss Buncle's Book as Copper Stream).
Topping's was simply amazing. We browsed for over two hours and made a selection of fabulous books. I don't think I've been to such a wonderful bookshop for years. There really aren't enough superlatives to describe this shop!
Some friends had recommended the Italian café, next door. So, after several pots of coffee in Topping's, we enjoyed some delicious Italian food.
Finally, we walked up to Valvona and Crolla, the Italian delicatessen made famous by Alexander McCall Smith in his Bertie books. This is where Bertie and his grandmother, Nicola, escape Bertie's unbearable mother, Irene; and enjoy cappucino and panforte!
We made a fine selection of cheese and enjoyed a coffee in the café at the back of the delicatessen.
All in all we had a simply gorgeous day and are already planning our next trip to Topping's.