You know that we’re all about recommending the coolest design-led hotels across the globe, but we also have friends in all the right places. Our Local Folkals series gives you low-down on the coolest off-the-radar spots that you probably won’t discover on your own. Here, musician, vintage clothing aficionado, and all-round awesome person Jane Gilbert shares just why she loves Edinburgh, and why you will too.

Our fave slince, Jane Gilbert shares the best things to do in Edinburgh

Hi, Jane. Thanks so much for sitting down with us. Tell us a little about your relationship with Edinburgh.

I was born in Edinburgh in 1981 and after moving away in 2006 and popping back and forth in between, I finally settled back in the city permanently in 2019. I always had a reluctance to move back to my hometown but now that I’m here, I couldn’t think of a better place to be.

And how do you while away your time?

Well, I’m writing this in a little cafe on my day off. I very much enjoy drinking a lot of coffee and taking advantage of all of the beautiful parks and gardens and walks Edinburgh has to offer as well as going on little jaunts to small villages outside the city.

I work for Armstrongs Vintage Clothing as store manager. It has four locations in the city so I spend a lot of time surrounded by magical clothes.

I have a little studio set up at home too, so I do a lot of the writing and recording of my music there.

How does Scotland influence your music?

A lot of the narrative behind my music comes from a place of escapism, of getting lost in beautiful landscapes, with an onus on solitude and the ability to internalise your surroundings, that definitely stems from Scotland’s abundance of nature and wilderness.

I watched a really interesting documentary recently called The Amber Light about the close connection between Scottish traditional music, social history, whisky and the art of bringing people together. It really struck a chord with me and I guess sums up my connection with Scotland and my music as a whole.

What do you love most about living in the city?

I love how accessible everything is, you don’t need to drive anywhere, you can get to many neighbourhoods by public transport or walking. I love a wander through the city streets or along The Water of Leith. This river artery that runs through the town, makes you feel like you’re in the countryside and yet you are slap-bang in the middle of Edinburgh.

I also love the amount of galleries, open spaces, and varying neighbourhoods we have.

What’s the best way to get around the city in your opinion?

The city has an excellent bus service and now has a tram line which was a controversial addition here for many locals as it went way over budget and took years to complete. It
lead to lots of closure of local business due to the disruption. However, I choose to walk as
much as I can as its so easy to do here and incredibly enjoyable.

The bus route 124 from Waterloo Place takes you all along the East Coast to Dunbar and North Berwick and the 43 going in the other direction takes you to a lovely village called South Queensferry next to forth Road and Rail Bridge. Theres a great walk you can do to Dalmeny from there as well.

You’re a musician, so for readers who want to catch some local music while visiting, where would you recommend?

To be completely honest, I don’t frequent gigs that often. I gave up drinking three years ago so I’m more inclined to make my music at home and go on big jaunts around the place during the daytime. However, that’s not to say there aren’t a few places you can catch a band or two.

Sandy Bell’s, Captain’s Bar, The Royal Oak, and the Edinburgh Folk Club are all good for traditional Scottish music.

Events like LeithLate and The Hidden Door Festival which happen annually highlight local talent in music, spoken word, visual arts, and bring to life incredible buildings and spaces that are normally not in use.

VoxBox Music which is a record store in Stockbridge puts on great intimate gigs from time to time.

If you want some indie, rock roll type of thing, Sneaky Pete’s in The Cowgate hosts more international acts and The Biscuit Factory in Leith has been known to put on more dance/drum and bass club nights.

Do you have some favourite hang outs that you would recommend for first-time visitors to Edinburgh?

I’m not really one to ‘hang out’ as such these days but The Fruitmarket Gallery has some great contemporary art exhibits, The Meadows, Inverleith Park, and Leith Links are popular spots to meet friends and while away the day. (Weather depending!)

FruitMarket Gallery art
Rebecca Moss, Thick-skinned, 2019. Digital video, 3 mins 52 Secs (Photo: Fruitmarket via Facebook)

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a definite must-visit, especially when the blossoms or blue poppies are out and the cafes there are really lovely too.

Places like Paradise Palms, The Dog House, and Civerinos Slice are popular hang out spots for students. Paradise Palms also has a great events line up with local DJS and club nights a regular occurrence.

Our readers love to eat. Any must-visit restaurants, bars, or cafes?

Oh gosh, so many! Cafe wise – I get my takeaway en route to the shop from Soderberg on Broughton Street, its a Swedish cafe and they have a few outlets dotted around, Timo the manager makes a banging cup of Joe and all the staff are brilliant!

Fortitude Coffee in Stockbridge is another favourite of mine, it’s actually where I am now!

Bars, as I said Paradise Palms is super fun and has a great interior. I really like more traditional-style boozers which are becoming a bit few and far between like Cloisters and Bennets. I enjoy sitting outside The Barony Bar on a summers day and getting a non alc beer and a poke of chips!

I recently rediscovered The Star Bar in the new town which I hadn’t been to in years. Again, it has very retro interior and the guy working there was super friendly.

St. Vincent in Stockbridge is also somewhere I nip into occasionally. The atmosphere is really cosy and they do great cocktails. It has an abundance of hanging flowers outside and a wall of photos of its local dogs on the wall as well as a big record collection!

Ka Pao Edinburgh food
Ka Pao

Restaurants – Lucky Yu and Ka Pao for Asian. I highly recommend Tanjore for South Indian which is on South Bridge; its excellent value for money and the couple who own it are lovely. El Cartel for Mexican, and the family run Bells Diner in Stockbridge for magic burgers!

Any other Edinburgh secrets that you want to share?

Pop along to The Stockbridge Market on a Sunday morning then take a walk up the Water of Leith which takes you through Dean Village and up to Gallery of Modern Art. You can extend this walk even further to Roseburn and you pass some lovely houses right on the river bed along the way. I find this walk really helps me recharge and find some peace.

I would also recommend the flea market at The Blue Drill Hall in Leith which takes place on the last Saturday of every month. There are lots of fabulous shops and cafes nearby as well as a couple of lovely vintage shops.

And if readers want to follow you, where can they find you and your gorgeous music?

You can follow me on Instagram and the link in my bio on there will let you listen to my new single Reborn & Grown from March 29th, watch my music videos and pre-save my upcoming track on Spotify before its release.

Be sure to follow Jane on Instagram to keep up with all her new music