Edinburgh has a curious habit of hiding its history in the most unexpected places. Cowgate — one of the city’s oldest streets — once saw herds of cattle driven towards Grassmarket, before evolving into a shadowy hub of illicit trade, gambling, and prostitution. What was once a prestigious address degenerated into one of Edinburgh’s most dangerous corners, until the city gradually transformed it beyond recognition. It was right here in 1840 that W. Armstrong & Son first opened its doors — a shop that also plays with time, but strictly on its own terms. Its shelves make no attempt to neatly arrange the past decade by decade: Victorian garments, 1950s glamour, and 1980s eccentricity collide, turning vintage into a living, delightfully chaotic, and uniquely Edinburgh experiment. More at edinburghka.
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From Livestock to Vintage: The Story of W. Armstrong & Son
The story of W. Armstrong & Son began in 1840. It originally operated from modest premises on Cowgate, selling menswear, including tweed and kilts. In time, the emporium found a vibrant new home in the Grassmarket area — a location steeped in history that proved to be a perfect fit. Grassmarket had been Edinburgh’s bustling trade hub since the 14th century, hosting cattle markets, grain traders, inns, and taverns, while also serving as a site for public executions. Although the atmosphere has shifted completely, the area’s historic soul naturally complements the shop’s concept.
Over generations, W. Armstrong & Son evolved alongside the city and fashion itself. While its inventory initially focused on traditional menswear, over time it grew into an expansive treasure trove spanning multiple decades. Vintage, pre-loved, and period garments became the cornerstone of its collection, making the store feel more like a living archive than a standard retail space.
Fashion by W. Armstrong & Son That Refuses to Age
Over the years, two additional W. Armstrong & Son stores opened across Edinburgh, with the headquarters eventually moving to Clerk Street. Nevertheless, the Grassmarket location remains the brand’s most iconic flagship. The shelves and clothing rails at W. Armstrong & Son take shoppers on a journey through more than a century of fashion history. Here, Victorian pieces hang alongside vibrant 1980s ski suits. Visitors particularly treasure pieces by brands like Biba, Ossie Clark, and Bellino. Yet the store’s true magic isn’t just about famous labels — it lies in the thrill of unexpected discovery.
The owners of W. Armstrong & Son have continually redefined what a vintage shopping space can be. This approach became especially clear during the 2020 lockdown when Carol and Greg McMorris began sourcing unique decorative items from local shops. On social media, they announced plans to open a fourth location right in the city center. By autumn, the new Cockburn Street shop welcomed its first visitors, carrying forward its signature eclectic aesthetic. Clothing and accessories line not just the walls but fill the center of the room, turning the shopping experience into an exploration of a vast wardrobe without rigid boundaries between eras. The decor accentuates this whimsical vibe: a bright yellow male figure wearing a feather boa suspends beneath the ceiling, while a row of mannequin heads in hats lines a top shelf.
In 2024, W. Armstrong & Son earned a spot on The Times’ list of the UK’s best vintage stores. Alongside the Edinburgh shop, the feature showcased destinations across the country, including London, Llangollen, and Dorset. In this context, the shop stands out as much more than a retail destination; it was praised as a textile archive where history comes alive through fabric textures, silhouettes, and details. Coexisting under one roof are items crafted for vastly different generations, cultural movements, and fashion eras — a defining quality that caught the attention of The Times.
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Recognition and the Legacy of W. Armstrong & Son
Reviews of W. Armstrong & Son don’t tell a simple, uniform success story — and that is precisely what makes them so revealing. Visitor feedback comes from shoppers across the UK, the US, and the UAE, reflecting the shop’s global pull. Customers often highlight the sheer volume of items, the incredible variety, and the delight of sifting through racks to find hidden gems. One US visitor shared how she stumbled upon the shop by chance and was blown away by its jam-packed layout, eccentric decor, and vibrant atmosphere. Others point to its budget-friendly prices: one shopper recalled picking up a Harris Tweed jacket for £45, while another snagged a Levi’s shirt and jeans combo for just £36. Ultimately, for some, it is an affordable treasure trove; for others, a chaotic maze requiring patience; and for many, a place that offers a memorable spark of discovery during a trip.
Mister J Photography