I visited Georgian Antiques a few weeks ago. Located in the port area of Leith in northwest Edinburgh, it’s web site says it has 50,000 square feet of floor space. You don’t really understand how big that is until you go there. Their current building is an old Abbotts
Choice whisky bond. Their web site lists periods that their stock represents starting from 1644!

Upon entering there is someone to greet you and offer some guidance on conquering the five floors of merchandise. They suggested starting at the top! I went into this vintage lift (elevator) and took it to the 5th floor. This huge lift is also how they move the huge furniture.

I worked my way down from the 5th floor by taking the stairs after walking around each floor.

Aside from the rows of bureaus, cabinets, tables, bookcases, secretaries and upholstered pieces, there were some unique sections that stood out. For example, for all of your taxidermy needs, they may have what you are looking for.

If you need any haberdashery items or boots, they have that too.

I don’t even know what these are, elephant foot footstools? You have several to choose from.

Antique golf clubs? yes, plenty of those to choose from as well.

While exploring the floors there were staff members always ready to answer questions. They also encouraged me to stop in the polishing and wood work shops that are located on the first floor. I did just that and was amazed.

The polishing shop does just that, it waxes and polishes. Look at the walls in the shop with the different colors of wax. I thought that wall was so interesting, to see the many colors of waxes that were sampled to keep the pieces well maintained.

The wood work ship was equally impressive. You got to walk around while people worked on repairing and restoring antique pieces. They allowed you to take any photos you wanted and ask questions. I loved the bone yard of pieces and bits that they have sorted, drawers of different knobs, wood separated by type, walnut, mahogany, pine, and also by shape. The work benches and walls of antique tools were also amazing. I did see a few modern pieces of electric carpentry equipment and asked about it, but they said they rely heavily on the antique woodworking tools.

You could easily spend hours at Georgian Antiques not only browsing the furniture, but experiencing the work shops they have made open to the public. It was not just a shopping experience, but also a history and art appreciation lesson.

Remember I mentioned that the building was an old whisky bond? Well, on your way out, don’t forget to look for the vintage bottles of Abbotts Choice whisky that pays homage to that history. They very much strive to maintain the history of the building and the craftsmanship that it currently holds.