Armstrong's (Est. 1840)

Or, more correctly, Armstrong's Vintage Emporium.

But just Armstrong's to Edinburghers. And if anywhere deserved the moniker "Emporium" it is this place.

It is a treasure trove of vintage clothing. This is not a second hand clothes shop but a place where you can dress youself in style gone by.

It was a very grey day this morning. Woke to rain and serious thick fog. The castle dissapeared and we could no longer see it from the kitchen window. To stop the kids going postal (and the parents!) we pulled on our rain togs and headed out. Toots wanted to go to the castle and we had reached Castle Terrace when she started grumping something rotten. Lifemuser was feeling knackered after a long week and a busy weekend. Deciding it was wise to separate Toots from Mum I sent Mum home so she could tidy up and feel better. I know what you're thinking; sent home to tidy up! But you should see the mess two little people can make and I knew that Mrs Clix being home and having tidied up so that she could then relax and sit down with a book was light years better than being stuck with a grumpy 3 year old in the rain and knowing she was going to get home to a pig sty of scattered plastic toys and books.

Sans Mum, we grabbed some food and headed across the Grassmarket towards the Museum of Scotland. Toots had changed her mind. No castle Daddy, Museum!

Anyway, we were passing Armstrong's and I couldn't resist nipping inside. What a treasure trove this place is. The lady up front hanging kilts on rails said "sure, go ahead" when I asked whether I could shoota few pics inside as I wanted to try to capture the atmosphere of the place.

If you are visiting Edinburgh you really must nip down to the Grassmarket and visit this place. It is a real find for anyone who doesn't know about it already.

PS. Wasn't sure if it was better in B&W or colour?