Edinburgh’s forgotten record stores

Back in the day when vinyl was king, Edinburgh was home to a number of thriving record stores. We take a look at the stores that are no longer in business but are still fondly remembered

Bruce Findlay inside his record shop in Edinburgh

Gutter Music, 19 Henderson Row, Edinburgh.

Gutter Music was known for its extensive selection of vintage LPs and 45s, at low prices. Its stock also included releases from Postcard label - the Glasgow-based independent record label founded by Alan Horne in 1979 as a vehicle for Orange Juice and Josef K releases.

Bruce’s, Rose Street

A view of Bruce Findlay standing outside his record shop in Edinburgh

Brothers Bruce and Brian Findlay opened their first record shop in Falkirk in 1967 before setting their sites on the capital city. Their second store opened two years later and remained in business until the early 80s.

Bruce’s specialised in US imports and underground rock and carrier bags branded with the ‘I Found It At Bruce’s’ slogan. Sandy McLean, owner of Glasgow’s Love Music store previously worked in the much loved Bruce’s. For thousands of 1970s and 80s teenagers, the music shops were essential meeting points to pick up the latest vinyl and carry it home in an ‘I found it at Bruce’s’ bag.

“In those days the record shop in the high street enjoyed the same profile in the community as the butcher and the baker. One of the things we did in the shops, particularly in Edinburgh, was to encourage acts to come in to sign autographs and we had some amazing artists – Ian Dury, Tom Petty, Blondie, The Police. The shop became a place where people would come to hang out as well as buy music. It was good times and we had a glorious run”, Bruce Findlay told the Edinburgh Evening News.

Bandparts, Antigua Street

Owners Brian Findlay and Bruce Findlay with the distinctive red carrier bag 'I Found It At Bruce's' outside Bruce's record shop in Rose Street Edinburgh in November 1972

Bandparts was one of the few record stores in Edinburgh that invited customers to listen to the latest albums in 60s-style listening booths. The shop was so integral to the city’s culture that the owner Ronnie Blacklock and his wife Dorothy are mentioned in Irvine Welsh’s 2001 novel, Glue.

Ezy Ryder, Oddfellows’ Hall

Ezy Ryder shared its space with a clothes retailer but sold masses of second-hand records - some for as little as 2p each. It was situated in the Greyfriars market and sold various items not as popular as its records. The store ended trading in 1984.

Recalling a visit there on The Edinburgh Gig Archive website, Keith Mitchell said: “The main guy at Ezy Rider was a diminutive, volatile chap with a Glasgow-type accent – the crabbiest record salesperson, or any kind of salesperson, I ever encountered.”

The Other Record Shop, High Street, Edinburgh.

This started life in St Mary’s Street and offered a large supply of second hand and deleted 45s upstairs. It shutdown in the mid 80s.