Cafes in Edinburgh: the new seat of learning
The students of the University of Edinburgh were informed on Thursday that in order to accommodate the high volume of traffic the main library is receiving during this exam period (rejoice, oh those of you in the real world!), a lecture hall is being made available for study space.
I must admit that I appreciate the effort the University has made in an effort to rectify this dilemma, but I also do not fancy revising in one of George Square’s ubiquitous tower blocks given the range of other wonderful options available in Edinburgh at large.
One morning a beloved lecturer began by saying that a successful university is down to two things: free coffee and free photocopying. To that end, let us survey some of the best study spaces in Edinburgh where a good cuppa is guaranteed, all conveniently located for those of us affiliated with the university in reasonable proximity to photocopying facilities:
Peter’s Yard
This Swedish coffee shop on the Quartermile offers delightful fresh coffee and tempting cakes. My latest intrigue here was with the Princess Cake – green on the outside with plenty of cream and jam in the middle. The breakfasts are a good investment when embarking on a day of fierce mental exertion.
The Elephant House
With an optimistic orange exterior on George IV Bridge, this shop is happily located across the road from the National Library of Scotland. A quick nibble of elephant-shaped shortbread balances nicely with a 9.30am start on dense qualitative research.
Black Medicine
This is the perfect place for a bit of a repose amid the bustle of Nicolson Street. Just across from the University’s Old College, the atmosphere puts me in the mood for Gothic novels, even when statistics textbooks are the only thing on my menu. Everything is a little more bearable with a tasty pastry on the table.
The Forest
If you are currently maintaining the lifestyle of a starving student and even a glimpse of macaroni is making you cringe, try the enormously delicious and affordable meals here. The art space at the entrance is an inspiring study break and the prices here mean you can down as many lattes in an afternoon as you need to and still make the rent.
With these options in mind, I might never be able to bring myself to go to the library again. If only we could convince cafes that photocopiers are a good investment...
by Elizabeth Anderson
Posted by Elizabeth on May 03, 2010.