Nomads Tent

I remember stumbling across this little (or rather, quite expansive) treasure trove after trekking through the snow and up a short-​cut beside Arthur’s Seat on my way across town one winter’s day.
It was the middle of the snowy spell, it was freezing, my feet were numb, and walking down the side-​street I noticed the small sign for Nomad’s Tent. Any excuse to warm up, I popped inside.
A huge array of indoor furniture, furnishings, jewelery cabinets, rugs and ornaments greeted my eyes (as well as a warm heater. Oh and a dog.) As the name implies, it was all influenced from the middle east and had a very moroccan-​market feel to it. Think dark wooden carvings, persian rugs, silver jewelery with semi-​precious stones. A very earthy, bohemian but in an expensive manner type place.
I used to work in a store quite like this for a Saturday job when still a school student. So I feel I know this particular market of ethnic, earthy «look how in touch with nature I am». It’s all very ethnic looking until you see the western prices attached. Ouch.
I didn’t get a proper chance to look around, and it was really big inside. I’m only giving it three stars until I go back and survey the jewelery stands further. But if you need some furniture, rugs, furnishings or have a penchant for some persian or middle eastern décor, hunt out the Nomad’s Tent. You won’t be disappointed.

The first thing to say about the Nomad’s Tent is that it is surprising. Down an unremarkable side street, in the largely featureless area between the Commonwealth Pool and the Pleasance, you don’t expect to suddenly stumble across a huge emporium of rare and exotic artefacts from around the world. When I first came here, I almost thought it must be some kind of mirage, and half suspected that it would have disappeared into thin air the next time I passed by.
Subsequent visits have reassured me that the place is perfectly real. Stepping inside is like stepping out of Scotland into another, opulent realm where every inch of space is covered with priceless Turkish carpets, Ming vases, lacquered cabinets, Russian icon paintings, luxurious wall hangings and ceremonial costumes from nomadic tribes.
I have no idea where the owner of this shop acquires all these amazing items, nor who comes to this out of the way shop to buy them, but I do know that you can spend hours marvelling at what is in here. Although, unless you happen to be a wealthy aristocrat looking to furnish a palace, or some other extravagant moneyed-​up type, you’ll probably, like me, limit yourself to window shopping.