With 170 years of history Rae Macintosh Musicroom has become an institution for the musicians of Edinburgh.
Now the store has relocated to bigger and better premises elsewhere in the city at Shandwick Place, and the redesigned shop opened its doors for the first time yesterday to celebrate its new location.
A launch party event will be held on August 16 featuring local musicians, including staff and students from Rear View Music and harpist Robert Douglas Kerr. Festivities will take place between 4pm and 6pm. Stay tuned to Musicroom’s usual online channels for more information.
Prior to yesterday’s reopening, store manager Rae Lamond told the local press:
“The Rae Macintosh store has so much history and heritage in Edinburgh and is a much-loved store for locals. We are really looking forward to the move which will provide us with a wider range of instruments and accessories.”
Founded in the 1840s by a Mr Rae and Mr Macintosh in George Street, before being moved to Queensferry Street in the 1960s, Rae Macintosh Musicroom became a landmark and first port of call for musicians, both visiting Edinburgh and based in the city’s vibrant music scene.
Over the years, the store has welcomed countless famous musicians, ranging from renowned contralto Kathleen Ferrier in the 1940s to The Corries, Susan Boyle, and, most recently. Curtis Stigers. The store has also long been a pilgrimage site for players and music lovers due to its large collection of instruments and sheet music. In later years, Rae Macintosh even branched into the record business, issuing on its very own label.
Rae Macintosh and Musicroom join forces
When Musicroom bought the Rae Macintosh store they approached their ownership as custodians of the shop’s unique history and heritage. The partnership also gave Rae Macintosh a boost thanks to Musicroom’s status as the UK’s largest music retailer, online and on the high street.
Aiming to make music more accessible and exciting to all Musicroom’s unparalleled breadth of choice, backed up by leading customer service and support, has allowed Rae Macintosh Musicroom to continue to grow its legacy.
The brand new store, which continues to be the largest sheet music retailer in Edinburgh, now offers a much wider range of instruments and musical gifts, as well as a bespoke fitted keyboard area for Casio products.
Musicians of all ability levels and playing styles can also discover a large selection of other instrument brands, including Yamaha, Fender, Tanglewood, Pure Tone and Squier as well as brass, woodwind, electric and acoustic guitars, folk instruments, gifts and accessories and a huge range of sheet music fit for any amateur or professional musician.
See the new store for yourself and visit Rae Macintosh Musicroom at its new location at 41 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, EH2 4RG.
Click here to find out more about the store or get in contact with the team at Rae Macintosh Musicroom Edinburgh.