Unicorn Antiques is a family-run antique shop at 65 Dundas Street, in Edinburgh's New Town. Nancy Duncan opened it in 1969, and her son David Secchi now runs it with her. Between them they have over 70 years of experience, and both trained with some of the leading antiques dealers in Scotland. The shop marked its 50th anniversary in 2019.
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The shop takes up the ground and basement floors of a former Victorian dairy. The original 19th-century Dutch tiled walls, the Victorian tiled floors and the marble shelving are still in place, so the building is part of the visit. The stock covers genuine antiques and vintage pieces from the early 18th century to the mid-20th century. You will find architectural fixtures, high-quality furniture, cutlery, china, chandeliers, rugs, paintings, historic maps, glass, ceramics, silver-plated objects, brass fittings and musical instruments. Some examples are a rustic overpainted coal hod, a Georgian mahogany drop-leaf dining table and a collection of glass apothecary bottles. Many of the items come from Scotland.
David says there is no right or wrong way to buy antiques, so it makes sense to buy what you like rather than focusing on value. Nancy mentions that they sometimes keep pieces for themselves, such as a clockwork Santa Claus. Film Edinburgh lists the shop as a prop shop for photo shoots because of its range of old and unusual items.
On Google the shop has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 168 reviews, and on Evendo it has 4 out of 5 from 143 reviews. Prices are mid-range, and the usual suggested visit is between 1 and 2.5 hours.
The shop opens on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 17:00. It is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, so today, a Wednesday, it is shut. Hours can change for special events, and the owners recommend calling during the festive period, when they are often extended. You can reach them on 0131 556 7176, by email at unicornantiques@hotmail.com, or on 07446 254 265.
By bus, take Lothian Buses 8 or 26 from the city centre. The journey takes 15 to 20 minutes and a ticket costs around £1.80. By tram, get off at Haymarket and walk for about 15 minutes; the tram ticket costs around £6. A taxi from the city centre takes 10 to 15 minutes and costs between £8 and £12. If you prefer to walk, it takes 25 to 30 minutes from Princes Street. The New Town was laid out from 1767 to a design by James Craig and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Published Date
21 October 2026
