Backtracks Music Film & Games

It was pouring rain, our first day in Edinburgh from Seattle area. As we tried to escape right outside this shop in the bus stop, we heard a voice say do you need an umbrella? We said yes, stepped inside Backtracks and purchased a very durable good umbrella according to Tommy. He gave us a deal and some advice to visit the Museums when it rains. The next day we discovered his portrait at the Portrait Gallery and were thrilled that we took his advice. What fun!!

Cool unique shop. It is a struggle to get around yes, but it's so much more interesting than going around another shop that's identical to every other! It's a cool spot dedicated to every little nerdy media format you could possibly collect. I'd say this place would be difficult for anyone with mobility issues to explore, that's the only downside.

I've been looking for audiobooks for ages but most second hand shops don't have any. This place does and I bought several, at a very good price. This shop is more like a museum than a shop as it's full of old material, stacked up ingeniously. The way the owner moves around is remarkable and someone should make a video of him. I chatted to the owner (Tommy Robertson) and he's been doing this for over 20 years. it's an old fashioned shop which is now a rarity and for that reason alone it's worth a visit. He also has a series of great vinyl albums, films on DVD and VHS, endless CDs, old video games, golf clubs, old bikes and all sorts of other stuff. This shop should be preserved by special order as it's a wonder.

Dusty. Cluttered. Uncomfortable. The place is impossible to move in. You can’t access almost anything because it all has to be moved out of the way. A good 10% of the items are broken, about 40% are damaged, and everything else is too expensive. The prices in here are absolutely extortionate. On top of all the mess, dust, and decay, the guy has a really unsettling and uncomfortable vibe to him. I recommend staying clear of this place. The only time I could recommend buying anything from here is when it finally shuts down. Maybe then the prices will be close to fair.

Looks interesting but so small and messy that entering with my tiny backbag I felt like I was a giant in a porcelain shop. Impossible to browse things… too bad