Miss G.A. Danson-Smith, in her Benjamin McCall Christian Bookshop, Edinburgh, shortly before it closed. Credit: The Edinburgh Reporter (Fair use)

One of the oldest bookshops in Edinburgh closed in April 2025. B McCall Barbour Christian Bookshop was opened by founder, Benjamin McCall Barbour, in 1900. He worked as a stationery salesman and published a booklet ‘Evangelising Edinburgh’s troubled youth’.

The bookshop had a quirky location, on the upper floor of a B-Listed Building, located on George IV Bridge, adjacent to the Frankenstein pub. It served both as a bookshop and a ministry service. After his death, the business was passed to his friend, James Danson-Smith, and then on to his daughter Miss G A Danson-Smith.

Faced with a decision as to whether to sell the shop or close it, she chose closure.

She explained: “I’m not getting any younger – now 94 years old – and I’m not able to go to work now. I have to preserve the testimony that the firm has had over 125 years.

She added: “It isn’t easy. Considering the population of Edinburgh, and the number of local customers, there were not so many locals coming in. There always seemed to be more customers coming from further away; from other parts of Great Britain, from Northern Ireland, and also from abroad. Even the Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, North America, and actually all over the world.”

WONDERFUL

Bookshop Manager, Chris Wedderburn, said: “Working for B. McCall Barbour over the last four years has been the most wonderful period of employment in my life so far. Spending the working day in a Christian environment – with the bulk of customers holding to Christian values – makes a noticeable difference in the quality of communications, and lifts the inevitable toil of any working day, from a necessary obligation, to a pleasurable act of service. It’s a truly remarkable reflection and outcome of what happens when people apply the Bible – the Word of God – to themselves, in everyday life.”

The bookshop held a ‘Closing Down Sale’ in its last weeks, giving a discount of 50% off all existing stock. A final notice to customers read: “We deeply regret that B. McCall Barbour Christian bookshop is closing. Thank you – every one of you – for your faithful support with both your custom and your prayers over the many years – both very much appreciated.”

Reprinted with permission from British Church Newspaper www.britishchurchnewspaper.co.uk

B McCall Christian Bookshop, Edinburgh, closed in 2025 after 125 years in business