How funkiest charity shop in Edinburgh is helping homeless
The Bothy Boutique in central Edinburgh is the retail arm of The Breakfast Bothy, a small grassroots charity supporting people in the community who are experiencing homelessness.
Article Source: The Bothy Boutique
Last Updated: 26 June 2025 13:43
With its brightly painted shop front and a neon light reading “sunshine in a bag”, it would be easy to forget that The Bothy Boutique in central Edinburgh has a serious mission behind its sunny facade.
Opened last summer in the trendy suburb of Marchmont, The Bothy Boutique has become a favourite shopping destination for curated second-hand gems and affordable prices in a funky and vibrant atmosphere. In the past month alone, manager Tim Fidelo has noticed a surge in locals and tourists alike flocking to the shop which some shoppers have dubbed “the funkiest charity shop in Edinburgh”. Among the standout finds is a Burberry runway piece, a delicate lace top from a summer collection 10 years ago, that’s currently in store and valued at over £300.
What customers might not know is that The Bothy Boutique is the retail arm of The Breakfast Bothy, a small grassroots charity supporting people in the community who are experiencing homelessness. With every purchase at the shop, profits go directly towards hot meals, funding a community token scheme, and providing tailored help to people in need.
The Breakfast Bothy serves an average of 40 guests per day from a former police box on the corner of Marchmont Road and The Meadows. Like The Bothy Boutique, you can’t miss The Breakfast Bothy for its iconic bright red and yellow paint and sunshine logo.
In addition to support provided in-store and from the policebox, the team also operates a token scheme in partnership with local businesses which covers the costs of haircuts, laundry services and bike repairs for guests in need. They recently helped set up a community foodshare and a fully operational recording studio at the nearby Pavilion Cafe, and have partnered with social enterprise The Ootsider to distribute warm jackets to rough sleepers.
Former guest at The Breakfast Bothy and now employee, Sawnie says: “It’s always awesome to see new faces at The Breakfast Bothy because it means the word is spreading about the support we provide, but ideally we’d have no guests at all because homelessness wouldn’t be an issue. Unfortunately that’s just not the reality, especially as we come into the Fringe, where many people living in temporary accommodation are displaced to make way for visitors every year. We’re here to help where we can with great coffee, a chat, and support for whatever they need.”
The charity is part of the umbrella company Carlowrie Group, led by Andrew Marshall and which has a long history of charitable initiatives. Over 15 years ago, Mr Marshall opened his first homelessness charity, RESTART Lives, in London, which is still a core part of Carlowrie Group today. The Breakfast Bothy was founded during the 2020 lockdown, in response to the difficulties society faced with loneliness, isolation, and housing insecurity, and is supported by the businesses in the group, including Carlowrie Castle, Edinburgh Street Food, and Innovative Partners.
Mr Marshall says: “The number of people experiencing homelessness in Scotland is shocking, with recent statistics showing the highest recorded numbers of people experiencing homelessness since 2011, and still increasing. At The Breakfast Bothy we do as much as we can to support our guests throughout various difficulties they face but we’re constantly reminded that more needs to be done to look out for people in need.”
In 2025, The Breakfast Bothy is looking to expand their services further, with plans to hire additional support staff and partner with more service providers. To help fund their plans, they urge shoppers to purchase their next outfit, household item or table top game from The Bothy Boutique or make a donation via their website: www.thebreakfastbothy.com.
Corporate funding opportunities are also welcomed.
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