OUR HISTORY

The Nomads Tent was established by Rufus Reade in 1983 after a journey through Turkey exploring and purchasing kilims and rugs. Starting In Edinburgh in Rufus's home, the business began importing furniture and many artefacts, textiles and jewellery from the Middles East, The Himalayan KIngdoms, Afghanistan, India, South East Asia and others. We set up stall in homes around the UK which rapidly became a popular and enjoyable experience for people far beyond Edinburgh. But it required more storage so 21 St Leonard's Lane was purchased as both a retail venue and a storage facility. For over 30 years people could wander through 'Alladin's Cave' as many described it. 21 St Leonard's Lane was big enough to allow exhibitions to be set up seperate from the retail space. 

Andrew Haughton, who joined The Nomads Tent in 2008, purchased the business from Rufus Reade in 2015. With 35 years experience buying and selling rugs, and a deep love of the cultures our trade was rooted in, Andrew and his team continued to explore and buy in the markets and bazaars of countries which retained traditional crafts. The combination of a large and varied retail offering, 'Road Shows' around the UK and themed exhibitions in the Edinburgh gallery continued.

With the constraints on gatherings of various kinds during and following Covid 19, the Road Shows had to stop and it became impossible to re-start them They had been an important reason for having such large premises. The change coincided with the huge domination of retail culture by the internet which lacked the social 'in-person' experience we new people loved. In 2024 it was clear shopping habits had shifted, the warehouse at St Leonard's was too big and it was time to change again. 

In 2025 we moved out. At a final party, friends joined us to say goodbye to many lovely memories, to our good neighbours and to a trading post that had become an Edinburgh institution. On 18th June, not far away, in a handsome, double-windowed 19th century retail shop, a new Nomads Tent appeared, which, as one customer put it, was "Same but different"! Visitors can immediately see the focus is clearly on rugs. There is no more furniture and few small artefacts, though Andrew still imports a few textiles displayed downstairs and there is always a small mountain of cushions to rummage through. You will find there neatly displayed a fine collection of decorative, new and old rugs, carpets and kilims. 

If you have a favourite or older rug in need of care, we offer expert advice, cleaning and repairs, moth treatments, and a range of non-slip underlays.

Thank you for being part of our story—enjoy exploring our site and visiting us in Marchmont where we are open from Wednesday to Saturday 11 to 5 pm.