Ruffians

I normally go to Ruffians in London but finding myself in Edinburgh with crazy Don King hair one afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a Ruffians here too.
Firstly, the tea is lovely, and I do love good tea when you’re sitting in a chair for half an hour staring at yourself.
I canna remember who cut my hair (woops) but we had a quick discussion about what I wanted/​needed and 5mins later it was wash wash wash before moving on to the main event.
The place is nice, and the other staff friendly; they had good music playing and with my abovementioned tea in hand, it was actually quite an enjoyable experience!
Would I go again? Living in London may make that difficult but I did prefer this particular branch to the Covent Garden one.

Not cheap, but definitely a case of getting what you pay for. I am new to male grooming, and rather late to it in my mid-​50s, so I went to Ruffians for a beard shape and trim with not a little self-​consciousness. I needn’t have worried. I was made very welcome on arrival and was offered tea or coffee. I was met by Maura and she explained the range of options, what they would cost, and the techniques and treatments she would use. We talked about my requirements, and she asked very professional questions about my health and skincare experiences. The actual trim, application of exfoliants, shaving gel, hot/​cold towels was explained at every stage. I was then given advice as to what I should do until my next visit. Excellent, friendly service throughout. I am extremely satisfied and already looking forward to my next visit.

So I recently got a haircut from my local unisex hairdressers and after two weeks I just wasn’t happy with it. I done some Internet searching for the best mens barbers in edinburgh and the name that kept coming up was ruffians.
I called up to make an appointment and I have literally just left the place and made an account on here to write the review.
Ruffians lives up to the hype, it is honestly the best place I have ever been to get a cut and I’ve never been happier with a haircut before. When I first entered I was greeted very professionally and friendily by the girl at the door and was offered a drink. I arrived a little bit early so I sat down and waited for a bit. Then the guy who was going to cut my hair, Ian, came over and introduced himself to me and took me to a chair and mirror so we could decide what kind of cut I would like. After we talked for a bit and he gave me some very good advice the girl from the door washed my hair and gave me a head massage which was very relaxing.
Then the haircut started and I can honestly say Ian was amazing, my hair has never looked better and I have never been happier. I will definetly be back and I will definetly be requesting Ian again.
The only thing I would say is that it is a little pricey, £35 or £25 for students but well worth the money
⁵⁄₅

I was traveling for a few weeks and started looking kinda unabomber. Found this place on Unilocal and made an appointment. Shave and haircut. Expensive. Worth it.
I’ve had many hot towel shaves, and this was the best. My skin usually gets irritated after, but not this time. Laura (I think? Redhead. Edinburgh native.) was amazing. Attention to detail, mad skills. My haircut was great too. I’m still amazed at the shave. No irritation is a minor miracle. Everyone who worked here seemed nice. Good music too (lots of Kinks and Libertines)!
If you are in need of a cut or shave. Go here.

Great service, great staff, great haircut. After my first visit I can find nothing to complain about at all. Relaxed, proffesional, skilled and service minded.

I was immediately checked in and then seated with a beer in one hand and an iPad in the other and having a chat with the lovely owner; a great start. The ‘shop’ is a very clean, stylish and comfortable place.
My hair was done by Laura, who with little explanation, knew what I wanted and gave me a perfect cut without any fuss. Leaving with my hair probably looking better than it’s ever done.
Having tried quite a few, I can say that Ruffians is definitely a notch above other barbers in town and at a very reasonable price as well!
Until now, i’ve never really found a ‘go to’ place for a haircut but I’m very glad to say I finally have!

I am not generally one for spending much on grooming — I tend to stay just on the right side of «washed». I generally goto barbers where I need at least 2 weeks before it looks like I’ve not got my head caught in a lawnmower.
However I was off to an important event just before christmas and my hair had become… untenable.
I had to find a solution FAST. I went to Ruffians.
Booked in and turned up. Seated at their high stools in the pleasant atmosphere of wooden paneling and rustic manly chunky furniture and good solid butler sinks I played on an IPad while drinking a coffee waiting for my hairdresser.
She came up and took me to a seat. We discussed what I wanted, what I used on the hair (at the time I hadn’t used shampoo/​anything else in like 3 years) how I liked to wear it.
We then had a hairwash and condition, and then a very nice head massage.
They plugged me into a seat and the cut began. Chat was good. Hair was better. It looked ace. I went out to a bar that night and got about 3 compliments on my hair. Now I’m not sure if this is because my hair is usually shit or not…
I’ve been back since and they did just as good a job. It was ace. So I would recommend it. It was FAR more expensive than I used to spend on haircuts (£35) however it was easily worth it. I will probably now get my hair cut more often — and be more confident in my appearance.
Well done ruffians — you win.

Found myself away from my trusted Glasgow barber’s so decided to give Ruffians a shout for a Crimbo cut.
If you’re used to waiting half an hour for a five minute cut before leaving with that feeling you must have ‘awkward’ hair because the result wasn’t quite what you’d hoped for, then maybe Ruffians is for you. After a decent free latte and a browse on an iPad fixed to an old school desk (I managed to contain the flashbacks) I was washed, massaged and cut/​clippered to perfection.
Chat was nice, and the whole experience was professional and positively indulgent. More importantly, for those of us who are follically risk averse, Ruffians is a safe bet.
However, it doesn’t come cheap. Your wash and cut is £32, which did get me thinking about the 5 stars. However, I think guys are looking for a bit of ‘me time’ and if the product and experience is good then cost can be white-​lied away to the other half.
Ruffians won’t lure me away from my regular choppers, but if I’m ever caught short again, I’m more than happy to be cut short here (sorry).