Meet the local: Sanna

We caught up with artist Sanna who a decade ago swapped the west coast of Scotland for a new life in Edinburgh. She talks about art, South Asian culture and why that famous bakery is worth the wait.

1. Can you please tell us about who you are and what you do?

I’m Sanna (pronounced Sun-uh) I moved to Edinburgh from Glasgow just over a decade ago after completely falling in love with this place during my undergraduate studies. During those studies, I fell in love with the art and practice of henna which prompted me to start posting to @sannashenna, initially a place for me to celebrate the artform and now it has become a space for me to share my highlights on fashion, lifestyle and home relevant to my Scottish South Asian culture.

I also try my best to share the tricky moments and the challenging parts of navigating my South Asian heritage as someone born in Scotland as the third generation of immigrants to the UK. I also currently run a very small and seasonal business – Mahsã, which was born out of wanting to encourage others to enjoy learning about the ancient history of henna and how to apply it. When I am not spinning the many work plates that I have and love, you’ll probably find me out for a stroll or in a coffee shop.

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2. Which area do you love within Edinburgh the most?

I love Morningside. I find that it has a little bit of everything and is a mini village of Edinburgh. It has its own little ecosystem. Excellent coffee shops and restaurants, beautifully curated home interior stores, local grocery shops, adorable stationary boutiques, the most beautiful florist and a fab local ice cream stop (highly recommend the ‘carrot cake’ flavour from Lucas when it’s in season). It has so much going on but it can also feel quite peaceful, especially if you’re looking for an escape from the busy spells like the Fringe and Christmas.

3. Where would you go to have dinner, brunch, a coffee and a drink in Morningside?

Just at the tip of Morningside is McLarens on the corner, they have the perfect little garden patio to sit in when the sun shines, and they’re my go-to for brunch. If you’re in the mood for pizza, I highly recommend Matto. Masti’s Indian street Food for dinner is an excellent shout. When it comes to specialty coffee, Heart and Bottle are my newest favourite.

4. Where is best for a walk and a wander in Morningside?

Morningside is on the edge of the Bruntsfield Links which joins onto the famous Meadows of Edinburgh if you’re looking for a stroll that’ll feel buzzy and exciting. For quieter walks, I would recommend walking down Morningside Road, passing all of the independent stores and coffee shops until you reach The Lodge Coffee House which sits at the gateway to the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill local nature reserve. Home to beautiful woodland walks and the most incredible hillside views, it’s a really nice alternative to more traditional Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat walks that many enjoy.

5. Out with your favourite part of the city – what else do you like to do in Edinburgh, if friends were visiting, what one restaurant, walk and experience would you advise?

I’m a coffee and brunch kind of person through and through, so the one restaurant (and I am cheating a little here by calling it a restaurant because you can’t sit in yet) that I would take visiting friends to, is Lannan. There’s a lot of excitement about this place because it is excellent, and yes, before you ask – it is worth the queue! If you’re visiting Edinburgh, you probably want to feel like you are actually in Edinburgh (or at least I do, every weekend), and ticking Lannan off your list before strolling through Princes St Gardens to cross from the New Town to the Old, taking in the 900 years of architecture, could not feel more Edinburgh-esque to me. 

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