By Natasha Cornall
We love a high street bargain as much as the next person, but there’s something a little more special about shopping at a local, independent boutique. Here are our favourite independent gift shops, fashion boutiques, bookstores and delis from across Scotland:
Food & Drink
Anteaques
17 Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9HJ
Anteaques is traditional tea house in Edinburgh selling a large range of fine loose teas as well as antique tea accompaniments, furniture and curios. This is the place to go if you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated than a builders’ brew with milk and two: relax at a tasting table to treat your tastebuds to a fresh cup of Ceylon or Darjeeling. They also stock a range of herbal infusions and flavoured teas included Chai and chocolate.
Buth Bharraigh
Castlebay, Barra, Western Isles, HS9 5XD
This community-owned produce shop stocks a range of artisan goods; most of the produce is sourced from local suppliers on Barra and Vatersay. With a majority of the purchase price going straight back to the producer, Buth Barraigh aims to provide a new form of income for local crofters, gardeners and crafters, as well as making local produce more easily available for locals and visitors.
Roundsquare Roastery
Lorne Arcade, 115 High Street, Ayr, KA7 1QL
Roundsquare Roastery is the first coffee roastery in Ayrshire, dedicated to creating the freshest coffee possible. The high quality coffee beans are roasted to order, so you can watch your very own beans go through the whole process if you like! Alternatively, you can pop downstairs to the Su Casa Coffee House to enjoy a fresh coffee while you wait.
Books
Bouquiniste
31 Market Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9NS
This is a real treasure trove of rare and second-hand books right at the end of Market Street. It’s a wee shop with books piled high from the floor to the ceiling, but if you’re willing to do some digging you can uncover some fantastic finds. Make sure to check behind the books on the display, too – there’s often more gems hidden behind them at the back of the shelf!
Leakey’s Second-Hand Bookshop
Greyfriars Hall, Church Street, Inverness, IV1 1EY
Leakey’s is situated in an old Gaelic Church near Loch Ness, and is thought to be one of the largest second-hand bookshops in Scotland: there are generally over 100,000 books on offer here! You’ll find a second-hand book on practically every subject you can think of, as well as original prints and artwork. Don’t forget to take a visit to Leakey’s cafe, too – they have plenty of homemade fare on offer and an open fire!
Main Street Trading Company
Main Street, St Boswells, Scottish Borders, TD6 0AT
The Main Street Trading Company is a beautiful bookshop that caters for all tastes and also hosts regular book clubs and author events. Owned by the former marketing director for children’s books at Bloomsbury, there’s a particular focus on children’s books here. There’s also a cafe, and Main Street Deli & Home was launched a couple of months ago by Scottish chef Tom Kitchin.
Gifts
Hannah Zakari
43 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, EH1 2QB
Hannah Zakari – named after the Japanese 花盛り(hanazakari), meaning ‘blossoming’ or ‘blooming’ – is an independent boutique stocking unusual designs by independent designers from the UK and the rest of the world. You could easily while away an afternoon browsing the wide range of quirky jewellery, accessories, artwork, ornaments and stationery on offer here!
Janet + John
De Courcy’s Arcade, Cresswell Lane, Glasgow, G12 8AA
This tiny little shop on the upper floor of De Courcy’s Arcade is stocked full of unique, hand-crafted items sourced from artists and makers across Central Scotland by owners Janet and John. It only opened last summer, but you’ll be able to find a gift for everyone in your life: fine art, home accessories, gadget cases, jewellery, you name it and you’ll probably find it! Don’t forget to pop into the retro-themed cafe next door, the homemade cakes are delicious.
Fashion
Kakao By K
45 Thistle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1DY
Kakao by K (kakao means ‘hot chocolate’ in Danish) is the ultimate destination for lovers of all things Scandinavian. Stocking brands such as By Malene Birger and Noa Noa, Kakao by K focuses on the simplicity, quality and clean lines which are typical of Scandinavian design. A great collection of Scandinavian-style clothes, accessories and jewellery.
La La Land
La La Land is another great online find. Stocking cult fashion magazines from around the world as well as clothes, accessories and jewellery from indie cult labels such as Tatty Devine, Babooshka and Brat & Suzie, La La Land is a must-see if you’re looking to inject a little cool into your wardrobe.
RARA and the Pretty Vacant Showrooms
29 Exchange Street, Dundee, DD1 3DJ
At RARA & the Pretty Vacant Showrooms you can find all sorts of vintage and second-hand clothing, jewellery and homewares. Owner Erin Ward is all about supporting local designers, and you’ll often find new and up-and-coming designers coming to sell and exhibit their work at RARA. Erin’s also launched Jude, a magazine focused on encouraging creativity and showcasing Dundee’s history, people and future.
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