15 of the best independent shops in Scotland to visit this Christmas

374 Byres Road, Glasgow

Based in Glasgow since 1981, gift store Papyrus has achieved remarkable longevity, and for good reason. They have a range of immaculately curated gifts, cookware and homeware, but their products are reliably classy and avoid veering into ‘tat’ territory. The staff are incredibly friendly, and they allow dogs in too – giving Papyrus a proper community feel that sets it apart from soulless chain stores.

www.papyrusgifts.co.uk

2.  The Olde Christmas Shoppe, Helensburgh 

75 West Clyde St, Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute 

In this corner of Helensburgh, Christmas isn’t just a season – it’s a year-long celebration. The Olde Christmas Shoppe keeps the festive spirit alive 365 days a year, with twinkling fairy lights, sparkling decorations, wreaths, candles, nativity scenes, stockings, and centrepieces. Adding a local touch, the shop features a unique range of Scottish-themed decorations, including bagpiper baubles, tartan stockings, and hand-painted ornaments depicting iconic Scottish landmarks. It will convert even the most Scrooge-esque customers into having some festive spirit…

www.theoldechristmasshoppe.co.uk 

(Image: Cheese Byre)

3.  The Cheese Byre, Perth 

52 Atholl Street, Perth 

Who doesn’t love cheese? And at Christmas especially, nothing hits the spot like nibbling a good-quality cheeseboard and washing it down with a glass of wine. The Cheese Byre offers choice in abundance – with plenty of Scottish varieties including Laphroaig Cheddar, Connage Smoked Dunlop, Lanark Blue and Gigha Apple Cheddar. If you want to buy a gift, they’ve got that covered too, with three varieties of ready-made festive cheese boxes ranging from £30 to £55.

www.thecheesebyre.co.uk

4. Glickman’s Confectionery, Glasgow

157 London Road, Glasgow

Glasgow’s oldest sweet shop, Glickman’s, has been delighting customers since 1903 – a time when electricity was a novelty, refrigerators were unheard of, and horse-drawn wagons were a popular way to get around. A lot has changed since, but Glickman’s has stayed true to tradition, making their confectionery by hand using the same time-honoured recipes and traditional copper pots. Their range of treats, including macaroons, frying pan lollies, tablet, candy balls, and mint cream, makes a perfect nostalgic stocking filler for older family members and sweet-toothed kids alike.

www.glickmans.co.uk

5.       Europa Music, Stirling 

10 Friars Street, Stirling 

Europa Music, a landmark for vinyl enthusiasts, has been a fixture in Stirling’s music scene for over 38 years. Owned and operated by Ewen Duncan, the shop has gained a reputation as Scotland’s largest browsable vinyl store, thanks to its continually expanding collection.

Duncan is a passionate advocate for the distinctive, warm sound of vinyl, curating an ever-changing selection of records that keeps customers coming back. Inside, Europa Music boasts a charmingly chaotic layout, where visitors can lose themselves for hours among the shelves. And if you are looking for a memorable gift, the thrill of finding a hidden gem or a long-sought album is a feeling that’s quite unmatched.

www.facebook.com/EuropaMusic

6.        BeerCraft, Kelso 

2 Horsemarket, Kelso, Scottish Borders 

If you want to get a gift for a beer enthusiast in your life, this is the place to go. For those tired of the usual supermarket beer selection, BeerCraft in Kelso offers a refreshing alternative, with hundreds of craft beers despite a compact interior. It’s not just beer, either, as the store also features a curated selection of craft gins and a variety of whiskies, cider and wine. As the only independent craft beer and gin merchant in Kelso, the store also helps promote local producers by being one of the largest stockists of the local Tempest Brewing Company.

 www.facebook.com/beercraftkelso

(Image: Geekaboo)

7. Geekaboo, Glasgow

74 Queen Street, Glasgow

Don’t be put off by the name – this store is welcome to all. Based in Glasgow since 2014, Geek-aboo is an independent pop culture shop that offers a wide array of products from gaming, film and TV franchises. With everything from collectable action figures to tabletop games, there’s plenty to choose from, with staff on hand to advise you if you aren’t sure where to start. Simply let them know what characters or programmes your loved one is interested in, and they will ensure you leave with the best gift possible.

www.geek-aboo.com

8.       Leakey’s Bookshop, Inverness 

Church Street, Inverness 
With its windy staircase, ceiling-high bookshelves and setting within the walls of an old church, Leakey’s Bookshop could be taken straight from Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. TripAdvisor users are clearly impressed – rating the store as the best in all of Inverness – with its real log fire proving particularly popular with customers in the winter months. It is quite enchanting to stand on the mezzanine and admire the thousands of books below: classics, poetry, children’s books and maps which range in price from 50p right up to several hundred pounds.

www.leakeysbookshop.com
 

9.       DUDS. Vintage Clothing, Glasgow

711 Great Western Road, Kelvinbridge, Glasgow 

This is a popular haunt among the trendy students of Glasgow University – but don’t let that put you off. DUDS offers unisex clothing across a multitude of styles and decades, so there should be something for everyone. In buying a gift from here, you can be sure that it’s a one-off, with DUDS making sure everything they sell is of a premium standard. If you are struggling for inspiration, head to the store’s Instagram page, where you will find highlights of some of the best items they have in store. 

www.instagram.com/duds_vintage

10. J A Braithwaite, Dundee 

6 Castle Street, Dundee 
Dundee’s oldest shop, J.A. Braithwaite, has stood the test of time with remarkable success. Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, it has been serving coffee, tea, and related accessories since 1868. Step inside, and you’ll be greeted by a tantalising smell, as beans are roasted on-site using a cherished family recipe. For caffeine addicts it’s the perfect place to find a present, with the choice of 100 different teas and 30 different coffees as well as an extensive range of tea and coffee pots. Overwhelmed by choice? Don’t be, as their friendly staff can advise on what product is best.

www.facebook.com/J.A.Braithwaite
  

11. Kartel, Edinburgh and St Andrews

9 Church St, St Andrews, Fife and St James Quarter, Edinburgh

If you want to give a memorable gift this Christmas, a bespoke watch will certainly do the trick. At their showrooms in Edinburgh and St Andrews, Kartel allows you to build your own watch by choosing your own face design, colour, watch style and straps, for a very reasonable price. They even finish it with a personalised engraved message – like initials or dates – making a Kartel watch an ideal Christmas present with a difference.

www.kartel.co.uk 

(Image: Made in Stirling)

12.       Made in Stirling, Stirling 

44 King Street, Stirling 

Stirling’s city centre has been somewhat subdued in recent years due to vacant shops and closures. Fortunately, Made in Stirling is revitalising the high street with its diverse collection of artwork, gifts, and accessories crafted by local designers. As a not-for-profit, it reinvests all proceeds back into the local community, fostering growth and creativity in the surrounding area. But although their ethos is focused on supporting craft creators, these are top-quality products ideal for gifting. No pipe cleaners in sight!

www.creativestirling.org 
                                                                                                                                                      

13.       ALC, Edinburgh  

61 Thistle Street, Edinburgh 

Named after its founder, Adele Louise Crombie, ALC is one of Edinburgh’s most stylish boutiques. Specialising in denim, Adele aims to take the stress out of shopping for jeans, addressing the challenges women often face when searching for the perfect fit. Her team curate a selection of top denim brands and styles, offering honest advice and personalised support to help customers find their ideal pair. But ALC isn’t just about denim – it also offers a sophisticated range of womenswear and accessories that would make the perfect Christmas gift.

www.alceshop.com 

14.       Nae-sae-new, Mauchline

Unit 3, 5 Barskimming Rd, Mauchline
As many high streets risk losing their distinct character, it’s more important than ever to celebrate unique and independent shops. Fortunately, Nae-sae-new offers a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind antiques and collectibles you won’t find elsewhere. Owner Gary Donis refreshes the inventory weekly, sharing photos of the latest arrivals on the store’s Facebook page, ensuring there’s always something new to discover. Recently, the shop moved to a larger location in Mauchline, giving customers even more space to explore its remarkable collection.

www.facebook.com/p/Nae-sae-new

15. MacGregor Fine Art, Glasgow

166 Hope Street, Glasgow

Sometimes a pair of slippers just won’t cut it. If you want to really push the boat out with your gift this year, what better way to do it than with a piece of art? Whether it’s a watercolour painting that documents a favourite family holiday, or a colourful print to brighten their home, MacGregor Fine Art has a plethora of options to choose from. Owner Iain MacGregor has grown the business to being one of the largest galleries in the city, with a wide range of diverse prints and original artwork. They also offer the option to purchase on interest-free credit over 12 months.

www.macgregorfineart.com