Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Please take a moment to read the Community guidelines and learn how to use the Community. The personal details and information provided by you will be used by VisitScotland to create your iKnow community account. Any content you provide, such as a profile photo, username, comments and discussions will be publicly available.
By ticking the box and clicking submit you confirm that you have read and agreed to the terms of our privacy policy.
Love Scotland and want to share your stories – why not have a look at all the recent discussions and make a contribution or start a new discussion? Visiting Scotland and looking for some advice – why not ask a question or start a discussion or simply explore all the great content?
Join the conversation today and share your #scotspirit.
By ticking the box and clicking submit you confirm that you have read and agreed to the terms of our privacy policy.
Love Scotland and want to share your stories – why not have a look at all the recent discussions and make a contribution or start a new discussion? Visiting Scotland and looking for some advice – why not ask a question or start a discussion or simply explore all the great content?
Join the conversation today and share your #scotspirit.
Get a Head-start on Christmas Shopping
VisitScotlandLiam
Member, Administrator, Moderator, VisitScotland Staff ✪
Do you usually leave Christmas shopping until the last minute? Yeah, me too. This year though, I'm going to try and make a head-start and just pick up bits and bobs from my travel around Scotland to make the Christmas Eve scramble for presents a wee bit easier and less stressful! Here's a few places that you can visit to pick up the perfect presents for a special someone.
Have a wee wander through this market in the north of Edinburgh and pick yourself up some sweet treats, handmade ornaments and even homemade soaps!
One of the most famous markets in Scotland, located next to the equally as famous Barrowland Ballroom in the east end of Glasgow. Take the walk past the stalls and pick up a few goodies from the various food or antique stalls!
If you're in the Highlands, make sure to visit the Inverness Victorian Market. Filled with an array of different independent shops and dating back to the 1890's, this market is a great place to get a picture for Instagram whilst you hand pick some great presents!
What are your favourite markets and places to shop in Scotland?
Stockbridge Market, Edinburgh
Have a wee wander through this market in the north of Edinburgh and pick yourself up some sweet treats, handmade ornaments and even homemade soaps!
Barras Market, Glasgow
One of the most famous markets in Scotland, located next to the equally as famous Barrowland Ballroom in the east end of Glasgow. Take the walk past the stalls and pick up a few goodies from the various food or antique stalls!
Victorian Market, Inverness
If you're in the Highlands, make sure to visit the Inverness Victorian Market. Filled with an array of different independent shops and dating back to the 1890's, this market is a great place to get a picture for Instagram whilst you hand pick some great presents!
What are your favourite markets and places to shop in Scotland?
0
Comments
I also have a few favourite shops along Victoria Street in Edinburgh that are great to visit if you're looking for art, clothing, jewellery, candles and other bits n pieces made by local Scots!
Instagram
I'm also a fan of browsing around the west end, especially along Byres Road. There's some great vintage shops and a really good selection of charity shops as well, so you can feel good while you shop! On Byres Road you'll also find Òran Mór and Ashton Lane, loads of really good places to grab a bite to eat. You're also close to the University of Glasgow as well, so it's easy to grab a photo at their famous cloisters!
You also can't beat the shopping in the city centre if you're looking for high street favourites. For any music fans, I'd also recommend a trip to Monorail Music in Kings Court (about a five min walk from Glasgow Central). It's run by real enthusiasts who are always willing to recommend something new - you might recognise some faces if you are a fan of the 80s indie band The Pastels or the recent Scottish Album of the Year winners Sacred Paws!
You can always pick up some great gifts at the Christmas markets in Glasgow too at George Square and St Enoch Square. I find if you go mid-week (away from lunch-time) they are usually quieter.
I am also a big fan of the shops in the smaller towns and villages, where you can pick up some great one-off gifts. Bridge of Allan, Callander, Pitlochry and Dunkeld are some of my favourite places to have a wander.
Farm shops like Gloagburn Farm Shop near Perth, Blairmains near Stirling, Loch Leven's Larder, Auchengree Farm Shop Beith and Balgrove near St Andrews are all great for picking up supplies for a hamper packed with Scottish goodies!
On Cresswell Lane off Byres Road there's De Courcy's Arcade which has lots of great independent shops including a Harry Potter shop called The Root of Magic! Upstairs you've got Janet and John who specialise in locally produced items and Draw who stock art materials from Japan.
The Etsy Made Local Christmas market is on at The Briggait on December 1st and 2nd and is always really popular (there's usually a queue to get in) and there are festive markets on every weekend in December at Platform at The Arches which is also a street food market.