Independent shops

249 places

Sorted by popularity

Hillhead Bookclub

17 Vinicombe Street, Glasgow, G12 8BE

{hb} has all the atmosphere of a club, yet bizarrely lacks books. But don’t feel short-changed – the menus have clever wordplay a-plenty to get literary tongues wagging. Enjoy a brunch, things involving eggs, connoisseur sandwiches, meaty stews and…

The Himalaya Centre

20 South Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9PR

In 2005, at the Scottish Parliament, the Dalai Lama told Reka Gawa: ‘Don't forget you’re Tibetan; keep the culture alive.’ She had long dreamed of opening a shop, and in 2007, inspired by his words, she did so: the photo of their meeting hangs proudly…

Hippo Beers

128 Queen Margaret Drive, Glasgow, G20 8NY

Glasgow's first speciality beer store opened in November 2012. Run by Alec Knox and Derek Hoy, it's named after the patron saint of brewers - St Augustine of Hippo Regius. Their desire to showcase as much good beer as possible means the stock changes on…

Samuel Burns & Co

Prestongrange, Prestonpans, East Lothian, EH32 9SA

Dealer of second-hand modern and antique furniture and bric-a-brac.

Whiplash Trash

53 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1BS

So much a Cockburn Street institution that it practically defines the area's identity, this tiny, dark little shop sells legal highs and all the assorted paraphanelia, as well as the odd saucy nurse outfit. Difficult to define, but very much part of the…

back to top

White Blossom Paper Boutique

96 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4ES

White Blossom is a small independent shop stocking a large range of coloured card, beautiful handmade papers and envelopes, Japanese Chiyogami and Thai silk range. This beautiful little boutique in Bruntsfield also has a range of recycled cotton paper…

Glorious

41 Ruthven Lane, Glasgow, G12 9BG

One of The List's favourite clothing shops, Glorious hovers somewhere between 'vintage' and 'second hand', recycling specially-selected high street and designer fashion of the last ten-fifteen years at inoffensive prices. They're utterly brilliant for…

Golden Hare

102 West Bow, Edinburgh, EH1 2HH

A boutique selection of new and classic books, with a focus on beautifully designed and illustrated editions. You’ll find a good mix of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, graphic novels and a magical little children’s section at the back, accompanied by a…

K1 Yarns Knitting Boutique

89 West Bow, Edinburgh, EH1 2JP

Knitters' paradise! Every possible colour and texture of yarn you can imagine, plus patterns, weekly classes, and an informal area for sitting and, well, knitting.

One Up Records

17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JR

A record shop of the old school, One Up is run by music lovers for music lovers. The only independent record store in Aberdeen is stacked with CDs, posters, and signed memorabilia. Boxed sets are a speciality while downstairs is a den of vinyl and…

back to top

Swish Print

50 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1PB

Fabrick print t-shirts while you wait. They didn't say what you should wait for, but with 300 designs and 25 lettering styles you are sure to be kept busy. Custom print a hoodie, a bags, a t-shirt or even some underwear (clean of course). Prices range…

Vintage Guru

195 Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8TN

Brazen Studios

58 Albion Street, Merchant City, Glasgow, G1 1LH

Really something rather special, this one. The high-concept interiors of this Merchant City jewellery showroom and design studio don't even get close to the imagination of the in-house designers. Creating one-offs and hip, edgy bespoke pieces, with a…

The Cadies & Witchery Tours

84 West Bow (Victoria Street), Edinburgh, EH1 2HH

A unique ghostly gift shop located in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. As well as selling a variety of skulls, witches, dragons and magical fairies, the shop also serves as a booking office for ghostly walking tours that have been a major attraction…

The Cigar Box

361 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1PW

Oh come on, what do you think it sells? Finest, hand-rolled Havana stogies, plus a plentiful supply of pipes and rum from the same people who run Royal Mile Whiskies, so you know they'll take their expertiese seriously. Perfect for the Papa Hemingway in…

back to top

Coda Music

12 Bank Street, On the Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 2LN

Handily situated right in the middle of tourist heaven on the crest of the Mound, this tiny store lays claim to the biggest selection of folk and traditional music in Scotland. Hoots!

Eighty Six

86 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, G11 6NX

Elvis Shakespeare

347 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, EH6 8SD

As the name bringing together two of the world's great icons suggests, this much loved Leith Walk institution treats music and literature as equals. Something for everyone, from country music to literary criticism, and Irish poetry to metal. Prices…

Fabhatrix

13 Cowgatehead, Edinburgh, EH1 1JY

Where did you get that hat, old bean? Well, Fabhatrix, actually. Top hats, clôches, trilbies, Scottish felt hats, vintage style, silk wedding hats, red hats, bowlers, straw hats, quirky tweed deerstalkers and feather fascinators …Fabhatrix sells nothing…

Floral Haven

2 Kildrostan Street, Glasgow, G41 4LU

Unique, design-led and thoroughly creative South Side florist prone to creating unusual arrangements.

back to top

Flux

55 Bernard Street, Edinburgh, EH6 6SL

Cracking little shop in the heart of Leith. Although it sells Scottish crafts, don't think for a second it's the same sort of tartan tat you'd find in the tourist zones. They also come with a splendid all-ethical produce guarantee.

Focus

220 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 1HA

Skate and street wear for the boys, with labels like Stussy and Nike, Skullcandy headphones and Nixon watches; also stocks an excellent range of DVDs and is, like, the only place to go to get a new deck for your wheels. Right?

Galletly & Tubbs

431 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9JA

Interiors, furniture, wall-hangings, vegan handbags, candles and art deco birthday cards. Oh, and jewellery, Christmas decorations, ceramics, soft furnishings and the occasional ashtray shaped like Chairman Mao's head. The fully comprehensive range of…

Guaranteed Watch & Clock Repairs

3 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AE

Hannies Antiques Limited

Glasgow Clydeside Antiques Building, 121–127 Lancefield Street, Glasgow, G3 8HZ

Stockists of second-hand and antique furniture, specialising in items sourced from Holland and Belgium.