Independent shops
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Armstrongs
83 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HJ
There is no better place in Edinburgh to take a walk down fashion's memory lane than WM Armstrong & Son. Established in 1840 and locally known as Armstrong’s, its two branches (the other is at 64 Clerk Street) combine to make a huge emporium of…
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…
Cookie
29 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BP
Pretty cotton print frocks, brief, patterned smocks and edgy T-shirts from the likes of Eucalpytus, Yamama, Ruby Walk and Sugarhill. Certainly at the top end of the Cockburn Street price range, but still that little bit more affordable than anywhere…
Fabrick
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…
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…
A1 Pets
165 Great Junction Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 5LG
Family-run animal-friendly hub with a huge range of stock, and a brand-new aquarium room. They're also very community-minded, sponsoring all sorts of local events, like doggy walk extravaganza Bark in the Park.
Arkangel & Felon
4 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
Arkangel & Felon is a women's independent fashion boutique in Edinburgh's West End Village which opened it's doors in the Summer of 2010. Our aim is to provide an eclectic yet wearable mix of fashion and accessories within a luxurious and…
The Black Box Boutique
98 West Bow, Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HH
Black Box is an independent design boutique based in the heart of the buzzing Grassmarket, Edinburgh, showcasing Britain’s most exceptionally curious jewellery, textiles, ceramics, illustration and more!
The boutique is also home to an in-house…
Avalanche
5 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HY
Tiny, near-legendary record shop specialising in new and used indie and alternative vinyl and CDs. An essential part of the Edinburgh muso experience, with a great selection of local acts - Postcard Records, in particular, are brilliantly represented.
K1 Yarns Knitting Boutique
136 Queen Margaret Drive,
Glasgow,
G20 8NY
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.
A Ha Ha Ha
99 West Bow,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JP
Long-running joke shop that has become something of a local landmark thanks to the gigantic funny nose and specs suspended over the Victoria Street Shop front.
Barnardos Boutique
54 Wilson Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1HD
The chance to save a bit of cash isn't the only reason to visit this store. There's a fine selection of designer and vintage clothing looking for a new home, with all money raised going towards children in Scotland. Donations are most welcome too if you…
Bill Baber
66 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JR
All natural womenswear designs by husband and wife duo Bill and Helen Baber, who've been in the business since 1977. Jewel-bright woollens, cashmeres and silks hang in the window of their cosy shop and studio, and shoppers can watch as all garments are…
Eden
18 North West Circus Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6SX
Eden is an independent fashion boutique situated in Stockbridge. Eden presents an exclusively different selection of designer womenswear, accessories and jewellery from Spain, Italy and beyond.
Stockists of: Desigual, Hoss Intropia, Selected Femme, B…
Entrading
88 West Regent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2QZ
From the outside, it looks like your average surf and homeware shop, but inside Entrading is stuffed sustainable and ethical household goods: everything from dishwasher tablets to the dishwasher itself (completely recyclable, natch). There's also 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.
Missing Records
247 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G2 8DL
Loved and revered in Glasgow, the Missing enterprise used to be a bit more of a chain, but everything's now concentrated on this one hub near the Arches (with a wee sister out in Paisley). Still got a brilliant selection of secondhand music and films…
Pink Poodle
181–183 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8TS
Frothy, fizzy wee boutique specialising in independent designers like Motel, Yumi, Mina and Numph. They're great for handbags, sparkly girly jewellery and the sort of young, off-beat and off-high street fashion that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Q Store
5 Barony Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6PD
Uncompromising and fully-licensed sex shop at the centre of Edinburgh's gay district. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Red Dog Music
1 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HY
One of the largest general music stores in the city, with over 5,000 square feet of electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, keyboards, studio recording gear, computer music, lighting, pa equipment, percussion and loads more. All of the big…
A1 Comics
35 Parnie Street,
Glasgow,
G1 5RJ
Taking in both the Marvel and DC universes, and everything else in between, this home-grown den of geekery is staffed by genuinely knowledgable comic book guys. And their website's kinda fun, too.
Alba Second-Hand Music
55 Otago Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8PQ
Sturdy, long-running store handily situated for the College of Piping, dealing in printed music for most instruments, ensembles and orchestras.
Boxwood
388 Byres Rd,
Glasgow,
G12 8AR
Relaxed, rustic charm for stylish houses, with a New England or Scandinavian feel. Inside, you'll find lovely local design, organic babyware and an expert picture framing service.
Butterflies
17 West Port,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JA
Long-running local dressmakers' store, with windows full of sugary-bright creations. Whether you're after a prom dress or bridesmaid frock, or something a bit different for a night out, this is the place to come.
Fifi and Ally
51–52 Princes Square, 48 Buchanan Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3JN
Fifi and Ally may have a reputation as a girly cup-cake café but its coffee is strong, rich and memorable and their menu reveals a deep source of local produce and home-made delicacies. The warm chèvre salad with beetroot and butternut squash (one of…
Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DF
Located behind Waverley train station, this world-class gallery showcases work by many of the leading names in contemporary art. An all-glass frontage allows passing pedestrians to observe the lower level of the gallery beyond the bookshop and café, and…
The Glasgow School of Art Shop
11 Dalhousie Street,
Glasgow,
G3 6RQ
Some of the best artisans, makers, crafters and designers in Scottish fashion have come up through this venerable introduction, and it's now helping them pay back their student loans, with a great shop full of homeware and accessories.
Helen Bateman
16 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
Helen Bateman is a popular lady among shoe-lovers in Edinburgh. Her independent shoe brand combines a range of useful 'basics' - those shoes you'll want to invest in again and again - with more exclusive limited runs that change each season in a…
Hilary's Bazaar
297 Canongate, The Royal Mile,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8BD
This incense-scented store scattered with ethnic statues, rare world dance CDs and beautiful, fairly-traded accessories, has been running for many years now and has long been a haunt of the city's alternative lifestyle practitioners, and eco-aware…
Hillhead Bookclub
17 Vinicombe Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8BE
There are not many places you can indulge in cocktail served in an old gramophone, but that is just one of the many quirky traits that ensures the Hillhead Bookclub is counted among the West End’s coolest hangouts. Food is of a very high standard, the…
I Love Candy
261 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8TL
Sugar-sweet pink and white 'candy boutique' cashing in on the burgeoning trend for retro sweeties. Glass jars of soor plooms and forgotten classics like Wham Bars and Spanish Golds are supplied to the store by a mysterious local sugarsmith they refer to…
Indie Chic Boutique
111 Broughton St,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RZ
The boutique formerly known as ‘Thrift Chic’ has renamed and offers a range of women’s clothing and lingerie from top American brands not to be found in the UK. Plus a small collection of ‘gently-used designer clothing’.
Made With Love at eatiBOUTIQUIE
231 Berkeley Street, Finnieston,
Glasgow,
G3 7HH
A tea and cake shop upfront, and in the back, a tiny store specialising in locally made jewellery and gifts, plus a small selection of vintage bags, shoes and clothes.
Monorail
12 Kings Court, King Street,
Glasgow,
G1 5RB
Don't mistake the slender couple of shelves in the back room of vegan venue Mono for a lightweight enterprise. Owner and muso Stephen Pastel has been setting Glasgow's hipster pulse from here for years.
Play It Again* Records
47 Ruthven Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 9BG
Play it Again* Records are pretty keen on avoiding the corporate trappings of logos, mottos and mantras (but insist on keeping the asterisk). They sell and buy old records, CDs & DVDs that are in decent condition and fairly priced. Nothing will ever…
Vivaldi
217 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4DH
Seasonally-appropriate accessories for Bruntsfield's lovely ladies.
Arkay Imaging Ltd
228 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 5EQ
A small business offering a wide range of printing services, office stationery and personalised gifts.
The Black Mausoleum
19 Candlemaker Row,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QG
The Black Mausoleum sells all sorts of creepy stuff. In this dark dungeon on the site of the old Witchcraft shop in Candlemaker Row (reputed to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter) you will find obscure hand crafted presents, discount…
Eve Boutique
8 Kildrostan Street, Pollokshields,
Glasgow,
G41 4LU
Ladies’ clothing, jewellery, accessories and highly covetable knickers for the Pollokshields girl.
Focus (Edinburgh)
70 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8AA
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?
The Frayed Hem
45 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BS
A vintage shop with a well-picked range of clothing, shoes, jewellery and collectables.
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…
Joyce Forsyth Scottish Designer Knitwear
42 Candlemaker Row,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QE
Strange, beautiful and completely unique hand-made knitwear suitable for lovely witches and stylish eccentrics. Prices range from £5-£265.
LOVEmusic
34 Dundas Street,
Glasgow,
G1 2AQ
Near-legendary record shop specialising in new and used indie and alternative vinyl and CDs. An essential part of the Glasgow muso experience, with a great selection of local acts. They specialise in indie, rock, punk and americana, but are good for 60s…
Organic Pleasures
71 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RJ
Being the UK's first all-organic female-focused sex shop makes this tiny Broughton Street indie pretty special anyway, but the sheer decadence of the interior, filled with with antique armoirs of non-toxic sex toys and organic silk panties, makes a…
Royal Artizana
115 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8NP
This small shop on Leith Walk sells artisan furniture and home accessories from all over the world. The goods sold at Royal Artizana are Fair Trade and 25% of profit goes to local charities. They have recently opened a specialist coffee shop to support…
Samuel Burns & Co
Prestongrange,
Prestonpans,
East Lothian,
EH32 9SA
Dealer of second-hand modern and antique furniture and bric-a-brac.
Trinket
18 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
Splendid, if expensive, jewellery box of one-off vintage pieces and handbags, and a good place to look for something a little bit quirky and original. There's also a lovely selection of gold and silver jewellery by contemporary designers.
Valvona & Crolla Caffè Bar
19 Elm Row, Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AA
No one who cares about good food in Edinburgh is unaware of the Contini family’s excellent Italy-inspired deli and café, the former being an Aladdin’s Cave of cured meats, fine cheeses and fresh-baked breads. The caffè bar itself is a deserving stop for…
Vinyl Villains
5 Elm Row,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AA
Continuing the city's proud tradition of record shops with alliterative names, this dark, brilliant and slightly haphazard collection of second hand vinyl and CDs was recently namechecked in Sunshine on Leith, the Proclaimers musical. Staff are famously…
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…
AG'S Clothes and Accessories
37 Ruthven Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 9BG
Fitting well - somehow - into Ruthven Lane's bustling mix of vintage clutter, this pretty, streamlined little shop focuses on independent design targeted at young, fashion concious women who don't like to follow the herd. And no, that's not a…
Annie Mo's
170b Great Junction Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 5LJ
A proudly offbeat independent furniture boutique specialising in natural fabrics and one-off finds. Based in Aberdeen, the store has expanded and opened a new shop in the depths of Leith.
Armstrong's
64–66 Clerk Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9JB
Whether you're a fashion student or just a dedicated follower, a visit to the granddaddy of Edinburgh's vintage stores is essential for anyone with even the slightest interest in clothes. The Grassmarket branch has by far the bigger, more eclectic…
Barnardos Vintage
116 West Bow,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HH
Treasure trove charity shop, with the stock hand-picked from Barnardo's general intake by a dedicated team who know the area. It's a skip across the road from Armstrongs, making this area of the Grassmarket something of a vintage bolthole, and although…
Be Seated
103 Constitution Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 7AE
This small upholstery business has a wide reach: Peter Holmes, who usually works with just one other colleague, has designed and created furniture for stately homes, hotels, and chi-chi restaurants across the country, and his pieces are often featured…
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…
Butterfly Kisses
8 Skirving Street, Shawlands,
Glasgow,
G41 3AA
Design enthusiasts, take note: it's worth the trip out to the South Side (if you don't already live there) just to check out this sweetly-named boutique's innovative, free-floating, custom-designed interior. Loads of lovely labels (including exclusive…
Corniche
2 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DT
Edinburgh's original designer label boutique offers outrageous creations (at equivalent prices) for boys and girls from the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Yohji Yamamoto, Katherine Hamnett, and Comme des Garcons.
The Creepy Wee Shop in the Graveyard
26B Candlemaker Row,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QG
The creepiest wee place in Edinburgh in the graveyard of a former funeral bothy, famous for being haunted. Greyfriars Graveyards hosts this wacky emporium of ghostly souvenirs. Equally formidable to its sister store The Black Mausoleum.
Crombies of Edinburgh
97 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RZ
A quick note in case you're invited to a barbeque in Edinburgh over the summer: turning up with anything other than Crombies' sausages is akin to social death. Your cheapy pack of discount chipolatas is not really going to cut it alongside such superior…
Damselfly and the Queen Bee
380 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G4 9HT
Two shops in one; both stuffed full of arty, girly, crafty, gift ideas. As shopping experiences go, it's a little like walking in to a Victorian scrapbook.
Doodles Ceramic Workshop
29 Marchmont Crescent,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1HQ
Paint-your-own pottery workshop and shop, also selling a range of organic soaps. Admittedly, it's not the sort of shop that you just walk into for a spot of browsing, but it has become increasingly popular with birthday and hen parties.
The Extra Inch
12 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
The Extra Inch specializes in clothing in sizes 16 to 26. The boutique is situated on two levels with separates and holiday cruise wear on level one and special occasion clothing on level two. The stock is sourced from top European designers and changes…
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…
Felix and Oscar
459 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8HH
Eked out inside a beautiful old building by Kelvinbridge, this densely-stocked store is the absolute first stop for trendy WEndies hunting Cath Kidston chintz or Orla Kiely handbags. They also do nice lines in tongue-in-cheek pressies, Alessi…
GOODD Ltd
60 Osborne Street,
Glasgow,
G1 5QH
Independent shop and exhibition space featuring carefully selected lighting, furniture and home accessories, often by local designers, plus the option of a commissioning service.
Goodwins Ltd
15 Queensferry Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4QW
Scotland's largest dealer of antique, second hand and new silver, jewellery and crystal.
Honey Bea's House
Cresswell Lane Glasgow,
Glasgow,
G12 8AA
Little sister to Kelvinbridge institution Felix and Oscar, and an essential stop for trendy WEndies hunting Cath Kidston chintz or Orla Kiely handbags. They also do nice lines in tongue-in-cheek pressies, Alessi kitchenware, and non-cutesy kids' fashion.
Joe
3 Greyfriars Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QQ
The long-running store formerly known as Joe Cool has supervised many a teenage ear piercing, but it's equally good for quirky homeware, excellent off-beat jewellery, and witty cards.
La La Land
De Courcy’s Arcade, Lower floor, Unit 1, Cresswell Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8AA
Tiny fashion boutique stocking Lazy Oaf clothes, Coveted magazine, and gifts including lace bow necklaces and dress-up Lady Gaga paper dolls.
Moleta Munro
4 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DT
Stylish homewares, with a good range of Scandinavian design, Scottish digitally printed textiles and wool rugs.
Mr Wood's Fossils
5 Cowgatehead, Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1JY
Anyone for fossilised shrimp? Grab yourself a tiny bit of history with a fossil or two from Edinburgh's only purveyor of (you guessed it) fossils, and minerals, established in 1987 by the world-famous fossil hunter Stan Wood. A huge selection of…
Papyrus
374 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8AR
Offbeat gifts, homeware and handbags; grab everything from a punk rock rubber duck to a set of Scots language mugs here. Head downstairs in the Byres Road branch for the Papyrus Cookstore, a well-stocked treasure trove of kitchen accessories and recipe…
Present
18 St Mary's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SU
Quirky homewares, one-off jewellery items, camp and kitsch artwork, and presents for pets.
Ragamuffin
278 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8AA
Gorgeous, tactile knitwear for wool enthusiasts; stock includes several hard-to-find Scottish and European designers, and there's a quirky in-house label too.
Red Door Gallery
42 Victoria Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JW
The best place to pick up artisan jewellery, prints, paintings, sculpture and completely individual greetings cards, all by local artists. Regularly changing exhibitions, lovely, friendly staff and a great selection of funky old lomo cameras if you're…
Rubadub Records
35 Howard Street,
Glasgow,
G1 4BA
Specialist record shops can often be intimidating places, so it's refreshing - in fact, it's absolutely brilliant - to wander into Rubadub and be catered to by some of the friendliest staff around. That's not to say that they don't know their stuff…
Rusty Zip
14 Teviot Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QZ
The littlest vessel in the Armstrong's armada stocks better quality leather coats than its name might suggest. Smoother-than-thou retro pieces mingle with knick-knacks, including wigs, feather boas and novelty scarves. During August, it's handily…
Sam Brown
5 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NG
Sam Brown is a vibrant clothes and accessories boutique in the heart of Edinburgh's West End Village. Labels include Great Plains, Masai, Seasalt, N&Willow and Avoca. Always a fantastic collection at affordable prices. Named as one Drapers…
The Store
26 Munro Place, Anniesland,
Glasgow,
G13 2UP
A treasure trove of home interior solutions, specialising in dining, living & bedroom furniture. The Store is housed in 20,000 Sq feet showrooms spread over 3 floors.
The Studio
De Courcy's Arcade, 5 Cresswell Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8AA
Classy curios and antiques for your bohemian home. Everything is specially chosen, and there's a nice selection of Art Deco vases and light fittings.
Underground Solu'shn
9 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BP
Keeping Cockburn Street's bass a-thumping, this hip wee store peddles electronica to most of the city's serious DJs. Also great on off-beat gifts. For DJs. That's okay. DJs need gifts too.
Watermelon
603 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8HX
As a former employee of Armstrong's - celebrated purveyor of vintage clothing in Edinburgh - Gavin O'Brien was the ideal candidate to revive Glasgow's second-hand and retro clothing market with his fabulous and quirky shop, Watermelon. Almost everything…
Analogue
39 Candlemaker Row,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QB
So much more than just another art bookshop. Analogue is a hip design hub, gallery, and one of the best places to find out about the new movement of local graphic and graffiti artists like Elph and Kirsty Whiten. If there was such a thing as a bible of…
Armchair Books
72–74 West Port,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2LE
Divided over two premises, Armchair Books has been a favourite stop for bibliophiles for more than 15 years. The shop owners say their regulars 'appreciate the way the shop combines an eclectic stock with a sterling regard for the health and safety of…
The Bed Shop
110–120 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 5DT
No need to flounce around looking for a frilly name to hoist above your furniture shop. Edinburgh's oldest established sleep emporium dispenses a no-nonsense approach to quality beds and mattresses.
