94 Best Shopping in Scotland

Scotland's largest indoor market—named for the barrows, or pushcarts, formerly used by the stallholders—prides itself on selling everything "from a needle to an anchor" and is a must-see for anyone addicted to searching through piles of junk for bargains. Open on weekends only, the atmosphere is always good-natured, and you can find just about anything here, in any condition, from dusty model railroads to antique jewelry. Haggling is mandatory. You can reach the Barras by walking along Argyle Street from the St. Enoch subway station. The Barrowland Ballroom, which forms part of the market, was once where Glaswegians went to dance; today it is a venue for concerts of every kind. Across the road is one of Glasgow's oldest pubs, the Saracen's Head. Enter with caution, as ghosts are said to abound.

Visit Brodie Countryfare only if you're feeling flush: you may covet the unusual knitwear, quality designer clothing and shoes, gifts, and toys, but they are not cheap. The excellent restaurant, on the other hand, is quite inexpensive. In a rush? Pick up some delicious savory treats, like scotch eggs and sausage rolls, from the deli counter.

Essentially an artists' cooperative, the Glasgow Print Studio's facilities launched a generation of outstanding painters, printers, and designers. The work of members past and present can be seen (and bought) at the Print Studio Gallery on King Street.

A Glasgow institution, the House of Fraser stocks wares that reflect the city's material aspirations, including European designer clothing. There are also more locally produced articles, such as tweeds, tartans, glass, and ceramics. The magnificent interior is set off by a grand staircase rising to various floors and balconies.

This shop claims to be Scotland's largest secondhand bookstore. When you get tired of leafing through the 100,000 or so titles, climb to the mezzanine café and study the cavernous church interior, complete with wood-burning fire. Antique prints and maps are housed on the balcony.

Founded by Rudolf Steiner, the Camphill farm community is built on shared experience and joint work, and its shop and café are an expression of those values. Loch Arthur sells a cornucopia of vegetables grown on the farm and the bakery offers its own bread, cakes, and high-quality cheeses and cold meats. The café building itself has large windows opening directly on to the fields beyond; on a nice day, you can eat outside.

This small independent record store is tucked away on Otago Lane. Selling a combination of secondhand and brand-new vinyl, it remains one of the only surviving music shops in the area. It also has a terrific selection of jazz, reggae, and R&B. 

The Peerie (Shetland for small) Shop sells a colorful mix of knitwear, cards, ceramics, and interesting---and, yes, small---miscellanea.

Open daily, this place stocks the most imaginative and comprehensive range of fine chocolates you'll find in this part of the world. Its lovely Cocoa Tree Café serves cakes, drinks, light meals, and, of course, handmade chocolates from the Pittenweem Chocolate Company.

The city's best shopping center is the art nouveau Princes Square, a lovely space filled with impressive shops and pleasant cafés and restaurants. A stunning glass dome was fitted over the original building, which dates back to 1841.

This is a bibliophile's dream haunt, with high ceilings and alcoves lined with over 45,000 titles, knowledgeable staff, and frequent readings and literary events.

Take a break from sightseeing at Abbey Mill, where you'll find handwoven knitwear as well ashousemade jams and fudge. The wee tearoom is also popular.

This appealing retail destination en route from Inverness to Drumnadrochit sells traditional Scottish crafts, whisky, porcelain, and a whole host of other souvenirs. There's also a lovely little café; grab a takeout coffee, and stroll along Dochgarroch Loch.

On Commercial Street, Anderson & Co. carries hand-knitted cardigans, jumpers, Shetland lace scarves, sheepskin slippers, and woven throws.

On the often-crowded pedestrian area of Argyle Street you'll find some of the more popular and less expensive chains like Gap, Next, and Schuh as well as Primark and H&M.

An interesting diversion off Argyle Street is the covered Argyll Arcade, the region's largest collection of jewelers under one roof. The L-shaped edifice, built in 1827, houses several locally based jewelers and a few shops specializing in antique jewelry, as well as the famed Sloans pub.

This is one of Scotland's best-known suppliers of scents, soaps, and perfumes of every kind.

This well-curated shop sells work by local, Scottish, and British artists, including jewelry, ceramics, paintings, and intriguing handmade clocks.

It's easy to spend an hour wandering around this old church, 3½ miles southeast of Nairn. It's filled to the brim with furniture, fireplaces, architectural antiques, and linens, and the converted farmsteads also have tempting antique chinaware and textiles.

Even if the weather is lousy, this coffee, sweets, and ice-cream shop confirms you are on your summer holidays. Grown-ups will love the gin-and-tonic or champagne sorbet; kids, the complimentary sprinkles.

Here you'll discover a huge selection of Scottish items, from spurtles (for stirring your porridge) to tablet (sugary toffee) to big, thick sausages made in its butchery. Foodies should check out the Farm Shop and monthly Night Market, while carnivores can follow their noses to the Steak Barn, where platters piled with huge hunks of beef and sausages are combined with twice-fried chips and onion rings.

This independent bookshop has its own café with free Internet access and sells a good range of flavored coffees. You're welcome to browse, sip, and surf the Web at the same time.

Next to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Buchanan Galleries houses the John Lewis department store and more than 80 high-quality shops.

This pedestrian-only street has become increasingly upmarket, with Monsoon, Topshop, Burberry, Jaeger, Pretty Green, and All Saints as well as House of Fraser and other chain stores along its length. Always crowded with shoppers, it has also become a mecca for the growing community of buskers in Glasgow's streets, playing every kind of music.

Crieff was once best known for its glass. You can watch the glassblowing process (weekdays only) and then browse the sales gallery here for paperweights and other gift items. There's also a garden center and a restaurant.

For anything and everything Scottish, from kilts to dirks and jams to tablecloths and fine cashmere, look no further than Caledonia. You can also rent kilts here.

This well-organized and well-stocked secondhand bookstore fills the gap left by the departure of other bookstores. The owners are knowledgeable and willing to search for even the most obscure volumes.