Weekend days out The 15 best independent shops in Scotland for thoughtful gifts

1. CONCORDE MUSIC, PERTH

AS soon as Halloween is out of the way many of us turn our thoughts to Christmas, with most shops already filling their shelves with festive displays and twinkly lights. The advice is uually to get your shopping done as early as possible, but if you can’t bear shopping centres and Wizzard on repeat, independent shops could be the answer.

Open Monday to Saturday 9am-4.45pm 01738 621818 https://www.concordemusic.com

The oldest independent record shop in Scotland, Concorde Music is a Perth institution that’s well worth a visit from any self-respecting music fan. The store started in 1967 in the former St John’s Square and is now run by Garry Smith, the son of the original owners, who bought it when he was still at school. He sells a huge range of DVDs, CDs and vinyl LPs as well as record players – and if you’re feeling extra-generous, there is a number of rare LPs available to order.

2. CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER, EDINBURGH

Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm 0131 556 1866 www.curiouserandcuriouser.com

Following the success of their first store (which is conveniently named Curiouser), husband and wife owners Laura and Ian opened Curiouser & Curiouser three years ago. Since then it has become one of the most popular gift stores in Edinburgh, with Scandinavian-inspired products sourced from lesser-known and independent brands. Prints and illustrations are a key part of what they sell, so if you have any art lovers in your life a visit here should have their Christmas present sorted.

3. BEERCRAFT, KELSO

2 Horsemarket, Kelso, Roxburghshire Open Tuesday-Saturday 10.30am-6pm 01573 348100 www.visitkelso.com

It might be small but BeerCraft more than makes up for its limited floor space by stocking more than 250 varieties of craft beer (as well as a not unsubstantial selection of gin and whisky). It is the only independent craft beer and gin merchant in Kelso, and helps promote local producers by being one of the largest stockists of the local Tempest Brewing Company and the Kelso Gin Company. And there’s no need to worry about getting bored with their selections, as new and limited-edition products are brought in weekly.

4. MR BEN RETRO CLOTHING

Kings Court, 101 King Sreet, Glasgow Open Wednesday-Saturday 10.30am-6pm, Sunday 12.30pm-5.30pm and Monday 12.30am-6pm 0141 553 1936 www.mrbenretroclothing.com

Stepping into the emporium that is Mr Ben is a shopping experience like few others. Clothes, bags, hats and shoes are stacked almost as high as the ceiling and crammed into every nook and cranny in the reasonably small store. Ranging from vintage football shirts to leather brogues and silk scarves, you could easily spend an hour searching through all the products and still not see everything – and also be guaranteed that no one else is going to end up with the same outfit as you.

5. LEAKEY’S BOOKSHOP

Church Street, Inverness

Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5.30pm 01463 239947

Not unlike something out of Harry Potter, this huge bookshop has a mezzanine that is quite magical to stand on and admire the thousands of books below. It’s easy to lose a few hours wandering around and browsing the range of classics, poetry, children’s books and maps on offer, which range in price from 50p to several hundred pounds. And if you want to relax and read some of the books that are on sale, there is a wood-burning stove and plenty of chairs to curl up in while you leaf through them.

6. SCOTTISH ANTIQUES AND ARTS CENTRE

Carse of Cambus, Doune, Stirlingshire Open every day 10am-5pm 01786 841203 www.scottish-antiques.com

This Aladdin’s Cave of an antiques centre has dozens of stalls offering gift ideas of art, jewellery, pottery and collectables. Gifts aside, there are plenty of things to pick up for yourself – but if all the shopping gets too tiring you can relax in the cafe and coffee shop.