Dreaming of an indie Christmas
Wishing for a Christmas free from shopping hell? Buying presents doesn’t have to involve a trudge around the malls – or an online marathon. It can be about getting that indie vibe in small shops, finding unique gifts and making connections with makers and
Clothing and accessories Ryan James Studio, Osborne Street, Glasgow
The go-to lifestyle store for men who care about fashion and women who like something gender neutral. Here it’s about capsule wardrobes and curating, and James Rennie, the genius behind it, has said he thinks of the store as like “a big dressing room”. Named after his grandfathers, the store stocks independent brands from across Scotland, the UK and Europe. For the run-up to Christmas, Rennie has also collaborated with Wear Eponymous to set up pop-up store, Shop Small.
Covet, Thistle Street, Edinburgh
Launched in 2007 by best friends Anna Somerville and Blaise Donald, this is the go-to shop for accessories in Edinburgh. Really, though, it’s mostly about the bag, particularly the Edinburgh Bag, one of their own-brand designs originally launched in 2016. It’s a kind of everybag, coming in 13 colours and adaptable to be worn four different ways. Covet’s products are from up-and-coming designers from all over Europe, and also include scarves based on Somerville’s work as an artist.
Missy Magpie, Lint Riggs, Falkirk
A shop that really does live up to its name. This magpie’s nest is packed to the gunnels with handbags, shoes, jewellery and other shiny or quirky accessories. Here you can buy Princess headbands, Mary Poppins umbrella bath fizzers, furry animal slippers, sparkly things of many varieties, and cartoonish shoes that look like they were made to be worn by Minnie Mouse or Judy Garland.
Cartocon, Nethergate, Dundee
This menswear shop, opposite the DCA, tells you so much about Dundee’s own brand of coolness. It’s fashion forward, but chilled, as if it were really there mainly just to hang out in, while chatting about music and maybe picking up a Comme Des Garcons perfume or a T-shirt. The men behind it, Shafiq, Nathan and Gary, said they wanted it not to be an intimidating space. Brands like YMC, Garbstore and Soulland add to that vibe.
Pink Poodle, Cresswell Lane, Glasgow
When everyone else was having Black Friday, this store in the west end was doing Pink Friday. Here is a heaven for anyone who likes things pink or shiny. It’s girly but with attitude, the kind of place where you can find a candle that says “She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’ll punch you in the face”, a flying unicorn necklace, or a fancy clipper purse. Plus, when you’ve overdosed on pink – and, by they way, they do have things in other colours – you can wander round the rest of De Courcy’s Arcade and fairylit Cresswell Lane.
Books and music The Bookshop, Main Street, Wigtown
Once upon a time the big selling point of this shop was the fact that it was the largest second-hand bookshop in Scotland, a labyrinth of rooms lined top to floor with dusty literature. Now, it’s a magnet for those pilgrims who have read The Diary Of A Bookseller, the deadpan memoir of shop owner Shaun Bythell. Go there for that special out-ofprint gift, or perhaps to see if you can get a mention in his next book. Golden Hare Books, St Stephen Street, Edinburgh Yes, dream book shops like this do still exist – but there are fewer and fewer left. Golden Hare is a gem staffed by avid readers, lined with walls of wonders, and a great events calendar that includes its regular Sunday Stories for Children. When earlier this year, Waterstones announced the 2019 opening of a non-branded new store just around the corner, manager Julie Danskin rightly kicked up a fuss. She said: “We love being part of our community, Stockbridge, and want to be there for many years to come. Only you can help us do this. Please choose to shop indie.”
Monorail, Kings Court, Glasgow
Nestled inside vegan café, Mono, is one of the UK’s finest record stores – which means shopping for vinyl can be that chilled, social leisure activity it should be. Set up by Stephen McRobbie of The Pastels, it also has its own in-house label and hosts live sets.
Groucho’s, Nethergate, Dundee
Get there while this legendary record store is still going. Earlier this year owner Alastair “Breeks” Brodie announced he will be retiring in August 2019, and there’s a chance it won’t be taken over. Needless to say many were unhappy at this news. Johnny Marr of The Smiths fretted over its possible closure, saying it was one of his “favourite places” and Dundee’s Kyle Falconer, frontman of The View, said it was “the best place to buy music”.
Toys and laughs Grasshopper Toys, Princes St, Helensburgh
This wonderland in Helensburgh, run by science toys enthusiast Dr Wendy Hamilton, really is one of the UK’s best toy shops. Here, it’s possible to find a wide variety of toys you just don’t get in the high street stores.
The Big Top,
St Georges Road, Glasgow
A family-run traditional toyshop that sells not just toys, but also circus equipment. Any fun thing you can think of, this place has it: children’s toys, games, masks, kites, Russian dolls, jack-in-the-boxes, face paint, mobiles, tin toys and an amazing range of Teddy bears and other cuddly companions.
A Ha Ha Ha, West Bow, Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s long-running and muchloved joke store is hard to miss, with its giant Groucho Marx nose and specs above the door. From fake poo to stink bombs and wigs and masks, there really are endless jokes, pranks and scares here. Not just for Halloween, but also for Christmas.
General and designer gifts Flux, Bernard Street, Leith, and High Street, Dunbar
The gift wonderland of Flux is one of those one-stop present shops, with an ethical and local approach, that seems to have it all covered – gifts for babies, designer jewellery, fun light-fittings, candles, scarves, socks, funky water bottles. There’s bound to be something that feels quirky and individual here.
Hannah Zakari, Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh
Founded by jewellery designer Rachael Griffiths, Edinburgh’s funkiest seller of indie designer and handmade arts and crafts has been namechecked by many a style magazine, including Vogue. The name of the shop derives from the Japanese term hanazakari, meaning blossoming. And it does feel like a shop in full bloom.
Colab, Dowanhill Street, Glasgow
Not just a shop but an “independent lifestyle and concept space” with a café, whose interiors style is industrial aesthetic, stripped brick walls and neon letter lighting. Just one year old, Colab has already made its mark, stocking interesting products, from the Triumph And Disaster skincare brand to chocolate from Coco Chocolatier.
Spirito, Crow Road, Glasgow
Denise Laird had long been a shopaholic before she set up Spirito, driven by her passion for original products. Particularly popular right now in this interiors and gifty store, she says, are decorations, jewellery, slippers and candles.
Geek Bothy, Kemnay, Aberdeenshire
This family-run business was set up by Emma Black who used to run Wee Tootie handmade hair accessories, and husband Morgan, who was one of the creatures of Granite City Comic Con. “The Geek Bothy,” the website declares, “blends love of the geek lifestyle with a wide range of products.” Stock ranges from POP figures and retro brands to crafts from local artists.
Concrete Wardrobe, Broughton Street, Edinburgh
Back in 2001, textile designer Fiona McIntosh and weaver James Donald set up this boutique to promote the work of Scottish-based or trained craftspeople, and it has just grown from strength to strength, promoting the craft community with heart and passion – selling everything from clothing to glassware and ceramics.
Dog gifts House Of Hound, Roseburn Terrace, Edinburgh
Darren Donaldson, former head of menswear at Harvey Nichols, opened this little emporium of everything canine in 2014 and it quickly became a destination spot for those who want to indulge their pooches. Here you’ll find everything from doggy Christmas scarves and Harris Tweed bow tie collars to doggie hampers and treat jars. Yes, all that, under one woof.
Boozy gifts Valhalla’s Goat, Glasgow
Stepping through the doors of this bottle shop owned by Williams Bros brewers, beer lovers will feel like they’ve died and gone to heaven. But Valhalla’s Goat is not just home to one of the most extensive ranges of beers in Scotland – it’s also about other “liquid treasures”, which include wine, spirits, craft gins and even the odd bottle of sake.
Demijohn, Edinburgh and Glasgow
The formula of this so-called “liquid deli” is simple – spirits, oils and vinegars stored in huge demijohns from which they can be decanted into individually chosen bottles. The stock revolves around local, artisan products which great taste.