Scotland Peter Irvine’s the best
Shopping destinations From crafts and books to pottery and pickles, Scotland has lots to offer the discerning shopper
Logie Steading
Six miles south of Forres, signed from A940 Forres-grantown-on-spey road. Near pleasant woodlands and brilliant picnic spots, with lovely walled garden around the big house nearby. Much better than your usual crafty courtyard to visit and browse. Includes Giles Pearson’s Country Furniture, a secondhand bookshop and the Olive Tree Café, a home-baking tearoom with integrity. Seems fitting as the estate was built with the fortune of the guy who invented the digestive biscuit!
Edinbane Pottery
Off the A850 Portree to Dunvegan road. Since 1971, Stuart Whatley’s great working pottery has been making wood-fired and salt-glazed pots of all shapes and for every purpose. A family business where the various processes can often be seen in progress.
Kinloch Anderson
A trek from uptown Edinburgh but firmly on the tourist trail and so much better than the High St, ie the tartan-tainted Royal Mile. Independent, family-run company since 1868, they are experts in Highland dress and all things tartan. They design and manufacture their own tartans, have a good range of men’s tweed jackets; even rugs.
Galloway Lodge
On High St, Gatehouse of Fleet. Packed with local jams, marmalades, chutneys and pickles. Scottish pottery by Scotia Ceramics, Highland Stoneware and Dunoon. Good presents and jam for you. 10am-5pm. Selfservice coffee shop, home-made and oldstyle – good for mum, gran and bairns!
Iona Abbey Shop
Via Calmac ferry from Fionnphort on Mull. Crafts and souvenirs across the way in separate building. Proceeds support a worthy, committed organisation. Christian literature, tapes, etc, but mostly artefacts from nearby and around Scotland.
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99