118 Best Places to Shop in Scotland

Just a two-minute walk from Grassmarket, Armchair Books is a chaotic but characterful bookshop heaving with secondhand and antiquarian books.

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.

Pick up a range of attractive ceramics, including lamps, vases, and bowls, all hand-thrown on the premises by studio potter Sue Blair. There's also a lovely little garden for visitors to enjoy. Borgh Pottery is 9 miles southwest of Port of Ness, on the road from Stornoway.

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.

Edinburgh's most iconic Scotch shop, Cadenhead's has an incredible selection of whisky to purchase (including rare bottles from closed distilleries), and also offers tasting sessions. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you pick out the perfect whisky to suit your palate.

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.

Jenners, a long-standing Edinburgh landmark that is now part of the U.K.-wide House of Fraser chain, specializes in traditional china and glassware, as well as Scottish tweeds and tartans—though you'll find everything else you'd expect from a large department store, too. Its famous food hall, run by Valvona & Crolla, stocks traditional culinary delights including shortbread, marmalade, and honey.

Lovingly curated by a friendly owner who taps into Dundee's wealth of artists and makers, Kist is a cornucopia of wonderful handmade items, from gorgeous prints, cards, and jewelry to sustainable beauty products, scarves, and other accessories.

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 designs here are rich in texture, color, and shape, but it's the philosophy behind the knitwear—Niela Nell Kalra makes it for the day you feel your worst—that makes it so desirable. Most of the pieces are made to be worn in multiple ways, meaning you get three pieces for the price of one.

The publisher of the local newspaper, The Orcadian, also manages this store, a good place to find books about the history of Orkney, its wildlife, and folklore. Look out for the occasional book reading and cultural event held here.

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. There is also a small elegant cinema on the ground floor. A stunning glass dome was fitted over the original building, which dates back to 1841.

This well-stocked shop specializes in designer knitwear and has some of the nicest staff you could hope to meet. On cold winter days, they might make you coffee while you browse (while waiting for your ferry to Mallaig) then mail your purchases back home for you.

First established on the Isle of Skye, Ragamuffin's Edinburgh outlet sells some of the funkiest, brightest, and most elegant knitwear produced anywhere in Scotland.

For those seeking a splash of color for the beach or a cozy jumper for chilly evenings, this charming clothing boutique is a firm favorite of Fifers and out-of-towners. From embossed tees and smart shirts to vibrant 70s-inspired dresses and comfy plimsols, their selections are cheerful, stylish, and invariably great value. 

As much art gallery as jewelry shop, designer Sheila Fleet's store in Stockbridge displays a variety of stunning jewelry inspired by her native Orkney, from wind and waves to Celtic spirals to island wildlife.

This is a bibliophile's dream haunt, with high ceilings and alcoves lined with more than 50,000 titles including signed editions. The chatty, knowledgeable staff may offer you a warm brew, and tell you about upcoming literary events staged here.

This Victorian basement is crammed with fascinating antiques, including artworks, ornaments, silverware, and other such curios.

Opened in 1934, this Scottish-Italian institution run by the wonderful Contini family is the best place in Scotland to pick up your Italian culinary supplies, from wines, salami, and cheeses to conserved antipasti, bread, deli counter treats, and even imported produce like artichokes and friarielli greens. There's a cafè-bar-restaurant out back serving classic bel paese dishes.

At this converted mill you can visit an excellent independent bookshop with a large children's section. The mill also has a gallery with frequently changing exhibitions, a home-goods store (called Homer), and a good café.

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.

On Commercial Street in the heart of Lerwick, 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 well-curated shop sells work by local, Scottish, and British artists, including jewelry, ceramics, paintings, and intriguing handmade clocks.