With Extinction Rebellion and Greta Thunberg as household names, I think it’s safe to say everyone’s thinking twice about the things they buy this Christmas. No foiling on cards or wrapping paper, so it can be recycled. No sparkles, or glitter, or gift buying just for the sake of gift buying. Even if you don’t like to think about it too much, it still creeps into your head. I still love gift giving, and I’m determined to give the people I love something special this year. I’ve decided that buying local, and buying long-term is the ideal way to shop. So here is my ‘shop local’ Scottish Gift Guide! A list of shops local to Scotland that sell sustainable and/or long-lasting gift worthy products.
PSA – this is not a sponsored gift guide, I just really love gift giving and shopping local. Seriously.
Bare Bones Chocolate
Glasgow based chocolatier Bare Bones Chocolate make high quality chocolate sure to be a popular gift with any chocolate lover! Plus, they have multiple multi-packs of mini bars which make the perfect gift set if you have a real chocolate lover, or if you’re not sure what their favourite flavour would be.
The Tartan Blanket Company
No Scotland gift guide would be complete without a ‘where to buy your tartan’, would it? The Tartan Blanket Co. is genuinely one of my favourite shops. I’ll browse their website when the office is quiet and dream of buying more woollen blankets. Their website has so much information about the sustainability of wool and how gifting a woolly goodie is like gifting a family heirloom, which is exactly what I go for every year. Mission accomplished. TBCo have just launched their Winter Colsie Collection, so if you don’t love tartan print (or if you own too many already), they have tons of modern designs for you! And if you really struggle with the whole gifting thing, they sell ready made gift boxes that are full of sentiment (and goodies!).
Finnieston Clothing
Local to Glasgow, Finnieston Clothing is a new find for me. With the description “BUILT TO LAST” they have me hooked. They create pieces with extreme care. Keeping an eye on every last detail, Finnieston garments are made from the best quality material and manufactured to the highest standards. Each piece aims to be both stylish and durable, and is brought to life with the support of Scottish craftspeople and suppliers. Finnieston even take notes from the Glasgow shipbuilding archives for their designs, so you’re buying something seriously Scottish.
I personally have my eye on this Anchor Line print. It would be cute for our flat as Angus is from Glasgow and I’m from Canada… but I worry it looks a bit too hockey-poster like for me. I secretly like the other, non-Canada related prints better. Shhh don’t tell Trudeau.
Love From Shetland
Praise be Lush for making soap cool again. Bath bombs, specialty soap and sensitive skin products are all hot products these days. While you could go to Lush, or Boots, or any other skincare supplier… You could also support local. My Canadian fav is my (literal) neighbour, the genius behind Lovely Body. When I discovered Love From Shetland, I discovered her Scottish counterpart. Palm Oil free and crafted from their own goat’s milk, Love From Shetland produce the best of Scottish soap. My favs are the felted soaps that both exfoliate and scrub’a’dub’dub at the same time! They also have bath bombs for those pesky Gen Z-ers you’ve gotta buy for.
Hebridean Soap Company
Based on the Isle of Lewis, the Hebridean Soap Company is similar to Love From Shetland in that they sell a lot of bath & body products along with candles. Their candles have distinct Scottish scents, such as machair, peat-smoke and ocean. The candles are verrrrry potent – especially my favourite, peat-smoke – but the smell is more subtle when burned.
Red Door Gallery
I found Red Door because of their shop on Victoria Street. I would take tourists up and down that street on tours twice a day, every day for months. And it’s where I sent those tourists to look for souvenirs. Red Door Gallery sell things created by Scottish crafters. Pottery, prints, jewellery, everything under the sun can be found behind the Red Door! So if you’re in a bind and you need something quirky, have a browse around their online shop.
Walker Slater
Much like tartan, I couldn’t write a Scottish gift guide without bringing in tweed. Walker Slater are the experts in all things tweed, no doubt about it. For the loved ones who love specialty, classy clothing, Walker Slater is the answer to your prayers. Angus is very pretentious about what kind of work clothes he wears, so I’ve got my eye on one of their wool ties (that he pre-approved, of course). As a top tier luxury clothing brand, Walker Slater clothes are made with the highest quality materials and manufacturing. One of their hats would go down a treat with my mom, and I bet my dad would like some nice (fancy) gloves! These are little things that go a long way, and live a long time. And Angus wants you to know they have really comfy woolly socks.
Erin Blok Jewellery
ErinBlokFinds Jewellery is a silversmith based in the Scottish Borders. She handpicks sea glass and creates beautiful jewellery with them. Her work would be the perfect gift for someone who loves Scotland and jewellery. Or if they love sea glass, cause these designs are seriously gorgeous.
Strathberry
For the luxury lover, there’s Strathberry. They’re a Scottish company, with shops in Edinburgh and London, but their bags are handcrafted in Spain. This is to ensure the highest degree of quality. And, as someone who’s office is around the corner from their Edinburgh showroom, their quality is anything but lacking. Their bags are classic and stylish in a way that never gets old. With a wide variety of colours and sizes, you’ll be able to find something personal within your budget. These products are for those of you who want to say I love you with a little piece of Scottish luxury.
There you have it, your comprehensive Scottish gift guide! If you’re a Scottish brand who’d like to be included, or if you’re just a reader who has a Scottish brand you really love, let us know about it in the comments section. No one wants to miss out on Scottish excellence, so keep us in the loop!
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