“Independent booksellers – it’s not exaggerating to say that they are lantern bearers of civilisation” Sir Philip Pullman
Adventure Into Books, Blairgowrie
Adventure Into Books provide a focus on Scottish authors, a dedicated children’s area, and a comfortable reading nook. They stock new books, bestsellers, classics, biographies, poetry, and many more. They also sell bookish gifts, maps, and greeting cards.
Yeadons of Elgin, Elgin
Yeadon’s of Elgin is one of the oldest continuously trading bookshops in Scotland. Established in 1887 by James Dawson Yeadon, the shop underwent an extensive refit during 2007. They offer carefully chosen books, a chance to discuss what you’re looking for, and signed and special editions.
The Book Nook, Stewarton
Winner of the Independent Bookshop of the Year Scotland at the British Book Awards 2024, The Book Nook offers a range of titles fiction to non-fiction, and children’s books. They also provide refreshments, and have an extensive events programme, offering book festivals, author talks, book signings, and poetry readings.
The Bookhouse, Dundee
Opening in 2017, The Bookhouse stocks a wide range of children and adult titles, from classic literature to contemporary bestsellers. They also have a packed events schedule, offering book signings, readings, and discussions with popular authors such as Brian Cox (the actor), Julia Donaldson, and Holly Jackson.
Bookends, Carlisle
Bookends is a family-run, independent bookshop set in a rambling 5-storey Georgian building shared with second-hand bookshop Bookcase and the café and garden of Cakes & Ale in historic Carlisle. The family business started in 1978, and specialise in Cumbrian books and feature well over 1,700 titles online.
Far From the Madding Crowd, Linlithgow
Far From the Madding Crowd is Linlithgow’s award-winning bookshop, offering an extensive range of books, gifts, and stationery. They sell everything from fiction to non-fiction, with a specialism in Scottish books. They also have a dedicate “little owls” space for young readers. They offer author talks, and book signings.
Bookpoint, Dunoon
Bookpoint stocks a superb selection of books to suite everybody’s tastes, from children’s books, history, military, cooking, craft, humour, biographies, and Scottish books. They also stock a range of stationery, knitwear, kids toys, and jewellery. Previous guest authors include Emma Thompson and Greg Wise, and The Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod.
Print Point, Isle of Bute
Established in 1997, Print Point is an indie bookshop on the Isle of Bute. They stock over 4,000 books and order more every day, so you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love. Stock includes poetry, fiction, memoirs, and other non-fiction titles.
The Nairn Bookshop, Nairn
Over many years, The Nairn Bookshop have been providing a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books for all ages to the population of Nairn. They pride themselves on the diveristy and variety of the books on the shelves, stocking crime, historical, translated, and popular fiction, as well as short stories, poetry, philosophy, nature, and Scottish history.
Atkinson-Pryce Books, Biggar
There is something for everyone in Atkinson-Pryce; a fantastic kids section with everything from tiny tots to emerging adults; there’s science, history, art, contemporary issues; the best in fiction, Scottish writing, nature, travel and cookery to name a few. They also have an extensive events programme, featuring author talks, signing, readings, and book clubs.
Ullapool Bookshop, Ullapool
The Ullapool Bookshop offer a wide range of titles from arts to fiction, nature, children’s, maps, gardening, memoir, poetry, and Scottish books. As well as physical books, they have developed a section of audio products, both adult and children. They also offer a selection of greeting cards, postcards, art materials, calendars, diaries, and stationery.
Dornoch Bookshop, Dornoch
The Dornoch Bookshop stocks a wide range of titles, from travel to biography, fiction, crime, cookery, and Scottish books, as well as a beautiful children’s corner. They also provide maps, CDs, postcards, greeting cards, and stationery, and if the weather plays ball, an outside coffee shop.
*Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of bookshops. All photos sourced from each individual shop’s online presence. If you have any concerns regarding the photos, or concern regarding the text, please get in touch.
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