As book lovers, none of us in the Birlinn team really need an excuse to visit a bookshop, but the annual Bookshop Day on Saturday 12th October gives us extra opportunity to champion the shops we love most. We are spoilt for choice in Scotland for bookshops of all types, and particularly where we are based in Edinburgh you can barely walk five minutes without coming across another gem of a shop. We asked the Birlinn team to let us know their favourite bookshop so read on to get some inspiration! You can find our more about the Bookshop Day campaign on the Books Are My Bag website.
Edward Crossan, Editor – The Portobello Bookshop
There’s nothing I like more than going down to the beach at Portobello, near where we live, on a Saturday morning with my two boys, Hamish and Ruthven, in wetsuits to enjoy wild swimming. Then, coffee and babycinos from the Beach House café to warm up before we head along the high street to the Portobello Bookshop – our absolute favourite. It’s not just because of its geography that we love it. It has a great children’s section with a fabulous reading nook for the boys to sit in, captivated by their books, that allows me to browse the shop’s perfectly curated shelves of fiction and poetry. It’s so spacious, and they have great table displays of new titles, which are so inviting that you can’t help but leave with bags full of books.
Hugh Andrew, Managing Director – Bookpoint and Tackle & Books
Bookpoint in Dunoon: Dinah, Taylor and team run an Aladdin’s cave of a shop in a lovely old building in Dunoon. If it isn’t there you probably don’t want it!
Tackle and Books, Tobermory: A fixture of the town Duncan and his team consciously carry a huge range of Scottish and Hebridean books and have been instrumental in bringing Ben Blathwayt’s books back into print (and we mustn’t forget The Tobermory Cat). On the way out of town stop in the Tobermory Fish company run by Sally, Duncan’s daughter. And if you need to catch some fish then the name ‘Tackle and Books’ says it all!
Alison Rae, Editor – Argonaut Books
Argonaut Books in Trainspotting territory, in Leith, Edinburgh, is my favourite bookshop. Not only because it’s within strolling distance, but because the staff are welcoming, it has an amazing range of stock, the events are a blast, and I always leave with something unexpected.
Jamie Harris, Sales Coordinator – Leakey’s
My favourite bookshop has to be Leakey’s Bookshop in Inverness. If you ever find yourself up north, you have to pay it a visit. Selling books since 1979, Leakey’s was converted from a church into the country’s largest second-hand bookshop, where you could spend hours browsing. It has shelves of books quite literally from floor to ceiling, along with an open log fire place for when the weather gets cold. It’s a great place to find classic novels and hidden gems, and if you’re in the market for something more unique, they also stock a wide range of rare and collectable books. I never go to Inverness without paying Leakey’s a visit, and I never leave without something new!
Jennifer Andreacchi, Publicity and Marketing Officer – Topping & Company St Andrews
My all-time favourite bookshop is Topping & Co in St Andrews. I absolutely love the floor to ceiling bookshelves, the free tea and biscuits while you peruse and the diverse range of titles they have on offer. Especially since the shop expanded last year, wandering through the different rooms really feels like getting lost in the best sort of maze. When I was a student at the Uni of St Andrews, Toppings was my favourite place to pass an hour (or two!). Now, whenever I go back and visit, it has a truly comforting, cosy vibe that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
Laura Esslemont, Production Manager – Wedale Bookshop
My favourite bookshop is Wedale Bookshop in Stow. Set in a tiny picturesque village in the Scottish Borders, this bookshop is a tardis – an excellent selection of fiction and non-fiction, plus local interest and beautifully sourced local gifts. There are comfty chairs if you want to curl up and read, and also a lovely wee kids nook. It’s a hidden gem.
Ellen Cranston, Events Coordinator – Mainstreet Trading Company
I could spend all day at The Mainstreet Trading Company. As well as a thoughtfully curated bookshop that hosts events throughout the year, the site is home to a brilliant wee café, artisanal deli and eclectic home store. The stock in each department changes regularly so I always find something to treat myself to.
Gayle Monteith, Finance Controller – Yeadons
Independently run in, and for, the communities of Elgin & Banchory, Yeadons are more than just a bookshop. With a wide ranging selection of stock, local specialities, stationery and gifts these are an excellent visit. They run great author events with headline and local authors and book reading sessions too. Staff friendly, unobtrusive and always there if you need assistance in selecting your next read.
Kathryn Haldane, Publicity and Marketing Assistant – Rare Birds Books
This colourful shop in the heart of Stockbridge puts its focus on writing by women, and their beautifully curated selection of books always leaves me feeling inspired (and with a new book in hand!). Their knowledgeable booksellers can always be relied upon to give great suggestions, and they even have a fantastic book subscription service which makes for a perfect gift. They even have a lovely selection of homeware and I’m a particular fan of their book-themed scented candles.
