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Original poster

Must buys when on holiday in Scotland

109 replies

longtompot · 21/09/2022 13:43

We are going to Scotland for a week on Friday, and wondered what things we should buy when there to bring home. We are staying in Kyle across the water from Skye, so interested in things from that area in particular, but also from other areas we should look out for which we might be able to find in shops near us. Many thanks.

OP posts:
YetAnotherChanger · 21/09/2022 22:27

Pizza crunch (sometimes known as a half battered pizza) with curry sauce out the chippy, first thing I sniff out when in Scotland.

Agree with the Harris Gin recommendation, it’s lovely and they do some nice glassware too.

Tallisker · 21/09/2022 22:39

I want to go (back) to Skye

I only spelt my name wrong cos the proper spelling was taken Grin

HighlandPony · 21/09/2022 22:39

Midgie repellent will be your priority

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General shopping
Craftgirlx · 21/09/2022 23:09

I’d recommend a trip to Inverness. The local wool shop The Woolly Sheep has everything you could want for wool, be sure to check their fb for opening times etc as it can change but usually always tues - sat. The Victorian market in town has recently been done up and worth a wander. Perk donuts are an absolute MUST. Harry Gows, the local bakers is also fab as is their famous dream rings. There are ebikes you can hire at the leisure centre and you can cycle along the Caledonian canal, if you head to an talla a tea/ coffee and cake at the other end would be ideal. Then cycle back! There are lots of great wee shops/cafes/restaurants in Inverness too but it’s well worth a day trip plus it’s a beautiful drive 😊

Gingerkittykat · 21/09/2022 23:13

Itsmeagainyes · 21/09/2022 20:59

Irn bru now tastes like crap since they took out the sugar I'm afraid.

Irn Bru 1901 in the glass bottle is the original recipe with sugar in it. It's not sold everywhere though and is expensive.

lilybloom2 · 21/09/2022 23:16

Another vote for for Skye Candles. I'd also suggest visiting local artists. There are some gorgeous work available, being sold from tiny studios.

OneFrenchEgg · 21/09/2022 23:19

Pan drops - my granny always hand an open packet of these!

OneFrenchEgg · 21/09/2022 23:19

*had

Takingturnstogether · 21/09/2022 23:30

Glayva

Proper oat cakes ( not the ones made by the big companies)

Fozzleyplum · 21/09/2022 23:34

Not a "must buy" recommendation, but do go to the Fisherman's Kitchen by the car park in Kyle. Their food is lovely, especially the Cullen skink.

Fozzleyplum · 21/09/2022 23:36

Also empire biscuits from the Coop in Kyle.

Chickdaft · 21/09/2022 23:36

Harris gin (uses local sugar kelp seaweed). Uist has Down Pour gin, Barra has its own gin too, All highly acclaimed gins in the gin world. The Temple cafe in Harris has a non alcoholic liqueur that’s made from local botanicals and served in Michelin restaurants. Fab wee cafe as well with quiche, and baking using their own salad, herbage etc.
sandwick bay candles in Stornoway has an amazing shop with candles all hand poured and hand mixed using local scents, plus refill household cleaning stations.
Black pudding from 3 local butchers, which again are award winning.
Harris tweed…shops, or buy by the yard if you are a sewer…..😀

Blueberrycreampie · 21/09/2022 23:38

TheTeddyBears · 21/09/2022 22:26

Aw it's got to be square sausage! Bloody amazing. Proper stuff though Preferably from butchers or steak Lorne if from supermarket. Aldi actually have a lot of good local produce.

Get yourself a crispy morning roll (Mortens), square sausage and can of irn bru, yummy!

Tablet is also very good though and black pudding.

A well fired roll with square sausage. You can't beat it! I really miss this living in England.

Tauranga · 21/09/2022 23:42

Look up www.blockart.co.uk for map tea towels like arran and skye, I got mine in the Visit Scotland shops on the Islands.... Along with coasters and whisky glasses, and tablet of course!

GuyMontag · 21/09/2022 23:45

A fridge magnet shaped like bagpipes that plays 'Scotland The Brave' when you press it.

And some haggis pakora.

NoDairyNoProblem · 21/09/2022 23:48

Womencanlift · 21/09/2022 22:16

Ah Luss. Love the place.

OP if you are that way then just before you get to Luss another stop is Loch Lomand Shores. The shops themselves are not that great for a designer outlet, but sometimes they have a farmer’s market that will have lots of Scottish delicacies

If you are driving alongside Loch Lomand, another good pit stop is the Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum. Not much there but good place to stop for petrol and to stretch your legs. The Green Welly Stop itself is a massive gift shop where you can get lots of (cheesy) Scottish merchandise

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If you stop at Luss the meringues in the Coach House are to die for.

mrstea301 · 21/09/2022 23:54

Misty Isle vodka and gin is lovely, there's a shop in Portree behind the co-op!

GlassDeli · 21/09/2022 23:58

Shortbread and woven/knitted stuff.

Honeysuckle16 · 22/09/2022 00:04

Local jams, jellies and chutney. Fruit crops have been excellent this year so there’s wonderful preserves and chutneys available.

Tablet, Irn Bru, potato scones, Scottish rolls to freeze.
Scottish cheeses and local oatcakes

Malt Whisky, Scottish gin (best one is Botanical Gin made on Islay).

Harris Tweed
Tartans
Skye candles, they’re top quality
Arran Aromatics bath and beauty range.
DVD of Two Doors Down.

RiderOfTheBlue · 22/09/2022 00:12

mrstea301 · 21/09/2022 23:54

Misty Isle vodka and gin is lovely, there's a shop in Portree behind the co-op!

Behind the little co-op or the big one?

Etive · 22/09/2022 00:14

Fozzleyplum · 21/09/2022 23:34

Not a "must buy" recommendation, but do go to the Fisherman's Kitchen by the car park in Kyle. Their food is lovely, especially the Cullen skink.

I just came on to post this! Lovely food.

Skye is very overpriced for produce imo and I live not far from there. I haven’t read the full thread but if your intending on visiting the fairy pools get there very early, 6.00 - 7.00am. A lot of photos online are photoshopped unless you go on a super sunny day. Also be very aware the water in the pools is very cold. If you do choose to visit the fairy pools the adverts for the cafe at the end of the road isn’t a cafe, it’s a campsite with a shop selling coffee and cake and the road isn’t great.

I don’t rate the Green Welly Stop, the food is overpriced and not very nice.

You normally have to pre book ferries to Harris and Lewis so please dont think it’s a walk on service. As for midgies, it’s colder now and they’re only really out in the warmer weather, you can buy smidge online which works, Avon skin so soft doesn’t work.

Spartak · 22/09/2022 00:17

Marshalls macaroni. So much nicer than the macaroni I buy at home in Tesco.

EspeciallyDivided · 22/09/2022 07:13

The Farmer's Market at Lomond Shores is great but the permanent shops are pretty dire now.

DH always brings back Edinburgh Rock but we had trouble finding it last year. He loves a pineapple tart too, we get them in the co-op.

We are also big fans of the Coach House in Luss, just sitting on the beach there is lovely too.

Itsmeagainyes · 22/09/2022 07:43

Amortentia · 21/09/2022 21:24

You can buy the original stuff in a glass bottle.

I’ve never seen a deep fried mars bar anywhere in Scotland, there must be more chance of finding the Loch Ness monster. There’s a wee shop in Skye that sells nice soap and bath stuff. I love any kind of soap bar with oatmeal in it, makes your skin lovely and soft.

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It's an older recipie, not the same as what we used to get as kids. It isn't as nice and has no caffeine in it but Barrs wont give in to pressure to bring the previous recipie back.

KittenKong · 22/09/2022 08:03

I was disappointed last time I went home how little ‘local’ foods there were in the supermarkets (I used to pop into the local supermarkets and buy ‘ordinary’ foods that I can’t get here to bring back). All the same items as we get in London.

Thankfully they still have treacle toffee and Caboc. I bought some Christmas decorations in Edinburgh (wee highland dancers) made locally as gifts and they went down well.

tablet - well it’s way to sweet for me! Edinburgh rock is weird.