scottish gifts for overseas friends

[PineappleDanish]

Going to visit some friends in the US in the summer. They used to live in Scotland but have now emigrated. They are about 2 hours from where we will be based so DS and I have booked cheap flights to see them. I know from past experience I will not be allowed to put my hand in my pocket all weekend so offering to buy us all dinner will be tricky. So I'm looking for a "naice" Scottish gift with a few restrictions....

Not food or drink - hand luggage only and US are weird about things like haggis
Not huge / heavy /bulky - hand luggage only!
Not tartan, twee, tacky Scottish tourist stuff.
Not art - the woman has a fine art degree and second guessing taste is so tricky.

Totally stumped. Last time I wimped out and send a big bouquet of flowers after we'd been.

Why not food and drink? If they used to live in Scotland surely there are things they will miss.

Shortbread shouldn't be a problem to take!

I got this stuff called peatsense when I was last in Edinburgh; it's basically incense cones that smell like a peat fire when lit. They were a bit hard to find online when I ran out but I did eventually find them again.

Can't take drink - hand luggage only and the liquid restrictions apply. So no whisky or anything like that. Well-packed shortbread might be an option.

oatcakes?
scottish blend tea? Although that is designed to go with the water so maybe no?

tablet?
tunnocks teacakes?
those weirdy coconut macaroon things?

How much do you want to spend?

Budget - hmm. Around £50 - £75. They are very generous when we are with them so it needs to be nicer than just a box of shortbread.

How about tea towels? Lots of different Scottish designs out there to suit all tastes and very light?
I know you said no tartan but we got some lovely tartan notebooks (high quality and not tacky) as gifts as well as high cow pens and pencils (have a look at the highland cow society website).

Why can't you buy whisky (or similar Scottish alcohol) in duty free ? Once through check in ?

When I lived in America I missed proper chocolate so I would take some of that over.

An Oor Wullie annual!

Jewellery? My sister got me some cute scotty dog brooches and beads made out of heather. Try a veggie haggis - they are nice (honestly!).

Might be too arty but what about something from Highland Stoneware or some other pottery? As long as well bubble wrapped it will travel ok in hand luggage.

Charles rennie macintosh inspired jewelery.

Green grove weavers scarf (botanics, jenners etc stock them.

Glencairn Crystal Studio whiskey glasses
The Highlands mug www.emmaball.co.uk/regional-products/browse-by-county/scotland/the-highlands-bone-china-mug-with-gift-box.html
Loch Lomond mug www.emmaball.co.uk/regional-products/browse-by-county/scotland/shetland-bone-china-mug-with-gift-box-4437.html
Scottish coasters www.emmaball.co.uk/regional-products/browse-by-county/scotland/scottish-castles-houses-single-coaster.html
Scottish thistle bottle opener www.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-Thistle-Bottle-Opener-Sgian/dp/B0779B8CGN?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Another vote for Highland Stoneware, Scottish without being cliche & absolutely beautiful as well as functional.

www.highlandstoneware.com

McKelvie Candle company do lovely Scottish inspired scents. My favourite is Eriskay Love.

Or Sheila Fleet jewellery. Her stuff is inspired by scotland

How about something from Johnstons of Elgin? They have a sale on their accessories here:

www.johnstonsofelgin.com/retail/sale/accessories.html?___store=retail

Light to carry, wont take up much room and unbreakable.

I'd have gone straight for the food so without that, no idea!

woollens - what about nice woven or knitted something ?
(I love fair isle)

Tea towels with Scottish words on them .
Book bags , I got one with a map of Scotland on it .

Stirling castle bath mat?
www.redbubble.com/shop/p/23214823.EVFTZ

You can get Heilan Coo T shirts , tea towels , book bags , coasters , note books ( artist is Alex Reid ? )
Brooches made of wool and wood in Scottish Animals .