best places in Scotland for charity shops?

[SnoozingFox]

I am a self-confessed charity shop fiend. Cannot walk past one without going in for a wee mooch around and have had so many brilliant buys over the years. Not just clothing but homewares, craft supplies and loads more. Finding my regular stomping ground in Byres Rd/Partick is getting pricey and the parking restrictions are a nightmare - recently discovered Kirkintilloch has about 6 massive charity shops with prices 50% of what you'd pay in town.

Any other top tips?

When my dd was a student in Edinburgh she used to arrange charity shop tours for visiting friends-they were amazing! That was a few years ago though….

A bit out the way but if you ever find yourself in Aberfeldy there is a brilliant thrift shop. It’s taken over by different charities / community groups each week. Stock stays but it’s all about turnover so aim is to get rid of at least 25% of stock for next people. Nothing is pricemarked and they just guess what you will pay and if you pull a face knock a bit off. It’s great for cookware and craft stuff. Best time is early in the week as new donations get in on a Monday.

Aberfeldy sounds amazing! I have heard good things about the Stockbridge charity shops but expensive, because Stockbridge!!

I also recently discovered that there is a mahoosive warehouse charity shop on the retail park in Renfrew where the Matalan outlet used to be, furniture as well as clothing and bric a brac, all the clothing seemed to be £2/£3, got a 100% cotton summer dress, it was only Primark but still, decent quality fabric and will be great for holidays.

Thing is, you want charity shops in expensive places because that's where all the good donations are coming from. So Stockbridge is still quite good and whether they are expensive or not depends on the pricing policy. Often ironically it's the mid-range brands that are expensive (because the people working there recognise the names) and more obscure but better quality stuff flies under the radar.

Dundee always used to have some quite good stuff, and it's got a big discount one where all the clothes are very cheap - think it's the Red Cross one. Also I once saw a Vera Wang silk cocktail dress in a charity shop in Dundee for about a fiver.

Agree, it's a balance. Think that's why I liked Kirkintilloch - there was more Phase Eight / M&S type brands than there was Shein/Primark.

There's a vintage clothing sale at the Eric Liddell centre in Morningside Edinburgh this Saturday (5/4) at 1330. Charity shops along Morningside Rd are generally good & lots of lovely cafes too.

Leverburgh is great for charity shop finds, as are some of the shops just off Inverness High Street

Smallish posh towns outside the central belt

Leverburgh in Harris?

Debra in South Queensferry. Beautiful shop with quality stuff.

I have heard that Helensburgh is good.

Yes, the very one

Best every charity shop was a temporary one run in Edinburgh by the conservative association. Rich tories have good stuff to donate!

Helensburgh and Broughty Ferry can be pretty good.

Not charity but vintage: there are regular kilo sales of clothes in Edinburgh (usually St James Centre) and Leith Out of the Blue drill hall. I still like Portobello, North Berwick or Haddington for a mooch around charity shops but tbh there's a lot of overpriced bobbly acrylic and other low quality fast fashion in charity shops everywhere these days.

St Andrews. Full of posh cast offs, lots of American brands. Plus Stockbridge of course.

Yes - second St. Andrews. Also Bridge of Allan.

There is a really nice one in Bridge of Allan - maybe a hospice one? Very small though.

I work near Clarkston and I have picked up some good buys over the years.

Linlithgow and Kirkcudbright are gems.

I think it's the Heart one on the main street? There's another good one further up towards The Allanwater Café and a quirky one down a side street, hear the co-op.

Oh god there is so much absolute tripe only fit for the bin in that Salvation Army one in Renfrew. It’s like Paddy’s Market.

I haven’t been but I think someone told me
there was a good one in Kilmacolm. Places like Bearsden and Milngave are also a good shout

Peebles has three or four. I got a joules jacket, couple of posh blouses, boots and a butter dish for £25! Not just clothes but crockery etc.

If anyone’s in the far north, the Highland Hospice shop in Thurso is great. Actually my favourite shop in the town.

There is a lot of stuff in the Renfrew one yes but it’s not all crap. We are near Milngavie and feel both the Oxfam and the cancer research have got pricey - the small save the children near Asda much better. Kirkintilloch good selection and good prices.