nice modern Scottish gifts needed, not tea towels or shortbread!

[beansmum]

I need a few different things for some people I'm going to be staying with in NZ. Mostly women, all 50+, I don't know any of them particularly well and haven't met all of them. Any ideas?

Whiskey? You could take little bottles to try the different types (would break the ice?)

Failing that - novelty Tam OShanters .

Something with nice Celtic designs - either jewellery or table mats, coasters, ornaments.

We have some lovely leather coasters with Celtic knot patterns on. Good quality, not at all tacky, and easy to transport...

LOL at PB! [grin}

Quaiche

Could you get some Scottish smoked salmon or trout? It's usually packed to transport easily.

Silver jewellery? Pretty Celtic stuff. Kilt pin brooches. Something tartan?

I know... Sean Connery!

Bottle stoppers

Vaccum (sp) packed Haggis

Sorry my bottle stoppers link didn't work - here

You coud have a look at the scottish museums web sites and see if you could get some nice prints or mugs.

arran soaps? I got a wee one in my stocking and it was lovely. will see if i can find a link

hmm, I'm not sure I want to spend £20 each on these people, I was thinking more like £20each for the couple I know (parents of a friend from school) and £10ish for the others.

Maybe a bottle of whisky and some salmon for the couple and something cheaper for the others. Would salmon be ok out of the fridge for so long (over 40hrs door to door)?

arran aromatics

good idea, I'll get soap for the ones I don't know. Lovely packaging.

I don't think you can take cooked food. Or is it raw? Take a selection of jam, honey, yes - shortbread! I think it's the Arran Food Company (something like that) who do really nice gifty food. Edinburgh rock (yeuch). McCowan toffee - Yay!!!!!

A spurtle? I mean a fancy carved one. I got one from my mum and use it most mornings for the porridge.

the broons recipe book?

link

I got my step-dad an Avril Paton print of Glasgow Art School from a stall in Buchanan Galleries - was a while ago though, so don't know if its still there.

If you're in Glasgow, the Art Galleries at Kelvingrove has some lovely stuff (books, jewellery, etc). You're bound to find something within budget there.

Oor Wullie annual

the same stall is often (possibly permanently) in princes square