The Essential Shopping Guide To Inverness Scotland

Inverness is only a small city, with fewer than 60,000 residents, but as it is central to a much wider geographical area there are far more shops than you might expect. Add to this the fact it draws in visitors from across the globe, and the options for shopping are surprisingly good, with something for everyone, all within a short walking distance.

1. The Victorian Market

Market

Built in 1890, this indoor market is not only an attractive piece of Victorian architecture, it is also full of unique and individual small shops. The main entrance is through three stone arches on Academy Street, but you can access the market on each side. This is definitely worth a visit, even if you are not intent on shopping, and especially if it is raining! Look out for the coats of arms above the original Victorian clock and the ornate iron and wooden domed roof.

2. Duncan Chisholm and Sons

Shop

If you are looking for traditional Highland wear, whether tartan, tweed, kilts, sporrans or dirks, this is an excellent place to visit. A traditional, Inverness-based, bespoke kiltmaker, this shop also offers kilt hire, should you be visiting the city for a wedding, or just fancy wearing Highland dress during your visit!

3. Judith Glue

Shop, Store

This is a great place to pick up Orkney knitwear, handmade clothing, bags, prints, and jewellery from across the Highlands and Islands. There is an excellent range to choose from, with Scottish food products also on offer, along with free food tastings. Originally solely an Orkney shop, this store was opened in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength.

4. Piggy in the Middle

Shop, Store

A boutique children’s shop with a wonderful consignment ethos. This is the place to visit if you are looking for a wide range of affordable goods, from clothing to toys and baby equipment. The idea of being able to resell top quality items in a retail shop environment is excellent, and helps with recycling and reusing things that otherwise would just take up space in a cupboard. Definitely worth a visit if you have children, or want to buy gifts for someone who does.

Food Shopping

The different foods available in Inverness can surprise the visitor, and even a few locals, who may be more used to doing their weekly grocery shop in one of the larger supermarkets. If you are after gluten free food, then locally produced and award-winning Angelic Gluten Free products are sold at Holland and Barrett in the Eastgate Centre. In the Victorian market, visitors can buy foods from across Asia at Saffron Oriental Food, or walk a little further up Church Street to Victory Global Food where, as the name suggests, you can buy a surprisingly large range of speciality foods from around the world. With many traditional butchers, bakers, fishmongers, grocers and more, there really isn’t room in this guide to include all the delicious treats you can buy in the city, from Arbroath Smokies to haggis, or tablet to Scotch pies.

Saffron Oriental Food, Victorian Market, Academy Street, +44 1463 718322

Victory Global Food, Church Street, Inverness, +44 7446 899358

5. Leakey’s Second Hand Bookshop

Bookstore

No guide to shopping in Inverness would be complete without mentioning Leakey’s. This is an Inverness legend, and the second largest secondhand bookshop in Scotland. Located in an old church, and heated by a large wood-burning stove, Leakey’s contains thousands and thousands of different books. No matter what your interests, there will be something to appeal here and, for the bibliophile, it is likely you may spend hours perusing the shelves. Just remember to arrive in the city with extra luggage space!