It’s December, which means it’s officially Christmas month! It can be overwhelming knowing what to give loved ones for Christmas, we love giving a gift to someone special, and receiving one that we know took time and effort to pick out.
I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite Scottish gifts and experiences for you, just to make things a little easier for you. Sustainable gifts and personalised, with hopefully something to cover everyone in the family and a range of budgets too.
It took time and love to put this together and I hope you love these beautifully thoughtful gifts as much as I do.
Here’s to a wonderful Christmas! xo
The Wild Glow
Small batch candles, hand poured right here in Edinburgh, these beautiful candles from Wild & Glow should be on your list.
A mother / daughter partnership with over 20 years combined experience of making natural soaps and candles for family and friends. Their shared interests – in the beauty and benefits that plant materials bring to enhance our senses and homes – evolved in early 2020 into the possibility of launching a home grown business. The seed of this idea was firmly planted! They began to develop their candle brand with sustainability at its heart, welcome The Wild Glow to Edinburgh.
They have some incredible scents including one called Highland Bothy that I cannot wait to get my hands on!
Website: https://thewildglow.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewildglow/
Dook Soap
Dook is a small, artisanal company based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Thay make salt soap in small batches using organic ingredients, essential oils and natural colours. Each batch is mixed and poured by hand resulting in distinctive, high-quality hand and body soap. Dook is a brand which couples a luxury beauty product with a sustainable lifestyle.
They recently launched a collab with BonTot, Dook x Bon Tot was born from seaside chats, ambitious women and a desire to create innovative products. Four individual soaps, each with their own BIG personality. And they smell incredible! A great gift for those tiny hands, and adults too.
Website: https://dookofedinburgh.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dook_soap/
Sarah L Ferguson
Family photographs are one gift I cherish more than any other. We love nothing more than sitting on a lazy Sunday looking through the big box of photos. Sarah’s images are something else, they tell the individual stories of each family she meets and you can see the sheer joy shine right through her work.
You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to book, she takes sessions around all my favourite spots in town and you can simply remember your time visiting the city, what a keepsake to take home with you.
Gift vouchers are available if you would like to surprise a family member with a shoot or book one for yourself and gift the images for Christmas, the Grandparents love it!
Website: https://www.sarahlfergusonphotography.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahlferguson_/
Snow Paw
I’m not sure about you, but I am a sucker for Harris Tweed. This gorgeous wee satchel is one of many colours from Snow Paw. (The Chesnut is on my very own Christmas list).
Not only do they have a selection of Harris Tweed satchels, you can keep cosy with some traditionally made Harris Tweed and luxury sheepskin in a classic range of footwear.
Who doesn’t love slippers at Christmas?
Website: https://snowpawuk.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SnowPawBoots
JG Thomas Gin
A first and already award-winning collection of small batch spirits with simple ingredients and
complex flavours is today being launched by J.G. Thomson & Co, a new brand from Edinburgh.
All of J.G. Thomson & Co’s spirits are crafted creatively in small batches, meaning that the
individual taste characteristics of each spirit will evolve with every new batch – providing
adventurous drinkers with a new taste experience to discover every time a new batch is
released.
“We believe there is a growing appetite for exceptional spirits among adventurous drinkers
who are looking to taste something new and extraordinary. All our spirits are made using
traditional methods such as small batch distillation, non-chill filtering and natural colour to
focus entirely on taste and take people on a journey of discovery.”
Website: https://jgthomson.com/shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jg_thomson/
Sarah Stewart
An artist from Glasgow who has her ‘Lockdown Diaries’. Her business flourished during lockdown when she was forced to stay home and began painting classes in the evening.
Touring Scotland in her camper van called Verity, Sarah creates gorgeous art pieces that she then prints onto totes and notebooks amongst other things.
She also runs creative workshops which are a gift in themselves!
Website: https://www.sarahstewart.co.uk/links/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahstewart.co.uk/
BlockArt
Blockart is a small business run from the Scottish Borders. Kirsty makes homewares using ancient and old map designs on our products.
You can view a range of products from mugs, tea towels, cushion covers and heart maps, which would be a really special wee gift for someone that has left they heart in a particular part of Scotland.
Website: https://blockart.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blockartmaps/
The Playhouse
Firmly established in the cultural landscape of Edinburgh and Scotland, the Edinburgh Playhouse is the UK’s largest all seated theatre and plays host to some of the biggest names in live music, comedy and musical theatre.
Christmas is a pretty magical time here in Edinburgh and one of my favourite things to do is go see a show at the theatre! We love to gift at least one experience gift to the kids, sometimes its a castle, sometimes it’s the Christmas market. But is there anything more magical than walking through those doors, sitting in your seat and watching the lights go down and the music starting?
Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edinplayhouse/
Stevenson House
Sometimes the festive period can be overwhelming, giving the gift (to yourself or others) of a weekend break can be just the ticket. There are a LOT of places to stay when you come to the city, but if you are looking for something Scottish with a bit of history, this one is for you…
The Stevenson House was the childhood home of Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), creator of Treasure Island Kidnapped and Jekyll & Hyde, he lived there until the age of 6. Built between 1802 and 1806, the Stevenson House is a typical Georgian New Town house which has always been in private ownership and is still used as the family home for John & Felicitas Macfie as well as their six children.
I can’t wait to visit!
Website: https://www.stevenson-house.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevensonhouse/
Twenty Seven
Twenty Seven were one of those companies I found when I was looking for a gift with a name on. I didn’t get my name (Zoë) on things growing up, so when I see something I can make a little more special with personalisation, I go for it.
This globe was one pf my favourites, we are moving house after Christmas and it felt like the perfect keepsake for our last Christmas in this wee home.
They have a range of gifts not only for Christmas, but men, women and children, there’s something for everyone and receiving something personalised always goes down a treat.
Website: https://twenty-seven.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twentysevencouk/
Bon Accord
Childhood. Unlocked.
When I was wee there would be the juice van that would come around once a week, it would beep it’s little horn to let you know it was passing and you could get yours for the weekend. It would have big piles of orange crates piled on the back and I would always ask for a bottle of Cream Soda.
Fast forward to my 30’s and the juice van with the crates no longer came around. Then one day I passed a shop and I seen it, after 16 years, a bottle of Bon Accord cream soda, sat there on the shelf.
Reopened by the great-great-grandaughter of the original owner, Bon Accord is back. And if ever there was a nostalgic gift, this is it. Took me right back to my childhood for a second!
Website: https://bonaccordsoftdrinks.com/shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonaccorddrinks/
Collar & Bow
So, you want to add a wee bit tartan to your daily outfit but no idea where to start? Collar and Bow have gorgeous wee accessories for you to add!
Based in Glasgow, they are they perfect addition to any wardrobe. With a matching bow too! and not to mention those easily linings.
I’ll take one in every single colour way please….
Website: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CollarandBow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collarandbow/
IJ Mellis
What is Christmas without cheese? Whether you are a cheese lover or not, it’s a Christmas staple. You’ll have seen this store appear on my instagram feed now and again…
From the Highlands of Inverness shire to the Lowlands of Lanarkshire. IJ Mellis have selected some of the best Scottish cheeses available to you and have newly launched Traditional oatcakes. Try this selection with a wee dram of Bowmore 15.
Introducing Valancay Fermier into their Christmas range this year. With the festive customers interested in buying soft lactic cheeses, they have introduced this beautiful pyramid cheese from the Loire. A creamy, ash-coated truncated pyramid with a startling white pate. The texture is light and moussey and saltier than other Loire Valley goat’s cheeses. Young cheeses are delicate, and possess a floral, borderline citric taste, though after maturing the rind becomes drier and the taste levels out to a denser, more complex finish. From the same cheese makers as Selles sur Cher, this is one you’ll want for your Christmas cheeseboards this year.
Their own brand Mellis Biscuits are baked in the Scottish highlands based on their very own recipe created by the family themselves, what treats to have on the tables this year!
Website: https://mellischeese.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mellischeeseltd/
Hidden Scotland
Scotland is a land sculpted by its history, a place moulded by the passage of time, and over the following pages, the days of yore are a recurrent theme. Stepping back into the mists of prehistory, we explore the Jurassic beginnings of the Isle of Skye, where dinosaurs once roamed. We enter the towering canopy of the great Caledonian Forest, crunching the underbrush of the temperate rainforest that once blanketed almost the entire country. No less stirringly, we also take a wander among the extraordinary Neolithic sites that make Scotland one of the world’s most important repositories of Stone Age architecture.
But there’s more to these pages, of course, than the past. A magazine subscription is the gift that keeps giving. Who doesn’t love it when the postie brings them a treat? Especially one as good as this one!
Sit down with a cuppa and indulge in Scotland without having to leave your cosy seat this Christmas.
Website: https://hiddenscotland.co/go/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiddenscotland/
Workshop After Six
Bespoke leather products and accessories to people who seek for an alternative but still functional looks. All their production processes are by hand, so the products are 100% handmade and hand-stitched. Workshop after 6 use high-end quality full grain cowhide leather, which is a byproduct of the food industry and prefer vegetable-tanned leather which is the most natural colouring process.
Their leather workshop is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and sales are currently made from the UK to all over the world, gorgeous keepsake products that are perfect gifts for someone else or yourself. You can also visit their website to find out when and where their next market stall will be.
Website: https://www.workshopaftersix.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workshopaftersix/
Walker Slater
One of my favourite stores in Edinburgh, I often wander around it on a rainy day in town. Walker Slater was founded in 1989 in the Scottish Highlands before later settling Edinburgh’s Old Town, which is where its headquarters are today. Right on the curve of Victoria Street, it’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing stores around.
Despite now being over 30 years old, the company has not deviated from its mission, which is to champion the heritage and sustainability of tweed and woollen fabrics through contemporary and elegant clothing.
Within each store, quaint and charming interiors and passionate staff harmoniously cultivate Walker Slater’s own, unique world and provide customers with an authentic taste of Scotland.
Website: https://www.walkerslater.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkerslater/
MacKinnon Watch
Fancy a wee bit of Scotland on your arm? From the heart of the Highlands I bring to you MacKinnon Watches. Their heritage and clan surname inspired the design of these watches and allows them to bring to the world a timepiece enriched in hundreds of years of Scottish history.
Whether you are an Outlander fan, a lover of Scotland, or just simply have great taste, MacKinnon watches can be enjoyed by both men and women alike across the globe.
There’s no judgement if you want to treat yourself this Christmas!
Website: https://www.mackinnonwatches.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackinnonwatches/
Swish
With two stores in Edinburgh, Swish is a great wee stop for a gift. It’s an independant family store full of goodies. Snuggle Monster Highland Coo tee’s are such a fun gift. I wish I had got one for my twins when they were wee babies! They are printed right here in Edinburgh.
The print finish of the Highland Cow on this babygrow is flock, meaning that the design is a nice, soft velvety feel. The print finish of the letters is a smooth finish, meaning that the textile vinyl is soft and smooth to the touch, durable and long lasting. It’s no wonder it’s one of their most popular designs.
Website: https://swishedinburgh.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swishedinburgh/
Eteaket
I adore tea, all kinds. I have a. tea drawer at home and love nothing more than sitting down at the end of a long day and just hugging a cup of hot tea.
Eteaket was one of the first cafes I would take myself to in Edinburgh, I’d choose a new tea each week and sit there with my notebook and people watch. You can pop into the tearoom and sit with a cuppa or swing by the concept store and find your perfect blend. Not in Edinburgh? Eteaket ship worldwide! So you can have the perfect blend no matter where you are.
Website: https://www.eteaket.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eteaket/
Scot Bucket List
I say it often, but there’s nothing like the gift of an experience, and this is two in one!
Scratch off lists all about Scotland that you can tick off alone, or with someone. 50 Scottish dates from visiting Edinburgh Castle, going for ice cream and watching the sunset. It’s the perfect gift for a new couple or a partner.
They have a lovely range and no doubt one to suit everyone, 50 whiskies or gins. Or for those a wee bit more adventurous? The NC500, Scottish Islands and Munros. Theres even a kids list!
*adds all to basket*
Website: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ScotBucketList
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scotbucketlist/
Busy B
I LOVE spending a few days before New Year (which is my birthday) cleaning up and getting organised for the year ahead. Each year I get a new diary, fresh new pages, where anything can happen and you can write down everything you want 2022 to be.
I found BusyB diaries when I had my first baby, they had sections for each family member and it was so easy to keep up with who was where. As my family has grown its just made things that much easier. They make excellent gifts too. But which one to choose?
Website: https://busyb.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleverbusyb/
