Northsound 1

Winter Shopping

With the Christmas shopping season underway and the January sales just around the corner, what better excuse for some retail therapy!  VisitScotland has some great money off discounts on accommodation, restaurants and retail across the country to help you grab a bargain - check out the offers here.

Glasgow
Our west coast city is widely regarded as one of the best places in UK to shop outside of London.  Glasgow has become a Mecca for all shopaholics with fantastic shopping centred around the ‘Golden Z’ - Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street.  Also check out the trendy Merchant City, a stone’s throw away from the city centre.

Reward a hard day of shopping by making a day of it and head to one of Glasgow’s many free visitor attractions - the brand new Riverside Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art or the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum to name just a few.  To add some festive cheer to your trip, why not take advantage of the ice skating on George Square or catch a gig at Celtic Connection from 19 January.

Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital city is a beautiful place to shop, with high street and designer shops galore against the backdrop of the iconic Edinburgh Castle.

If you are looking for more unique and quirky shops, check out the Grassmarket in the Old Town for that perfect gift. Alternatively, visit Stockbridge in the New Town, Bruntsfield or Morningside which are all full of independent stores and boutiques. If you built up a thirst, pop along to the atmospheric Christmas market on Princes Street for mug of mulled wine. Edinburgh truly is a shopper’s heaven!

Similar selections of amazing one off shops are also available in the Lothian’s in North Berwick and Linlithgow.

Aberdeen
Shop till you drop in Union Street, Aberdeen, which boasts over 800 shops, restaurants and bars. There is also a variety of independent boutiques stores in Aberdeen City’s West End for those looking for that unique purchase.

One of the most popular shopping events in the heart of the city is the Aberdeen Country Fair. Held on the last Saturday of every month, the fair attracts up to 30,000 people, where you can pick up beautiful hand crafts and fresh local produce.

Be sure to check out the variety of great festive events taking place at the Aberdeen Winter Festival which runs right through into 2012.

Inverness

Explore the variety and excitement that Inverness can offer any shopaholic - from specialist stores to the fashion high street.

The Eastgate shopping centre along with its neighbour the Falcon Mall, offers 410,000 sq ft of first class shopping.  Whilst the Victorian market, established in 1890, boasts some of the best individual retailers in the city.

Inverness also offers a variety of excellent bars and restaurants to enjoy after you have hit the shops.  Why not extend your day out and visit the Eden Court Theatre to catch a show.

With our variety of stores, boutiques, restaurants and cultural attractions, Scotland’s cities can offer you some serious retail therapy.

So whether you are treating yourself to a well deserved indulgence or looking for that ideal gift -  the variety of shopping available in our cities means that there is always that perfect purchase just waiting for everyone!