Aberfeldy
Aberfeldy Watermill
Mill Street, Aberfeldy, PH15 2BG
"As you expect in an old mill, the bookshop is full of nooks and crannies! We have a range of titles including fiction, non-fiction, Scottish and local interest, walks and maps, and also a dedicated children’s room. In the café you can enjoy excellent coffee, fine teas and home bakes, or a light menu of local produce with vegan options."
Bookshops: Central
Alva
Guid Reads
89 Stirling St, Alva FK12 5ED
Community bookshop in Alva, Clackmannanshire.
Ardrossan
Seahorse Bookstore
1a, Winton Buildings, Ardrossan KA22 8BY
Nestled in North Ayrshire, Scotland, we opened in August 2021 as the only new-books bookstore in our county, a place shaped by history, generational trauma, and resilience.
From the moment you step inside our shop, you feel the vibrant energy of the books. We love to hear the sighs of happiness when people look around, and to see the looks of joy when they find the perfect read.
Blairgowrie
Adventure Into Books
26 Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie PH10 6AS
"We believe books inform curiosity and feed the imagination. Our bookshop offers adventure to each and every reader, young and not so young: that sense of anticipation when you open a book; that feeling of being transported somewhere else; that chance to experience other things."
Bearsden
The Bookmonger
32 New Kirk Road G613SL Bearsden
We are a unique combination of independent bookshop, cheese & wine bar, and a charcuterie catering business all in one. We are not just a bookstore, but an experience.
We proudly feature British and Scottish artisan cheeses alongside a carefully curated selection of books, and fine wines. The Bookmonger is where quality, community, and creativity come together.
Bo'ness
Inkspot & Silverleaf Booksellers
76 - 78 South Street Bo'ness, EH51 9HA
"Inkspot & Silverleaf Booksellers is a nationally renowned, independent bookshop in the heart of Central Scotland. We stock a broad range of books for children and adults. Since the shop first opened in 2008, we’ve twice been named one of Britain's 'Top 50 Bookshops' by The Independent newspaper, and been featured in several local and national newspapers too.
Broughty Ferry
The Bookhouse
41 Gray St, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 2BJ
Our bookshop, founded in 2017, stocks a wide range of children and adult titles, from classic literature to contemporary bestsellers. We believe that everyone should have access to books that ignite their passion for reading.
Burntisland
Hanselled Books
19 Kirkgate, Burntisland KY3 9DL
Handsel or Hansel is an old Scottish word meaning a first gift or first sale. In this context something that is “Hanselled”, has been previously owned and in our case a second hand book.
Campbeltown
The Old Bookshelf
8 Cross St, Campbeltown PA28 6HU
"Welcome to The Old Bookshelf, a place for book lovers of all kinds. Everything from Used, New to Antiquarian books, specialising in local and general Scottish interest, Military History, Maritime, and much, much more."
Cupar
Courtyard Books
21 Lady Wynd KY15 4DE Cupar
Lots of interesting reads for adults and children. Orders taken. Book Tokens sold and redeemed.
In early February 2017, we moved from our Bonnygate address around the corner to 21 Lady Wynd.
Dunfermline
Little Shop of Heroes
8 Maygate, Dunfermline KY12 7NH
"Little Shop Of Heroes & Dunfermline Comic Con!
Family run business and community. Leave reality at the door."
Dollar
The Wee Bookshop
56 Bridge Street, Dollar, FK14 7DG
The Wee Bookshop into a cosy, calm space to read, chat, relax, be inspired, fire imaginations and become a community hub.
Dunoon
Bookpoint
2A Ferry Brae, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 7DJ
"We’re a quirky place packed full of books to suit everyone. And we offer more than books: stationery, jigsaw puzzles, greeting cards, Scottish gifts, postcards and souvenirs of your time in Dunoon."
East Linton
Night Owl Books
1 Bridge Street, East Linton East Lothian, EH40 3AG
Our aim is to serve our local community by offering a place to discover books in person, attend live events, and connect with others. We regularly hold book clubs, author events, and creative workshops of all kinds.
Edinburgh
Armchair Books
72-74 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LE
"Very nearly alphabetised chaos. Armchair Books ekes out its intense and blustery existence on Edinburgh’s hallowed West Port…ancient home of booksellers. In view of the castle, above the Grassmarket, it bakes under the torrid Scottish sun. The dangers are manifold; our overburdened shelves groan like masts in a squall, our threadbare and quasi-oriental rugs may distractingly catch the eye or foot."
Amnesty Bookshop
12 Roseneath St, Edinburgh EH9 1JH
"Shopping with us means that you get to indulge your love of books whilst making a vital contribution towards our human rights campaigns. And there is a lot to tempt you, from rare collectables to contemporary fiction, classics to children’s books, graphic novels to foreign language and all the history, politics, social sciences, and arts you can carry. Not to mention our top-quality cards and eco-friendly, Fairtrade, Amnesty endorsed gift range."
Edinburgh Books
145-147, West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DP
"This off-beat Edinburgh bookshop has a huge, wide ranging stock of second-hand and antiquarian books: just when you think you’ve scanned every shelf you find the stairs and realise there are four rooms in the basement. The atmosphere tends towards the dog-eared and slighty foxed, but glimpses of rarity and respectability can be encountered if you look hard enough. Clarence the water buffalo keeps a beady eye on proceedings aided by Graham, the rather stuck-up grouse.
Argonaut Books
15-17 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, EH6 8LN
Founded in 2021 and tucked inside the old Leith Central Train Station at the foot of Leith Walk, Argonaut Books is a light and airy bookshop and café catering to a local population of over 50,000 in Scotland’s most densely populated neighbourhood. We hold a varied and curated stock of new releases, old favourites, and choice backlist, making for a selection you won’t find anywhere else.
The Edinburgh Bookshop
219 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4DH
"Local jobs, local economy, local community, real passion, real people, real conversations, proper service, perfect gifts (and taxes paid!)
UK Children's Bookshop of the Year 2014, Scottish Independent Bookshop of the Year 2018 (Bookseller Industry Awards, also 2014 & 2015)"
Elvis Shakespeare
347 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 8SD
"We are specialist dealers in rare vinyl and quality literature, based in Edinburgh. We are specialists in punk and the alternative and indie lineage and also dance music from the late 1980s onwards. We are happy to buy collections both small and large and will collect in the Edinburgh area."
John Kay's Shop
8 Victoria St, Edinburgh, EH1 2HG
"Purveyors of specially curated collections for book lovers & antique aficionados alike. Our wee precious shop is full of curiosities."
Ginger and Pickles Children's Bookshop
51 St Stephen St, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5AH
"Ginger and Pickles is an independent bookshop for children. The shop is both cosy and quaint, designed especially with young readers in mind...Ginger and Pickles is passionate about children’s literature and has carefully curated beautiful books to entice readers of all ages."
Golden Hare Books
68 St Stephen St, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5AQ
"Our charming independent bookshop is situated in Edinburgh's Stockbridge, where you can find an ever-changing collection of fiction and non-fiction for readers of all ages. We hold close to 2000 titles covering all genres of writing from cookery to travel, kid's picture books to science fiction - and many more in between."
Lighthouse Bookshop
43-45 W Nicolson St, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9DB
"Lighthouse is a queer-owned and woman led independent community bookshop. We are an unapologetically activist, intersectional, feminist, antiracist, lgbtq+ community space. In 2020 we were nominated Scotland’s Best Independent Bookshop! We celebrate diversity of thought and expression, championing voices from the margins."
McNaughton's Bookshop
3A, 4a Haddington Pl, Edinburgh EH7 4AE
"We buy and sell rare, collectable, and second-hand books of all kinds. Our gallery space hosts Typewronger Books, offering new books and secondhand typewriters. We are the oldest second-hand and antiquarian bookshop in Scotland, and the only open shop in Edinburgh to be a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association, the oldest trade body in the antiquarian book world. "
Mound Books
16 N Bank St, Edinburgh EH1 2LS
"We are a Reformed Evangelical Christian bookshop in the heart of Edinburgh. Let us help you as we serve Scotland and the UK with faithful Christian literature."
The Next Chapter Bookshop
10 William St, Edinburgh EH3 7NH
"A not-for-profit social enterprise for wellbeing in Edinburgh, offering books, counselling, coaching, therapies. Our specialist bookshop offers a range of non-fiction books about mental health and wellbeing, plus those that invite reflection and connection such as memoirs and poetry."
Transreal Fiction
46 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, EH1 2QE
"Transreal Fiction is a shop dedicated to selling science fiction, fantasy & related books, together with a limited selection of other merchandise. But really, it’s about books."
Tills
1 Hope Park Cres, Newington, EH8 9NA
"Established in 1985, Tills is one of Edinburgh's oldest second-hand bookshops...and has carved out a small literary corner in Edinburgh's South Side...with a big selection of literary fiction both contemporary and classic, quirky sci fi, history and biography, philosophy and sociology, and the odd antiquarian gem. There are a few seats, a cosy fire, and staff ready for all manner of bookish discussions."
Typewronger Books
4a Haddington Pl, Edinburgh EH7 4AE
"Typewronger Books is Edinburgh's smallest bookshop and Scotland's only typewriter repair shop. We sell new books, independent publications and zines. We are home to a small but beautiful community of readers, writers, artists and musicians."
Fruitmarket Bookshop
45 Market street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DF
Fruitmarket is a free, Contemporary Art Gallery in Edinburgh, Scotland, that presents world-class exhibitions, commissions, publications, performances, events and engagement activities. Fruitmarket Bookshop is Scotland's leading arts and culture bookshop.
Rare Birds Books
13a Raeburn Place, Edinburgh EH4 1HU
We've made it our mission to champion female authors and help you discover brilliant books you'd never have otherwise heard of. From literary heavyweights to breezy beach reads, we're here to help you make space on your bookshelf for women's writing across every genre.
Edinburgh Community Bookshop
179-181 Great Junction Street, Edinburgh, EH6 5LQ
A second-hand bookshop supporting different charities each month.
All of our books have been generously donated by members of the public or local businesses. We will try to sell them at a fair price that balances the goal of raising funds for local charities and making books affordable for all.
Errol
CHAS Charity Bookstore
Errol Sunday Market, PH2 7TB
We are run entirely by volunteers, open every Sunday (Winter Hours are 9.30-1.30), based at Errol Sunday Market.
We have a huge indoor unit, packed with books, toys, jigsaws and games, with every penny raised being donated to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland
Glasgow
Aye Aye Books
123 Allison St, Govanhill, Glasgow G42 8NE
"Aye-Aye Books is a very small independent bookshop that sits inside the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. We have books by and for artists, activists and thinkers, we have poetry and esoteric fiction, books for children and young people dedicated to diversity, lots of magazines and journals, zines, a few records and cassettes."
Burning House Books
446 Cathcart Rd, Glasgow G42 7BZ
"Founded by Aimee Bea Ballinger in 2016, Burning House Books seeks to promote books with a focus on art, experimental writing, counterculture and queer history."
Caledonia Books
483 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8HL
"Established in 1986, we are family-run bookshop based in Glasgow. We have an extensive collection of books for sale on a number of subjects. With over 30 years' experience in the business, we cater for all types of readers. Get in touch with us today to order books from us."
Category Is Books
34 Allison St, Glasgow G42 8NN
"Category Is Books is a fiercely independent LGBTQIA+ bookshop in the southside of Glasgow. We hope the bookshop is a space to learn about, be inspired by and share in our love of queer books, history, art, activism, writing and storytelling. "
Hyndland Bookshop
143 Hyndland Road G12 9JA Glasgow
"Independent bookshop in Glasgow's West End, we sell an eclectic range of fiction and non-fiction"
Tell it Slant
134 Renfrew St, Glasgow G3 6ST
"We are a bookshop specialising in poetry in all forms and in all languages: printed, audio and visual, including pamphlets, rare, out-of-print, and second-hand. We aim to stock poetry and prose in all the languages of Scotland and beyond. We are a social enterprise supporting The Poetry Trust."
Thistle Books
The Courtyard 55 Otago Street Kelvinbridge Glasgow
"Thistle Books has been operating in Glasgow’s West End since 1998. We buy and sell second hand books, and offer a book finding service for our customers. We have a large and ever changing stock of books on a wide range of subjects, with impressive Scottish Literature and History sections. We think nothing beats having a good look in a real bookshop and we hope you will visit us soon."
Voltaire and Rousseau
12 - 14 Otago Ln, Glasgow G12 8PB
"Found in the Otago Lane, a tiny bohemian pocket in Hillhead. Once a home for horses, blacksmiths and workshops...now also home to a record shop, vintage store, tea room and clockmaker’s workshop. We stock a wide range of second hand and antiquarian books... a large collection of rare books, manuscripts, maps, records and hundreds of curiosities from Scotland’s past."
The Wee Comic Shop
71 Hector Rd, Shawlands, Glasgow G41 3QD
"The Wee Comic Shop trades in Marvel, DC, Image and other Independent publishers. Stocks include Comics (new release, back issues,modern age, bronze age, silver age)Graphic novels, Trade paperbacks, Pop figures. I also buy comic collections."
Young's Interesting Books
18 Skirving St, Shawlands, Glasgow G41 3AB
A small shop with a surprisingly large range of books, from beautifully-bound rarities to pulp paperbacks, signed first editions to gorgeous illustrated Victoriana, collectible crime and gift-worthy poetry. The owners, Barry and Noelle, try to live up to the name of the shop by keeping the stock quirky, unusual, absorbing and captivating. They've been in Skirving Street for sixteen years, and the ever-changing window display is always worth checking out.
Cooper Hay Rare Books
185A Bath Street G2 4HU Glasgow
Bigglestones Books
57 Glassford Street G1 1UG Glasgow
Independent bookshop in the heart of Glasgow's city centre.
Mount Florida Books
1069 Cathcart Rd, Glasgow G42 9AF
Mount Florida Books is a new independent bookshop in the Southside of Glasgow. Our aim is to build a thriving bookshop, stocking the best in literary fiction, poetry, politics, cookery and more.
We're dedicated to reinvesting our profits into literary and literacy projects in Glasgow.
Kilsyth
Scotia Books
17 Register Rd, Kilsyth, Glasgow G65 0DS
"Scotia Books is an independent children’s book store and toy shop established 1997... We supply nurseries, schools and libraries and also welcome the public to pop in for a browse to our fully stocked shop (around 250,000 books). Our shop is in central Scotland and we can arrange a pick up from Croy train station for visitors to our shop."
Kinross
Read & Relax
157 High Street Kinross KY13 8DA
An independent bookshop in Kinross, selling new and second-hand books as well as Unorthodox Roasters' coffee and locally baked cakes.
Linlithgow
Far From the Madding Crowd
20 High St, Linlithgow, Scotland EH49 7AE
"Located in the heart of our High Street, Far From The Madding Crowd is Linlithgow's Award-Winning bookshop. A unique shopping destination full of beautiful and unusual products. Browse our extensive selection of books, gifts, high quality stationery, select jewellery and more:just remember to give yourself enough time to explore!"
Milngavie
Daydreams Bookshop
Unit 2, 38 Stewart Street, Milngavie G62 6BY
Milngavie’s award-winning independent bookshop! Books for the whole family.
Oban
Ben Lora Cafe & Bookshop
2, A828, Oban PA37 1QW
Newport-on-Tay
Mair Wilkes Books
3 St Mary's Ln, La, Newport-on-Tay DD6 8AH
Pitlochry
Glacier Books
Pitlochry PH16 5AT
"GLACIER BOOKS are specialist book dealers, who buy and sell New, Secondhand & Antiquarian Books on all aspects of Mountaineering, Mountain Travel and Polar Exploration. We have an extensive stock of books on all the Mountain and Polar Regions of the world."
Pitlochry Station Bookshop
Station Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5AN
"Visit our unique bookshop at Pitlochry Station. Our customers donate their unwanted books and we sell them on, usually for £1 per volume. Our unique arrangements with ScotRail mean that every penny from our book sales goes straight to our six charities."
All About Books
4 W Moulin Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5AD
Nestled in the heart of Pitlochry, All About Books, is full of carefully curated stories. Explore our shelves of pre-loved treasures, rare finds, and beloved classics. A Second-hand bookshop that specialises in maps for all the adventurers out there.
Portobello
Portobello Bookshop
46 Portobello High St, Portobello, EH15 1DA
"The Portobello Bookshop is located in what was formerly a fishing tackle shop (Mike’s Tackle Shop) for 30 years, and before that was an old cooperative — something we discovered after removing the frontage of the tackle shop. We're a general bookshop so stock all kinds of fiction and non-fiction. Our staff are passionate and experienced booksellers, ensuring we bring customers what we feel is an original, diverse and lovely selection of books across most genres."
Stewarton
The Book Nook
6B High Street, Stewarton, KA3 5AA
There will always be a very warm welcome for you at The Book Nook Stewarton. The shop is an inviting and relaxing place to browse books, chat about books, and buy books for everyone. There is an excellent range of children's books for all ages, Teen YA and adult fiction and non-fiction, with a good selection of new and notable titles.
Stirling
The Book Nook
24 Upper Craigs, Stirling FK8 2DG
The Book Nook is intended to be a casual and cosy space for people across all stages of life to immerse themselves in the comfort of fictional stories with a good cuppa. We sell a selection of handpicked new and secondhand books at reasonable prices, with a specific focus on fiction for both children and adults.Our cafe serves freshly made toasted bagels, homemade cakes baked by our in-house baker, and hot drinks. There’s a variety of seating in the shop to suit everyone...
Stirling Books
18 Maxwell Pl, Stirling FK8 1JU
"Stirling Books is a second-hand bookshop situated in the city of Stirling, central Scotland, gateway to the Highlands. We specialise in rare and antiquarian books and Scottish Cultural Press. We also serve freshly brewed coffee, sell an array of unique curiosites and offer internet access. The bookshop also hosts the occassional book-signing, quiz evening, poetry event and live music. Comfortable seating is an important part of a rustic bookshop experience so why not take a seat on our shop sofa, order a coffee and relax with a good book!"
St Andrews
Bouquiniste
31 Market Street St Andrews Fife KY16 9NS
"Antiquarian & Second-hand Bookseller, St Andrews, Scotland. Established 1982."
Wemyss Bay
The Station Bookshop
Wemyss Bay Station, Wemyss Bay, PA18 6AR
The Station Bookshop carries a wide selection of donated secondhand books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl records in good condition and at various prices – all of them a bargain!
West Kilbride
Timberbooks
Overton, 50 Ritchie Street, West Kilbride
Established in 2007, we now operate from a Victorian church and church hall called Overton, purchased from the Church of Scotland in 2013. We sell quality new, second-hand and antiquarian books and book-related items. We strive to support local authors and publishers.
You might also like...
As you may have gathered, I love books. And I like to help writers and publishers gain exposure for their work. Getting books in the mail is so exciting, (and I'll always say yes so feel free to get in touch!) but unfortunately I don't always have time to read all of them - or at least not in a timely manner. So I have several additional ways I try to give exposure.
Book Club
Scottish Wanderlust Book Club
My Writing
Hot off the press from yours truly
On Scottish Books
A series of book roundups and author interviews on Substack. *