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Shopping

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In Scotland there are many different types of shopping experiences for your clients. There are, of course, big chain stores in the main streets of the cities and larger towns. Glasgow and Edinburgh offer some high quality shopping malls. Then there are the smaller, individually owned shops in quieter streets, which can make interesting shopping as well as exploring. Many of Scotland's visitor attractions and Visitor Information Centres have good shops which make them an excellent place to buy gifts.

Here are some suggestions of the types of products, exclusive to Scotland, that your clients should look out for:

  • Harris or Border tweeds
  • Designer and hand-made knitwear
  • Cashmere
  • Shetland and Fair Isle woollens
  • Tartan rugs
  • Edinburgh crystal
  • Caithness glass
  • Hand made jewellery
  • Celtic silver


Shopping Centres

Glasgow and Edinburgh offer the widest range of shopping. In Edinburgh, Princes Street and George Street are the main shopping streets. The Royal Mile has shops aimed at the visitor, selling cashmere, whisky, woollens and Scottish crafts. Victoria Street leading up from the Grassmarket has a range of charming boutique style shops and antique shops. The small residential suburbs close the centre such as Strockbridge and Bruntsfield also have great speciality, local shops.
Glasgow's city centre has Buchanan Street, with the stylish Princes Square Mall. Busy Argyle Street has all the usual high street stores The Buchanan Galleries is a great shopping complex to be found at the top of Buchanan Street.
The Merchant City area close to George Square has The Italian Centre. The city's West End, around Byres Road, offers smaller quality shopping, as well as lots of restaurants and pubs. You can easily reach this area from the centre of Glasgow by taking the underground train to Hillhead.
Many large and small towns have good shopping malls and good individual shops selling quality gifts. Perth, Stirling, Aberdeen and Dundee are particularly good shopping locations ourside of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Reclaim the V.A.T.

The British sales tax (Value Added Tax) is currently 15%. This tax is almost always included in quoted prices in shops, hotels and restaurants. Your clients can reclaim the VAT on goods by using the Foreign Exchange Tax Free Shopping arrangement. This is only available in participating shop, hotels nad restaurants. Your clients can reclaim the VAT on goods by using the Foreign Exchange Tax Free shopping arrangement. This is only available in participating shops, so advise your clients to ask before they purchase any items. To get a VAT refund, they must complete a Tax Free Shopping form at the shop where they goods are purchased (passport needed at this point). Then your clients should present the form and the goods to HM Customs and Excise as they leave Scotland.

Shop Opening Hours

Most shops in Scotland open at 9am and close at 5:30pm, Monday to Saturday. Most high street stores are now open Sundays 12noon - 5pm also. Many smaller shops are also open on a Sunday, especially in busy tourist areas. Larger stores offer late night opening on a Thursday until 7:30pm.

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