Hoping to commemorate your Scotland travels with a souvenir or 3, but not sure what to buy in Scotland?
We can help!
While I’ve long loved collecting items from around the world that remind me of my travels, I’ll admit that I was particularly focused on shopping in Scotland during our recent trip.
Blame it on the many artistic treasures available, the coziness of the country, that I’m in a chapter where decorating our home is a priority, that my toddler was enchanted with all things hairy coo, or all of the above: the simple fact is that I bought more souvenirs in Scotland than I have in any destination in quite some time!
Our own picks ran the gamut from a touristy mug to a couple of beautiful prints to a cute coo figurine that I can see displayed in my office as I type this blog post. As I shopped and researched my way through the country, though, I compiled a much longer list of unique and interesting things to buy in Scotland!
This blog post is the culmination of both my own research and my on-the-ground shopping in Scotland, and it was an absolute delight to put together.
Looking for the best things to buy on your upcoming Scotland trip, either for yourself or as gift(s)?
Here are the best souvenirs from Scotland!
Table of Contents
Unique Things to Buy in Scotland
Looking for unique souvenirs and gifts that are immediately and clearly associated with Scotland?
These traditional Scottish items might be right for you!
Wool Products
Of course, no list of things to buy from Scotland could leave off wool. An essential product from an economic, cultural, and practical standpoint for hundreds of years, Scotland and wool go hand-in-hand.
Today, the wool industry is more about tradition than economic power, but wool items make fantastic souvenirs from Scotland.
… and a few minutes into a hike in Scotland, there’s a good chance that you’ll find yourself thinking that a warm wool sweater is the perfect souvenir!
Nessie-Themed Trinkets
A surprising number of unique things to buy in Scotland have to do with animals, either real or imaginary!
And, of course, I have to start with Nessie. Loch Ness’ iconic sea monster looks more cute than creepy in most modern renditions, but there’s no doubt that she’s immediately associated with Scotland.
We loved our Loch Ness cruise (here’s our full review), and to the surprise of no one, the gift shop nearby was full of Nessies magnets, stuffies, t-shirts, and much more. I’m actually not sure we went into a single souvenir shop in Scotland that didn’t include Nessie items!
Hairy Coo-Themed Anything
Much like Nessie, the adorable hairy coo (a nickname for a “hairy Scottish cow” that has now expanded far beyond Scotland) is practically a Scottish mascot at this point!
We must have seen at least 50 different creative ways to work a hairy coo into a fun souvenir from Scotland, from spoon rests to t-shirts, oversized slippers to magnets, paintings to mugs.
Our toddler absolutely adored them (especially feeding the actual hairy coos at the Quila Chridhe Tearoom!), and so we found ourselves drawn to gifts and souvenirs that included them.
We came home with a mug, a magnet, and a small figurine that all feature a hairy coo!
Unicorn Items
If Nessie and hairy coos are unofficial Scottish mascots, of course, this list of souvenirs from Scotland has to include the official National Animal of Scotland, too!
… and yes, the official National Animal of Scotland really is a unicorn.
Weirdly, unicorn-themed souvenirs are actually a bit harder to find than Nessie and hairy coo ones, but they’re around, and can definitely add a dash of whimsy to your Scotland shopping list!
… or Scottish Terrier-Themed Ones
I swear, this list of things to buy in Scotland does extend well beyond animals… but there’s one more animal to mention before we move on: a Scottie dog!
Scottish terriers are originally from the Highlands and were bred to hunt vermin. Today, though, they’re generally much more valued for their companionship than their hunting abilities!
You’ll find Scottish terriers depicted on all kinds of souvenirs in Scotland.
Personally, though, we were mostly enamored with the actual adorable Scotties we saw walking around with their humans!
Quaich
As you go shopping in Scotland, you’re bound to come across plenty of quiachs–but if you’re not Scottish, there’s a good chance you won’t know what it is!
This small, two-handled cup is a traditional symbol of trust and friendship. They were traditionally used at ceremonies and events, such as clan gatherings or weddings, and can still be seen at some weddings today.
Like many traditional things to buy in Scotland, you can find quiachs at all price points, from inexpensive options to intricate versions made from silver.
A Very Memorable Book
One of my favorite things about traveling abroad in an English-speaking country is the enormous selection of books that aren’t immediately familiar to me, but are easily readable–and for sale in every bookshop in the country.
Whether you’d like a Scottish history book, a local copy of a famous story, or to browse for an interesting new novel, shopping for books in Scotland is a delight for bibliophiles!
The number of bookstores worth checking out in the country is near-infinite, of course, but a couple of memorable options include Leakey’s Bookshop in Inverness and John Kay’s Shop on Victoria Street in Edinburgh (which was possibly the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Flourish and Blotts).
Waterstones is also an iconic UK bookstore, and the cafe at their Princes Street location in Edinburgh has an incredible view of the castle!
Tartan
Tartan, at its simplest, is a woven cloth (traditionally wool), with a “sett” of interwoven, colorful stripes. Outside of Scotland, we’d call the pattern of tartan “plaid”, but not all plaid patterns are tartans.
The fabric has a very long history in Scotland (estimated to reach back to the 3rd or 4th century!) and was heavily associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie and the 1745 Jacobite Rising. After the rising, wearing tartan was restricted by the British government, and it didn’t have a revival until the 19th century.
You can read more about the history of tartan here, but when it comes to shopping in Scotland, here’s what you need to know: it’s everywhere!
Whether you have your eye on a tartan scarf, bag, jacket, kilt, or something else entirely, you’ll find plenty of options (at just about any quality and price point, too).
Artwork
We love picking out local art to decorate our home with as we travel, and Scotland is a fantastic place to shop!
On our recent trip, we ended up buying a couple of prints on the Isle of Skye (one by David Fleck and one by Cath Waters), but you’ll find art–from inexpensive prints to splurge-worthy oil paintings and beyond–for sale all over Scotland.
Kilt/Plaid + Sporran
Touristy? Absolutely. Expensive? To get it done “right”, also yes!
… But there’s no denying that a kilt/plaid and/or sporran are some of the most enduring and iconic souvenirs from Scotland’s Highlands.
If you have your eye on these, you’ll find them for sale all over, but Inverness is a great place to look.
Thistle
The national flower of Scotland has held the hearts of Scots for more than 500 years, and any kind of rendition of it (you’ll find it on photos, paintings, jewelry, etc.) makes for a great souvenir from Scotland!
Harris Tweed
There’s a good chance that you’ve already seen Harris Tweed before arriving in Scotland, but did you know that this tweed is still produced on the Outer Hebrides islands?
A Scottish product through and through, Harris Tweed is still produced at each weaver’s home on the islands, making it quite unique!
You’ll find Harris Tweed for sale all over Scotland, but we personally spent quite a while in their Inverness shop.
Heather Products
Scotland’s iconic heather isn’t only beautiful, it’s incredibly functional!
Heather tea, soap, fragrance, woven baskets, and even honey are all options.
And, of course, art featuring heather in bloom, from beautiful paintings to quick postcards, is also a wonderful option for remembering your trip to Scotland.
Christmas Ornaments + Decor
Obviously, if you’re visiting Scotland at Christmas and hoping to visit the Christmas markets in Edinburgh or elsewhere, this is a must-buy souvenir!
You’ll find ornaments for sale year-round, though, and they make excellent small souvenirs and gifts from Scotland (maybe even to gift to your loved ones at Christmas time).
We tend to pick up Christmas ornaments around the world, and it always makes us smile when we hang them on the tree each year.
Cool Foodie Souvenirs From Scotland
Looking for Scotland souvenirs that you can eat, drink, or cook with? If so, these options are for you!
Whisky
Without a doubt, one of the most famous souvenirs from Scotland is whisky.
We personally don’t have a taste for it (though we did have a few sips when in Scotland), but suffice it to say that you can buy whisky at just about any price point imaginable when exploring Scotland!
Budget shoppers can head to supermarkets, while connosieurs may prefer to buy directly from small distilleries.
If you’re hoping to get a quick introduction to Scottish whisky, including a tasting, the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh gets excellent reviews! We intended to visit ourselves (it’s family-friendly!) but ran out of time in the city.
Gin
Not quite as iconic as whisky, but still increasingly popular throughout Scotland, is gin!
You’ll find plenty of gin distilleries around the country these days, many of which are open for tastings and/or shopping.
Shortbread
I am a big fan of shortbread of all kinds, and Scottish shortbread is no exception!
Made from just 3 main ingredients (butter, flour, sugar, a pinch of salt), it’s both simple and delicious.
You can buy shortbread in just about any souvenir shop around, but for better deals, head to the supermarket (or for a more upscale version, to a bakery).
Spurtle
Practical, affordable, and thoroughly Scottish, a spurtle is a versatile kitchen tool that you may never have heard of.
A wooden dowel used primarily for stirring porridge, a spurtle is also useful for breaking up (and preventing) clumps in many other kinds of stews and sauces. There are two slightly different kinds to choose from.
I have to admit I first learned about spurtles from a reference Claire makes to them in one of the Outlander books, but they’ve been written up by everyone from Serious Eats to the Food Network.
For the cooks among us, they are a fantastic, affordable, and easy-to-pack Scottish souvenir option!
Scottish Tea
From classic Scottish breakfast tea to herbal blends (including heather tea, of course), there are seemingly endless local tea options to peruse when shopping in Scotland!
We really enjoyed Scottish breakfast tea and found ourselves drinking it throughout much of our trip.
Tablet
Made from butter, sugar, and condensed milk, Scottish tablet is a delightful indulgence that exists somewhere between candy and fudge.
Harder and more crumbly than fudge, and yet not quite a hard candy, it’s a (delicious) sweet treat unto itself!
Scottish Cookbook
Want to bring the taste of Scotland home with you?
If so, a cookbook might be the right answer!
There are endless Scottish cookbooks to choose from, of course, including plenty of lesser-known options that you might find tucked away in a crowded bookshop somewhere.
If you’re looking for a great introduction to Scottish cooking with a side of folklore, though, The Scots Kitchen is a classic option. The Hebridean Baker is more modern and also very popular!
Teapot and/or Cups
In the land of tea (or one of them, anyway), there’s no doubt that a beautiful teapot and/or teacup is a great way to remember your trip to Scotland!
You can buy a whole set, of course, but we personally like buying them piecemeal in order to collect different options from around the world.
Dundee Marmalade
Did you know that marmalade was invented in Scotland? … or so Keiller & Sons once said, anyway!
As the legend goes, in the 18th century, James Keiller of Dundee bought cargo off a Spanish ship that included bitter Seville oranges.
Delays had caused the ship to arrive late, and to use up the less-than-fresh oranges, his mother, Janet, made Scotland’s first marmalade!
While in reality the Portuguese and the Spanish would hotly (and rightfully) contest this being the “original” marmalade, a version of this Dundee marmalade has been popular in Scotland and beyond ever since!
(If you’re curious about the origins of Dundee marmalade, you can get lots more detail here.)
Heather Honey
Yes, we already mentioned heather products above, but heather honey deserves a special shout-out!
The honey has a strong, unusual, and specific taste that can really only be created in Scotland.
Note that heather honey is known for crystallizing very quickly, so consider enjoying it soon after you get home!
Inexpensive (But Fun) Scottish Souvenirs to Shop For
Don’t have much room left in your Scotland travel budget for shopping… or perhaps you’re trying to conserve luggage space?
If so, these easy-to-pack and affordable Scottish souvenirs might be right for you!
Magnets
If your idea of the perfect souvenir or small gift from Scotland is physically tiny, easy to pack, inexpensive, and fun to shop for, magnets are a great option!
We’ve been collecting magnets for our fridge off and on for well over a decade now, and our new hairy coo magnet looks perfect in its new place between our magnet from Charleston, SC and our magnet from Nara, Japan.
Reusable Shopping Bags
Want to be reminded of your trip every time you go to the grocery store?
Pick up a couple of reusable bags when shopping for souvenirs in Scotland!
If you didn’t add a resuable bag or two to your packing list, you might find that these come in handy during your trip, too: single-use plastic shopping bags cost a small fee in Scotland, and of course are best avoided when possible anyway.
Mugs
It’s easy to overpurchase mugs, especially if you are daily coffee and/or tea drinkers like us, but once in awhile it should make your travel shopping list!
We picked up a great new mug in Scotland featuring a hairy coo, and Jeremy has used it for his morning coffee almost every day since we have gotten home.
Postcards
Postcards are the ultimate combination of inexpensive, easy to pack, and easily personalized, making them one of the best budget souvenirs from Scotland!
If you want to make this quick-and-easy souvenir even more special, consider filling a postcard out with your memories of the day right then and there.
Then, send it to yourself so you can relive your Scotland travel memories as you return home.
Tips for Shopping in Scotland
Get beyond the gift shops at major tourist attractions.
While Scotland’s major attractions tend to have expansive gift shops, the best souvenirs come from beyond them!
Small artisan studios (we spent a long time perusing Uig Pottery when visiting the Isle of Skye), bookshops, and secondhand shops are all excellent places to do a little shopping in Scotland.
Go grocery shopping.
Looking for inexpensive but delicious Scottish souvenirs?
Skip the aesthetic shops in the historic center of cities and head to the grocery store instead!
Local tea, candy, shortbread, tablet, and more can all be found on the shelves, often for far less than you’d pay in a shop that caters exclusively to tourists.
In larger stores, you might even find small home decor items or dishware that can serve as an excellent souvenir (if you’re road-tripping, large box stores/supermarkets in more suburban areas are great for this).
Plus, we consider grocery shopping an essential experience on any trip abroad: it’s useful and lots of fun whether you’re souvenir shopping or not!
Don’t forget about shipping!
Hoping to purchase something large, heavy, or otherwise unwieldy?
Many stores, especially artist workshops and stores that primarily serve tourists, will offer to ship your items home for you (for a fee, of course).
Have a plan for what to buy in Scotland before starting your trip.
You won’t need to stick to your plan exactly, of course–shopping spontaneously can be part of the fun of travel–but having a general idea of what you want to look for when shopping in Scotland can help add structure to your browsing, and in some cases, help limit indecisiveness (for me, anyway).
Note the place and date of purchase on your Scottish souvenirs.
You may find it easy to remember when and where you purchased your beautiful souvenirs from Scotland now–but give it a decade, and you may be very glad you noted the place and year of purchase!
We tend to write the info on the bottom of home decor pieces or Christmas ornaments, and love the tradition of it.
We’re also at the point where it’s starting to come in handy for keeping our souvenirs straight, especially when it comes to things like Christmas ornaments that we only pull out once a year.
Consider quality over quantity.
When deciding what to buy in Scotland, less can be more.
It’s incredibly easy to end up buying more souvenirs than you expected, and end up with more knick-knacks than you really need.
In our experience, it’s much better to buy 1-2 truly memorable souvenirs than a whole slew of less memorable ones!
Leave extra room in your bag for some Scottish shopping!
It’s hard to imagine a Scotland vacation that doesn’t involve at least a little bit of shopping along the way, whether you’re in the market for luxury goods, affordable trinkets, or both.
It’s definitely worth leaving an extra outfit or two at home to make sure that you have enough room in your luggage to accommodate a couple of the best souvenirs from Scotland on your way back!
About Kate Storm
Kate is the founder and primary author of Our Escape Clause. Since 2016, she has been following her curiosity across the globe and turning her experiences into detailed trip planning advice for you. Her travels have taken her to 50+ countries, most regions of Italy, and most US states. After 4+ years of full-time travel, she enjoyed chapters calling Lisbon, New York City, and Texas home before deciding to base herself in North Carolina (between trips). She lives with her husband and business partner, Jeremy, their son, and their fluffy sidekick, Ranger.