Get out of town

What better than a relaxing visit to a craft shop or visitor centre, and a nice cup of afternoon tea? Go wild in the country, writes Amy MacBeath

Published:

1 Celebrations of Turriff is Aberdeenshire’s premier furniture and department store, restaurant and coffee parlour – with everything for the home including gifts for all occasions, classic menswear and smart ladieswear. A top seller in Celebrations’ new gift range are these delightful Matryoshka Dolls (£6.99), pictured below right. These intricate collectibles originate in Moscow but are proving a hit in the north-east of Scotland. Also available is a range of colourful glass Teardrop Paperweights, ideal for brightening any desk.

2 Touched by Scotland currently stocks a beautiful range of Celtic Fidget Rings, pictured on the right, made by the small Kintyre jewellery manufacturer, Wallis Hunter. These handcrafted rotating rings, made of white and yellow gold, can be custom-designed, and the delicate Celtic knotwork proves a popular choice for weddings and gifts alike, priced from £180 to £350.

3 With spring approaching, why not visit Morgan McVeigh’s, which stocks a range of the popular Joules clothing, ideal for the Scottish weather? The stylish and casual clothing is perfect for the season’s outdoor pursuits and allows for a practical, yet feminine, look. Available in the Joules range is this cosy Cowdray striped sweatshirt, priced £39, and Raindance lightweight waterproof jacket priced £59.

4 At the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre, enjoy a visit to the restaurant, where an extensive menu is served on Highland stoneware. This exclusive pottery is hand-painted and each range is representative of the natural beauty surrounding the falls. Finished to a high standard, these charming items can be purchased in the gift shop and are highly desirable gifts for special occasions.

5 For a taste of Scotland, Dean’s of Huntly produces a mouthwatering selection of traditional shortbread. The Petit Fours range offers a delicious, bite-sized selection of Dean’s renowned all-butter Scottish shortbread. For something more adventurous, the Petit Fours are available with double chocolate chip and mint and cappuccino (£2.66).

Dean’s Shortbread Visitor Centre, Scotland’s first visitor centre dedicated to shortbread, offers much more that just a shopping experience. The visitor centre, which was opened in November, 2007, incorporates a factory viewing gallery and a fully licensed cafe/bistro, as well as a gift shop.

Choose from a wide range of gifts in the gift shop. As well as a full range of Dean’s Shortbread, from handy snack packs to luxury presentation tins, there is a vast selection of premium gifts and souvenirs. The selection includes china and ceramic ornaments, silver jewellery, quality foods and a host of cards and local-interest items – many of them produced in the north-east. So whether you’re looking for a souvenir of your visit or a special gift for a close friend, you’ll always find something to suit your taste at Dean’s.

Visit the viewing gallery and learn about the history of shortbread. Watch staff at work in the purpose-built bakery and see how Dean’s “melt in the mouth” shortbread is made – just as you would do at home. The wall-to-wall storyboards tell you how Dean’s has grown from a local fundraising activity to a global shortbread brand.

6 Sinclairs’ award-winning store in Inverurie offers a fantastic range of beautiful jewellery, quality watches, fine gifts and a large stylish cafe/restaurant serving freshly prepared meals, snacks, coffee and teas. So whether you are looking for that special diamond ring, a Swiss timepiece or table and giftware, or even a relaxing lunch, go along to Sinclairs, or visit the website at www.sinclairsofinverurie.co.uk

7 The Happy Plant Gift and Garden Centre, close to Aden Country Park, is renowned for its quality products and service – a visit is an absolute must. The store is welcoming spring with an extensive range of outdoor and gardening essentials.

The florist department stocks a large selection of fresh, silk and dried flowers, and there is an extensive range of year-round and seasonal trees, shrubs and plants to add charm, colour and fragrance to your garden, as well as essential products and equipment to help you encourage nature to reach her best.

Its decorative Curling Crystals by Oakthrift, pictured below left, are an attractive way to brighten your garden.

The coffee shop extends a very warm welcome, offering customers the opportunity to relax within a bright and cheerful atmosphere while enjoying an excellent selection of top-quality refreshments.

For disabled customers, there is a wide ramp up to the entrance of the coffee shop. The furniture is designed to allow the occupants of wheelchairs to be seated comfortably at the table and there are also disabled toilets complete with easy-grip rails.

8 Eastside Discount Centre can only be described as an Aladdin’s cave of bargains. Famously known as “the Spotty Bag Shop”, now under new ownership, it aims to continue to offer one of the largest selections of domestic goods under one roof in the north-east, making it a favourite tourist attraction in Banff and along the coast.

So if it’s holiday gifts, compost or a stylish Dare 2 Be jacket, you’ll be sure to find what you are after. To finish off the Eastside experience, you can also relax and enjoy a cuppa with some home bakes or lunch in the cafe, which serves food and snacks throughout the day.

9 Gibbs Inverurie is a well established kiltmaker and dress-hire specialist in the north-east. The company has designed an exclusive “Highland Gathering” tartan, pictured far right. Much thought has been put into making sure the design and colours of the tartan are in keeping with many of our Scottish traditions.

10 The Posthorn of Castle Douglas has established an enviable international reputation as the leading retailer and mail-order specialist of Border Fine Arts and Moorcroft Pottery.

The Posthorn has a wide range of fine gifts, including Waterford Crystal, Royal Crown Derby, Country Artist, Lladro, Newbridge Silverware including the folding clock pictured right, Willow Tree, Franz Porcelain and many more. Its range of fine gifts can be ordered online at www.posthorn.co.uk, where you will also find details of collectors’ events and special offers.