Best second-hand bookshop

Published on Tuesday 6 May 2008 19:55

SCOTS love their books and browsing in second-hand shops is a great way to pass a wet afternoon. Prices range from a few pence to many pounds. Regular visits pay dividends, but be warned: bookshops are addictive!

1: WEST PORT and others, Edinburgh

The slightly seedy West Port boasts the delightful Edinburgh Books, Main Point Books (good for a rummage), and Armchair Books (look out for the daft dog). Canonmills has a small clutch of shops and there are many large charity shops. Till's on Buccleuch Street and McNaughtan's on Leith Walk are institutions, The Bookworm on Dalkeith Road good for militaria.

2: BEST OF GLASGOW

Tucked away down a lane near Kelvinbridge, Voltaire and Rousseau is a librarian's nightmare but a bibliophile's dream. Teetering mounds of books vie for your attention with the in-house cats and a host of Glasgow characters, one of whom used to live in the shop. Around the corner are Thistle Books and Caledonian Books, while a short walk leads to a large Oxfam on Byers Road.

3: WIGTOWN

Scotland's booktown is a long way away but worth the trip for an excellent range of shops. Stop at Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart for more, all set in beautiful Galloway countryside.

4: LEAKEY'S BOOKSHOP, Inverness

Set in an old church and the largest shop in Scotland. Coffee and cakes when you flag. You should make the pilgrimage.

5: CHARITY SHOPS

Treasures are known amongst the dross. Some charities have dedicated bookshops, often with quality donations and cheap review copies.

6: CHRISTIAN AID BOOKSALE

St Andrew's and St George's Church, Edinburgh.

Now in its 34th year and one of the best reasons for living in the capital, although you risk internal injury in the crush. The sale has thousands of donated books. You will spend too much but it's all in a good cause. This year's sale starts this Saturday and runs to 16 May.