Helping the High Street

Where we can, we buy our gin from an independent bottle shop, farm shop or deli. Being on the road for the last 11 months, we’ve come to discover not only many amazing people and distilleries making Scottish Gin but the many great, independent retailers. For us, the story of Scottish Gin is in equal measure about Scottish Gin and the people whose work in the category all contribute to Scottish Gin’s growing reputation as being at the forefront of Scottish Gin becoming a gin category in its own right.

With Christmas (where has the last year gone?!) just around the corner, we wanted to highlight some of the great independent retailers who support the story of Scottish Gin and who we think should be on your Christmas list this year as places you should visit and support if you’re looking for great Scottish Gins, and more!

We’ve visited most of the shops listed below and experienced for ourselves the amazing selection of Scottish Gin and spirits along with really great customer service. Some have been recommended to us by those in the Scottish Gin sector but they all share a common theme that they are passionate about what they do and they all play a role in helping support Scottish Gin makers.

Over the coming weeks and months we’ll be developing our Bottle Shops section to help you discover Scottish Gin on the high street.

Aberdeen

Hammerton Store (336 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, AB10 6LX)

Hammerton Store is a cafe come deli located in the west end of Aberdeen City. The shop is completely reflective of it’s passionate, friendly and creative team. Hammerton Store is a genuine west end hang out, attracting shoppers, cafe goers and gin drinkers alike. The shop supports local and one-of-a-kind produce and even showcases some local prints and crafts. 

Owner Susan keeps a close eye on the Scottish Gin scene and she makes a point of visiting distilleries whenever she gets the opportunity. Her gin shelves are always well stocked and guaranteed you’ll want more than just gin when you visit.

Aberdeen Whisky Shop (474 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1TS)

Situated at the West End of Union Street, Aberdeen Whisky Shop is a real city bolt hole. It’s one of the longest standing independent shops in Aberdeen having been established nearly ten years ago. With Aberdeen attracting a range of international business travellers, the Aberdeen Whisky Shop has proved to be a must stop shop for passionate spirits drinkers and collectors.

Aberdeen Whisky Shop pride themselves on their extensive range of over 1000 products, from rare and everyday malt whiskies to the wonderful world of Scottish Gins. With regular in-store tastings and expert knowledge, they offer a relaxed, informative and enjoyable experience.

JK Fine Foods (16 Chattan Place, Aberdeen, AB10 6RD)

In 1909, owner John King’s great grandfather, George Main, had an ambition to land only the highest quality seafood. Docking his boat ‘The Frigate Bird’ in Aberdeen, his catch would be taken to the old Aberdeen Fishmarket ready for auction.

Over a century later and four generations on, George’s passion for the finest and freshest Scottish produce has continued to run through the heart of the family. Sourcing the freshest seafood from the docks of Peterhead and collecting high quality meat directly from the Highlands, all JK’s produce is sourced locally within Scotland.

Understanding that there is nothing like the luxury of good food, JK ‘The Home of Fine Foods’ allows you to experience five star dining, and drinking, in the comfort of your own home.

Aberdeenshire

ABV Craft Drinks (22 Dee Street, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 5ST)

ABV Craft Drinks can be found in Banchory and is the brainchild of the team behind the Deeside Brewery, Deeside Distillery, Dusk and Sessions Festival. With their passion for craft beer, ale and spirits, they seized the opportunity to open their very own bottle and spirits shop stocking the finest craft beers, gins, Whisky, wine and other spirits.

The team is very passionate about Scottish produce and supporting Scottish Gin makers, which is why alongside a small selection of international gins, the shop only stocks genuine Scottish Gins that are made in Scotland. With an ever-growing selection of over 50 Scottish Gins, over 100 craft beers, including slabs of Deeside Brewery craft beers and ales, a guest beer tap and beer and gin tastings, there’s lots of choice to be found in-store.

Inverurie Whisky Shop (1 Burnside, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 3RY)

Established in 2015 by Mike Stuart, the Inverurie Whisky Shop has grown an enviable reputation for its vast selection of Scottish whiskies including some hard to find and sought after single malts. With a great selection of gins, including a great number of Scottish Gins, craft tonics and mixers plus spirits, the shop has something for everyone.

The shop offers Whisky tastings, gin tastings and more recently has expanded its selection of craft beers and ales. Just a short drive from Speyside and Aberdeenshire’s very own Glen Garioch Distillery, the Inverurie Whisky Shop also offers Whisky Tours of various distilleries in the area.

Angus

Grewar’s Farm Shop (Dronley Farm, Dundee, DD3 0QJ)

Cousins Euan and Peter Grewar are the current generation of the Grewar family farming in Perthshire and Angus. Their Great Grandparents, David and Elizabeth, moved the family down from Glenisla to take up a tenancy of Mill of Camno Farm in 1905 in search of better land and a better life.

Over the years the family farm has grown and evolved and in 2015 the farm shop was opened. Selling a variety of produce from the farm and local area, the shop quickly gained a reputation for fresh, quality produce along with an ever growing range of wines, beers and spirits.

Smithies Delicatessen (16 Keptie St, Arbroath, DD11 1RG)

Arbroath based Smithies is a family run deli and gin emporium established in 2000 by Patti Smith. Smithies has a fantastic selection of artisan products from a variety of producers. Renowned for their bespoke hamper service, they can craft a hamper for all occasions. With a varied selection of over 30 cheeses to choose from, and a growing array of gin, beers and spirits, including their very own gin, there’s plenty of great and unique products to choose from.

Dumfries & Galloway

T.B Watson – The Drambusters (11/17 English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2BU)

Originally established in 1909 as a Gent’s Outfitters, T. B. Watson in Dumfries has changed somewhat over the years. The current owner’s grandparents bought the business in 1948 and since the 1950’s, it has been a retailer of fine wines and spirits.

The business has also grown to include The Drambusters festival in Dumfries, which is a recognised celebration of Whisky and spirits along with their Drambusters Whisky club. With a large selection of drinks available to purchase along with knowledgable staff, T.B Watson is a bottle shop built proudly on great products and first class service.

East Dumbartonshire

Billington’s of Lenzie (114 Kirkintilloch Road, Lenzie, G66 4LQ)

An award-winning family owned licensed Artisan Deli that specialises in quality food and drink, carefully selected to provide the very best produce from around the world. Featuring an extensive deli counter and a wide range of beers, wines and spirits including an ample selection of Scottish Gin.

The shop recently created their very own Scottish Gin, Lenzie Gin, a small batch gin inspired by local botanicals including cranberry and bilberry that grow locally.

City of Edinburgh

Cranachan & Crowdie (263 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH8 8BQ)

Since opening their doors in 2012, Cranachan & Crowdie have focused on bringing the highest quality Scottish food, drink & gifts to Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Their passion for Scottish Gin has grown as the number of local distilleries has increased. Cranachan & Crowdie now stock over 35 gins from across Scotland. They share stories with their customers about the botanicals which differentiate each bottle and do their best to visit distilleries when they have time off. Oh, and they offer tastes of all their gins, all day, every day.

Fife

Luvians (93 Bonnygate, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4LG and 66 Market St, St Andrews KY16 9NU)

Luvians was established almost 35 years ago by brothers, Luigi, Vincent and Antonio and is a must visit destination for fine spirits, wines and artisan gelato in Fife. The shops in St Andrews and Cupar are run by a passionate team whose belief in quality Scottish products shines through in both the collection of over 150 gins and 1200 Scotch whiskies and the excellent service that awaits you in store.

Running regular tastings and events, the team is always keen to enthusiastically share their knowledge and experience on products they know you’ll love! Along with the shop in Cupar you’ll also fine a Luvian’s bottle shop in the heart of St Andrews.

Glasgow

Valhalla’s Goat (449 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 8HH)

Owned by Williams Bros Brewing, Valhalla’s Goat is known for its vast and unique range of rare and vintage wines, craft beers and spirits and has built a reputation for its range of products and enthusiastic and knowledgable staff.

Moray

Logie Whisky & Wine (Logie Steading Visitor Centre, Dunphail, Forres IV36 2QN)

Located in the heart of Whisky country, Logie Whisky & Wine shop is part of the Logie Steading visitors centre, which houses a variety of independent shops. The bottle shop stocks a great selection of rare whiskies along with a number of well know Whisky brands. The gin shelves are fully stocked with an array of Scottish Gins and intentional gin brands. Wines and beers are in plentiful supply along with a selection of Scottish themed gifts. Established by husband and wife Bob and Silvi Duncan, the shop is also home to their very own Duncan’s Scottish Gin.

Scottish Borders

Villeneuve Wines (37 Eastgate, Peebles EH45 8AD)

Villeneuve Wines was formed in 1982 by Kenneth Vannan and Alister Rae. Based in Peebles at the Eastgate, Scotland, the new company started in retail sales but was soon inundated by hotels and restaurants wishing to buy their wines. The business continued to expand, adding other retail stores including Edinburgh’s Broughton Street in 1998. Stocked with an excellent range of wines, beers and spirits including a growing range of Scottish Gins.

South Lanarkshire 

The Dukes Deli (12 Castlegate, Lanark, ML11 9DZ)

Stuart Anderson established the artisan Battlefield Bakery in 2014 at the age of 20. In 2016, an opportunity arose to take over Carraghers’s Deli, which was subsequently rebranded as The Dukes Deli in 2017. The deli now houses both the Battlefield Bakery and a growing selection of freshly baked goods, cheese, antipasti and more. You’ll also find a well stocked selection of wine, craft beer and spirits.

If there are any other fantastic independent retailers you would like to see us feature in the future please email hello@thegincooperative.com.