Issue Thirteen · Page 20Autumn and Winter 2026–27 · page 2016 Bookshops to Fall for this Autumn.
With the number of independent bookshops soaring across Scotland, Emily Rose Mawson reflects on the thrill of browsing in beautiful places. And as she opens the door to 16 of our favourites, she discovers that these are much more than places to buy books.
WordsEmily Rose MawsonPhotographySimon Hird
Photograph · Simon Hird
I was recently reminded of the magical sense of promise that bookshops gave us from an early age, as I watched a young girl tug her father towards the entrance of my local bookshop. With her foot already through the door, she said “I’ll just pop in and have a look!” Her voice was laced with hope and excitement.
I'm familiar with that frisson – the prospect of unknown titles waiting to reveal themselves. One of my fondest memories is my first visit to a bookshop, though it's less what I bought than how it felt to choose it. I can still hear the click of the door as it opened, releasing that sweet, musty, gorgeous smell of paper. Inside, shelves full of colourful spines, each one promising new worlds to discover, characters to get to know, and knowledge to gather.
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A Weekend Exploring the Isle of Mull.
Photographer, painter and now magazine founder, Shelley Richmond wears a few hats on the Isle of Mull. She shares her insider's guide to the island, revealing the beaches, creative corners and much-loved local spots that shape her life in Dervaig.
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