Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Edinburgh (/Scotland) Souvenirs Guide

Are you having a hard time deciding on what to buy home from Edinburgh? Although I am not a souvenir buyer, I do have some suggestions that might save you from the gift dilemma syndrome.
image by Heathergems


1. Heathergems
This is a cool new discovery after recent my trip to Edinburgh. On the Heathergems webside, it writes " Heathergems is a unique and imaginative range of Scottish jewellery and giftware, made in Pitlochry, Scotland from natural heather stems." The “Heathergems” are the only manufacturers of this unique Scottish product anywhere in the world.
Ideas? : Heathergems

Image from Heathergems


2. "Oor Wullie" and "Broons" Annuals or Merchandise
The "Broons" is a comic strip published in the weekly Scottish newspaper, The Sunday Post. Originally created by writer/editor R. D. Low and artist Dudley D. Watkins, the strip made its first appearance in the issue dated 8 March 1936. The Broons have had their own biennial, alternating each year with Oor Wullie.
Ideas? : "Oor Wullie" and Broons
image from comicsuk.co.uk


3. Quaich
A Quaich is a special historical drinking cup in Scotland. kind of shallow two-handled drinking cup or bowl in Scotland. The body of the cup is shallow with 2 handle at the side. A silver quaich or even an oak quaich is such a classy present, suitable for any occasion.
image from www.robin-wood.co.uk

4. Spurtle
Also called a "spirtle", this rod-shape tool is a traditional Scots kitchen tool, dating from the 15th century. It is used for stirring oatmeal and porridge. Traditionally, a spurtle is made from Scottish maple tree barks.
image from www.bushcraftuk.com

5. Scottish Shortbread Molds
If you know someone who LOVE to bake? You will never go wrong with a ceramic Shortbread Pans. Sometimes it comes with attractive Thistle, Celtic Knot, British Isles patterns and various border designs. Baking is life.
Ideas?: Scottish Shortbread Mold
image from www.gaelsong.com

6. Clan Items
Clan items are a big thing here in Edinburgh.
Ideas?: Clan Items 
Image from www.clancrestsilver.com

7. Cashmere and Tartans
Cashmeres are made of fiber obtained from cashmere goats. There have a unique texture and feel, so distinct from a sheep's wool. Traditionally in Scotland, Cashmere almost never separate with Tartan (a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours.)
If you are looking for quality local-made cashmere, you’ve came to the right place as the Edinburgh high street is a tourist-friendly centre with huge array of Local Scotland Souvenir shops (I did not see the word "made in China" here, unlike any other cities I've been to).
image taken from Souvenirfinder.

8. Short Bread
Personaly, I think the Short Bread i tried during a visit to the Stockbridge Market years ago is the best to date. Stockbridge Market is very much worth a visit if you are in the area on a Sunday: there are a lot of quirky good stalls, perfect if you have some time to kill.
image from www.walkersshortbread.com

9. Single Malt Whiskey
I am not a whisky person, but there is so much hype about it when it comes to Scottish souvenirs.  Single malt whisky is malt whisky from a single distillery, which is, whisky distilled from fermented mash made exclusively with malted grain.


10. Edinburgh Rock
Edinburgh rock is not like any other rock. Made of sugar, water, cream of tartar, coloring and flavoring, it is a traditional Scottish confection, also called the Edinburgh Castle Rock.
Image from Gardiners of Scotland

11. Tablet
image from The Fudge House.
It is hard to describe Tablets in words. I would say it is a less chewy, crumbly toffee and a much grainier fudge. It is a medium-hard, traditional sugary confection from Scotland: a crystallized sugary butter-mix (Perhaps?) I had mine in The Fudge House Edinburgh. 

Read more about The Fudge House here

12. My Choice: Postcards
Now this is what I do! For those who know me, they'll know I am a Postcards collector since my first trip to Spain. If you are tight on budget but still want to get something Scottish, this is a perfect choice: sending home a postcard completed with a Scottish stamp and cop on it! Scottish enough?
However, there is only one small Post Office around: located on St. Mary's Street, opposite the Travelodge. (please correct me if I am wrong.)
image from uk.reuters.com


Thank You for Reading! 
Do you have any other great suggestion? Let me know by commenting below!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

well you can't go past a good whiskey, can you?