We liked it because it wasn't like all the souvenir shops - we are flying out tomorrow and wanted…read moresouvenirs that felt more personal. They had unique items including coin purses, jewelry, scarves, some mugs that didn't look like all the rest .. just a lot of great things in a tiny space.

This building used to be the local post office that had to close down due to the locals not using…read moreit enough, thankfully there is something new there to replace it. It's such a shame for a small village to have hardly any facilities available to passing trade our group was glad to see this place, that has one side that is used as an antique shop and the other for a tea room. The cafe has not got a hot food licence so can only offer sandwiches and a bowl of soup if you are lucky, we where at least able to get a good cup of tea and something to eat to recharge our batteries. My friend had a sandwich with the only choice available being cheese and tomato, but there is a good selection of home baking on display. The lady that served us was nice and chatty, that made our visit a pleasant experience.

lovely wee tearoom and secondhand shop run by 2 friendly ladies…read more We stopped in to Simpatica on the way back from a walk - and what a delight! Not only did the owners stay open a little later for us they also allowed us to bring in our wee dog and we were then treated to an assortment of homemade soup, freshly baked cakes and teas and coffees all at a very reasonable price. The two ladies running the shop are just lovely - really friendly and chatty added to the whole experience and you are surrounded by beautiful, ornate vintage homeware and oddities. It's like a step back in time this little gem of a place where your tea is served in beautiful china tea cups and saucers in a homely enviroment. Definitely worth stopping in if you are passing through / in the area.

Hello! When did this wee gem spring up?…read more It's not really wee, and it looks new - I'm guessing it's only been on Cockburn Street under a month. Old Town Context is a refreshing, traditional store on Cockburn Street, steering away from the style of the tourist traps on the Royal Mile to offer alternative gift ideas. They have some old English, French and American advert poster art, cards, stationery, gifts, mugs with pin ups on them, clocks made out of recycled glass drinks bottles - a very eclectic and classy selection. Its inspiration is clearly from bygone era's, and I was very impressed with their postcard range. They also have some cracking cards and original prints with cats on them. These cats are wearing kilts and rugby shifrts, quoting Burns and other Scottish poets within the print. It's a very odd idea but entirely up my alley. Overall a very enjoyable shop for the family. It's difficult to walk out of here without buying anything.

I am glad that my 200th review is on this hidden gem... actually it isn't that hidden, but I have a…read morefeeling that lots of people just walk right on by. In a very different and almost vintage way, it is a souvenir shop. I say that because there were lots of prints, cards, coffee mugs of the city and various British 'things', but they are not the types of souvenirs that you would find in the every single store on the Royal Mile... yeah, you know what I mean. I loved the different prints of the city, my favourite was a very art deco-ish print highlighting the castle in a yellowy-orangish hue against a dark background. They had it as a large print, a card, and a coffee mug. I am now kicking myself that I did not buy it. If you love globes or tin signs, they have loads of them! If you are looking for a different kind of souvenir for someone... or just something for yourself, stop in here because they have some really wonderful items.

This is an absolutely gorgeous little shop full of beautiful things! I had a browse around here…read moretoday and was very impressed by the professional window dressing and eye-catching colourful lay-out of all the tantalising goodies inside. There is a delightful range of decorated diaries which caught my eye, exquisite jewellery, elegant handbags, Arran Aromatics, soaps and lovely scented candles something in every price range. There's a large display of top quality Christmas decorations and ornaments too. The young man who was serving there today was friendly, chatty and helpful. Definitely a place to visit to buy some gorgeous and unique Christmas gifts!

Lovely little shop selling every type of gift you can imagine. Beautiful displays, original card…read moredesigns and very friendly staff. You can find it near the famous Anstruther fish bar.

This wee shop was a life saver as I needed a lovely 50th birthday present for my friend…read more I had been wandering around aimlessly in Hamilton not having a clue what to buy for someone who looks nowhere near 50 and acts like a 20 year old. Hmmm?! It was only when I was heading for a wee bite to eat I saw this lovely looking shop. It was like a ray of light hit me, and I knew as soon as I walked in I would be able to find "something special". The lady was absolutely lovely and a great help. I explained what it was for and she came up with a candle beautifully wrapped with a personalised tag with my friend's name and saying happy 50th. It was perfect! The shop was beautifully laid out with lots of varied gifts for all occasions you can think of. Upstairs I found out was a wee coffee shop, but it was shut the time I got there, it's only opened for a while from 9.30am - 4.30pm. The lady told me they have lots of homemade goodies and their coffee is sourced from Matthew Algie. I will definitely need to stop by for their coffee shop next time. My friend was absolutely delighted with her present, so much so, she asked me where I had got it as she wanted to get something similar for her friend's birthday. Result! I cannot wait to go back, guess who's gonna be trying out a mocha?!

This lovely wee shop stores all kinds of unique gifts which you tend not to find anywhere else, the…read morestaff are very pleasant & very helpful. Certainly worth a visit if you are looking for something special for a loved one.

The financial misjudgements of most of the developed world's governments have caused quite a hassle…read moresince 2007, and Falkirk town centre has sadly been a plce where the grassroots effects come all too apparent. In a town just big enough to house all the chain stores, sadly a fair few of the local, independent outlets have sunk without trace. No such fears for The Giled Cage tough, which has seen off more recessions than you've had hot dinners, and would still be selling trendy gifts, trinkets and ornaments even if the Russians fired a few nuclear warheads at us tomorrow. In a shop that wouldn't cease trading for the apocalypse, there's no such thing as a downturn, and having a monopoly on Falkirk's quirky gift market has seen it stay continually busy for at least the two and a half decades I've been on this planet. Probably longer. From lovey handmade soft toys for babies to Momiji dolls for teens and more boring stuff for grannies, if you need a gift for someone female, yu're guaranteed to strike gold in here. Friendly staff as well, including the owner, who's practically a local celebrity.

I adore this gorgeous little gift shop, it has to be one of my favourite shops ever. The only…read moreproblem is, that when I go in looking for a gift for someone else, I'll usually come out with something for myself instead. They are constantly changing their stock and their window displays so a visit here is never dull and there's always something new to have a nosey at. A while back they had a whole shelf with merchandise from "The Hungriest Caterpillar" books to mark it's 40th anniversary, G-Bot bought me a gorgeous tray from this collection and it's one of my favourite items, it's to beautiful to be used as an old breakfast tray though. They always have gorgeous jewellery, ornaments, vases, home ware and quirky wee knick knacks such as gorgeous compact mirrors and card cases. In addition to this they also have a large selection of Momiji dolls and they even have a Momiji machine where you put in £2 and get a little surprise, I once even won a packet of Momiji tissues as a prize too. A star also has to go to the staff who are always friendly and helpful and every customer is always served with a smile. Bravo!

What a superb little shop, absolutely packed full of the most beautiful gifts of many kinds in all…read moreprice ranges. I loved the jewellery and bought an exquisite necklace for a friend for under £10. The girl who served me was very pleasant and she gift-wrapped the necklace beautifully for no extra charge. I wish I'd had more time to browse - I would certainly have bought more gifts and maybe something for myself too!