This store has intruiged me since I was little - I always used to find it unusual that a…read moreScandinavian shop were to entice business in a Scottish town in Inverclyde! Not to mention its 70s shop front - I actually used to think it was an old school charity shop. Over the years it has turned into a high end gift shop full of gorgeous goodies. The gifts inside are of a very cool variety - from cushions with horse silhouettes printed on them to ornate bird themed crockery, this shop is very much in keeping with the current indie trend for organic decoration. There are also some arty greetings card and funky wrapping paper towards the back of the store. The wrapping paper struck me as being very disco; some of it is a shimmery rainbow colour. I hate to coin an overused, misunderstood phrase but I have to say, this shop is very 70s retro in terms of gift choices. There are a lot of brown cushions and burnt orange mugs, but everything is very much en vogue at the mo. There's also an expensive range of jewellery which is absolutely gorgeous for a significant present (or just a lavish treat for yourself). I couldn't see any Scandinavian designer's signitures on the stock but I guess I wasn't entirely sure what I was looking for. The shop assistant was very accomodating, however, so if you have any enquiries about the jewellery manufacture or if you're just looking for a hand, I'm sure she would be happy to help!

Compared to the other card shops now lining the Helensburgh shoreline, First Class has fallen…read morebehind. Full of old-fashioned, frilly cards, I guess it might suit the older generations who like getting the traditional, flower covered birthday cards with sentimental print inside. However, most people I know from this generation have now moved ahead from a style that's become a bit slushy and outdated. It's all very Hallmark circa 1980, but without the added edge that still has Hallmark raking in figures from card sales. There's enough collection here if you're caught short and some nice, pretty little birthday cards but it doesn't really stand out much these days. There are some mini party favours and stationary sets for kids birthday parties that are more modern, but again most shops now sell Hannah Montana merchandise so First Class aren't particularly covering any new ground. Although it still has its uses and is within most people's budget in terms of cost, its unadventurous interior and bland selection of greetings cards failed to inspire my imagination.

Despite the rather grand name, this is just a little shop that sells embroidery supplies, counted…read morethread kits, cross-stitch, cushion kits and the likes. It's a lovely place for crafty people, and despite the small size of the shop there's a great selection inside. The prices are fairly average for these types of goods, and the staff that work there are nice and pleasant, and always helpful to try and find something that will suit you.

Hopscotch has a fairly understated exterior, but inside there are a lot of flashy gifts on display…read moreif you're looking to spoil a loved one! It's kind of a card shop, kind of a jewellery shop, so I'd put it in the bracket of gift shop! There are a few delicate, artistic greetings cards on offer, some kitschy stuff for the kitchen, but Hopscotch's strongest area as far as I could see it was their extensive jewellery collection. There were some Rennie Mack sets, Kit Heath and a few other local creations that would make a special someone feel very spoiled indeed. There are also a number of Scottish themed bags and fashion accesories on display if you're looking for a souvenir that is very subtly of a Scottish theme. There're a lot of nice gifts shops in Helensburgh and Hopscotch is one of them if you're on the hunt for something eye catching and sentimental for a loved one.

A great shop when you're looking for presents or souvenirs with lots of individual stuff that…read moreyou're unlikely to see elsewhere. Sells Jewellery, souvenirs and crafty stuff which is all sourced by the owner who is very friendly and helpful. Recommended.

Acorn Art is a small picture framing shop that also has a comprehensive selection of art supplies…read moreto purchase. They also have a small gallery area where you can admire or purchase the work of local artists. Unfortunately it is rather on the expensive side, and although I haven't used the framing service myself I've heard that it can be a little slow. The staff are adequate, but not especially helpful unless, of course, they think you're there to spend rather a lot of money. All in, it's a nice little shop but nothing outstanding.

Many moons ago this was a large John Menzies but for the past decade or so it has been WH Smith. It…read moreis quite a well stocked store considering the size of the town, and they have a good range of books, magazines and stationery. They also have a musical section and a small array of toys and games. Given the number of newsagents in the town I'm always surprised that such a large company continues to maintain such a prominent presence in this small town, but they do, and it's to our advantage most of time time, especially since the closure of Woolworths. Most of their goods are a bit overpriced and can be bought from local shops for less, but it is a good benchmark and keeps some competition up in the town.

I had a real problem yesterday. I had to buy a birthday card for my gran, a highland cow fridge…read moremagnet for my American friend, a hammer to carry out some DIY at home and some bits and pieces for my car. I only had an hour to buy all this stuff and I was fighting off a massive craving for a scone and jam and a cup of tea at the time. Okay, this is a lie. But if this unlikely situation was to occur, T.G. Allan's would solve every problem. As the previous reviewer said, it's a ramshackle of a shop selling an odd combination of hardware and tourists gifts. The little cafe tagged on to the back is even odder.

Allan clearly couldn't decide exactly what his business should be. Part hardware shop, part…read morekitchenware supplier, part tourist tat retailer and part coffee shop, a visit to Allan's is exactly what is required if you have an extremely bizarre shopping list. Nevertheless, there's something likeable about the way this unusual mish-mash is offered. For one thing, there is an undeniable order to it. Despite the variation, the shop is well presented and does not resemble the sort of junk shops that offer a similarly wide range of products. Secondly, much of the stock offered here is good quality stuff, particularly in terms of the kitchenware which features many brand names. And thirdly, the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. It may not be the sort of shop I'd visit on a regular basis, but at least I now have somewhere to go next time I fancy a fridge magnet, a spanner, a frying pan and a scone.