Little shop of treasures

Sunday Herald, The, Dec 2, 2001 by Rohese Taylor, Eva Arrighi, Joanna Blythman

Department stores are all very well, but for personal service, sheer choice, innovative ideas and unique gifts which will shout "See how much I love you!" on Christmas day, check these out Miscellaneous Nancy smilLie (main picture) 53 Cresswell Street, Hillhead, Glasgow (0141 334 4240) Walking into Nancy Smillie's shop in Glasgow's west end is like delving into an Aladdin's cave. Unusual jewellery, furnishings, lamps, pottery and all manner of one-off collectibles, if you can't find something to please your loved one here, there's really no hope.

Napiers the Herbalist 18 Bristo Place, Edinburgh (0131 225 5542) and 61 Cresswell Street, Hillhead, Glasgow (0141 339 5859) Like those stylish pharmacies and medicinal herb shops they have on the Continent? Napiers not only looks and smells the part but has an extensive, well-organised range of complimentary medicine products, everything from herbal teas, through to green clay face packs to essential oil and vitamins dispensed by well-trained staff. It makes many of its own herbal remedies to recipes devised by herbalist Duncan Napier in the 1860s . Paradise for self-healers and hypochondriacs with a preference for alternative medicine.

Monica Higgins Florist22 Argyle Place, Edinburgh (0131 477 2923) Forget all those tacky, petrol station "lucky bag" bouquets of wilting, colour-dipped chrysanthemums wrapped in gaudy plastic, this is the place for exquisite, modern, minimalist bouquets featuring exotic, tropical flora (birds of paradise, gloriosa lilies, nymph amaryllis, anthuriums), locally-grown delights in season such as apple blossom, hyacinth and cardoon and European gems like flowering eucalyptus. Gorgeous foliage greenery too. Bouquets tastefully raffia- wrapped.

The Broughton Gallery Broughton, near Biggar (01899 830234) Apart from the beautiful pottery, paintings, furnishings and cards you can buy at this gallery set in an old Scottish baronial mansion, the surrounding countryside is a gift in itself. Gently rolling hills, Tolkienesque forests and burbling streams are displayed at their best in perfect frosty weather.

Lisa mccormick (below) 07946 809154 If you're looking for a chi- chi handbag that won't be hanging off the arm of every dame you see, check out Lisa's gorgeous creations. Mohair, denim and corsages are her signature looks and she also makes beautiful scarves too.

Borealis Old Pier Road, Broadford, Isle of Skye (01471 822 669) Stockists of a good range of wholefoods, herbal remedies and essential oils. Herbal and aromatherapy products for beautiful, healthy skin and hair made exclusively on Skye since 1985. There's also a gallery and second-hand books store.

roger billecliffe gallery 134 Blythswood Street, Glasgow (0141 332 4027) Designer slippers; cafetiere covers; devore stoles; one-off handbags; jewellery; textiles, ceramics and beautiful paintings, naturally, make this gallery a must for the discerning shopper with gold plastic. Very special.

Granny Used to Have One Sanderling, Longhaven, By Peterhead (01779 813223) Scottish antique and curio shop established in 1991. Wide ranging stock including Scottish pottery, porcelain, china, glassware, brass, copper, pictures, wooden items and furniture.

The Smiddy New Lanark (01555 666666) www.smiddyinteriors.com Nestling in the picturesque mill workers' village (and now World Heritage site) created by Robert Owen, the Smiddy offers an interesting collection of artefacts, curios, collectibles, glassware, ceramics, carvings, lamps, paintings, rugs, wrought-iron work and hand-made furniture. This striking, unusual, high-quality collection of objects should provide some innovative gift ideas for those difficult-to-buy-for kind of people who have everything.

Felix and Oscar 495 Great Western Road (0141 339 7262) and De Courcy's Arcade, Cresswell Lane, Glasgow (0141 339 0269) Houses the perfect mix of kitschy fashion, accessories and homeware. Proved to be so successful in De Courcy's that they have just opened a new store on Great Western Road.

Echo 305 Byres Road, Glasgow (0141 357 4459) This has to be the best record shop in Glasgow if not Scotland. There is loads of great second-hand stuff that you won't find anywhere else and at very reasonable prices.

Just Byres Road, Glasgow (0141 339 8984); 318 Morningside Road, Edinburgh (0131 477 3878) Independent cosmetic retailer, offers manicures and makeovers. Great range of make-up and skin care all devised by shop's owner Sharon McLaren.

CLOTHES Dr Jives 11-113 Candleriggs, Glasgow (0141 552 5451) This trendy Merchant City shop stocks exclusive brands for men and women and is Glasgow's only Stussy outlet.

Moon 10 Ruthven Lane, Hillhead, Glasgow (0141 339 2315) Stock clothes, jewellery and accessories - bags etc. At Moon you will find many well known and established designers alongside up-and-coming stars. Great range of sizes and outfit possibilities.

Starry Starry Night 19 - 21 Dowanside Lane (off Byres Road), Glasgow (0141 337 1837) This is a cosy little retro shop tucked off one of Glasgow's most bustling streets. Typical second-hand clothing store with loads of great things to rummage through.