Did you know Moffat is quite a niche – and nice – shopping destination? Start browsing with your ultimate shopping guide…
The town is rightly proud of its independent shops on the double high street, characterful Well Street and close by, all within easy walking distance of Queensberry House.
Discover unique treasures you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.
Top of the pots
There’s a lot of creative talent in Gallery @ 3 from this husband and wife team: photographer Jonathan and ceramist/picture framer Sandie.
Not only will all your photography needs be met (studio shots, custom-made framing) but there are plenty of picturesque prints featuring local landmarks and beauty spots.
And Sandie’s exquisite, handmade ceramics (pictured above) will make your home – and your heart – sing.
Smart sculptures
The Artisan is a smart bijou space packed with unique individually made sculptures based on a Giacometti style from the McPhail Collection.
And they just have to be seen.
Bespoke sculptures can also be created to order in any subject.
Choose from bookends and oil burners to clocks and candle holders. In fact, anything you like!
Curious finds
There’s lots to wade through at the Crap Shak.
The ‘crap’ stands for curios, retro, antiques and props – it’s all here.
You’re sure to find a treasure from Star Trek memorabilia to vinyl records and antique books.
The place for whisky
The Moffat Distillery – with the only wood-fired still in Scotland – has plenty of gift ideas for the whisky or gin enthusiast in your life.
Read more about the distillery here.
And it’s just a 30-minute walk from Queensberry House.
A book-lover’s paradise
An independent book shop is a thing of joy which performs an essential role in our towns and villages and no ultimate shopping guide would be complete without one.
The Moffat Bookshop calls itself a ‘rehoming service for stray books’ selling new and used editions in all subjects and prices.
Here the speciality is local books and authors, and space will always be found on its shelves to showcase books with a local theme.
They’ll even post to anywhere in the world.
Beauty and pampering
For that little special something, Glamorous Gifts is your go-to shop.
Pick up some hand-painted tumblers for your next drinks party or cute wax melts for a special present.
Choose from relaxing bath bombs and scented candles to engraved slate gifts and balloon displays that will ensure your event makes an impact.
The shop smells divine too.
You don’t get that with online shopping.
Queensberry House guests receive 10% discount on purchases.
Antiques treasure trove
You can easily waste a couple of hours browsing the extensive selection of antiques and collectables in Lothlorien Emporium, a family-run business.
Among the art deco clocks, oh-so delicate tea sets, jewellery pieces and oversized perfume bottles, there are some highly covetable sci-fi ‘toys’ – except these are too precious to be played with but feel free to admire them behind their glass box.
Home of Moffat Toffee
Take a trip down memory lane in the Moffat Toffee Shop, the legendary shop full of sweets from your childhood.
There’s also the Moffat Toffee – naturally – that isn’t in fact a toffee but a boiled sweet.
See if you can work out the magic ingredient. Irresistible homemade truffles, tablet and fudge are also available.
And that’s not all: there’s the Moffat Toffee whisky, gin and rum.
Designer homewares
Step inside this treasure trove of stylish furniture and interior design and you’ll never want to leave… or at least not empty-handed anyway.
Manse Interiors is an independent family business selling timeless, classic pieces to create the home of your dreams.
Eclectic, elegant statement items that wow but also small gifts for under £10.
Clothes and accessories
The Little Closet is a chic shop selling quality women’s clothing in all sizes plus jewellery, handbags and gifts.
New stock arrives regularly from Weird Fish, Lily & Me and Made in Italy.
Plus there’s a superb range of Joma and Gracee jewellery – ideal gifts that come beautifully packaged in their own designer bags.
A drop of the sweet stuff
Fill your boots with Scottish classics that have a modern twist.
Campbells’ fresh tablet and fudge is handmade from start to finish following a closely guarded family recipe. Only natural flavourings are used and no preservatives or additives.
Taste the Orkney Ice Cream (whatever the weather) – the lemon curd flavour is quite wonderful.
Or pop down for some Joe & Seph’s gourmet popcorn (try the goat’s cheese and black pepper flavour) and Chrystals Shortbread from Loch Lomond.
All utterly delicious.
Winter warmers
The Corner Gallery is a haven of designer knitwear, natural textiles and stylish accessories from Scotland, Ireland and the islands.
This offshoot of the neighbouring Kirkcudbright shop has found its home on the edge of the high street selling bespoke quality woollens with provenance in classic designs for men and women.
Everything you need to upgrade your winter wardrobe is here.
Delightful arts and crafts
Another creative partnership running an independent enterprise.
In the Art Work Room, there are one-off jewellery pieces created by two artists – a chic selection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings with handmade beads in glass, ceramic, silver, gold, bronze – plus amazing compositions from Czech glass.
Also for sale are cast resin fish and bookends, recycled glass bowls and vegan soap made from foraged resources.
There’s also hand-thrown stoneware created by the famous Singing Potter.
Unusual gifts
Wildflower Designs is a another fantastic addition to the Moffat High Street.
Got a friend who’s hard to buy for?
This is the place for you.
The team’s speciality is the Lichtenberg figure technique: 2,000 volts of electricity are shot through a piece of oak to create a tree-like pattern in the wood which is then filled with bright colour.
There’s a pretty, dramatic dining table and a more affordable chopping board, coaster and pendant.
And that’s not all…
Trinkets with a bee theme and a pair of ‘apprehensive’ planters caught our eye.
Trinkets and treasures
17 Reasons is well-known for its pleasing window displays – this gift and craft shop knows how to put on a good show for browsers and buyers.
And it has some delightful items: driftwood art, hand-painted tiles, ceramics, all manner of cards and artisan glass from Scottish artists.
Its charming garden decorations are a must.
The Queensberry House garden has one.
The walker’s wardrobe
Moffat Outdoors is an essential stop-off for all the walkers who come to hike across Moffat’s spectacular landscape.
Here you’ll find good quality and value-for-money outdoor clothing and equipment.
Brands in stock include Paramo, Rab, Sprayway, Lowe Alpine, Altberg, SOTO and Tilley.
Also for sale are Pocket Mountains guides.
Locally published, well-written, with bright covers so you won’t lose your copy, these are a must for your walking kit.
Check out The Dumfriesshire Dales for some of Moffat’s finest walks.
Pretty presents
Rosefield is a glorious shop on Well Street containing a mix of quirky and contemporary pieces from stylish wooden bowls and beautiful bottles to long string necklaces and chic clothes.
We love the hand-painted pictures.
Affordable prices too.
Food glorious food
The deli/shop Harvest Time has fresh bakes and a feast of healthy eats from sourdough flat bread to nuts and seeds and herbal teas.
Owner Julie is a master baker – just try the scones and quiche and you’ll agree.
And not too far away…
Famous knitwear
A’ the Airts Community Arts Centre is the home of the Sanquhar knitting pattern, an historic design dating back to the 17th century and a vital part of the town’s heritage.
Get your scarves, hats, sweaters, gloves and even baby blankets in this high-quality knitwear with a distinctive design.
The gloves are world-famous and feature the initials of the wearer sewn on.
Just a 40-minute – very scenic – drive from Moffat.
Gretna Gateway Outlet Village
A compact shopping outlet with stores for all your retail needs including: accessories, health and beauty, food and drink, gift shops and homeware. All under one roof.
So if it’s raining…
Other shopping destinations within close range of Moffat are: Carlisle, Peebles, Dumfries and Kirkcudbright.
Seek out Dumfries, only a short drive from Moffat, where you’ll find historic sites and impressive eateries. Read all about it here.
Photograph: Jonathan Cosens Photography
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