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Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland

News:
New listing Empty House Traders Stornoway Isle of Lewis
New listing Bethesda Hospice Shop Stornoway Isle of Lewis

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Open at advertised times   Open at advertised times
Phone before travelling   Phone before travelling
Appointment necessary   Appointment necessary
Status unknown, update requested Status unknown, update requested

We do our best to make sure these details are correct and up-to-date. However we recommend that you contact bookshops before making a special journey.

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Bethesda Hospice Shop/STORNOWAY/48 Bayhead St
Bethesda Hospice Shop  Open at advertised times
48 Bayhead St  STORNOWAY  HS1 2DZ
map
tel:  01851 706465    web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.00
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Charity shop slightly out of the centre of Stornoway with a large book section.

Charity shop slightly out of the centre of Stornoway. Has a large book section with 100s of books on all subjects. Lots of religion and a good selection of Scottish interest. Some books priced individually (rarely over £4) but majority are hardbacks 50p, paperbacks 30p and at the moment, childrens books just 1p! We came away with a large bag full including fiction, childrens, Scottish and aviation. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Stornoway.  HB 27.07.22
On the face of it this is a general charity shop of the sort we wouldn't normally include. But we trust our regular reviewers' judgement (see above)!  TBG2 27.07.22

Birsay Books   /ORKNEY/Craiglands  Birsay  
Birsay Books     Open at advertised times
Craiglands  Birsay    ORKNEY  KW17 2ND
map
tel:  07496 122658  e-mail   web  
Open:  Thursday and Friday 12.00 - 5.00, Saturday - Sunday 10.00 - 5.00, other days by appointment
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5000 secondhand books on Orkney, Ornithology, Natural History, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Shetland, Folio Society and other areas. Full opening hours and special events on Facebook. Wheelchair accessible, dogs welcome.


Bog Myrtle Skye/STRUAN/The Green
Bog Myrtle Skye    Open at advertised times
The Green    STRUAN  IV56 8FB
map
tel:  01470 572782  e-mail   
Open:  Tuesday - Saturday 9.30 - 3.30
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A wide range of secondhand books including Isle of Skye, Scottish, art and fashion, mountaineering and children's. We are also a café with stunning views of Skye's Cuillins. We serve gorgeous Glen Lyon Red Stag Espresso, Er Ya Tea, as well as an all-day vegetarian breakfast unlike anything you've never experienced, an ever-changing light lunch menu & home baking.

Has apparently changed hands and seems to be mostly a cafe now (a very good one) Closed Sunday and Monday. Appeared on a design makeover programme recently   HB 10.07.23

Bookcroft/NORTHMAVINE/Gateside
The Bookcroft  Open at advertised times
Gateside  Hillswick   NORTHMAVINE   ZE2 9RW
map
tel: 07787 831557  e-mail 
Open:  Spring and summer only, please ring first.
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Small general stock, some Shetland books. Pictures and LPs. The UK's most northerly bookshop!


Carmina Gadelica/PORTREE/Armadale House, Bank Street
Carmina Gadelica   Open at advertised times
Armadale House, Bank Street   PORTREE  IV51 9DA
map
tel:  01478 612585  e-mail   web   
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 5.30
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Mainly new books, especially on the Isle of Skye and Gaelic, but with a secondhand section.


Colonsay Bookshop/ISLE OF COLONSAY/Colonsay
Colonsay Bookshop  Open at advertised times
Colonsay   ISLE OF COLONSAY   PA61 7YP
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tel: 01951 200232  e-mail 
Open:  Monday - Saturday 2.00 - 5.00 in Summer and at other times by appiontment.
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Specialising in titles with a Scottish and Hebridean flavour, includuing an antiquarian section.

Bookshop located about two miles west of Scalasaig (the ferry terminal), on Colonsay's west coast. The somewhat shed-like exterior belies the Tardis-like interior, one of the true attractions on the island. Small but worthy stock. Ran by the Piermaster and island taxi's wife, friendly welcome, decent prices.  Graeme Rendall 31.12.09
Has relocated to larger premises close to the ferry terminal in Scalasaig. Alas, the charm of the old "shed" does not appear to have moved with it - very few second hand books on show and I was ignored by lady sitting behind counter. I was not made to feel welcome by her or the new shop itself. A real pity.  Graeme Rendall 06.08.13

Empty House Traders/STORNOWAY/16 South Beach
Empty House Traders  Open at advertised times
16 South Beach  STORNOWAY  HS1 2BE
map
tel:  01851 827219  e-mail  
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30
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A room of vintage books in a three-storey building of vintage traders.

Three storey building of vintage traders, mostly clothes, records, gifts, jewellery but one room has ‘vintage’ books. Mostly Scottish interest, childrens and classics, chosen as vintage items with bindings /illustrations rather than for content. Prices reasonable, we didn’t find anything but you never know. Not really worth a detour but the whole building is pleasant to browse.  HB 27.07.22

Iona Book Shop/ISLE OF IONA/The Old Printing Press Building
Iona Book Shop  Open at advertised times
The Old Printing Press Building   ISLE OF IONA   PA76 6SL
map
tel: 01681 700699 
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Visited Iona on a glorious day,packed with half-term visitors. Notice in the shop window -open 1.30 - 3.30 Thursdays and Saturdays only! Is this a business we asked ourselves?  Second Nature 06.07.10
'Second Nature' missed a treat! A small/medium bookshop with a wide range of quality second hand and antiquarian stock. I found three excellent and reasonably priced purchases almost immediately and am sure would have found more if I hadn't had to rush off to catch a ship!  Henry Middleton 13.09.11

Johnston_s Arran Bookroom/Isle of Arran/Atholl House
Johnston's Arran Bookroom  Appointment necessary
Atholl House  Lamlash   ISLE OF ARRAN   KA27 8LD
map
tel: 01770 600344  e-mail 
Open:  By appointment only at the moment, please phone or email.
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A unique collection of Arran books, most not listed for sale online. Nautical, diving, shipwreck and salvage. Collectable Scottish and children's titles. Formerly Johnston's Marine Stores. Now trading from home with much larger and varied stock.


Johnston_s Marine Stores/LAMLASH/Old Pier
Johnston's Marine Stores  Open at advertised times
Old Pier   LAMLASH   KA27 8JN
map
tel: 01770 600333 
Open:  Summer 10.00 - 1.00 & 2.00 - 5.00 but ring to be sure.
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Nautical books and some Arran books. Marine Stores selling chandlery, fishing tackle and nautical clothing as well as books.

The shop has changed hands and will be purely chandlery. Books will be available to view by appointment at Johnston's Arran Bookroom in Lamlash very soon. 01770600344  TBG 

Kergord Hatchery Bookshop/SHETLAND/Weisdale
Kergord Hatchery Bookshop  Open at advertised times
Weisdale  SHETLAND  ZE2 9LW
map
tel:  01595 830419  e-mail   web
Thursday - Sunday 11.00 - 6.00
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We are a second-hand bookshop in Shetland. We stock a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and kids books. You’re welcome to come along and browse.


Mor Books _ The Windrush Cafe Studio/STRUAN/Struan Green
Mor Books & The Windrush Cafe Studio  Open at advertised times
Struan Green   STRUAN   IV56 8FB
map
tel: 01470 572782  web 
Open:  Summer, Monday - Saturday 11.00 - 5.00. Closed Mondays in April and October, emial first in winter.
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More quirky books of the same range as in our other shop, Mor Books in Broadford but with coffee, cakes & light lunches as well. Spectacular views across Loch Bracadale to the Cuillin!

Excellent, discerning selection covering wide range from literature to popular. Also very nice coffee, cheese scones and cakes, vintage clothes and textiles and a fine view over the loch. Well worth a detour if on Skye.  Mark V 15.06.15