As I’ve referred to in a previous post, Christmas will not be the same this year due to the Coronavirus. Even though there’s recently been encouraging news about the vaccines that that are going through approval processes, for this year businesses have had to adapt, and at the forefront of my mind has been how we can support our local high street and independent shops as we go about our Christmas shopping. In this post, I’ve collated information for my own Caithness Christmas Shopping guide, kindly provided by Caithness businesses who are offering something different to the traditional 9-5 openings!
Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide: Elizabeth’s Fabrics
Elizabeth’s Fabrics is a family run business in Thurso offering soft furnishings, fabrics, yarns, curtains & blinds. The shop is open Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10-4pm. Elizabeth’s Fabrics is offering 10% Off Sophie Allport & Fat Face Duvet Sets. If you want to book an appointment for private shopping, or have a product query, please contact the shop by calling 01847 896497 or making contact through their Facebook page!
Elizabeth’s Fabrics: 1-3 Brabster Street, Thurso KW14 7AP | Facebook page
Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide: Lindsey Gallacher
Located in the same building as Elizabeth’s Fabrics, Lindsey Gallacher is opening later on a Wednesday evening (until 5.30pm). Normal hours are 10am – 4pm Tuesday to Saturday right up until Christmas Eve, and the studio sells lots of Lindsey’s own handcrafted Caithness stone jewellery, art and gifts, as other hand crafted pieces from artists and designers.
Lindsey Gallacher: 1-3 Brabster Street, Thurso KW14 7AP | Facebook page | Instagram
Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide: CoCo Chocolatier
Time for something sweet and CoCo Chocolatier in Bower is having an open day on Sunday 13th December between 10:00 – 17:00 where you can pick up artisan chocolates and hollow figures! Mandy also runs Chocolate workshops, and offers afternoon high tea in her workshop.
Coco Chocolatier: The Croft, Upper Bowertower, Bower. KW1 4TT | Website
Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide: Coastline Fashion
The Coastline Truck has been popping up across the county in November, and on the 5th December Lesley will be offering a unique, personalised and COVID friendly shopping experience from the Store Cafe in Bettyhill (KW14 7SS). You can stock up on women’s clothing, shoes and accessories, and purchase gift boxes and cards too! Shopping appointment slots can be booked, and from experience I can personally recommend these because you can have a private and leisurely browse!
Coastline website | Facebook page | Instagram page
Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide: A Bit o Bling
Keeping with the pop-ups, A Bit o Bling is taking over the Pop-Up Shop in Thurso from 10am on Sunday 6th December with her Swarovski jewellery. Stretch bracelet and stud sets start from £23! Join her Facebook group for the latest offers!
A Bit o Bling Facebook group | Thurso Pop Up Shop, 3 Princes Street, Thurso KW14 7BQ
Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide: Bin Ends & The Whisky Cellar
If you enjoy a festive tipple or two, Bin Ends are offering private shopping appointments in both their Wick and Thurso shops on Wednesdays in December (2nd, 9th and 16th) until 8pm. Operating as an off-licence with gifts and malt whiskies, their offers include bottles of the maritime malt Old Pulteney 12yr old at £24.00, and Stroma liqueur for £16.00!
Bin Ends, 2 River Street, Wick, Caithness KW1 5EA & 42 Princes Street, Thurso KW14 7AB |Bin Ends and the Whisky Cellar Facebook page
Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide: M&Co Wick
Finally we’re off to the High Street and M&Co in Wick are offering private shopping appointments within their opening hours (Mon-Sat 9am – 6pm – 7pm on Thursdays, Sunday 12pm – 4pm) and also out of hours appointments too! M&Co offer clothing for the whole family, their Christmas gifting range is on a 3 for 2 offer, and there are exclusive discount events for loyalty card holders
M&Co, 78 High Street, Wick, KW1 4JF | Phone: 01955 609 173 | M&Co Wick Facebook page
Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide: JA MACKAY
JA Mackay is a family run business, part of Thurso’s main shopping street for just over 50 years. They specialise in a large selection of malt whiskies and gin, rum, vodka – ranging from affordable to luxury, as well as stocking local produce: cheese, biscuits, preserves, shortbread, oatcakes, alcohol and more. They also stock handpicked confectionary and the essentials. Luxury Christmas hampers can be ordered to include any of these items and catered to your personal order. The shop, located on Traill Street, is open from 9:30 – 4pm Monday – Saturday and 12 – 4 on Sundays during the festive period.
JA Mackay, 4 Traill Street, Thurso, KW14 8EJ | 01847 892811 | Facebook page | Instagram page
Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide: Haven House Art
Lisa is offering studio visits by appointment and these can be made by messaging Haven House Art on Facebook or by emailing Lisa at info@havenhouseart.com. For art prints of Caithness and the far north, other art work and small gift items, head to Lisa’s studio – you also get a great view of Lisa’s work environment and a stunning view to boot!
Haven House Art, 26 Broadhaven Road, Wick, KW1 4RF | Website | Facebook page
I hope this gives you some idea of how brick and mortar shops are adapting to these difficult circumstances, please do give them your support over the forthcoming festive period!
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