The Ultimate Guide to Scotland's Best Record Shops
17 Jan | Written By Kirsten Moreton
Record collecting is a timeless hobby that can be shared between generations, bringing people together. Although it is not something it is famous for, Scotland has an incredible music industry full of small bands, music lovers and record collectors. From Orkney and Shetland, all the way down to the Scottish Boarders, there is an enormous range of incredible independent record shops to be found. With Record Store Day only a few months away its important to know where to look for the best selection and widest range.
Thirteen Records
Dundee City Centre
Thirteen Records is a great independent record shop located on Union Street, just a short walk from the train station and water font. Thirteen sells mostly second hand vinyl meaning it is pretty affordable and there is a wide range of genres ranging from rock and pop to latin and blues. The store even does the odd free vinyl box, generously leaving a box of free vinyl outside for people passing by to take one home. Thirteen is just an all round great record store from the pleasant decoration and friendly staff to the incredible selection of vinyl old and new.
Thirteen Records can be found at 13 Union Street Dundee, DD1 4BN and @thirteen_records_dundee on instagram
Vinyl Villains
Edinburgh Leith Walk
Vinyl Villains is the perfect punky spot for adding to your collection. This Edinburgh based store has a huge range of records old and new including affordable second hand records as well as rare limited edition vinyls. The selection of CD’s, vinyl and merch in Vinyl Villains is just incredible. The store is located on Leith walk meaning the location is great for vintage and indie shopping as nearby theres a selection of vintage and record stores. The shop is also just a short 20 minute walk from Waverly Station, making it a must when visiting Edinburgh.
Vinyl Villains can be found at 5 Elm Row, Edinburgh, EH7 4AA
Red Robin Records
Aberdeen City Centre
Whats better than a coffee and a day of record shopping? Red Robin Records offers both! Located just off of Union Street, Robin Records is a record cafe selling vinyl and refreshments making it the perfect quiet spot for a browse. The store offers a wide range of records including limited edition and featured vinyl which can be found on their website. A quick visit and coffee is a must for any vinyl lover in Aberdeen, the shop is located a short walk from Aberdeen Vinyl Records and Maidin Vinyl, making it a great stop for a record shopping day.
Red Robin Records can be found at 13 Correction Wynd, Aberdeen AB10 1HP and @redrobinrecordscafe on instagram.
Missing
Records
Glasgow City Centre
Located in the heart of Glasgow city centre, Missing Records, is an independent record store featuring both second hand records and new releases. The store was established i 1987 and since has been selling a huge range of records. It has even been described as ‘Glasgow’s best record store,’ perfect for a day of indie shopping and record collecting.
Missing Records can be found at 51 Oswald St, Glasgow G1 4PA and @missingrecordsglasgow on instagram
Assai Records
Dundee and Edinburgh city centres
Assai Records is one of Scotlands biggest record store’s, opening two shops and now being promoters for a variety of gigs, promoting small Scottish artists and indie bands. Assai is a great store in person and online for rare, limited edition and signed vinyl with an entire section of their website dedicated to singed records. They even sell record players, merchandise and gift vouchers making it a must see for vinyl lovers and record collectors.
Assai Records can be found at 33 Union St, Dundee DD1 4BS and 1 Grindlay St, Edinburgh EH3 9AT
They can also e found on instagram @assai_dundee and @assaiedinburgh
Europa
Music
Stirling City Centre
Europa Music is Stirlings only independent record store as well as being one of the oldest, opening in Alloa in 1976 and eventually moving to Stirling 16 years later. The shop sells books, records, singles, CD”s and DvD’s and can order in records for customers. They also buy meaning there are some great second hand steals to find!
Europa Music can be found at 10 Friars Street, Stirling, FK8 1HA @europamusicstirling on instagram
Maidin Vinyl
Aberdeen City Centre
Maidin Vinyl specialises in both pre-loved and new vinyl having a wide range of unique records available. The store is also a frequent partaker in Record Store Day and always has some interesting finds available.. Maidin vinyl often post their latest records available on their facebook page and website (both titled Maidin Vinyl) and the new records posted can be reserved with a quick message ensuring customers do not miss out. The store is lovely and bright and definitely wroth a visit.
Maidin Vinyl can be found at 7 Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1NE
Grooves
Kirkwall Orkney
Grooves, interestingly is the most northern record shop in the whole UK, located in Kirkwall, Orkney. The store has a lovely modern interior and offers an enormous range of records, books, CD’s, DvD’s, games, gifts and more. The shops location means it is a quick walk from other shops in Kirkwall as well as near plenty of historical attractions making it a must see!
Grooves can be found at 30 Albert St, Kirkwall KW15 1HL
underground solu’shn
Edinburgh City Centre
Interestingly, Underground Solu’shn, is slightly different than other record stores as they specialise in House, Techno, Disco, Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, and Jazz music opposed to the usual indie, rock and pop that most record stores provide. The shop has been open since 1996 and has since been selling a range of records and audio equipment. Since, the variety of genres in store has expended meaning there is something for everyone! This unique shop is a must visit for all lovers of genres that are a little different!
Underground Solu’Shn can be found at 9 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BP and @undergroundsolushn on instagram
Some Great
Reward
Glasgow City Centre
Much like Red Robin Records, Some Great Reward is Glasgows one and only record cafe, proving refreshments as well as selling great vinyl. The shop provides all genres, brand new and preloved for an affordable price. As it is stated on their website, Some Great Reward, aim to have affordable prices and great customer service whilst sharing a passion of music, all of which turn out to be true, making it a great spot for a coffee and a look at some records.
Some Great Reward can be found at Unit 2, The Cooperage, 674 Pollokshaws Rd, Glasgow G41 2QE and @sgr_recordcafe on instagram
Concorde Music
Perth City Centre
Celebrating 55 years of being open, Concorde Music is Scotlands oldest record store. The shop opened in 1967 and has remained family run since. The store has a wide range of CDs, DvD, records and merchandise available for purchase. The shop is a must see when visiting Perth, the staff are incredibly friendly and are willing to help! It is reassuring seeing older shops still open despite the closure of many business since 2020, it is essential to support small and independent record shops.
Concorde Music can be found on 15 Scott St, Perthshire, Perth PH1 5EJ
Mixed up
Records
Glasgow West End
Last but not least on the list is Glasgows, Mixed Up Records. The shop really specialising in all things vinyl, sells secondhand steals, brand new limited additions and even pre-orders for records to come. Mixed Up Records, truly has something for everyone within its wide catalogue of great music.
Mixed Up Records can be found at 18 Otago Ln, Glasgow G12 8PB and @mixeduprecords on instagram
There are a lot of incredible records shops in Scotland to discover and explore, so make sure to check them out and help out small independent businesses!
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