Discover Scotland : What to bring back ? (handicraft...)

Scotland is even greedier than you think

Scotland is full of sweet and savoury treats, each more delicious than the last. For the former, butter and sugar are at the heart of the production of delicious shortbreads, scottish tablets, fudges and other variations. It would also be a shame to miss Tunnock's range of chocolate bars and tea cakes

... Especially since they are at low prices, cannot be found in France, and fit into an already full suitcase! And what about the salty palates? We can suggest you some well-packed cheeses, as well as locally smoked salmon, or haggis (original or vegetarian version) in a tin, if you've become addicted.

Take home some of the Scottish legends

It's a short step from haggis in a tin to the legendary animal called haggis. The joke of letting naïve souls believe that haggis

is an extraordinary animal living in Scottish lands remains, and one can find, in some souvenir shops that have given in to this childish humour, official whistles ("The Haggy's whistle™") to call the funny beast. Nessie, the famous Loch Ness monster, is also the big star of souvenir shops. Plush toys, magnets, bags, key chains, mugs, head covers, onesies, reinterpreted plastic ducks or even kitchen accessories come in her likeness. But she is not the only one to haunt the Highlands with her mysterious presence. Beautiful illustrated albums or storybooks tell the legends of fairy beings as well as the crazy stories of ghosts or great heroes.

A drink in the softness of a sofa, and the memories come flooding back

It is difficult to come back from Scotland without bringing back some good bottles of whisky, gin, and even beers, as there are so many local and exclusive breweries in the UK. Buying gin or whisky will undoubtedly confront you with a dilemma, as it will most likely be sold at a higher price than in France (due to high and recently increased taxes). The solution? Treat yourself to a whisky sold exclusively at the distillery - more and more distilleries are offering this privilege to their visitors - or live an unusual personalised experience, by filling your own bottle with a dedicated whisky that is often not sold elsewhere.

Many objects and delicacies are available around these centuries-old beverages. You will find scottish tablets and fudges flavoured with whisky, tea or coffee with whisky (at Tea & Coffee Edinburgh Company Ltd), chocolate with whisky, but also candles and soaps with whisky scent. In addition to the bottles, boxes and miniatures to bring back, you can choose among more original presentations of spirits, proposed in the whisky shops: glass cherubs or Christmas balls filled with whisky or gin, notably from Angel's Share glass and Pickering's gin.

Scottish tradition turned upside down

If the Scottish symbol is thethistle

, it is represented in many ways, including on improbable materials. If its fragrance appeals to you, you will find it in perfumes and cosmetics at Men's Grooming, in a very masculine alliance with black pepper.

Tweed is also everywhere, in leather goods, scarves, gloves, caps and various accessories, as well as in tartans, which adorn cushions, household linen and all kinds of clothing. And of course, there is the famous kilt. Whether for men or women, a complete kit includes socks, a jacket, shoes, a sporran

and a kilt pin. For real quality and local manufacture (it couldn't be otherwise), the bill can quickly climb to £1,000. Finally, the Scots have been playing the game with publications that play on the glamour of the garment: postcards, a calendar (" We love kilts "), but also publications such as Kilted yoga (men in kilts practising yoga) and 101 Men in kilts.

Artists and craftsmen, the undeniable "made in Scotland

Numerous small shops, craftsmen and artists, promote crafts and creations "made in Scotland", from the land or the islands, thought and created according to the inspiration of the sea spray. The idea - and we can only defend it - is to preserve, and even develop, quality jobs in areas which tend to suffer from an exodus of young people and a lack of work. The many distilleries and breweries are also working in this direction, many of them concentrating all their activities (including communication and marketing) in Scotland. Let's come back to Scottish creations and let's quote, for example, the jewels of Sheila Fleet, creators in Orkney, the scented candles produced on the Isle of Skye or the "Lomond soap".

And for children, big or small?

There is no shortage of creations for children. As well as countless adorable stuffed animals of Highland cows, sheep, scottish terriers and pheasants, you can use your visit to reinforce their introduction to the English language and Scottish culture. The UK also has a wealth of children's literature, featuring key historical figures, classic Scottish authors (Walter Scott or Stevenson, for example), or local stories. And since learning is also about playing and having fun, why not treat yourself to Monopoly, Scottish edition, or other exclusive games, in the original language? The shops also feature Harry Potter memorabilia and extensive collections of merchandise that will make fans green with envy. Adults will no doubt succumb to the Outlander craze!

Treat yourself to a Scottish Lord or Lady title

Did you know that it was possible... to become Lord, Lady or Laird of Glencoe and own a piece of Scottish land? While the idea may, at first glance, be surprising and cause for concern, it is in fact a novel and innovative environmental initiative. Since 2006, Highland Titles has set itself the goal of restoring devastated land by planting trees. In 2007, it acquired, thanks to all the parcels purchased (in 1 square foot, 10 square feet, 100 square feet: the options are multiple) a nature reserve in Glencoe Wood, reforesting a hundred hectares. In 2014, it did the same with Mountain View (near Invergarry). The woodland ambition is complemented by a move to help local wildlife, with the establishment of 'Bumblebee Haven', a haven for deer, and the donation of 10 acres of land to 'Wildcat Haven', which protects Scotland's last remaining wild cats. To take part in this collective work and hold the prestigious title of Laird

of Scotland, simply log on to the dedicated website (www.highlandtitles.fr) and choose your pack. Good deeds, community building, prestige and love of Scotland: what an initiative, and what a gift! To conclude without mentioning the royal family would be unseemly... And it is rare to visit a place without a reference to an English monarch. The objects - often kitsch, but that's their charm - are varied: crockery or tea sets marked with royal emblems, corgi plush, collector's metal boxes... They are must-haves, or not!