Inside Leakey’s Bookshop, Inverness
During my recent trip to Inverness I finally got the chance to visit the magnificent Leakey’s Bookshop!
Based in an old Gaelic church and spread out across two floors, Leakey’s has been in business since 1979 and holds around 100,000 second hand books. If you like a rummage, then you’ll love this place. It’s the sort of shop where you can spend a good few hours perusing the shelves, flicking through the eclectic tomes and coming out with some hidden gems.
Walking in for the first time, I was hit by the delicious smell of old books, which are stacked haphazardly all over the bookshop.
Their titles span from contemporary fiction and classics, through to non-fiction subjects such as politics, travel and cookery. You can also find a range of Scottish literature and history books, as well as lots of lovely vintage prints and maps.
After wandering around downstairs I made my way up the spiral staircase and onto the second floor, where more floor to ceiling shelves of books awaited. Although I didn’t find anything that I wanted to buy (I have a very strict criteria for purchasing books nowadays), I thoroughly enjoyed spending a good hour of my Saturday afternoon immersed in a world of books. What a gem!
How to find Leakey’s Bookshop
Leakey’s is based in Inverness, right up in the Scottish Highlands. You can find the shop in the town centre and on Church Street - a walkable distance from the train station and various car parks.
If you’re looking for something in particular, you can always enquire in advance by contacting them on 01463239947. Or you can buy online using their shop on Abe Books.
Opening times
You can visit Leakey’s between 10am and 5:30pm, from Monday to Saturday. They are closed on Sundays.
Have you ever visited Leakey’s magnificent bookshop? I’d love to hear about it.
Further reading
Travelling on a Sleeper Train! The Caledonian Sleeper Experience