The Small Shops of Perth

Perth has long had a reputation for the quality of its many small independently owned shops, offering locals and visitors alike, a more interesting and enjoyable shopping experience.

A walk around the town with family in tow.
by Athole Murray Fleming

Our first port of call was to pop in and say hello to Helen who runs A Country Affair, a very small shop indeed, but crammed with a whole range of goodies for all the rooms in your home. We bought a French style blackboard for our kitchen and a wine rack for our dining room, and almost bought a clock, but that is so easy in the place. Helen's stock is always changing, and you can get candles sticks, great soap, tin jugs, mirrors, the list is almost endless.

Country Affair

So next time you are in the Old High Street why not drop in, and take a real good look around, carefully...in case you miss something!!

This Little Piggy

Our daughter Helen needed shoes for Primary School, so our next stop was This Little Piggy in South Methven Street. We always know that we will find something that Helen likes here, and again we were not disappointed. Run by Pam Walker, a businesswoman of some repute and with several awards under her belt, This Little Piggy is very much a specialist children's footwear establishment.

After our successful purchase, and clutching a bag of little pink piggy chocolates, Helen was fair chuffed, and so were the parents!

Time to move down into deepest Perth now, so down South Street we strolled. Without being planned, our next visitation was to Carter's Toy Shop because our darling Helen wanted to buy a present for one of her friends birthday parties, so in we went. Carter's is quire literally a child's dream, and parents nightmare?...well I do mean that kindly!	Carter's Toy Shop
Every inch of space and shelving is packed full of games, puzzles, animals, costumes, hats, wigs, wooden toys, metal toys.... you name it, it will probably be here.... amazing wee place!...oh and Helen did indeed find her present, so had to cough up some of her pocket money.

Imprimo

By now Christina was getting a bit foot weary (must have been the bags!), and remembered that she wanted a new pair of shoes, something comfortable. So we went round into St. Johns Place to visit one of our friends Margot, who owns Imprimo, a shoe emporium with attitude!!...well, mostly Margot's if the truth were told! Imprimo is the place to go if you are looking for shoes, boots, bags, scarves, jewellery, and accessories...something different, something a bit special, or 'slippers' in this case.

Now Margot is too hot on slippers, but in this occasion our luck was in, and a great pair of yellow slip on comfy shoes were soon inside an Imprimo bag. "Hooray" said my bankcard....time for a break I thought.

Now as I wasn't allowed to pop in to my local, Greyfriars Bar (free plug), we stopped off at Metzo Restaurant for lunch, which was enjoyable as ever, and children friendly.

Refreshed, our next stop was Provender Brown in George Street, a jam packed deli with mouth watering cheeses, cooked and cured meats, hams, wines, preserves, even take away coffee and baguettes. ...and Stornoway black pudding. At last, a place in Perth where I can get Stornoway black pudding, so that will be two to for the freezer them?...no problem.

Provender Brown

Any 'foodie' could spend a fortune in a place like this, with delicacies from all around the world, if you have not been, then GO!! A whole range of gourmet items and gifts await you. They will also take an order for you, or try and find something for you if they don't already stock it, that's what I call good service.

On this visit we noticed how often door was opened with people popping in to take a closer look at something, or to find that certain 'unusual' item for a friend. It was quirt a busy wee shop when we were there, and rightly so.