Final Up to date on eighth October 2024 by Charlotte Nadeau
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It’s no secret that for most individuals, books are a way of grounding, familiarity and general heat and luxury. Leakey’s Bookshop is a family-owned treasure trove which has been promoting used and antiquarian books, maps and prints in Inverness since 1979.
As if plucked straight out of a Victorian novel, you may discover the labyrinths of cabinets that are stacked excessive with books which have been handed on by means of the generations, all of the whereas inhaling that acquainted ‘musty guide’ scent that’s onerous to not really feel comforted by. Right here’s learn how to go to Leakey’s Bookshop!
Introducing Leakey’s Bookshop
This gem of a bookshop was first established by Charles Leakey in 1979 and was initially unfold over two outlets. In 1994, after the conversion of a Seventeenth-century Gaelic church within the coronary heart of Inverness was accomplished, the bookshop had a brand new house and crammed the area we all know and see right this moment.
Nestled alongside Church Avenue within the metropolis centre, simply minutes from the River Ness, you can simply stroll proper previous the bookshop, mistaking it for a disused church. Nevertheless, that is definitely one spot in Inverness you received’t wish to miss!
For over 45 years now, Leakey’s Bookshop has been a treasure of Scotland and famend worldwide as being one of the crucial lovely bookshops. Stacked from flooring to ceiling with secondhand titles, maps and prints, it’s a goldmine of literature and heritage.
The house owners, Charles Leakey and his son Sam Leakey don’t know the precise variety of books they home; it’s regarded as someplace close to 10,000. They’ve additionally revealed that their oldest guide, which is tucked away safely within the household’s personal assortment, dates again to 1496.
The huge assortment continues to develop, and it’s evident that this forest of books is prospering as they’re precariously stacked upon each other on all surfaces the attention can see. It’s change into well-known worldwide and a must-see spot in Inverness, whether or not you’re a bookworm or not, it’s onerous to not be enchanted by Leakey’s Bookshop.
OPENING HOURS:
Monday to Saturday – 10 am – 5:30 pm & closed on Sundays
How one can go to
Merely stroll by means of the emerald-painted inexperienced doorway and revel in exploring the nooks and corners of this excellent bookshop. Leakey’s Bookshop is the second largest second-hand bookshop in Scotland, and each single pocket of the area has been used with effectivity.
It’s not unusual to listen to a pant or two as new guests enter, and upon first glimpse at this paper jungle, you may see a comfortable wooden hearth within the centre of the store. Set throughout two flooring, it’s simple to see the format of the previous ecclesiastical constructing; there are spiral staircases that wind as much as the second flooring.
From the mezzanine, you may get pleasure from views overlooking the hundreds of books and sit on one of many many chairs positioned across the store in order that guests can take their time searching.
The most effective issues to do whereas exploring the bookshop is to have a chat with whoever is working. In the event you’re fortunate, chances are you’ll get an opportunity to talk to one of many Leakey’s who supply pleasant and engaging tales surrounding each the historical past of the store, the guide assortment and the way it continues to develop.
You may simply spend a few hours right here, getting misplaced within the pages of all of the great books, and when the fireplace’s roaring, it’s onerous to not curl up on one of many armchairs and get caught right into a story or two.
This guide lovers’ haven has change into such a preferred spot that Leakey’s Bookshop now provides small guided excursions for teams greater than 5, the place they present you behind the scenes and the workings of guide accumulating itself. You’ll be able to guide this prematurely through their web site.
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