T.G. Allan’s

I had a real problem yesterday. I had to buy a birthday card for my gran, a highland cow fridge magnet for my American friend, a hammer to carry out some DIY at home and some bits and pieces for my car. I only had an hour to buy all this stuff and I was fighting off a massive craving for a scone and jam and a cup of tea at the time.
Okay, this is a lie. But if this unlikely situation was to occur, T.G. Allan’s would solve every problem. As the previous reviewer said, it’s a ramshackle of a shop selling an odd combination of hardware and tourists gifts. The little café tagged on to the back is even odder.

Allan clearly couldn’t decide exactly what his business should be. Part hardware shop, part kitchenware supplier, part tourist tat retailer and part coffee shop, a visit to Allan’s is exactly what is required if you have an extremely bizarre shopping list.
Nevertheless, there’s something likeable about the way this unusual mish-​mash is offered. For one thing, there is an undeniable order to it. Despite the variation, the shop is well presented and does not resemble the sort of junk shops that offer a similarly wide range of products. Secondly, much of the stock offered here is good quality stuff, particularly in terms of the kitchenware which features many brand names. And thirdly, the staff are extremely friendly and helpful.
It may not be the sort of shop I’d visit on a regular basis, but at least I now have somewhere to go next time I fancy a fridge magnet, a spanner, a frying pan and a scone.