How To Visit Leakey’s Bookshop: A Scottish Goldmine of Second-hand Books

Last Updated on 25th February 2025 by Sophie Nadeau

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It’s no secret that for most people, books are a sense of grounding, familiarity and overall warmth and comfort. Leakey’s Bookshop is a family-owned treasure trove which has been selling used and antiquarian books, maps and prints in Inverness since 1979.

As if plucked straight out of a Victorian novel, you can explore the labyrinths of shelves which are stacked high with books that have been passed on through the generations, all the while inhaling that familiar ‘musty book’ smell that is hard not to feel comforted by. Here’s how to visit Leakey’s Bookshop!

Introducing Leakey’s Bookshop

This gem of a bookshop was first established by Charles Leakey in 1979 and was originally spread over two shops. In 1994, after the conversion of a 17th-century Gaelic church in the heart of Inverness was completed, the bookshop had a new home and filled the space we know and see today.

Nestled along Church Street in the city centre, just minutes from the River Ness, you could easily walk right past the bookshop, mistaking it for a disused church. However, this is certainly one spot in Inverness you won’t want to miss!

For over 45 years now, Leakey’s Bookshop has been a treasure of Scotland and renowned worldwide as being one of the most beautiful bookshops. Stacked from floor to ceiling with secondhand titles, maps and prints, it’s a goldmine of literature and heritage.

The owners, Charles Leakey and his son Sam Leakey don’t know the exact number of books they house; it’s thought to be somewhere near 10,000. They’ve also revealed that their oldest book, which is tucked away safely in the family’s private collection, dates back to 1496.

The vast collection continues to grow, and it’s evident that this forest of books is thriving as they are precariously stacked upon one another on all surfaces the eye can see. It’s become famous worldwide and a must-see spot in Inverness, whether you’re a bookworm or not, it’s hard not to be enchanted by Leakey’s Bookshop.

How to visit

Simply walk through the emerald-painted green doorway and enjoy exploring the nooks and corners of this wonderful bookshop. Leakey’s Bookshop is the second largest second-hand bookshop in Scotland, and every single pocket of the space has been used with efficiency.

It’s not uncommon to hear a gasp or two as new visitors enter, and upon first glimpse at this paper jungle, you can see a cosy wood fire in the centre of the shop. Set across two floors, it’s easy to see the layout of the former ecclesiastical building; there are spiral staircases that wind up to the second floor.

From the mezzanine, you can enjoy views overlooking the thousands of books and take a seat on one of the many chairs placed around the shop so that visitors can take their time browsing.

One of the best things to do while exploring the bookshop is to have a chat with whoever is working. If you’re lucky, you may get a chance to speak to one of the Leakey’s who offer friendly and fascinating stories surrounding both the history of the shop, the book collection and how it continues to grow.

You could easily spend a couple of hours here, getting lost in the pages of all the wonderful books, and when the fire’s roaring, it’s hard not to curl up on one of the armchairs and get stuck into a story or two.

This book lovers’ haven has become such a popular spot that Leakey’s Bookshop now offers small guided tours for groups bigger than five, where they show you behind the scenes and the workings of book collecting itself. You can book this in advance via their website.

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