The Big Top

This shop is so lovely and full of toys you won’t find elsewhere. There’s an emphasis on traditional toys so if you’re looking for a spinning top, marionette, a kite or a well crafted bear then this is the place to come. I liked the pocket money toy section with bubble guns and magic tricks. I spent my £1 weekly allowance in a shop like this back in the day and it’s nice to think that kids are still doing that now. For big kids aka collectors there are some glass cabinets with metal robots and Russian dolls which will tempt you to empty your wallet. The toy prices are generally what you’d expect though I noticed the stuffed animals were very expensive (possibly handmade?). The only downside to this shop is that it doesn’t stock some of the more well known brands so you’ll be dissapointed if you’re looking for Lego or Barbie. But the unique stock really adds to the magic and wonder of a visit here.

This little toy shop is like stepping back in time!
There are beautiful bears and russian dolls behind glass cases. They have so many amazing little toys which you would never find in the big toy shops like gorgeous little metal robots, a massive selection of hand puppets and the most beautiful venetian style masks.
It is a man and wife which run the shop so the opening hours are only a guide to when they will be open as it is just the two of them. As inconvenient as that might be to some in this day and age I find it quite charming. I also love the fact that their 2 large dogs roam around the reasonable sized shop seeing what everyone is buying.
A lovely little shop and definitely worth a visits… even if you don’t have kids.

Roz M & Rob K are right — this is the kind of toy shop that dreams are made of! It’s got a lovely welcoming vibe to it (thanks to the lady behind the counter who is incredibly sweet and helpful) and all the stock seems like it’s hand-​picked and of a high quality.
I was in to buy a #socialmediasanta present (presents go to Shelter Scotland to go to a kid who otherwise wouldn’t get a gift on Christmas day) and I like to double-​up my good-​deed doing by supporting a local business at the same time. Hence, my first visit to The Big Top.
As soon as I walked in I saw a wall of books which were perfect — a great range of books on interesting topics and for different ages, and all reasonably priced. I had a little bit of a look around — there’s a wall of cute plastic animals (remember the farmyard animals you had as a kid?), lots more books, wooden toys and railway sets and the CUTEST collection of kilted bears I’ve ever seen. Yes, you heard right — bears wearing kilts. These are made in Scotland by a famous kilt-​maker (not sure who) and they seemed of really high quality (as well as being adorable). They are definitely going on the to-​buy list for all my Australian nephews and niece!
If you’ve never been here, then definitely go — it’s the definition of a hidden gem! And if you love dogs, there are two in the store which makes the experience all the more exciting.

Stopped in here a few weeks ago for a quick look — and didn’t emerge until almost an hour later.
With the exception of a small Disney range, most of the products on sale here are quite old fashioned — but there is something for everyone here. From traditional wooden trains, puppets and dolls, to swords/​shields and the occasional drone — you will find it here!
The staff seemed really friendly, and were on their hands and knees playing with some kids as their parents were wandering about.
I spent the whole time resisting the urge to buy every other item (especially their awesome robots) — for me obviously (yup, big kid here!).

Now this could quite be the perfect toy shop! I discovered it relatively recently but have enjoyed browsing and purchasing a number of items both for my wee boy and my nephews.
You won’t find many mass produced, plastic toys here, this shop stocks wooden toys, puppets, books, mobiles, all manner of cuddly toys (from a rather fabulous octopus to a bright orange orangutan that I couldn’t resist buying!), dress up items, percussion instruments… basically all the toys your imagination ever needed!
Prices are good for the quality of items and you are guaranteed to find something a bit different if you are looking for a present for someone.
The owners are lovely and chatty and happy to leave you to browse or help out with suggestions and ideas. We usually end up chatting about their grandkids which I think is just lovely.