Leakey's Bookshop
Scotland's largest secondhand bookshop, housed in a former Gaelic church, offering over 100,000 books in a magical, cozy atmosphere.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more browsing time
Leakey's Bookshop
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more browsing time
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Scotland's largest secondhand bookshop, housed in a former Gaelic church, offering over 100,000 books in a magical, cozy atmosphere.
"Leakey's Bookshop is an absolute gem in Inverness! The place has a magical, old-world charm with books stacked from floor to ceiling."
🎯 Allow ample browsing time
You can easily spend hours lost in the stacks; don't rush your visit!
💳 Card payments accepted
While cash is an option, card payments are generally accepted for purchases.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Grand Interior
Main Hall
A former Gaelic church, the building itself is as captivating as the books, with soaring ceilings and a unique atmosphere.
Endless Bookshelves
All Levels
Lose yourself for hours among over 100,000 secondhand books, from fiction to rare prints and local history.
Cozy Log Fire
Main Hall
A warm log fire often burns, adding to the incredibly cozy and inviting ambiance of this literary haven.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Prepare for Literary Immersion
Navigating the Stacks
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Allow ample browsing time
You can easily spend hours lost in the stacks; don't rush your visit!
💳 Card payments accepted
While cash is an option, card payments are generally accepted for purchases.
🚶♀️ Be prepared for stairs
The bookshop is in an old church, so expect many steps and no level access.
📚 Look inside for prices
Prices are typically written inside the front cover of the books.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Allow ample browsing time
You can easily spend hours lost in the stacks; don't rush your visit!
💳 Card payments accepted
While cash is an option, card payments are generally accepted for purchases.
🚶♀️ Be prepared for stairs
The bookshop is in an old church, so expect many steps and no level access.
📚 Look inside for prices
Prices are typically written inside the front cover of the books.
☕ Nearby cafes
There are cafes and a wine bar nearby for a post-book browsing refreshment.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Leakey's Bookshop is widely praised as a magical and iconic destination in Inverness, celebrated for its vast collection of secondhand books housed in a stunning former church. Visitors adore the cozy atmosphere, the charm of the historic building, and the thrill of discovering literary treasures. However, some find the prices a bit high, and the lack of level access due to the building's nature is a point to consider.
"Wonderful bookshop and beautiful building. Spent over an hour browsing books . Unable to find exactly what I went in for. Did see lots of others that were of interest. Unfortunately prices were quite a bit more expensive than from where I normally purchase books so didn't get anything on this visit but it did inspire me to purchase elsewhere"
lynn kay
"Leakey’s is one of those places you cannot ignore if you are visiting Inverness, it is an iconic storehouse of books, prints etc. with a very knowledgeable staff and good prices. Close to the town centre with a host of other good shops around the area and good clean access. The only possible downside it’s not level access and there are steps, lots of steps. It is an old church after all!!"
David Milne
"One of our first stops in Inverness was Leakey's Bookshop. We'd heard about it from friends and we followed it on Instagram and couldn't wait to see the bookstore. This place did not disappoint. We looked high and low and walked away with some great crime noir books.
LOVE OUR TOTE ❤️ 📚"
Brenda Miller
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Leakey's Bookshop is located on Church Street in the heart of Inverness, making it easily accessible on foot from the town center. If arriving by car, there are several car parks nearby, though they can get busy.
Unfortunately, due to its location in an old church, Leakey's Bookshop does not have level access and involves many steps. Visitors with mobility issues should be aware of this.
Opening hours can vary, but generally, Leakey's Bookshop is open daily. It's always a good idea to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date hours before your visit.
Inverness has a central bus station and train station, both within walking distance of Leakey's Bookshop. Many local bus routes also stop near the town center.
Yes, Leakey's Bookshop is a well-known landmark on Church Street, often described as being in the heart of Inverness. Its unique church building makes it stand out.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, there is no admission fee to enter Leakey's Bookshop. It's a free-to-enter secondhand bookshop where you can browse to your heart's content.
Yes, all the books in Leakey's Bookshop are for sale. It's a secondhand bookshop, and the prices are typically written inside the first page of each book.
Yes, Leakey's Bookshop accepts card payments, so you don't need to worry about having only cash.
Leakey's Bookshop was established in 1979 and has been housed in the old Gaelic Church for the last 26-30 years. The church building itself dates back much further.
Leakey's Bookshop boasts over 100,000 selected volumes, making it Scotland's largest secondhand bookshop.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The atmosphere is often described as magical, cozy, and enchanting. The scent of old books, the vast collection, and the historic church building create a unique, old-world charm.
Many visitors find themselves spending hours browsing the extensive collection. It's easy to lose track of time in this literary wonderland.
Yes, the bookshop is housed in a former Gaelic church, complete with stained glass windows and a cozy log fire that adds to the charm.
You can find a vast array of books, including fiction, non-fiction, literary criticism, maps, prints, and local history.
Absolutely! The unique architecture of the church and the towering bookshelves make it a very photogenic spot.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there are several cafes and eateries in the vicinity of Leakey's Bookshop in Inverness, perfect for a break after browsing.
Leakey's Bookshop itself does not have a cafe or restaurant, but there are many dining options available in the surrounding area.
It's generally best to consume food and drinks outside the bookshop to protect the books. There are nearby places to enjoy refreshments.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed inside Leakey's Bookshop, and many visitors capture the unique atmosphere. Be mindful of other visitors and avoid flash photography if it might be disruptive.
The main hall with the towering shelves, the log fire, and the stained glass windows offer fantastic photo opportunities. The sheer scale of the book collection is also a great subject.
Some visitors feel Leakey's Bookshop has a magical, Harry Potter-esque vibe, with its old church setting and vast book collection, reminiscent of Flourish and Blotts. +1
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's important to note the bookshop's layout with many stairs, so keeping a close eye on children is essential. Consider making it a shorter visit focused on finding a specific type of book or simply enjoying the unique environment. Nearby cafes offer a good spot for snacks and a break afterwards.
📚 Book Lovers & Bibliophiles
+2Many visitors come with specific interests, like crime fiction or local history, and often leave with treasures they didn't expect. The charm of finding a book in such a distinctive setting is part of the appeal. Don't forget to check out the prints and maps as well!
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
The cozy log fire adds a warm, inviting element to photos, especially during cooler months.
Be sure to capture the sheer scale of the book collection, from floor to ceiling, to convey the immensity of the place. Remember to be respectful of other visitors and avoid disruptive flash photography. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Magic of Leakey's Bookshop
It's renowned as Scotland's largest secondhand bookshop, boasting an astonishing collection of over 100,000 volumes. The sheer scale of the inventory, spread across multiple levels within the historic church building, creates an atmosphere that is both awe-inspiring and incredibly cozy. The building itself contributes significantly to the shop's charm. The soaring ceilings, stained glass windows, and the ever-present warmth of a log fire create a truly magical ambiance.
Visitors often describe feeling transported to another time, lost among the towering shelves filled with everything from classic literature to local history and rare prints. +1While the bookshop is a dream for bibliophiles, it's worth noting that due to its historic nature as a church, there are numerous steps and no level access, which may be a consideration for some visitors.
Finding Literary Treasures
This vast collection means there's a high chance of finding something that catches your eye, whether you're a seasoned collector or a casual reader. The inventory spans a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, history, and even old maps and prints. Many visitors specifically seek out crime noir, local history, and older editions, finding great success in the diverse stacks.
Beyond just books, Leakey's also offers prints and maps, adding another layer of potential discovery for visitors. The thrill of the hunt, combined with the atmospheric setting, makes browsing Leakey's a rewarding experience for any book lover.
+1
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit