Ruthven Lane

Glasgow has found a wonderful way of recycling the old, if the vintage shopping trail up Great Western Road has piqued your appetite for bargains; Ruthven Lane is where you come to sate it. Located opposite Hillhead subway, the lane houses a small, ramshackle complex of vendors of pre-loved merchandise, patrolled by cats.

Established in 1986 this quirky store is a cornucopia of original treasures from decades past, with many years’ experience in buying and selling all sorts of accessories and textiles from a very wide range of eras.  The wealth of stock covers antique clothing dating back to the Victorian and Edwardian times, as well as vintage clothing and retro clothing right through to the 80s.

To the left as you go in is Starry Starry Night, a lovely green wooden shack-like establishment which houses a massive collection of vintage clothes and accessories (great for gloves!), including costumes for hire. There really is a bewildering array of beautiful, beautiful clothing, some of it a century old, so be prepared to part with a lot of cash. Also sold on the premises is Bethsy Gray’s marvelous handcrafted silver jewellery.

Most folk react to Relics the same way Luke did when he first set eyes on the Millennium Falcon: “what a heap of junk!” There’s treasure in the trash, however, if you’re willing to have a rummage. Just be careful, and don’t try going in with a rucksack as the navigable lanes between piles of old books and coins and televisions and musical instruments are narrow indeed. Here you’ll find film cameras, furniture and fol-de-rol in abundance. It’s easy to get trapped!

Next-door Glorious (previously The Glory Hole) is especially good for vintage shoes and accessories, and reasonably priced. Look out for their excellent selection of belts, costume jewellery, wigs, hats, and gloves which would make a fine addition to