RMweb Premium Alex TM Posted March 25, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 25, 2017 Hi folks, I will be making some trips in the near future to the north-east of Scotland. Checking the usual search engines I can't seem to find any model shops to 'escape' to when I have spare time. Can anyone point me to any? If it's of any help my first trip will see me in the Aberdeen and Keith areas. Thanks. Regards, Alex. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium dhjgreen Posted March 25, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 25, 2017 (edited) http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/shops/774-ModelsUnlimited Edit: I do not know them, just knew where to look for a model shop. Edited March 25, 2017 by dhjgreen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Alex TM Posted March 25, 2017 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted March 25, 2017 Hi David, Thanks for the suggestion. They did come up on the Yell.com search but website is down, no online information re opening hours, phone just seems to ring, etc, etc. I had tried to find Moray Models but they seem to have gone too (is this correct?). Regards, Alex. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium dhjgreen Posted March 25, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 25, 2017 Hi David, Thanks for the suggestion. They did come up on the Yell.com search but website is down, no online information re opening hours, phone just seems to ring, etc, etc. I had tried to find Moray Models but they seem to have gone too (is this correct?). Regards, Alex. Mixed reviews too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal.n Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 In Brechin (Near Montrose), there is a small model shop called Ingram Models, it's probably not worth going out of your way to go but has some cheap locos and a lot of bodyshells. The guy is friendly but will try to sell you the new free 'Railway Magazine' modellers mag for 50p... In Dundee, there is the Invergowrie Model Shop and is a little better stocked and well worth a visit if passing through, it's not far off the main road to Aberdeen (Kingsway). In Kirriemuir, there is 'Macs Model Railroading' which (as the name suggests) has a US theme, but a great place for scenics (he has his own range along with loads of woodlands scenics stuff). He also has a floor to celing pile of Railway Modellers and will happily sell you 10 for £1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bon Accord Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 (edited) Hi David, Thanks for the suggestion. They did come up on the Yell.com search but website is down, no online information re opening hours, phone just seems to ring, etc, etc. I had tried to find Moray Models but they seem to have gone too (is this correct?). Regards, Alex. I think the Inverurie shop might be finished. I walked past the shop at the back end of last year and it certainly appeared to be permanently closed. As for Morays Models, if memory serves they are still extant but no longer have a publicly accessible premises. Edited March 25, 2017 by Bon Accord Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 (edited) There is/was one in the Victorian Market in Inverness, and a Games Workshop on the road through to the back of the bus station, almost opposite TKMax - If you are going further north There is the Sports and Model Shop in Dingwall High Street. There is also Buckie Model Centre (Run it all together and add .Com)for the web addy) I think there was a model shop in Aberdeen, but no idea where. I think there was opne in Thurso - if you are really going Northand allegedly one in John'O Groats, but I have never found it. Edited March 26, 2017 by shortliner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Unfortunately model shops in Aberdeen city are extinct now since the demise of ModelZone - we did have a few at one stage but alas no more. As Bon Accord has already stated, even Models Unlimited in Inverurie seems to have gone now... as far as I know the only places stocking any model railway stock are Hawkins Bazaar and HobbyCraft but the range is not much more than a few scenic (HC) and a bit of Hornby track and trainsets. There was a little place in Portlethen called H&I Supplies that was OK - is years since I was last in as wrong side of town for me - don't know if still trading though - was in the middle of an industrial estate a few miles out of Aberdeen. This part of the country does seem a bit bare for model shops which I find odd given the concentration of engineers in the area, together with plenty of cash... Me, I save up for visits to Edinburgh to that wonderful Harburn's Hobbies, or pop into Monk Bar when down to visit inlaws (reduces time with them!). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Alex TM Posted March 26, 2017 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted March 26, 2017 Hi folks, Thanks for all the additional information. I must admit to being rather well-off in terms of model shops. Due to good fortune, friends and family, I have ready access to shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Chester, Widnes, Birmingham, Northampton, York, and Norwich. There was also, once, A great shop in Dunfermline (Abbey Models), though that was going as Terry (the owner) was retiring. That said, I always like to explore other places. My next trip north will not take me near Inverness (haven't been there since July 2005 - on a day few of us will ever forget), though a visit there is long overdue. Thanks regards, Alex. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I can't add to the OP request for model shops in NE Scotland, but if you widen it to "railway-related" then Deeside Books has a decent selection of secondhand books, if you're passing. The flooding that affected Ballater caused severe disruption to many businesses, including this one. I believe it has now re-opened. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckymucklebackit Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 It is a sad reflection on the state of the hobby in Scotland that there are so few model shops in general, not so long ago there were two in Paisley (one on my road home from work) and one conveniently placed in Cathcart Road. Now I have to travel to Uddingston to find a decent shop and even here stocks can be limited, Waddells are similarly poorly stocked compared to D&F. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Kirk Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Hi, Sad indeed but unfortunately a fact of modern life. High Street Model Shops are hardly likely to be a growth area these days. Closures due to retirement like Abbey Models are also inevitable as the generation of model shop owners that I knew are all reaching a "certain age". When I had the factory and was selling most of my production through the shops I bought a custom produced business guide (Capricorn) which allegedly listed all Model Shops in the Country (I did find a few missing, they did not cover Scotland too well). This was in 1988. It is sobering to look through this now and see how many there were and how few there seems to be now. I doubt if there are anywhere near ten in Glasgow/lanarkshire now or six in Edinburgh. Not much use to theOP now but in 1988 there were 2 in Aberdeen, and one each in Elgin Lossiemouth Inverness and Dingwall. The Guide covered England much more extensively for example Lancashire 33 shops listed. I wonder how many are still active? best wishes, Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium it's-er Posted March 28, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 28, 2017 I don't think there are 6 model railway shops In Edinburgh these days! Its Harburn Hobbies in Elm Row (effectively part of Leith Walk) which majors on model railways and is excellent; and Wonderland Models in Lothian Road, which has a smallish railway section. And I think that's pretty much it. John Storey Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted March 29, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 29, 2017 I don't think there are 6 model railway shops In Edinburgh these days! Its Harburn Hobbies in Elm Row (effectively part of Leith Walk) which majors on model railways and is excellent; and Wonderland Models in Lothian Road, which has a smallish railway section. And I think that's pretty much it. John Storey I don't actually recall any more than those two from when I lived in Edinburgh in the 70s and 80s. There were some other model shops, such as Marionville Models which specialised in aircraft and radio control, but I don't remember any that I would class as model railway shops. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckymucklebackit Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 So - Putting together a list for Scotland for Railway Model Shops we have (feel free to comment and add/delete) Harburn Hobbies, Edinburgh Wonderland Models, Edinburgh (Limited Stock) Uddingston Model Centre, Lanarkshire Waddells, Glasgow Pastimes, Glasgow (Second Hand Shop) McLaren Models, Falkirk Scoonie Hobbies, Kirkaldy Time Tunnel Models, Fenton Barns (North Berwick) - never been in this shop so no idea of stock Invergowrie Model Centre The Sports and Model Shop - Dingwall Mcakenzie Models - John O' Groats Buckie Model Centre A sum total of 12!! Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 (edited) So - Putting together a list for Scotland for Railway Model Shops we have (feel free to comment and add/delete) Harburn Hobbies, Edinburgh Wonderland Models, Edinburgh (Limited Stock) Uddingston Model Centre, Lanarkshire Waddells, Glasgow Pastimes, Glasgow (Second Hand Shop) McLaren Models, Falkirk Scoonie Hobbies, Kirkaldy Time Tunnel Models, Fenton Barns (North Berwick) - never been in this shop so no idea of stock Invergowrie Model Centre The Sports and Model Shop - Dingwall Mcakenzie Models - John O' Groats Buckie Model Centre A sum total of 12!! Jim Macs Models, Kirriemuir? = 13? Edited March 29, 2017 by shortliner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Alder Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 I still run a part of the shop with models - paints and accessories, plastic kits and Games Workshop, but gave up model railways as a lost cause about eight years ago. TBH, it is more an indulgence and service to local modellers than a profitable enterprise, but one of the few joys of self employment means the command chain is very short and I do not have to justify any executive decisions. I keep it going also to try and encourage youngsters to make things, and the current generation are a good bit more receptive to this than their parents were. Durrans Thurso 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black five 60 Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 Wolf models Dumbarton red Partick Glasgow 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian Smeeton Posted March 29, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 29, 2017 Isn't there a shop in Helensburgh as well? I can't remember the name, but seem to recall that they were mainly American biased. Regards Ian 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckymucklebackit Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 Isn't there a shop in Helensburgh as well? I can't remember the name, but seem to recall that they were mainly American biased. Regards Ian That was Macs Models, now in Kirriemuir as advised by shortliner Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckymucklebackit Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 Wolf models Dumbarton red Partick Glasgow Good Find, must check that one out, is it not called Wildcat Models? Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black five 60 Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Wolf models Dumbarton red Partick Glasgow Sorry folks been corrected the shop is called wildcat models sorry gents Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Cat Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Not a model shop, but if you happen to be up here on the second weekend of the month then the little railway museum at Maud is worth a visit. http://www.friendsofmaud.org.uk 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScRSG Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 See also this thread: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/117649-good-shops-for-locos-and-carriages-scotlandnorth-england/&do=findComment&comment=2561421 Also add Altyre Models in Cowdenbeath, visited there on Saturday last before a (disastrous) footie match. Just started doing railways, very limited stock as yet. Good stocks of OO buses trucks etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Alex TM Posted April 4, 2017 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted April 4, 2017 Hi everyone, Thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions. Regards, Alex. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now