We love an independent bookshop here in Glasgow, with many locals choosing to support local businesses instead of big chains. Plus, one bookshop in particular got noticed by the British Book Awards this year – Daydreams Bookshop.
Daydreams Bookshop is located in Milngavie on Stewart Street, “filled with shelves that invite you to slow down, browse, and discover something new”. The shop stocks both brand new books and secondhand finds, championing a sense of community and connection.
What is more, Daydreams Bookshop supports local businesses and independent publishers, with a carefully curated selection that the staff genuinely loves to choose from. Those wanting to donate their unwanted books can also do so in the shop if they were originally bought in-store. By doing so, shoppers get a £1 credit for their next purchase, as part of Daydreams Bookshop’s Second-Hand & Trade-In.
The spot also hosts community events, such as author talks, book clubs, and storytelling sessions – according to the bookshop, “there’s always something happening”!
The British Book Awards 2026
The British Book Awards 2026 have selected finalists for each region in the UK, and Scotland has eight in the running to become the best bookshop this year. For Scotland, alongside Daydreams Bookshop, Argonaut Books and the Book Lovers Bookshop in Edinburgh made the cut, as well as Far From the Madding Crowd in Linlithgow, Heron & Willow in Jedburgh, The Book Nook in Stirling, The Wee Bookshop in Dollar and the Ullapool Bookshop.
Tom Tivnan, deputy editor, The Bookseller, said: “The most gratifying thing about the 2026 Independent Bookshop of the Year is not just the record number of submissions, but the Grade-A quality of each and every one of them. We all know the current travails of the High Street in general, but indies across the UK and Ireland are meeting the difficulties with grit, innovation and community spirit.
What impresses is how these shops are nimbly and proactively moving into areas that tap into local needs, such as launching festivals, fundraisers, wellness groups and supporting local schools. All this on top of the core mission of spreading the joy of books, which indies arguably do better and with more passion than any other sector.”
The final ceremony will take place on May 11 in London, with the regional winners to be revealed on March 10, 2026.