The Scottish Antique and Arts Centres at Abernyte offers a shopping experience which inspires and delights, suiting many tastes, budgets and interests.
Our unrivalled selection of antiques and collectables, from Scotland and further afield, perfectly complement an ever changing range of gifts, homewares and fashion accessories. These are carefully selected by our buyers who are always seeking the latest items, offering quality, value and a hint of luxury.
Situated a short drive from Scotland’s major cities we boast an abundance of free parking and over 35000 sqft of retail space on one level. The centres are proud to have established a reputation for providing a stimulating day out along with an imaginative and cost effective solution to gift shopping and home furnishing.
Friendly and approachable members of staff are on hand to offer advice on antique purchases and to make helpful suggestions on our gift and contemporary furniture ranges.
Our restaurant, Café Circa, reflects the ethos of the Scottish Antique & Arts Centre by offering the finest traditional ingredients in a fresh, imaginative style.
Shopping should be civilised! Treat yourself and your family to a visit to the Scottish Antique and Arts Centre – a warm welcome awaits.
Open 7 days 10.00-17.00, free parking
The Scottish Antique and Arts Centre Celebrate Their Silver Anniversary
Thursday 2nd June 2022 marks a milestone in the story of The Scottish Antique and Arts Centre in Abernyte, when they will be quietly celebrating 25 years since they first opened their doors.
Back in 1997, founders, Bob & Elaine Templeman proposed the new to Scotland concept of an antiques centre, occupied by dealers showcasing all ranges of antiques and curios. The antiques would be complimented by contemporary furniture, gifts and home accessories, providing a really comprehensive offering to those who wanted to furnish their homes with a bit of style.
Bob thought that Stout Brothers Garage in Abernyte, which was lying empty at the time, would be the ideal place to open their new business. Elaine thought it was far too big but, two showroom extensions later, we know who was correct!
The business opened with fourteen dealers in total. Turn the clock forward 25 years and there are now over 100 dealers represented. The restaurant and food hall have been developed significantly, and the Centre has become a popular meeting point, not only for the local community, but for those meeting up with friends and family from opposite ends of the country.
When it first opened, the couple had no idea that they would end up employing the equivalent of 30 full time members of staff on the site. “It’s our pleasure to work with an amazing team of people. They have helped us enormously over the years” they said. “They have, on several occasions, mopped up flood water which came pouring in from the surrounding tattie fields, they have trudged to the Centre through snow to check on the premises and they have served thousands upon thousands of customers, and they always manage to be so courteous and helpful. They have made our journey possible.”
They also didn’t realise that the antique side of the business would be so ethically in vogue after all these years. It’s wonderful that generation after generation can make use of beautifully crafted items without adding to the country’s carbon footprint.
The Centre is unusual in that it can cater for people in so many stages of their life. It can go from supplying a glorious engagement ring to a couple, to helping them with some artwork for their walls, and eventually providing the likes of a kitchen or dining table for an expanding family.
Bob said, “We’re delighted that one of our newest members of staff has just purchased her engagement ring from the Centre, and that the young lady, who took the plunge 25 years (and one week) ago to leave an auction house in Dundee and join us at Abernyte, is now our CEO.
It's been a fabulous and interesting journey for Dealers, customers and staff alike, and on Thursday, they’ll be raising a glass to the next 25 years!
