Gavin’s Mill, a historic former wheat mill in Milngavie, has been many things during its long history, but it’s now home to a thriving shop, with Gifts, Books and a Zero Waste refillery, as well as a welcoming café and events venue with a year round calendar of workshops, music evenings, talks and art shows.

A social enterprise success story, which is constantly growing, The Mill is owned by a charity trust Gavin’s Mill Community Project, which purchased the Mill in 2021 to be developed as a resource for the local community and a home to support Fairtrade producers and products.

The profits from the business are fed back into supporting charitable initiatives in Scotland and overseas.

(Image: Gavin's Mill cafe)

Q. Tell us about the shop - what sort of items do you sell?

“This Christmas meaningful gift giving is on people’s minds more than ever. In a world experiencing change due to climate and with local small businesses trying desperately to cope with rising costs, we follow the idea of supporting small, local producers and independent businesses, mindful or our impact on the planet.

If you’re asking ‘What do they really need? Would they enjoy this gift know it’s purchase supports a living for someone, somewhere else?’, then Gavin’s Mill is the perfect place to visit.

We have some beautiful, unique gifts allowing you to chose things with real impact.

Homewares , ceramics, jewellery and textiles from artisan craftsmen in India and Asia.

Toys and knitwear made by hand in Nepal and Guatemala, but as well as supporting makers across the globe, we are also proud to support independent Scottish makers, offering customers a flavour of products from home grown talent too.

Highland Stoneware from Lochinver , soaps and scented goods from Ayrshire and Fife , as well as beautifully designed Christmas Decorations by an artists from right here in Denniston!!

For the foodies in your life we stock some delicious chocolates made using fairtrade cocoa and produced in Edinburgh. A wide variety of teas and coffees, pickles and condiments from the Western Isles as well as from the African continent.

We’re confident you’ll find some treats you won’t find easily anywhere else in Glasgow.

On top of that we can help you put together a hand picked hamper of goodies and present them for you, in a gift box with ribbon too.

All your shopping taken care of and wrapped in one stop!

Q. Tell us about the Cafe at Gavin’s Mill?

It’s a great wee place to catch up with friends and enjoy a coffee an a lunch or scone. our menu is made from scratch. We offer light lunches, homemade soups and savoury options,  like tartlets , focaccia sandwiches and all our food is vegetarian or vegan,with gluten free options too”.

Our array of home baking changes regularly depending on what our volunteer baking team come up with! 

We’re all about healthy, sustainable, locally sourced food where possible and very proud everything is made here in the Mill kitchens by the team. 

Q: Do you sell fresh produce too?

“Yes, we’re particularly proud of to sell bread and pastries from Freedom Bakery, a progressive social enterprise who have deliveries from each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, so you can get your fresh bread fix - if your quick!

Our customers also love the free range farm eggs from Corrie Mains in Ayrshire and organic fruit and vegetables from Locavore arrive fresh every week too.”

What also sets us apart, is that we cater to those seeking organic, vegan and allergen sensitive products too, we stock some brands you can’t easily find in the supermarkets.

Our Zero Waste refillery has grown and grown, with a wide range of wholefoods, cereals, pulses, grains to buy by the weight. We now sell confectionery, loose leaf teas, oils and vinegars too.

Our bodycare range including shampoos , handwash and soaps all come from a BCorp who are proud to produce in the UK using no chemicals, only natural ingredients so kinder to your skin and the planet.

You can buy detergent, cleaning products, even white vinegar from our refill range aswell, all by refilling the bottles you have already , saving on plastic waste. It’s a hugely positive and  growing trend and much cheaper too.

 

Q: You’re one of a very few independent book sellers in the area too aren’t you?

JK “Yes our little ‘Book Nook’ holds a beautifully curated range of Scottish interest books, including Scottish history, fiction, travel guides, books from beloved children’s author’s and so much more, our customers rarely leave without something! We also have a gorgeous range of art cards to suit any occasion.”


Visit Gavin's Mill in Milngavie for beautiful and unusual Scottish, Fairtrade and Ethical gifts this season.

Open Monday to Saturday, 10-4.3pm, and Sundays in December.

Find us at the foot of Tesco car park in Milngavie

Click to view  https://www.gavinsmill.org/

Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gavinsmill/?locale=en_GB