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Scotland to the North of England
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, and Manchester: five city record scenes you can drive in a week.
Route: Glasgow → Edinburgh → Newcastle → Leeds → Manchester · 15 record stores across 5 stops
Stop by stop
Stop 1: Glasgow: Finnieston to the City Centre
Strip Joint Records
Record shop and bar combo in Finnieston with a small but well-chosen new-release corner.
Tip: Great spot before a gig at the Hydro or SEC — about a 10-minute walk away.
956A Argyle St, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 8LU, UK
Hours
Monday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM Tuesday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM Wednesday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM Thursday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM Friday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM Saturday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM Sunday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM Missing Records
Large independent shop with rarer, pricier items displayed around the walls and a well-organized genre layout.
Tip: Check the 'just arrived' stock first — good finds often don't make it to the main sections.
51 Oswald St, Glasgow G1 4PA, UK
Hours
Monday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Love Music
Well-stocked central Glasgow shop with vinyl, CDs, and tapes across genres.
Tip: Note the later opening time (11:30am on weekdays) if you're planning an early visit.
34 Dundas St, Glasgow G1 2AQ, UK
Hours
Monday 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Tuesday 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Wednesday 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Thursday 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Friday 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Saturday 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Sunday 10:30 AM - 4:45 PM
Stop 2: Edinburgh Dig
Thorne Records
Reasonably priced shop with a dedicated Scottish artists section and a well-regarded under-£15 bin.
Tip: Ask staff for a local artist recommendation — regulars say the picks are excellent.
125 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4EQ, UK
Hours
Monday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Thursday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Assai Records Edinburgh
Bright, modern shop that regularly hosts signings and listening events.
Tip: Check online stock before visiting — some genres like jazz and reggae run thin in-store.
1 Grindlay St, Edinburgh EH3 9AT, UK
Hours
Monday 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 PM Vinyl Villains
Long-running shop strong on hard rock and heavy metal, with rare finds hanging from the ceiling.
Tip: Most stock runs under £25, but look up for the pricier rarities on display.
5 Elm Row, Edinburgh EH7 4AA, UK
Hours
Monday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Thursday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Stop 3: Newcastle Dig
Vinyl Guru
Well-organized shop known for excellent Record Store Day queue management, including free coffee and biscuits.
Tip: Fast, secure shipping if you're ordering online from afar.
69 Westgate Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SG, UK
Hours
Monday Closed Tuesday Closed Wednesday 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM Friday 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday Closed Beatdown Records
Eclectic shop with a genuinely strong metal section tucked in the back.
Tip: Head to the back and turn right for the metal section — regulars call it a mini mecca.
Unit 1, Clarendon House, Bewick St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5EE, UK
Hours
Monday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday Closed Beyond Vinyl
Record shop and cafe in a striking Art Deco building, with live gigs hosted regularly.
Tip: Grab a coffee and settle onto the sofa — this is a linger-and-browse kind of shop.
The John Marley Centre, Muscott Grove, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 6TT, UK
Hours
Monday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday Closed
Stop 4: Leeds Dig
Crash Records Leeds
Two-floor shop with shockingly well-priced new vinyl and a packed secondhand basement.
Tip: The downstairs used section is a bit chaotic — budget real time to dig through it properly.
35 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU, UK
Hours
Monday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Thursday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Jumbo Records
Long-running Leeds institution that also sells concert tickets and hosts in-house bands.
Tip: Ask about spare shipping boxes if you're moving house — staff have been known to help out.
Merrion Street, 1-3 Merrion Centre, Leeds LS2 8NG, UK
Hours
Monday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Tuesday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Wednesday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Thursday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Sunday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Norman Records
Renowned mail-order specialist with a loyalty scheme and famously careful packaging.
Tip: Primarily a mail-order operation — check hours before a walk-in visit, as it's closed weekends.
Unit 34-35, Barkston House, Holbeck, Leeds LS11 9RT, UK
Hours
Monday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday Closed Sunday Closed
Stop 5: Manchester Northern Quarter Dig
Vinyl Resting Place
Hidden upstairs in Afflecks Palace, with a strong Japanese City Pop selection and gems in the 7-inch boxes.
Tip: Dig through the 7-inch boxes under the racks — regulars say the best finds hide there.
3rd Floor, Afflecks, 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW, UK
Hours
Monday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Thursday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday Closed Vinyl Exchange
Spacious shop with a genuinely strong metal section and a broad new-release lineup.
Tip: Ask Duncan downstairs if you need help — he's known for going the extra mile.
18 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JN, UK
Hours
Monday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 PM CLAMPDOWN RECORDS
Strong classic rock and pop selection alongside music memorabilia, magazines, and t-shirts.
Tip: Worth striking up a conversation with the owner about his collection — regulars say it's a good chat.
9-11 Paton St, Manchester M1 2BA, UK
Hours
Monday 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Tuesday 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Wednesday 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Thursday 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Friday 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Saturday 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Hours and details come from public listings and may have changed. Small shops often keep short or irregular hours, so check or call before a long trip. See something wrong? Use Still open? in the app and we will look into it.