31/05/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18z8Ed2P9J/
Bill was our neighbour in St Andrews, Wonderful booksellers and wonderful memories. I bought lots of books from them over the years. His Mum and Dad watched the shop often and we became good friends. Bill is a gentleman and very knowlegable So lovely to see this piece up on Bouquiniste,
"My name is Bill, this is Bouquiniste on 31 Market Street in St. Andrews and I've been here since 1982.
My English teacher started me on this journey because when he retired, he became a secondhand book seller, he was working out of his house in Hepburn Gardens, Jimmy Lane, that's who started it all, he was my teacher in my last year at Blairgowrie High School.
I'd always bought books from a young age, I'd say 13 or 14, the interest was always there but I only started selling them when he did, he showed me how to do it really. It was at that time when it was possible buy someplace in town. I would source the books myself whether it was donations or going to other shops and filled every corner I could, in those days, I was the youngest bookstore owner in town.
What I love is, when you have a book, you don't know where it's been, who has had it. They can be passed on from generation to generation and maybe they'll end up here, I like the idea of that, there's a magic in that.
July 5th marks out 44th year in the shop, and like yourself, I get a lot of enjoyment out of meeting people, each person is different from the last. It's my wifes place, she does all the hard work behind the scenes, but I'd say I was the face of it, when I first retired I was in here 7 days a week. I taught for 34 years at Glenrothes High School, my dad, who was a policeman, when he retired he would work through the week and I'd be back in at the weekends.
I've met all kinds of people, locals, students and tourists, it goes back to that enjoyment of it, to just talk to people because as an English teacher, all you do is talk. I think people should talk more, I can see why you do what you do. Many of my customers have become friends, that's always been a positive of living in St. Andrews.
Anybody visiting should come in, have a look, I've definitely got something for everyone unless you're a mathematician because I've very few books on that! Maybe two you're lucky. It was always English, that's what my got my degree in Edinburgh. I like history, local history especially, that street outside was there since the 1100s. This shop was built in the late 19th century, I've seen a lot of changes in my time here. Houses are snapped up fast and turned in Airbnbs, that's the reality everywhere nowadays.
You asked me about my favourite book earlier and I've had a think, so my personal favourite fiction book is A Prayer of Owen Meany by John Irving and non fiction would be Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes by Robert Louis Stevenson"
Thank you to Bill for his time that day, independent bookstores like Bouquiniste are vital to readers of all ages. Please give the wonderful Bills story a wee share. Thank you🫶🏻
I've also learned that today is Bills birthday! 🥳
