10/11/2025
🌟 Meet the Owner! 🌟
After a lively discussion yesterday about our brand identity and welcoming several new followers, I thought it was time to reintroduce myself.
I’m Fiona, the proud owner of Ness Gifts! Originally from Dores, I returned in 2012 with my husband and our little ones to start a B&B. Our guests frequently asked us, “Where can we find locally made souvenirs?” This sparked the idea for something special in our own community.
But life got busy, and we couldn’t act on it—until COVID hit! With the B&B temporarily closed, I had time to dream big. A chat with a crafty friend, whose orders were cancelled during lockdown, reignited my passion for retail, and that’s when Ness Gifts was born!
Even though our physical shop is small due to planning restrictions, I poured hours into partnering with local crafters to fill our shelves with beautiful handmade products. While we embrace our Loch Ness home with a dedicated Nessie section (but you won’t find any imported tat here!), our other items range from stunning glassware and ceramics to unique jewellery, tweed goods, soaps, candles, kids clothes, books, art and much more, most of which you won’t find anywhere else.
Since opening, the response has been amazing! I love hearing comments like, “I’ve never seen these things in other shops,” and “This is the nicest gift shop we’ve seen!” 💖
This year, we’ve evolved our business model to become a cooperative with our talented suppliers, meaning they rent shelf space and keep 100% of sales from their items. It’s a win-win that helps us stay below the VAT threshold and supports small, local producers.
If you haven’t stopped by yet, come visit us in Dores, and discover that our selection goes beyond “the usual Nessie tat”! Your support means the world to us! 🙌✨
