r/Glasgow Tools

The prospects for model making shops in Glasgow aren't as good as they used to be, but there's still options, and at least travelling around the Country, Glasgow's better than most places...

Scott's Models and Wild Cat Models have been mentioned. The last time I was in Scott's (over a year ago) his stock was fairly low unfortunately (and I'm not even sure if he's still open). As for Wild Cat, they're better, but the items carried are mostly the basics. Neither really match the range carried by Waddell's Models or Past Times - both of which are now closed.

Millers will provide you with things like balsa and plasticard. I.e. the body of a model, but not so much the details. You can buy clay there, though its cheaper online. Hobby Craft is similar. I've found them better for bulk stuff as they have more discounts.

Rather if its for scenery and the like you're better off heading to Edinburgh. They don't really cater to the Wargaming crowd, but there's a pair of decent scale modelling shops.

Harburn Hobbies seems to cater almost exclusively for the model train scene. Their prices are fairly high - even for little things - but maybe that's just how that market is. They have the usual stuff like plasticard along with little details.

Wonderland Model's your better option. They cover most of the basics, though I find the bulk of their stock is of model kits. I guess in that mindset that folk will build all their scenery from scratch. I'd say that if you're in the Central Belt then they're your best option for brick and mortar stores.

Whilst you may want to buy things like balsa and foam locally due to their size, you'd likely find most other items online for cheaper. Especially when it comes to the less generic stuff (like actual pieces of scenery, detailing pieces, etc - i.e. trimming for buildings, gutters, windows). I'd recommend looking at [Northumbrian Painting Service's website](https://www.paintinghistory.co.uk/) for that sort of thing.

As for well, just general chatting to folk, that's going to be really down to shop. The larger chains may give you pointers, but that's assuming that the staff their even specialise in that department. I've spoken with the staff at Scott's & Wild Cat Models in the past and they're happy enough to give information on what's on offer.

Static Games is more wargaming focussed, but they're a better shot than going to Games Workshop to ask about this sort of thing (which I'd advise avoiding). There's a few other wargaming shops in the Central Belt, though frankly if you're looking for anything scenery related they're not the places to look. Common Ground Games in Stirling had some scenery bits for sale that last time I was in their years ago (static grass was the main interest). 6s2hit (I think it was called) in Edinburgh, and West End Games in Glasgow don't carry anything of use.

There does seem to be a subset of folk into scale modelling - as opposed to wargaming - in Glasgow. At least based on the attendance of the model shows here in the past few years. I just think most either shop online or ask shops to order things in. With most shops not having stock on hand due to their small margins. I can't speak for pure modelling groups, though at least in the Glasgow area there's the Warhog and G3 Gamers wargaming clubs. The Warhog guys tend to put together nice tables for their show games, so they could be worth a look.