For this edition of my stockist spotlight I’ve caught up with Fiona, the owner of Rooted in Scotland – a botanical emporium of delights in Aberdeen’s Rosemount area. Fiona opened her shop in March 2020 just two weeks before the national lockdown was imposed, so it’s great to see how a year on her business is still thriving. She was able to work around restrictions by offering appointments and click & collect service, and just as well as I think we’ve all needed to add a little lush greenery to our lockdown home lives! When Fiona originally told me about her plans to open a shop and asked to stock my scarves, I jumped at the chance to design a fresh green houseplant scarf, celebrating our love for our leafy friends.
Hi Fiona, thanks for taking part in our Stockist Spotlight!
- Tell us about Rooted – what’s the story behind why you set up shop
F: I’ve always loved plants outside and inside and how they bring life and beauty to spaces. Finding a good range of houseplants wasn’t always easy and so I thought there was a niche to introduce folk to a wider range of houseplants. I’d been selling houseplants for about 4 years, initially at farmer’s markets, pop-ups and events. As the market for houseplants grew, I started selling in café’s and vintage shops while looking for a rent I thought I could afford as a shop has long been a dream of mine. I wanted to style a shop and meet customers to help them choose plants that are right for them. Finally, the right place with an affordable rent turned up.
- What can customers expect to find in Rooted? You also sell products from local makers and brands – what do you look for in a brand when choosing products for your shop?
F: Rooted is all about houseplants and botanically related items. I like to stock work from local artisans and look for beautiful, botanical inspired good that I would love to have myself. The local artisans that I stock are masters at their work and what they produce is exceptionally beautiful and of great quality.
- What’s the best thing about being a shop owner?
F: I get to choose all sort of lovely houseplants and items to stock and when I’m working in the shop, I’m surrounded by wonderful greenery which makes me very happy. I also get to meet lots of lovely people, both customers and stockists alike. And of course, I get to talk about the joy of plants all day long.
- Tell us a funny story or memorable moment from shop life
Hmmm can’t think of any funny stories. I’ve had a plant fall on my head because I didn’t make sure it was properly balanced on a shelf. My opening night was probably the most memorable moment because I had no idea so many people would turn up. The shop is small so it was a wonderful “squash and a squeeze” and there was a queue out the door. My son and his friend were entertaining people outside playing their traditional folk music and I had such wonderful support from friends and family. Two weeks later, I had to close the shop due to lockdown.
- Your shop is in the Rosemount area of Aberdeen- describe a perfect afternoon visit to Rooted and your top tips for visiting the area
F: Rosemount is a wonderful shopping area with lots of independent businesses. Across the road from me is the wonderful “Cloudy Blue” run by the lovely Amy who stocks a whole range of lovely gift items and cards. There is Belvidere Gallery up the road and a popular butcher shop and a fish shop. There are lots of beauty shops, hairdressers and a barber shop next door to me. There is also “Wool for Ewe” run by Faye and her mom which has an amazing selection of wool and is a destination shop for the knitters and crocheters out there. There also good cafes and “The Cult of Coffee” shop is the winner of the Scottish Best Coffee Shop 2019. There’s an ice cream shop and where I especially like to go to treat myself is the cheese shop “Gourmet Cheese Co” up the road from me!
- Do you have a favourite scarf of ours? Why did you pick this one?
F: Of course, I love the scarf that is exclusively designed by you for Rooted. I love it so much that I had a silk jacket commissioned. I love all of your scarves. There is so much detail in each one; there is a story in them all.
- Any news or plans to share? – Can be a small thing, think we need to celebrate the small wins during this testing time!
I’m closing the shop for the month of January to have a rest and to work on a couple of projects that I have up my sleeve. Shhhh…..
Thanks Fiona! We loved learning all about Rooted in Scotland!
I had so much fun designing this bespoke houseplant scarf for Rooted, it can be purchased exclusively from the shop, so head to her web shop if you are interested. It comes in two sizes, 90x90cm and 35x35cm neckerchief size, and will look lovely and fresh for Spring!
I recently developed the design into a smaller A3 art print called ‘Urban Jungle’ which is also available at Rooted and through my own shop. It’s printed on a linen fabric so has a lovely textured finish, and a hand frayed edge similar to the finish on my wool scarves. A lovely gift for all the houseplant fans out there!
Shop URBAN JUNGLE art print here
Where to find Rooted in Scotland;