Date Published: 1st July 2020

Back in a bookshop as lockdown eases.

As bookshops start to open up to readers once again, Alexander McCall Smith’s first visit was to the Topping & Company bookshop in Edinburgh. What a treat to be safely back amongst the shelves and the table-top displays, hands well and repeatedly sanitised, talking at a safe distance to booksellers. He couldn’t have been happier. Bookshops in England have been open for two weeks. Scotland is a little further behind. In Alexander’s home city of Edinburgh, some opened at the start of this week, some – particularly those in shopping centres – will not open until the 13th of this month (July) and some, the tourist-site gift and book shops, may not open until after the 15th when travel restrictions ease. Whenever they open their doors – we will be waiting. It is good to be back!