Small Business Saturday 2026 countdown: Meet Scotland’s favourite small companies

Now in its second decade in the UK, Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign that celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to shop local and to support businesses in their communities. The UK initiative is based on a campaign founded by American Express in the US in 2010.

Introduced last year, the Nation’s Favourite Businesses builds on the annual programme’s long-standing SmallBiz100 - a celebration of Britain’s most inspiring entrepreneurs.

Following a national search, five firms from Scotland have been named among this year’s favourite UK businesses. The companies north of the Border are:

Eat, Sleep, Ride - An “off-grid” equine sanctuary and social enterprise in the Scottish Borders where rescued horses are a catalyst for change, inspiring connection, confidence and positive change.

Ooshky - Founded by designer Scott Deas and a one-person business, designing Scottish whisky water jugs, dedicated to improving the whisky experience.

Wild Cairns - Created by Gus McLeod and Scott Smith to help people get outdoors, the outdoor adventure experience at Whitekirk Hill in East Lothian offers an assault course, axe throwing, mini Highland Games and airsoft gun range.

Zoe Davidson Jewellery - Based in Stromness, Orkney, Zoe creates sculptural jewellery by combining traditional craftsmanship with “thoughtful, story-led design”.

GiftRound - A Bridge of Allan-based brand that aims to make group gifting simple and stress-free.

Each of the businesses selected will be showcased as part of the official countdown to the main Small Business Saturday event on December 5.

As part of the initiative, Small Business Saturday will award two eligible businesses featured on the list grants of £10,000 each, funded by American Express, to support their growth. The grants can be utilised in a range of ways - from upgrading essential equipment, to boosting marketing efforts, or investment in customer experience.

Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, among the nation’s favourite businesses. Whether on our high streets, online or embedded in local communities, they play a vital role in the places we live and in the strength of our economy.

“This year’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses are a true representation of the UK’s most-loved small businesses. From independent, family run cafés and local restaurants, to makers, services and traders, they showcase the incredible diversity of the UK’s small business community. We know how important small businesses are and the challenges they face, so as we kick off this year’s Small Business Saturday campaign, we’re urging the public to get behind them during the most critical trading quarter of the year.”

On Small Business Saturday, customers across the UK go out and support all types of small businesses, from independent shops and restaurants, to small service and business-to-business (B2B) firms such as accountants and plumbers. Many small businesses take an active role in promoting the day by hosting events and offering promotions.

Last year, the campaign saw support from the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and Chancellor, the leader of the opposition, the Mayor of London and more than 90 per cent of the UK’s local councils.

Scott Deas, director and Creator of Ooshky, said: “I’m both excited and honoured to be included in the Nation’s Favourite Businesses this year. A lot of people think of bricks and mortar stores when they think of shopping with small businesses and it’s easy to assume a business with a nice website is a bigger company than it is, but there are a lot of excellent small businesses out there trying to be discovered online.

“Being recognised for my work starting Ooshky as a solo creator and founder is such a boost and will help me continue to grow the business. There have been a lot of customers putting faith in me and buying my product or selling it in their own shops and so being able to share it with even more whisky lovers is fantastic.”

Scott Smith, co-founder of Wild Cairns, said: “Gus and I started Wild Cairns to get more kids and adults outdoors, active and having fun, so to have what we’ve built recognised nationally means a huge amount to us and our whole team. Small businesses work incredibly hard, and we’ve seen first-hand the difference we can make when we support each other.”

Dan Edelman, general manager, UK merchant services at American Express, added: “Small businesses bring energy, innovation and character to our high streets and local economies. That’s why American Express is proud to have founded Small Business Saturday and why we continue to back small businesses to help them thrive.

“This year’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses are a brilliant showcase of the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit, and we’re delighted to be providing grant funding that will help two of these inspiring businesses invest in their next chapter of growth.”

Small Business Saturday UK was launched in 2013, three years after the US debut. The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but has an impact that lasts all year round.

To learn more about Small Business Saturday’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses, visit: smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/