By Janice Hopper

Father’s Day comes round once a year but it can still take busy offspring by surprise. Finding gifts, especially at the last minute, that are a little bit different, don’t break the bank and celebrate Scotland’s scenery, heritage and craftsmanship, is a tall order. See if any of our showcased goods would be a good fit for Dad.

CASES - Katherine Pentney’s designs combine the heritage of Harris tweed with her own designs and free motion stitching. From puffins to stags, rams and highland cows, her company The Canny Squirrel creates a range of cases for glasses, phones and tablets. Pentney visited Harris, meeting a weaver to personally source her tweed, and she loves the heritage, authenticity and handmade qualities of this iconic material. Glasses and phone cases £26, tablet cases from £35 - www.thecannysquirrel.co.uk

SCOTLAND IN PRINT - Most of us recognise the outline of Scotland in a heartbeat, but the maps created by Jenny Proudfoot make people look twice. A Viking long boat is incorporated into the depiction of Shetland, the Kelpies feature in Falkirk, a wee Caledonian Macbrayne Ferry sets sail off the west coast and the industrial bow of a ship proudly departs from Aberdeen. The wildlife of the nation is also celebrated. Look closely to pick out a Highland cow, puffin, dolphin, squirrel, sheep, otter, a Shetland pony and a ptarmigan. This map can be gazed at for hours, and if Dad doesn’t immediately recognise every link, motif or symbol, it will give him food for thought as he attempts to figure out each representation. A truly beautiful way to put Scotland on the map so to speak. Prices from £35, www.jennyproudfoot.co.uk

TOP TRUMPS - From walking boots, to outdoor gadgets and camping gear Tiso caters for the man outdoors. Their Top Munro ‘top trumps’ card game is a bit quirky. Featuring 282 Munros in total, each card features a photograph of a Munro and six key facts about it, a potential route to climb and the pub you can visit afterwards. For the active Munro bagger, or someone who can appreciate their beauty from his armchair, the Top Munro Play Cards are £9.99 - www.tiso.com

CONNOISSEUR SKILLS - For those with an interest in whisky, rum, gin or wine, Aberdeen’s Aroma Academy encourages dad to ‘nose’ like a professional. Each specialised Aroma kit contains 24 vials for those wishing to hone their senses. For example in the whisky kit learn to detect the differences between scents including Buttery, Peaty, Woody, Cut Grass and Fruity. The end result should be dad’s increased confidence in nosing the multitude of single malts now available (and impressing all his friends). Aroma Training Kits £99.95 - www.aroma-academy.co.uk

GLAMPING HAMPER - Being outdoors can be hugely indulgent. For the man who tends to work out in the elements rather than enjoy himself, a Demijohn Glamping Goody Bag may be a bit of a treat. Packed in a Fair Trade Jute bag it includes Sloe Gin, Seville Orange Gin, Somerset Pomona, Morello Cherry Liqueur and Deimjohn’s Scotch Whisky.

Vinegars, Olive Oil and a Demijohn chutney nod in the direction of healthy eating. And the wood kindle kit ensures the campfire is roaring as Father sits back and takes in the scenery. Glamping Goody Bag, £120.00 - www.demijohn.co.uk

GASTRONOMIC DADS - Sue Lawrence’s new book The Scottish Soup Bible could be ideal for dads who enjoy quality Scottish products, traditional recipes and cooking. Organised in three sections, Fish/Seafood, Meat/Game and Vegetables/Pulses, the forty recipes range from Cullen Skink and Reestit Mutton Soup to Nettle and Barley Broth and Dulse and Oatmeal Soup.

Lawrence’s Scottish Berries Bible features the succulent soft fruits for which Scotland is so renowned, with recipes for Bramble Clafoutis, Duck with Blackcurrants, and Redcurrant and Apple Lattice Pie. And for those more interested in the humble spud then The William Shearer Tattie Bible by Liz Ashworth brings together Norwegian Potato Pie, Haggis Frittata and Orkney Tattie Wine. Bon appetite! £4.99 - www.birlinn.co.uk, and www.amazon.co.uk

BOTTOMS UP - Most dads will appreciate a few bottles of beer with big flavours, direct from a Scottish brewery. Fallen Brewing has created a range of craft beers using Scottish mountain water from Carron Valley. The brewery is situated in the old Kippen Railway Station with views towards The Trossachs and the South West Highlands, and they pride themselves on modern interpretations of classic flavours.

If the sun’s shining on Father’s Day try the blond New World Odyssey or, if Dad has a sweeter tooth, then consider the limited edition Big Raspberry Dog Chew made with Salted Caramel and Raspberry Milk Stout. Others beers in the range include Local Motive Session IPA, Dragonfly American Amber, Blackhouse Smoked Porter, Grapevine New World Pale, Chew Chew Salted Caramel Milk Stout and Platform C India Pale Ale.

Fallen beers are available in Oddbins, online from www.hippobeers.co.uk, or pick them up in independent shops such as The Woodhouse Farm Shop, Cork and Cask, Cornelius and Beer Hive in Edinburgh, and the Good Spirit Company and Valhalla’s Goat in Glasgow. From £2.70 - www.fallenbrewing.co.uk

You can’t please all dads all of the time, but with a list like this surely buying the Father’s Day gift should be the easy part, giving dedicated children more time to concentrate on fetching slippers, making cups of tea and generally being adorable.