Peebles outfitter drives home Shop Local message with 'super' video
Last updated 20th Dec 2025
As traders prepare for their busiest weekend of the year, a Peebles businessman is going viral with his efforts to encourage more people to shop local this Christmas.
David McGrath, who runs a men's clothing shop in the Eastgate, has shared a series of funny videos online exuding the benefits of staying in the Scottish Borders.
In one clip, which has been widely shared, he appears to be flying alongside a car, which had been heading out of town, before convincing the driver - who happens to be his brother, Ally - to divert back to the Royal Burgh.
During the exchange, David, who assumes the role of lesser known superhero "Goliath of Garments", begs the question: "Where are you going?"
And when Ally replies: "Edinburgh, shopping."
He responds: "No, you dinnae want to go there! Come to Peebles, it's brilliant!"
When the pair catch up again later, David asks: "How did you get on in Peebles shopping?"
And Ally replies: "It was amazing - best place ever!"
The two videos only took three takes and, between them and the other December posts, have gone on to record more than 600,000 views.
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As well as benefitting the local economy, campaigners claim shopping local can also help reduce stress and save the planet by negating the need for long car journeys on crowded roads into cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow.
"This will be our third year doing the videos, and the reaction we get from complete strangers saying they love them is quite amazing," David told Greatest Hits Radio.
Peebles is well known for its variety of independent shops and the men's outfitter boasts "it's probably one of the best high streets in Scotland."
He added: "Most of the units are full, and they are mostly private individual shops and businesses, so you are getting things that are a little bit different; and that's what attracts people to the town."
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