Longniddry resident Ruari, Fort Kinnaird’s chief fun officer, has helped create a back-to-school shopping guide for 2025 to make preparing for the new school year a little easier.

Tasked with testing trends and delivering his stamp of approval, Ruari has rounded up the “coolest” items for the new school year.

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Here are Ruari’s top five trending back-to-school picks: 

  1. Pencil cases featuring Nintendo favourites and bold designs – fun, functional and guaranteed to stand out on the school table.
  2. Cool stationery sets – from gaming-themed rulers to funky pens.
  3. School shoes with a football theme – built for comfort and perfect for playtime goals.
  4. Fresh uniform staples and comfy shoes – perfect for all-day comfort and classroom confidence.
  5. Personalised keyrings and backpack tags – the little extras that make school bags harder to loose.

He said: “I had so much fun getting ready for back to school at Fort Kinnaird.

“There were loads of new school shoes with footballs on them – they were my favourite.

“There was also lots of cool stationery to choose from, like colourful pens and fun pencil cases.

“I loved choosing it all, and we had such a great day – now I can’t wait for the new term to start so I can use it all.”

Fort Kinnaird’s back-to-school essentials are available now at stores including The Works, M&S, Clarks, Next, and Primark.

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Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know back-to-school shopping can feel like a big task, so we’ve made it easy, enjoyable and all in one place.

“With Ruari’s help, we’ve captured the trends kids are genuinely excited about – turning the trip into something families can enjoy together.”

Fort Kinnaird is encouraging families to make a day of their back-to-school shopping, with entertainment, dining options, and exclusive discounts available throughout the centre.