Trying to find ingredients for Clam Chowder, help please

 Since I am tired of paying so much for canned chowder from Lupe Pintos(which I like, but still...) I have been trying to make my own, but am having no luck finding clams(either frozen of canned, chopped or whole) and clam juice. I find this odd esp as a few of my recipes call for Essex Clams. Asked my MIL and she has no clue. Do the Scottish have something against clams in general or is it just my in-laws? Any ideas on where to look? Had hubby ask the fish guy on the way home yesterday, but he said he was not very helpful(plus no idea how to use fresh clams anyway)
Thanks.
*oh, and if anyone knows a good alternative to chowder crackers that would not go unappreciated either!*

No clam juice anywhere that I have found, although I did find Clamato. 

I used canned clams. 

I don't know much about Scotland, or where you are in Scotland, but I've lived in Pembrokeshire and now in Cornwall and there's plenty of access to clams here! Most fishmongers seem to stock them, though I haven't bought any myself.

One of our local fishmongers sells live clams and has an online shop and next-day delivery service anywhere in the UK: http://www.mstevensandson.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=45

So if you absolutely can't find clams anywhere near you, that's always an option!

Good luck with the chowder! Let me know how it works please, as I think I might try it!

I get tinned clams at an Italian grocery store here in Dublin. Due to the number of Italians in Edinburgh, you should have a couple of shops like that around there!

Ask your fishmonger to order them in specially for you, they should carry them, but if not, they will order them for ya! Good luck!

The brand John West does canned clams in brine, which you can sometimes find at Tesco (and probably other supermarkets as well), I think near the canned tuna.  I don't know if that helps?  I've never used them, but I considered making white clam sauce once and made a mental note of it.

I've just been making chowders with smoked fish since it's so easy to come by, sort of like Cullen Skink.

The brand John West does canned clams in brine, which you can sometimes find at Tesco (and probably other supermarkets as well), I think near the canned tuna.  I don't know if that helps?  I've never used them, but I considered making white clam sauce once and made a mental note of it.

I've just been making chowders with smoked fish since it's so easy to come by, sort of like Cullen Skink.

That is what I use. 

I've just been making chowders with smoked fish since it's so easy to come by, sort of like Cullen Skink.

We do that quite often in the winter. It's such a lovely, warming supper - served with good crusty bread and butter. Yum!

We do that quite often in the winter. It's such a lovely, warming supper - served with good crusty bread and butter. Yum!

It really is just so good!

 Thanks all! I just looked on ASDA's website and the have the John West baby clams, a NEW product. Rarely get to Tesco, so never had a chance to look there(too far for me to get groceries anyway).
 Anyone have a good tried recipe to make clam chowder without clam juice? That's the only way I ever learned to make it. Found lots of recipes that don't call for it, but none tried.

I've just been making chowders with smoked fish since it's so easy to come by, sort of like Cullen Skink.

I am preg, so have that whole craving thing going on, and if it isn't EXACTLY what I want then it never goes away. May have to try it at a later date tho, sounds delish!

You can try checking your local east asian market. The one in Derby Centre has tinned clams and clam juice as well.

One of the fishmongers at our town market had clams on Saturday, DW asked if if he usually has them and he said he did

You should be able to find mussells pretty easily and they would also make a nice substitue for clams

Are those tinned clams any good? I've never had them ... but ... I don't know ... I'd have to hear some pretty positive reviews from other foodies before I'd try them!

Are those tinned clams any good? I've never had them ... but ... I don't know ... I'd have to hear some pretty positive reviews from other foodies before I'd try them!

will let you know, as am going to make a pot of chowder either tomorrow or sat. I have only ever used canned ones, but never this brand so fingers crossed!

 Am going to try it without the clam juice, have to just grin and bear it. Depending on how it turns out, I may have to find an E. Asian market.