9 minute read
Scotland's Artisanal Treasures
From luxurious cashmere makers to botanical seaweed-inspired gin distillers and world-famous bakers, Dream Escape finds the best ateliers, workshops, showrooms and private experiences, so you can take home a little unique piece of Alba with you.
The Highlands And Lowlands
Sandra Murray, Inverness
After growing up on the most northerly part of the Outer Hebrides with a boatbuilder father and an oiled-wool knitting mother, Sandra Murray had artisanship in her bones. So, it was unsurprising she found a love for designing bespoke fashion using traditional Scottish materials and marrying them with a Vivienne Westwood–esque rebellious edge. She was awarded an MBE in 2009 for services to fashion and textiles, and was entrusted to design and make an outfit for Queen Elizabeth II, who wore the lilac coat and pale green dress (inspired by the Scottish Thistle and the Isle of Skye Tartan) when opening Holyrood, the Scottish Parliament in 1999. Sandra has even created a Highland bridal line, which she describes as unique tartan kilt dresses, heirloom bodices, tulle skirts and crinolines. Dream Escape can arrange an appointment to visit her viewing room.
Charlotte Flower Chocolates, Perthshire
Using natural ingredients, founder Charlotte Flower hand-makes divine small-batch chocolates. They're filled with fresh cream ganache that's flavoured using ingredients foraged from her surroundings that change seasonally. In spring these might be elderflower, wild mint and Scots pine, then cherries and raspberries in summer, plums, honey, sloes and damsons in autumn and ginger or orange peel in winter.
The filled chocolates are made using a variety of high-quality 70 % cocoa chocolate, while the thins, bars and shards are made from single-origin chocolate. Charlotte prides herself on having a short and well-regulated supply chain for these. Indulge your sweet tooth with a chocolate-making experience and see how products are made at the workshop, and of course taste it (the fun bit!).
Elin Isaksson Glass, Dunblane
Glassmaker Elin Isaksson takes inspiration from her homeland of Sweden, including her favourite pastimes such as ice fishing, and was taught at Sweden's Orrefors glass school in the famous 'Kingdom of Crystal' region. Her designs are either traditionally more functional, like the water-drop-shaped vases; or contemporary, such as the shaped whisky glasses and candleholders, which also have a sense of movement in water. Or they're in a more sculptural format, such as rocklike vases that look like a chunk of ice extracted from an iceberg. Her work is also inspired by the colours of India, after her time spent living there, as well as the more muted Scottish tones. Whether you would like to browse Elin's designs and explore her workshop or try your hand at glassblowing, Dream Escape can tailor a program to suit your preferences.
Malcolm Appleby, Perthshire
An ornate engraver, jewellery maker and silversmith, Malcolm Appleby has spent five decades perfecting his craft. He moved to Scotland in 1969 and made a name for himself as a talented metalworker, which in 1999 earned him the commission to make a set of ornamental table pieces for Bute House, the official residence of the Scottish First Minister.
Inspired by his natural surroundings, myths and legends, Malcom's creations have a Gothic element, with moody-coloured stones. His jewellery collection includes everything from rings, pendants and bangles to brooches, while he also engraves bowls, tumblers and other small items. Pay a visit to Malcolm at his atelier in Grandtully, located in the heart of Perthshire, for a unique commission and an unforgettable memory of your trip to Scotland.
The Islands
Hebridean Baker, Isle of Lewis
Rising to fame via TikTok, baker Coinneach MacLeod is opening an events space at Gannochy just south of Oban in 2025 for supper clubs, tours, and cooking demos. From the Isle of Lewis, Coinneach has brought the food of this pocket of Scotland to the masses. He spends half the year in Glasgow and the other living off-grid in Lewis with his partner Peter and Seoras, their West Highland Terrier.
His videos and books give a real insight into remote island life and his cooking style that's inspired by his 90-something Aunt Bellag. His latest book, The Hebridean Baker at Home, is full of recipes like Ecclefechan tarts, leek bread-and-butter pudding and salmon Wellington.
Dream Escape guests visiting Scotland will soon have the chance to meet three-times best-selling cookbook author Coinneach MacLeod himself, as their private host during a special baking experience.
Isle of Harris Gin Distillery, Isle of Harris
With its unique ocean-waves-inspired glass bottle, Harris Gin is made in the purpose-built distillery that was created as a social project to make jobs for islanders, making it the Isle of Harris' first legal distillery.
Distiller, local Norman Ian, makes Harris Gin in small batches where the key botanical is sugar-kelp seaweed, which is harvested by hand from nearby sea lochs. It gives the gin its recognisable saline quality that's combined with pine needles, coriander seeds, angelica root and bitter orange peel, to name a few botanicals. The distillery is also making a whisky. Tours run by locals take place every day and can be incorporated into a Dream Escape itinerary, giving behind-the-scenes access to distilling and, of course, your visit ends with a wee dram.
Edinburgh
Rosie Sugden Cashmere, Edinburgh
Cashmere is in Rosie Sugden's blood, as she now follows in the footsteps of her father, James Sugden, a champion of Scottish textiles who spent 25 years at Scotland's most famous cashmere makers, Johnstons of Elgin.
Everything in her brand is made from 100 % cashmere, coming from yarn suppliers in Yorkshire and the Highlands that is knitted at a family run mill in the Borders. Her collection of cashmere accessories includes cosy gloves, scarves, socks, hotwater bottles and even eye masks, plus the sweetest little baby bonnets, boots, blankets and cardigans in pastel colours, which can also be personalised.
Pointing to the quality, Rosie's brand is stocked in the likes of Liberty, Fortnum & Mason and Fenwick, though Rosie is available on special request to meet Dream Escape clients at her workshop or shops.
Araminta Campbell, West Lothian
It's unlikely Araminta Campbell imagined a decade after finishing her degree that she'd be commissioned by King Charles III with the task of creating a new Balmoral tartan.
Araminta has also made a special tartan especially for Dream Escape: an autumnal creation with varying greys, mossy green, navy and burgundy. Dream Escape guests can have the chance to visit the atelier on the outskirts of Edinburgh for a personal design consultation or private shopping appointment and learn about the inspiration behind the brand.
21st Century Kilts, Edinburgh
Founder Howie Nicholsby's career has been dedicated to bringing the humble kilt up-to-date, in what he calls the 'kilt evolution'. He's made the kilt a practical piece that's not just confined to the realm of formalwear, by creating black denim or real leather kilts, alongside modern tweeds and tartans. They also have large detachable front pockets that makes them more functional for everyday wear, and you can also have a part in creating your own via appointment at his Edinburgh shop to bring your vision to life.
He became a kilt marker at just 18 years old, making him the fourth generation to do so and he has an impressive list of people he's kilted, from royals to famous musicians, TV presenters, actors and Olympians, including Sir Richard Branson, Vin Diesel and Billy Connolly.
Hamilton & Inches, Edinburgh
One of the city's most famed jewellers, which first opened on Princes Street in the 19th century, is Hamilton & Inches. It's easily recognisable for its burgundy branding, and its name has become synonymous with its well-curated collection of elegant and timeless watches, jewellery and hand-crafted silver. It separates itself from other jewellers, as it's one of two fine jewellery houses in the world licensed to use singlemine origin Scottish Gold. As well as that, its incredibly grand building, with marble columns, chandeliers, and double-height ceiling with intricate cornicing, forms the perfect setting for a relaxed personalised consultation to help you find what you're looking for. Above the showroom is a number of traditional workshops too. After 2021's multimillion-pound refurb in 2021 of the Grade A Listed building, it took over these rooms, which were once home to BBC Scotland while in its infancy in the 1920s.
Scottish Textiles Showcase, Edinburgh
Founded by Kitty Mackenzie, the Scottish Textiles Showcase is all about celebrating the huge wealth of skill, materials and traditional Scottish artisanship. The entire team have an arts background, with most of them also creating items for the shop, from silk scarves to knitwear. The shop only sells products made from natural fibres, such as Harris Tweed coats, Shetland knitwear, cashmere blankets and alpaca knitwear, which are all chosen for their sustainability credentials as well as their durability. The makers are at the heart of everything at the Scottish Textiles Showcase, where you can learn about their work and inspiration with a private shopping experience.
ALEXANDRA NIKAS - TRAVEL DESIGN EXECUTIVE
Scottish artisans play a crucial role in preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage. They keep traditional crafts alive, passing down skills through generations. Artists have the ability to transform the rugged Scottish landscape into textiles, tasty treats, terracottas, and more. The techniques and skills of artisans go beyond mere craft, delving into a sustainable future of handmade little luxuries, often with locally sourced materials, making their products the best mementos of the mystifying beauty of Scotland. Introducing Dream Escape clients to these incredibly talented artisans is always an incredible privilege.
