WHEN someone mentions Scotland’s islands, what do you think of? Holidays? Day trips? Walks along unspoilt beaches with breathtaking views?
You perhaps don’t think about shopping, unless it’s picking up some local crafts or food and drink during a stay. But there’s so much more to island produce than just souvenirs.
For this month’s Made in Scotland we’ve gone island-hopping – only virtually, alas – and picked out some of the best gifts and treats from artists, jewellers, brewers and even seaweed scientists.
Our journey begins in Orkney, home to our maker of the month, jeweller Celina Rupp. Her coastal surroundings are reflected in many of her pieces, while her Castle View range is inspired by the ancient structures dotting the Scottish landscape.
Castle view ring, £80, www.celinaruppjewellery.co.uk
She’s not the only island-based jeweller to take inspiration from her surroundings. Arran-based Jess MacDonald hand-carves every peak and ridge in her mountain necklaces and Islay-based Sarah Brown’s seaweed claw earrings were inspired by the coastal swells and seascapes of her home.
Mountain necklace, £65, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/jessmacdonaldbrass
Earrings, £680, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SarahBrownJewellery
Seaweed – specifically Lewis seaweed – is the key ingredient of ishga, a luxury skincare brand harnessing the plant’s natural anti-oxidants, healing and anti-ageing properties of Isle of Lewis seaweed, and producing everything from shampoo and conditioner to body wash and face cream.
isgha organic seaweed shampoo, £17.50, uk.ishga.com
Skye also has its own soap business inspired by nature, Island Botanics, whose products include guest soaps, wedding favours and scrubby massage bars. If you like your home to smell as good as your body, Isle of Skye Candle Co sells both candles and stylish reed diffusers, with its Scottish Collection including such tempting scents as heather and wild berries or Scots pine.
Orange & oat scrubby massage bar, £4.90, islandbotanics.co.uk
Heather and wild berries reed diffuser, £30, www.skyecandles.co.uk
Small is certainly beautiful when it comes to the work of Iona artist Rachel McKean, who paints detailed landscapes in tiny sea shells, and no island round-up would be complete without some Harris Tweed, which Sweet Wee Designs uses for its button cushions.
Tiny shell artwork by Rachel McKean, £40, www.ionacraftshop.com
Harris Tweed cushion, £50, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SweetWeeDesigns
If abstract designs are more to your taste, check out the bronze cast resin earrings by Jura-based Ginibeanifairy, and Joanna Caskie’s gorgeous notebooks, all handmade on Mull.
Cast resin earrings, £45, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Ginibeanifairy
A7 journal, £32, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JoannaCaskie
No island adventure can forget whisky, and among the many single malts to choose from are Jura and Abhainn Dearg from Lewis. If gin is more your thing, Islay’s The Botanist and Lussa Gin from Jura both contain hand-foraged local botanicals, with the latter produced by an all-female team who describe themselves as not just gin-lovers, but also adventurers.
Isle of Jura Prophecy, £54.95, www.thewhiskyexchange.com
Abhainn Dearg Single Malts, £50, www.abhainndearg.co.uk
The Botanist gin, 35cl for £20.50, 70cl for £34, www.thebotanist.com
Lussa gin, 20cl for £17.50, 70cl for £40, www.lussagin.com
Finally, give your tastebuds a tickle with treats from Tobermory Chocolates, or go the whole hog with a “Big Taste” hamper from Arran, including cheese, tablet, chocolate and oatcakes.
Cast resin earrings, £45, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Ginibeanifairy
'Big Taste' Arran hamper, £13, www.thearrangiftbox.com
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