WHAT makes a national icon? The word is overused in these days of shallow celebrity, but we’re going to get plenty more wear of out it in this celebration of people, places, creatures and even foods that just scream “Scotland!”
A staycation may still be out of reach, but thanks to the nation’s makers you can bring our most famous landmarks into you home, or send them to your friends. Edinburgh-based Magpie Neon offers a range of luxurious illustrated cards finished with silver foil, featuring such striking landmarks as the Kelpies in Falkirk and the iconic Forth Rail Bridge. These also both feature on prints, coasters, mugs and tea towels by another capital-based brand, Scottie Sketch Co, with a choice of contemporary blue or pink backgrounds.
Kelpies card, £3.90, Magpie Neon
Forth Bridge coaster set, £16, Scottie Sketch Co
If Glenfinnan Viaduct didn’t have official iconic status before the Harry Potter movies, it certainly does now, and Pink Pig Illustration’s graphic print is blues and purples is gorgeous. Rachel Stewart’s Barrowland card and Roslyn Mitchell’s print of her Nardini’s tapestry are reminders of some of the joys we’re missing out on, but will hopefully experience again soon.
Glenfinnan Viaduct print, £15, Pink Pig Illustration
Barrowland Ballroom card, £3.50, Rachel Stewart Draws
Wee Nardini's print, £12, Roslyn Mitchell
Speaking of treats, St Mango has combined all of Scotland’s most iconic foodstuffs – from a cooked breakfast to a macaroni pie to a bottle of Irn-Bru – on a cheerful mug, and we’re a bit obsessed with Jo McColl’s wonderful painting of a beautifully distinctive Scottish Plain loaf, available on place mats, mugs, tea towels or as a card or print.
Scottish scran mug, £12.50, St Mango
Scottish Plain loaf card, £2.95, Jo McColl
READ MORE: Illustration etc: Love of people has inspired fun collaborations
Our Maker of the Month Rosemary Cunningham teamed up with the University of Glasgow shop to pay tribute to Lord Kelvin, James Watt and Adam Smith. The resultant mugs and coasters bear their suitably stern faces along with key facts about their achievements.
James Watt mug, £12, Illustration etc
In these strange times, laughter is more needed than ever. We absolutely love the Jack and Victor earrings from Pure Dead Gallus (a matching pair featuring Isa is also available) and Neil Slorance’s print featuring Billy Connolly in his big banana boots, a limited edition for the Big Yin’s 75th birthday.
Jack and Victor earrings, £9.50, Pure Dead Gallus
Billy Connolly signed A4 print, £8, Art By Neil Slorance
If you prefer your art even more bananas, check out the fabulously colourful creations by Paints Pylon, and in particular their completely mad print of Connolly, Susan Boyle, Limmy, Ronnie Corbett and The Proclaimers on a rollercoaster. “Why do this exist?” you might ask. Well, why not?
Great Scots on a rollercoaster print, £10-£20, Paints Pylons
Glasgow humour is, of course, also reflected in the Duke of Wellington statue and his obligatory cones, as captured by artist Pamela Mackay in her striking modern painting, available as a print or coasters.
Duke of Wellington coasters (set of four), £12, Pamela Mackay Prints
Young Lewis Capaldi might not quite have achieved icon status yet, but he certainly created an iconic image when he arrived on stage at the TRSNSMT festival wearing a Chewbacca mask – as captured in pin badge form by Glasgow’s Top of the Pins.
Lewis Capaldi pin, £5, Top of the Pins
And lastly, let’s not forget our non-human friends. The Green Deer has colour prints featuring capital legend Greyfriars Bobby, while Silver Rain Silver offers Nessie earrings handmade to order.
Greyfriars Bobby print (available in custom colours), £16.50-£49.50, The Green Deer
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