Blog / Inspiration
Guide to supporting independent makers in Scotland
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Scotland has more opportunities to support local, independent makers that at any other time of year. From independent shops, to galleries, pop ups and Christmas markets, here are some of the places that you should check out if you’re on the hunt for some Made in Scotland presents and want to make sure you’re supporting independent makers and manufacturers in Scotland.
Edinburgh
Dovecot - selected
Dovecot Studios is a one hundred year old tapestry and rug tufting studio, working on collaborations between artists, weavers, and commissioners. Alongside their gallery and shop Dovecot Studios present for the third time; Dovecot Selected – bringing contemporary craft by makers that were hand-picked by a panel of industry experts.
Amongst this year’s makers are Make Works ceramicist Julia Smith, Woven Textiles Designer Heather Shields, and design studio Lynne MacLachlan. Dovecot have also invited three Scottish design studios; Timorous Beasties, Method Studio and Dashing Tweeds to present pieces from their own collections.
10am - 5:30pm, 21st November - 23rd December
Hillstreet Design House
Hillstreet Design House is a Georgian building in Edinburgh’s historic new town housing upcoming and established design studios. This week they will be hosting the Accessory Collective’s Christmas Pop Up, including pieces by Cora Studios, Milliner Sally Ann Provan and textile designer Hatti Pattison.
Noon - 8pm, 5th - 10th December
Hannah Zakari
Hannah Zakari is a boutique shop based at 43 Candlemaker row. They stock a range of locally made pieces by makers like Tom Pigeon Studio, Hilary Grant and Asking For Trouble.
11-5:30pm
Dundee
There’s a whole host of christmas markets and pop ups in Dundee from the Christmas night market to pop ups at Dundee Contemporary Arts and Wasps Studio. Our friends at Creative Dundee have compiled a list which you can check out here
Glasgow
FAD market
FAD platform are hosting a festive shop and market at South Block making it easy to find high quality, hand-crafted goods made by local, independent makers (which are available in very few shops)
FAD market includes work by The Store Hus, We Are Panel, Hilary Grant and Make Works leather workers, McRostie.
Now - 19th December
11am - 7pm, 60-64 Osborne Street
Bespoke Atelier
Surface Design Studio, Bespoke Atelier and friends will also be running their pop up market at South Block selling a selection of locally designed gifts including work from Finch and Fouracre, Jen Kent and Libby Walker.
12th - 20th December
10am - 5pm, 60-64 Osborne Street
Analogue Shop
Scottish Design Community, Analogue Social have just opened their shop in The Lighthouse to support outstanding Scottish Design.
You’ll find homeware, accessories and art including work by Kevin Andrew Morris, Rayha, Laura Spring and Flux Laser Studio’s Alice Jacobs.
Open 10:30 - 5pm
Grey Wolf Studios
Grey Wolf Studios is a an artist’s studio space home to 19 studio members. This Thursday they’ll be holding their annual Christmas Sale including pieces by Charlotte Linton and Risotto Studio.
Thursday 10th December
3-9pm
131 Craighall Road
GSA Shop
GSA Shop provides a selling platform for independent makers in Scotland with every purchase supporting the Glasgow School of Art.
The GSA Shop showcases work from lots of Scottish designers including many Glasgow School of Art students and graduates. You'll find pieces there by David Shrigley, Edition Scotland, Lucy Donnell and Gillian Kyle.
10am - 4:30pm
164 Renfrew Street
Unit Six Christmas Pop Up Shop in Princes Square, Glasgow
Unit Six is running a temporary store on the Lower Ground Floor of the Princes Square shopping centre from now till Christmas eve. There will be pieces for sale by Make Works listing McRostie, our friends at The Invisible Bookshop and Edition Scotland
3rd December - 24th December
Lower Ground Floor, Princes Square
Aberdeen
The art of gifts at Newave Gallery
Newave Gallery is an art gallery and studio promoting talented emerging and established artists. This Christmas they’re running a pop up market called ‘The Art of Gifts’ encouraging people to buy local, handmade gifts.
10am - 8pm
2nd - 21st December
Peacock Visual Arts
Peacock Visual Arts is an open-access print-making facility in Aberdeen. They will be running a pop up shop from the 19th-20th December selling prints and posters.
19th - 20th December
11 - 4pm
More info here
Know of any other ways to support independent makers in Scotland or is there a great pop up happening near you that we haven't listed? Get in touch and let us know
If you’d like to find out more about what’s made in Scotland, read our piece: Made in Scotland
