In 2007, HI~Arts (the arts development agency for the Highlands and Islands) published a Crafts Scoping Study commissioned from Amanda Bryan of Aigas Associates. The full study can be downloaded from this page.

HI~Arts commissioned the study in order to consider whether there was a need for a dedicated post to support those working in the craft sector in the Highlands and Islands and, if there was such a need, what should be the priorities for action.

The study was jointly funded by the Scottish Arts Council and Highlands and Islands Enteprise.

The study identified a range of possible solutions and specific actions for the crafts sector in the Highlands and Islands.

Following on from the recommendations, Pamela Conacher was employed as Crafts Development Coordinator from July 2008 with Avril Souter taking up the part time post of Crafts Administrator in September 2008.

Update August 2009

Responding to a rapidly changing environment over the past year, we have worked closely to the recommendations in the study but have had to adapt to suit developments that have arisen -and could not have been foreseen - when the study was carried out.

We have put in place a range of support, much of it recommended in the study, as well as several initiatives that have responded directly to changing circumstances.

One year on, it is timely to detail what actions we have covered ,what are planned and the issues that may affect the craft sector in the Highlands and Islands today and in the future.

Funding has now been secured for Year 2 of the project and we will be continuing to implement a range of initiatives, build on those already started and seek to address issues that arise. We will also be looking to the future with Year3 and ways that we can ensure that the Craft sector in the Highlands and Islands is in a much stronger position than it was at the start of the project.

Download the update from the right hand side of this page.