The Highlands and Islands of Scotland have provided a natural home for craft for many years inspiring makers through the beauty of the environment, the rich mythology and the wealth of natural materials.

All across the Highlands and Islands there are makers working in ceramics, furniture and wood, glass, jewellery and metalwork, lettering, musical instruments, paper, textiles and basketmaking.  Using a range of skills and techniques they create objects which can be functional, decorative, or both, using metal, fibre, wood, glass, resin and clay.
 

The indigenous crafts are also very important in the Highlands and Islands, including the traditional skills and products of spinning, weaving, knitting, basketmaking and woodworking. 

Craft is an integral part of the economic life of the Highlands, and the diversity of work combined with the growth of e-business means there is a great deal of potential for growth. In 2004 HI~Arts worked with the Scottish Arts Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to develop the pilot phase of a national website to promote and strengthen crafts in Scotland.

That website, www.craftscotland.org  is now part of a national organisation, craftscotland, and creates a virtual gateway showcasing contemporary Scottish craft and promoting the quality and diversity of work to both national and international audiences. The site highlights work by skilled makers from all over the country, some of whom are at the very beginning of their careers and others who are internationally recognised as being at the top of their profession.
 

At the heart of the website is a searchable on-line directory of makers which can be used by curators looking for exhibition pieces, galleries, shops or anyone looking to commission or buy a piece of craft.  In addition, there is a searchable database of craft outlets where craft can be seen and bought.

The site is also a virtual resource where makers can get advice on running their businesses, news about training and other opportunities, and be able to get in touch with each other to share information and experiences or take part in a discussion forum.  This is particularly important for craft businesses as many are individual makers who can be working in relative isolation.

In addition to the makers directory and business resources there is an on-line magazine with news of craft exhibitions, both in Scotland and internationally, and features about new craft initiatives.  

More recently HI~Arts has undertaken a study into the current state of the crafts industry in the Highlands and Islands, funded by SAC and HIE, and as a result of this has secured funding from both agencies to appoint a fulltime coordinator for one year. Pamela Conacher took up that post in July 2008. Contact her here.

Adapted from an article by Tina Rose