A Glass Act
See expert craftsmen at work and create a masterpiece at Crieff’s Caithness Glass visitor centre
IT was almost 40 years since my last visit to Caithness Glass, but I’m pleased to see that the traditional and mesmerising art of making paperweights has hardly changed.
The housing certainly has, however, as in 2006 the glass-makers moved to Crieff Visitor Centre from their old site just north of Perth.
The Crieff site offers a much more visitor-friendly approach with glass painting for children, the chance to watch the skilled craftsmen at work and even the opportunity to try it yourself.
Having watched them carefully, I reckoned it was rather simple.
How wrong I was! Making paperweights needs a steady hand and a wealth of experience, so luckily I had Martin Campbell – and man with more than 40 years in the trade – to keep me on the right lines.
An expert craftsman is always on-hand to look after all would-be glass makers, and it’s a good thing too – the glass we’re working on comes out of the furnace at 530°C (986°F).
First you choose three colours from a wide range of hues. I went for red, white and blue, and it was fascinating to see the colours mix as the paperweight took form.
“It’s a question of control and touch,” he said. A light touch, he meant, and not my heavy-handed approach.
The metal rod with the red-hot embryo of paperweight on the end has to be turned continuously and fashioned by means of a pair of wooden pliers – not as simple as it looks.
Every so often Martin would add more glass to my creation, pop it into the cauldron again and then bring it back for more re-fashioning. I couldn’t help but notice one or two interested observers watching over my shoulder but that’s not an unusual sign.
“Sometimes folk will watch us and then decide to have a go,” says Martin. “It’s something really different.”
I strongly recommend you try this out. It only takes about 25 minutes from start to finish and you end up with a one-of-a-kind paperweight, which is quite personal. Booking in advance is essential, though, as you need one-to-one tuition.
Prices for paperweights in the adjoining shop range from £22 to £150. Sorry, but mine is not for sale!
The end product which now has pride of place on my desk in The Scots Magazine office.
Caithness Glass started production in the early 1960s in Wick – hence the “Caithness” name. Factories then opened in Perth and Oban, with Crieff now being their only operation.
“Scotland has a rich heritage in glass making,” says Helen MacDonald. “There is a lot of new young talent coming through the colleges and a thriving Scottish Glass Society is keeping people informed and stimulated. Together they make Scotland a glass lover’s heaven.”
Every Caithness Glass paperweight has its own individual designer, who stamps their name on the underside. I must say that the “Garry Fraser” on mine looks rather cool!
For more information phone 01764 654014 or go to www.caithnessglass.co.uk