KEEPING TRADITION ALIVE
The Orkney Furniture Maker Workshop and Gallery is a creative hive of design and inspiration where Kevin Gauld, and his small team, work towards keeping Orcadian tradition alive, whilst also bringing bespoke and contemporary pieces to life. Kevin took his first steps into carpentry as a child, ahead of gaining employment and an apprenticeship with a local chair maker at the age of just 16. He launched The Orkney Furniture Maker in 2007, and what started as a small enterprise from his garage has now blossomed into a spacious workspace, surrounded by his own oat straw crop for his chair backs, overlooking Kirkwall Bay and some of the North Isles.
Summer of 2023 saw Kevin host the opening of his new gallery space, custom built and designed to showcase his own portfolio, alongside beautiful creations from other local, talented crafter makers and, artists; from oil paintings, wall art and calligraphy to knitwear and macrame.
Now, drawing from over 27 years of experience, Kevin channels his passion for design, and his keen eye for detail, into creating unique and beautiful pieces of furniture and wall art, heavily influenced by Orkney’s history, heritage, and nature; from the iconic Orkney Chair to tables, mirrors, creepies and more.
Using the marriage of traditional techniques with a more modern approach, Kevin is helping to preserve the traditional craft of Orkney Chair making, while also injecting a more contemporary edge to suit clients of all tastes.
Kevin’s sought-after pieces have been exhibited worldwide, as far away as Japan and New York, and shipping is available globally, so that everyone can have the joy of owning a design. Special commissions are also most welcome.
A warm welcome awaits anyone wishing to visit The Orkney Furniture Maker Gallery.
Kevin and the team are on-hand to answer any questions you may have, and you may even get a glimpse of furniture in the making, whether it’s woodwork, chair back stitching or basket weaving.
A visit to The Orkney Furniture Maker Workshop and Gallery is an experience not to be missed.
Craigiefield, St Ola, KW15 1UF