The artisans keeping traditional crafts alive and well

Like many artisans in Scotland, Nicole Taylor, from Inverness, is dedicated to preserving heritage crafts.

“It’s important to preserve hand weaving because it’s becoming a relatively rare skill to have,” said Nicole, 25, who runs her own business, Thingymajig Textiles.

“I create contemporary woven fabrics on a half-width, 24-shaft, floor loom, and produce small runs of fabric by hand. Each piece is unique and bespoke.”

Nicole is also a senior weaving executive at Prickly Thistle, the only dedicated tartan weaving mill based in the Highlands, founded by Clare Campbell in 2015.

“Clare is trying to preserve traditional weaving so we use Dobcross looms, which are the closest thing you can get to hand looms yet still produce enough quantity to make it a viable business,” added Nicole.

“Hand-produced textiles have surged in popularity because people are looking to make more sustainable choices. Scotland has a rich history producing woven fabric and many talented designers and contemporary handweavers.

“It would be sad to see the market be taken over by mass production overseas.”