Scottish Independent Designers to Shop this Christmas

There are so many amazing independent Scottish designers for you to shop with this Christmas, in case you need some inspiration for gifts this season.

Supporting small businesses, designer and makers, and independent shops is generally more ethical, it helps communities thrive, creates local jobs, and you get a much better connection with the items you purchase, knowing who they were made by.

This Christmas choose to buy something unique, something made with love, supporting families, and keeping your high street diverse. And, you will make someones day! For us, every single purchase matters, no matter how small, and it always puts a huge smile on our faces.

Here are a few Scottish designers and makers that I think you and you loved ones will love!

Rosehip Red Stole with Irregular Sleep Pattern shirt

Coat by Elizabeth Martin Tweed, Earrings by Caroline Finlay, with a Rowan scarf.

Scottish Fashion and Textile Designers to Shop this Christmas

Helen Ruth Scarves- gorgeous printed scarves inspired by fairytales. Helen also does notebooks and glasses cases to use up remnants of her fabric to reduce waste.

Irregular Sleep Pattern- I just love these bright and bold pyjama designs. Wear them in bed, or out and about during the day!

Studio Roam- the best cashmere blankets. Colourful, fun, bright, they are the ultimate luxury! Studio Roam are also based in the Scottish Borders, and specialise in personalised baby blankets that last for the whole childhood.

Catherine Aitken- distinctive bags, often made with Harris Tweed. Have a look at her new zero waste collection, which uses up fabric scraps she’s collected over the years.

Fernweh UK- Laura makes beautiful wax canvas bags in her studio in Aberdeen

Elizabeth Martin Tweed- Elizabeth designs the most fabulous Harris tweed coats and jackets, and is very particular about sourcing all her fabrics from Scotland and the UK. Her designs are made in Scotland, and are made to last.

Arra Textiles- Lucy’s work compromises of a colourful range of designs for the home and body. A mix of handwoven and mill woven fabrics, each piece is a limited edition and is woven with sustainably sourced natural fibres.

Collingwood-Norris- Me! You’ll find a range of beautiful colours in lambswool scarves, hats and fingerless mitts, handmade in my studio in Galashiels.

Scarf by Helen Ruth

Squggable mugs by Clod & Pebble

Ceramics Made in Scotland to Shop this Christmas

Clod & Pebble- Chris creates beautiful and useful ceramics and wooden rolling pins. His new range of colourful ‘Squggable’ mugs are my new favourite mugs to drink my coffee from each morning. Last year I bought a rolling pin, and it’s really lovely to use.

John Burgess Ceramics- John creates beautiful ceramics featuring some really lovely blues. His shapes are beautiful, and I now eat daily from his bowls, which I absolutely love and recommend. If you’d like to learn how to make your own pottery, then John also runs classes.

A.M Ceramics- Anna uses all my favourite blues!

Julia Smith Ceramics- I’m a huge fan of Julia Smith Ceramics and I have several of her mugs that I just love. They are all slightly different sizes, and that always reminds me that they’re handmade, and that makes me enjoy using them even more.

Caroline Finlay earrings with an Eriskay Scarf

Scottish Jewellery Designers and Makers

Caroline Finlay- beautiful enamel jewellery, inspired by the coast, and hand made in Fife. I love Carolines jewellery, and I wear it all the time!

Rebekah McVitie- glass beads and necklaces made from sea glass. Last year I gathered sea glass on the beach for a holiday celebrating a significant birthday of a family member, and Rebekah made it into a necklace, preserving all the memories of the occasion.

Donna Barry- Botanical inspired jewellery. Delicate and pretty! I have one of Donnas rings and I absolutely adore it.

Beth Lamont- ceramic jewellery, designed and made in Edinburgh. I’m a particular fan of Beth’s new earrings, made with eco silver.

Lynsey Walters- colourful felt jewellery, to really make a statement.

Nmarra - Brass statement earrings. These earrings make a great gift, and come in a range of bold designs to really make an impact.

Leather leaves by Roslyn Whiting

Gifts for the Home

Roslyn Whiting- beautiful leather leaves, fine leather wallets, book markers, and belts, designed and hand made in the Scottish Borders. Roslyn is a perfectionist, and each piece is made with extreme care and attention to detail. Her wallets and belts make a great gift for men in particular.

Kate Colin Design- folded paper like you’ve never seen it before. Her lampshades are on my wish list! AND she has workshops, which are fab, I loved the one I took.

Yellow Broom Lighting- Yellow Broom value simplicity and quality craftsmanship, creating very striking lighting. Each separate Yellow Broom product is meticulously created by hand placing a strong emphasis upon the design process , materials, function and strong but minimal aesthetics. Very much on my wish list!

Lindean Mill Glass- Also in the Scottish Borders, Lindean Mill Glass make the most beautiful glass tableware. I’m a huge fan of beautiful and useful designs, and these vessels are just that. Opt for clear glass, or go for colour perfection.

Jude Gove- beautiful, hand stitched leather purses and bags in beautiful colours. Jude doesn’t have her own website, but contact through her instagram account and she can either point you in the direct of a stockist or sell to you direct.

Felicity Bristow- Books/ sketchbooks, beautiful prints and more. Felicity has a small shop and studio in Melrose.

Sugarsnap Chocolates

Edibles and Drinks- Perfect Gifts for Christmas

Sugarsnap- Artisan Chocolates made in Glasgow. And they’re delicious- I particularly love the blueberry and violet bar. If you’re quick, you might be able to get one of her advent calendars.

Coco Black- artisan chocolate and pastries made in the Scottish Borders. They also have a lovely shop/ cafe in Peebles, and run classes so you can learn to make your own.

Great Glen Charcuterie- Great Glen Charcuterie is a small family-run business based in Scotland producing a range of specialist charcuterie using only the finest wild Scottish venison.

North Uist Distillery- A family run distillery in the Outer Hebrides producing some of Scotland’s very finest artisan spirits including the multi award winning Downpour Gin range and our soon to launch Nunton Whisky. I highly recommend the Downpour gin!

And of course, if you’re after scarves, hats, mitts or maybe a mending kit or darning workshop, you can shop from me here!! If you can’t decide what colours someone would like, you can also buy digital gift cards.