Blog
Making oak swills
Those of us lucky enough to get a place on the oak swill course in Arbroath in October were in for a treat. It involved new tools, techniques and materials to most of us. It was a fascinating insight into …Continue reading “Making oak swills”
Bringing the old baskets to the people
As part of the Scottish Basketmakers Circle 25th anniversary celebrations, basketmakers all around Scotland held events for ‘Encircle Scotland’ day on 22 June 2013. My contribution to this day was to give a talk on the baskets of the Hebrides …Continue reading “Bringing the old baskets to the people”
A trip to Ness. The Comunn Eachdriaidh Nis collection
This collection is housed in the Old School of Dell in the district of Ness, Isle of Lewis. Ness includes many villages or ‘townships’. I visited this collection last week and it has only recently moved to this building. Apparently …Continue reading “A trip to Ness. The Comunn Eachdriaidh Nis collection”
Information from David Chappell
A recent email message from David Chappell, who had been looking at the site, included a photo of his great great grandfather James Yates from Culross making what seem to be round egg or shopping baskets. Images like this are …Continue reading “Information from David Chappell”
Comunn Eachdraidh Siabost/Westside Historical Society Collection, Isle of Lewis
This week I drove up to Shawbost to see the collection of the Comunn Eachdraidh Siabost. This is currently housed in the Shawbost Community Centre but may well be moving. I was lucky to be able to talk with a …Continue reading “Comunn Eachdraidh Siabost/Westside Historical Society Collection, Isle of Lewis”
Cane Golf Ball
This golf ball was made by a prisoner of war in Edinburgh during the Second World War. We dont know where this prisoner was from originally or his occupation. Was he a basketmaker? Because of a shortage of rubber there was …Continue reading “Cane Golf Ball”
A Glasgow Shopping Basket
Glasgow Shopping Basket This basket belongs to Jean Johnson (now of Arran), but originally belonged to her grandmother who used it for shopping from her tenement in Glasgow. It is a beautiful basket mainly made from willow with …Continue reading “A Glasgow Shopping Basket”
A visit to Comann Eachdraidh Uig/ Uig Historical Society Museum, Isle of Lewis
Uig Historical Society has a great museum based in the Community Centre at Timsgarry, Lewis. It is run by volunteers and has items collected and donated by local people over the years. I visited in June 2013 and it was …Continue reading “A visit to Comann Eachdraidh Uig/ Uig Historical Society Museum, Isle of Lewis”
Making a Mudag
Funny how life sometimes gives us second chances. I was asked by the Highland Folk Museum to make them a mudag a few years ago. I thought it unlikely I would make another but then about a month ago …Continue reading “Making a Mudag”
Strathnaver Museum
Here is the basket collection at Strathnaver Museum, Sutherland from Joanne B Kaar.
