If you're searching for something truly unique to give to a loved one this Christmas, Orkney's makers just might have the perfect piece, ready to be sent on its way to you from the islands.
From handmade jewellery to handturned bowls, and stunning glass sculptures to wool from seaweed-eating sheep, the range of quality and original products available from our Creative Orkney members is quite incredible.
Browse some of our suggestions below, and Unbox the Remarkable with a gift from Orkney this festive season.
Zoe Davidson Jewellery - Barriers Collection
Orkney’s landscapes and coastline often influence our local makers, but talented jewellery designer Zoe Davidson’s latest collection is inspired by man-made structures which have become an iconic and important part of our island infrastructure.
The Churchill Barriers were built during the Second World War to protect the Royal Naval anchorage of Scapa Flow from enemy attack. Nowadays these concrete causeways link some of our island communities to the Orkney mainland, and it’s these shapes that have caught Zoe’s eye.
Her pieces incorporate the roads and textured blocks to create a truly unique handmade collection of bangles, bracelets, earrings and more.
Michael Sinclair Woodturner - sycamore bowls
Based in Orkney’s West Mainland, close to our UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s perhaps no surprise that Michael Sinclair’s stunning hand-turned wooden designs are inspired by the ancient archaeology on his doorstep.
Much of Michael’s work is made with a nod to Orkney’s Neolithic past, keeping that connection with our past alive.
He often works with local sycamore to turn beautiful bowls before decorating them with Unstan-ware patterns, a distinct style of Neolithic pottery discovered in Orkney in the 1800s.
Hume Sweet Hume - handmade knitwear
This family-run business is based in Westray, a thriving, vibrant island at the north-western edge of Orkney.
It’s a place of big skies, wild seas, and ever-changing light, and it's these elements that come together to inspire the Hume Sweet Hume range of knitwear and textiles. Their work plays with the soft, muted tones and textures of Orkney, with a Nordic theme influencing the colours, shapes and styles on offer.
Their ponchos are incredibly popular pieces locally, with draping necklines and unique designs, including Fair Isle patterns.
Donna Eunson Glass - fused glass art
You’re never far from a coastal view in Orkney. Our archipelago is made up of over 70 islands and life here is very much influenced by the sea. It has inspired generations of authors, artists, poets, and painters, and it continues to play a part in the work of today’s crop of creative folk.
Donna Eunson is a glass artist who uses Orkney’s ever-changing colour palette to create beautiful pieces of delicate, coloured glass.
The swirls and shapes pay homage to the wild waters surrounding the islands, with a nod to the history, culture, and nature of Orkney too.
Karen Duncan Jewellery - Burri Collection
There’s a saying in Orkney that if you scratch the surface of the islands, it will bleed archaeology.
One fascinating find in particular has inspired a beautiful collection from local jewellery designer, Karen Duncan, not least because it was made within walking distance of her workshop.
Back in 1889 the second largest Viking hoard ever discovered in Scotland was found in Burray. Today it can be seen in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, but Karen’s Burri collection brings the artefacts to life, capturing the Viking spirit by incorporating dragon designs that often decorated the distinctive longships of the Norsemen.
Isle of Auskerry - knitting kits and North Ronaldsay wool
Life on the edge is the perfect description of Auskerry, a tiny island on the eastern fringe of Orkney. It’s home to a small flock of our famous North Ronaldsay seaweed-eating sheep, and there’s no shortage of food stuff for these wooly characters, especially when the winter storms roll in.
The team at family-run Isle of Auskerry has been living and working in the island for 35 years, tending to their flock and hand-clipping the soft, fine fleece every summer. They produce a wide-range of sustainable products, including sheepskin rugs, wool blankets, knitting kits, accessories and much more.
Each product purchased helps conserve this special breed for years to come, too.
Driftwood furniture
Orkney is a fabulously fertile groups of islands, but we’re not blessed with many trees. Centuries ago, our farmers and fishermen used whatever wood they could scavenge from the shore to build furniture for their homes, and our local craftsmen and women continue that practise today.
Many of our makers, including Orkney Hand Crafted Furniture and Scapa Crafts, collect driftwood from beaches and geos after stormy weather to create the classic Orkney chair.
It’s a time-consuming operation, with the wood left to dry for months before work can begin, but the end result is something unique, traditional, and truly shaped by the Orcadian elements.
This is just a small selection of the incredible range of products and gift ideas on offer from Orkney's talented creative community. Unbox the Remarkable with our Shop Online page. You can also shop Orkney's food and drink online, and find more fabulous pieces from our Creative Orkney members too.