The latest edition of Orkney’s unique creative trail brochure, which highlights the workshops, studios and shops of local artisans, was launched this weekend at a major trade fair event in Glasgow.
Twenty-one businesses - covering everything from jewellery, ceramics and artwork, to textiles, tapestry and traditional Orkney chair making - are participating in this year’s trail.
The trail was set up in 1996 by Orkney Crafts Association - now Creative Orkney - in a bid to showcase the work of its members and give visitors the opportunity to see crafts being made first hand.
Special roadside signposts mark the trail throughout Orkney, with the accompanying brochure acting as guidebook.
The publication, which will be available widely throughout Orkney and downloadable from the Creative Orkney website, also contains details of a number of Creative Orkney businesses not involved in this year’s trail. In addition, places to eat and drink along the trail are highlighted.
The 2019 brochure was launched at the SEC in Glasgow today (20 January), during the Scotland’s Trade Fair event.
Edgar Balfour, project manager for Creative Orkney, said: “Since its launch over 20 years ago, the Creative Orkney Trail has proved hugely popular with visitors to the islands, giving them an insight into the incredible quality and diversity of artisan work undertaken here.
“We’re always looking for ways to keep the brochure fresh and, reflecting the recent rebranding of Orkney Crafts Association to Creative Orkney, we’ve given the publication a new contemporary look and feel. As well as being as informative as ever, it’s really eye-catching and we hope it’ll see many more visitors – and local folk too – taking a trip out around the trail this year.”
Nine Creative Orkney members - Aurora Jewellery, Celina Rupp Jewellery, Fluke Jewellery, Karen Duncan Jewellery, the Orkney Storehouse, Ortak Jewellery, Robin Palmer Ceramics, Sheila Fleet Jewellery and Zoe Davidson Jewellery - will be representing the islands at the Scotland’s Trade Fair event, which runs between 20 and 22 January.
Meanwhile, six Orkney food and drink businesses - Deerness Distillery, J. Gow Rum, Jolly’s of Orkney, the Orkney Bakery, the Orkney Creamery and the Westray Bakehouse – will be taking part in the Scotland’s Specialty Food Show, which is also running in the SEC, Glasgow, between 20 and 22 January.