Craft has been defined in many ways down through history. In the past, handworking skills were handed down from generation to generation, and the people of Angus are proud of a long tradition of local skills in weaving, pottery and glazing, wood crafts and stone work. From the time of the ancient Picts and the legacy of beautiful stone-carving which they have bestowed upon succeeding generations, men and women have sought to express themselves in the decoration of their environment, domestic goods, and adornment. A visit to The Meffan in Forfar, to the Linen Weaving Workshop at the House of Dun, or to the Angus Folk Museum at Glamis tells the
visitor much about that rich inheritance.
Today, as well as practical implements and goods, we look to craft makers to enrich the quality of our lives with unique ceramics, glass, images, textiles and woodturning for our homes, and hand-made jewellery and garments to wear. We like to surround ourselves with lovely things, collected on enjoyable forays into areas such as Angus, where the crafter's art flourishes. We store memories in the treasures we find and carry home.
Whatever impulse it is which drives us to communicate in this way is alive and well in Angus today. In recent times a new breed of craftspeople have breathed life into the hills and glens of Angus, setting up arts and craft workshops around the county and making beautiful and useful artefacts by hand in all sorts of media. The inspirational landscape and heritage of the county, along with the delightful quality of life, attracts artists and craftspeople to come here and to stay.
Some welcome visitors to their workshops and galleries, and many are part of the Angus Crafts Association - and represented on www.anguscrafts.co.uk.
Be sure to discover the wealth of lovely crafts around Angus - and take something home to remind you, or someone you love, of your time here.
Useful LinksAngus Crafts Association
c/o 102 High St, Brechin, Angus, DD9
Contact: Wendy White, Secretary
E: wendy@taberi.co.uk
W: www.anguscrafts.co.uk
Applied Arts Scotland
Edinburgh College of Art
Dept of Design & Applied Arts
74 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9DF
T: 0131 221 6143
E: office@appliedartsscotland.org.uk
W: www.appliedartsscotland.org.uk
Association for Contemporary Jewellery
Scotland and North East Region
63 Cromwell Road, Aberdeen, AB15 4UE
T: 01224 324765
E: hazel@calumpress.com
W: www.acj.org.uk
Contact: Hazel White
Association of Blairgowrie Craftworkers
T: 01250 884253
E: enquiry@blairgowriecraftworkers.org.uk
W: www.blairgowriecraftworkers.org.uk
Contact: Karl Peet, Chairman
Edge: Textile Artists Scotland
(amalgamation of EMBRYO: Dundee Textile Artists, one, 6, 7 and Scottish Embroidery and Textile Artists)
E: info@edge-textileartists-scotland.co.uk
W: www.edge-textileartists-scotland.co.uk
Scottish Craft & Furniture Makers Association
Hillside House, The Cross, Kippen, Stirling, FK8 3DS
Tel/Fax: 01786 870852
Mobile: 07817 643673
E: mail@toaig.com
Contact: Peter Toaig
Scottish Glass Society
1 The Lade, Balerno, Edinburgh EH14 7LB
E: elizabethcull@tiscali.co.uk
W: www.scottishglasssociety.com
Contact: Elizabeth Bull, Secretary
The Scottish Potters' Association
10 Braeheads, Whitehills, Banff AB45 2NP
T: 01261 861867
E: info@scottishpotters.org
W: www.scottishpotters.org
Contact: Veronica Newman, Secretary
Scottish Woodworkers Group
The Croft, Brough, Thurso, Caithness KW14 8YE
T: 01847 851 605
E: info@woodturning.uk.com
W: www.woodturning.uk.com
Contact: Michael O'Donnell, Chairman
Visual Arts Scotland
4 Mount Charles Crescent, Alloway, Ayr KA7 4NY
T: 01292 442977
W: www.visualartsscotland.org
Contact: Karen Clark, VAS Administrator
