We had a wonderful time on Friday at the official opening of our new glassmaking studio by a special guest – Scotland’s leading whisky expert and author Charles MacLean. He cut the ribbon on the state-of-the-art facility which will allow us to increase production of our lovely glass gifts and train a new generation of glassblowers to continue our glassmaking legacy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr MacLean said: “I’m so pleased to have been invited here today to open the studio - this is already a terrific company and this new venture will move it even further forward.

“The glass angels are very fun and appealing while the whisky water droppers are so elegant and useful - in my opinion every whisky connoisseur should have at least one of them.”

During the event, Mr MacLean and other guests – including local dignitaries and business clients – had the chance to watch our talented glassmaker Bee Hardy demonstrate her skills in the new studio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stirling Bailie Chris Kane, representing the Provost’s Office, said: “It was fascinating to see one of Tom’s legendary Angels being blown in the new studio, particularly by new glassblower Bee showing just how well Tom has taught her the secrets of the trade. 

“It is testament to Tom – and his daughter Karen – that their creativity and business acumen has taken the journey from Tom’s garden shed to a purpose- built studio in just four years. 

“With their products held in such high regard by both the whisky industry and whisky drinkers all over the world, I can’t wait to see what’s next for this Stirling business success story.”

Managing Director Karen Somerville was delighted to see the studio open and thanked everyone who has supported the firm over the past four years.

She says: “The studio is badly needed thanks to increasing demand for our products and the phenomenal growth we’ve experienced since start-up in 2013.

“It will give our glassmaker Bee a fantastic base to work from and ensure the art of glassmaking continues to have a bright future in Stirling.”

The studio was funded thanks to money contributed by supporters of last year’s Crowdfund campaign - which raised £11,000 - and the Scottish Microfinance Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The studio, which is not currently open to the public, means we can move production from our co-founder Tom Young’s home workshop - which is too small to keep up with rising demand - to our headquarters. Tom, who has been making glass by hand using traditional methods for 60 years, says: “Having a new studio with more space for staff to work in means a lot to me.

“It will be a great advantage when it comes to passing glassblowing skills onto a new generation of young glassmakers and making sure we keep the tradition alive.”

 

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