If Anna Karenina and Paloma Faith need to go hat shopping then South Queensferry is where they should head. Joyce Paton opened Paton, the unexpectedly exotic store in the historic Scottish town at the end of March 2014. Fur pill box hats with beautiful plumed feathers, which were created for catwalk shows and photoshoots, are on display alongside less extravagant pieces. For weddings and events Joyce can create low key
No it’s not Hawaii. It’s Scotland and the surfer is Frazer Reid, riding the East Swell at St Andrews on a surfboard he made out of wood. Coals and Newcastle come to mind when Frazer explains buyers have travelled from Newquay to Fife to buy the beautiful wooden surfboards which he makes and sells. Although shipping costs proved a bit prohibitive for the enquirers from South Africa and Thailand. Reid
American artist Wendy Gold first gained notoriety decoupaging toilet seats. Always looking for new inspiration, she stumbled across a beautiful antique globe at a flea market and immediately recognised her next canvas. The globes start at £280 which is not cheap but they would make wonderful Christening or wedding presents. More affordable are her maps (bottom) which start at £85. Check out Wendy’s work here.
Still haven’t bought your souvenir to celebrate Andy Murray’s victory at Wimbledon? Here’s a stylish commemorative mug by designer Gillian Kyle and illustrator Clare Forrest. ‘Andy Murray’ was so popular he’s sold out but is back in stock 23 September. Other ‘Local Heroes’ include Robert Burns, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Mary Queen of Scots and Alexander Graham Bell. Gillian, who is known for her range of Tunnocks teacakes and caramel wafer
Taking wine to the remotest pub on mainland Britain is wine merchant, Philippe Larue’s most challenging delivery. With no road leading to The Old Forge at Knoydart, access is by boat from Mallaig. ‘It’s like a military expedition,’ laughs Philippe of L’Art du Vin, Charlestown, Fife. As France’s wine consumption continues to freefall it’s down to two Frenchmen, Philippe and his colleague Richard Bouglet, to meet the increasing demand from
Rachel Collins, like many of us, was taught to knit by her grandmother. Unlike most of us however, who never got beyond pointless squares and gappy Doctor Who style scarves, she has gone on to be the creative force behind Selvage, a young company based in Crossgates, Fife which sells beautiful, supersoft Fair Isle blankets, scarves and cushions in the muted tones of the Scottish landscape. Rachel, who grew up
Newcastle may be home to the best hen and stag weekends in the country but you don’t need to don your pink feather stetson to enjoy this brilliant area. Not necessarily a weekend destination in itself Corbridge is still worth the 30 minute drive west of Newcastle if you fancy a trip into the countryside to visit some interesting independent shops and have a good choice of eating places. It