The Grant Hall in Rothes is set to play its part in the massive appeal of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival next week when it shows off the best in local craft work.
Boasting an “authentic and genuine community-driven visitor experience”, the Rothes Community Craft Market will feature an array of small-scale makers and producers demonstrating the broad skills existing in the region.
These include a talented couple at the forefront of pioneering the area’s arts and crafts resurgence, Lucy Dolan and Gerry Thompson from the Speybank Pottery, who are producing stylish and functional stoneware from their studio situated in a secluded location beside the River Spey.
Lucy said: “We imbue our products with the spirit of Speyside to produce hand-thrown plates, bowls, mugs, jugs and tea-bowls, which are decorated with hand-mixed glazes and texture patterns – the subtle colours and effects are all inspired by our beautiful natural surroundings.”
Also on offer include are wood crafts, which have been created by volunteer drivers from the Speyside community car share scheme, while there will be stall of paper crafts made by intrepid six-year-old Walker Holly and her Kiltwalker mum Elidh. Their efforts will raise funding for Lossiemouth charity Logan’s Fund.
The authentic and genuinely local market brings together a talented community of crafters and makers to offer visitors a fantastic range of high quality pottery, woodcrafts, jewellery, textiles, handmade fudge, chocolate, jams as well as poetry and photography.
It is building on the success of last November’s Christmas evening market at The Grant Hall and helping to make craft markets in Rothes a welcome addition to the calendar.
Helping to organise the event is Elidh Myrvang Brown, who said: “My training in contemporary art, design and craft and background in gallery work meant that I recognised very quickly the great potential for the amazing activity happening here in Speyside through small-scale cottage industry.
“Momentum is really building now to create further opportunities to promote the work to visitors as the whole community recognises the important contribution this makes to Speyside and Moray.”
The Community Craft Market takes place on Saturday, May 2 from 11am until 4pm. Entrance payable at the door is £3 and refreshments £2 – all proceeds from the door charge will go towards Rothes Community Ltd., to support the celebration of this area and enhance the visitor experience to all.