Highland Stoneware

David Grant founded Highland Stoneware in Lochinver in 1974 with backing from the Highlands and Islands Development Board, building a pottery that still mixes its own clay, glazes and decorating colours on site at Baddidarroch. A second workshop opened in Ullapool in 1981. Every plate, bowl and vase is thrown or cast and then free-hand painted by one of a small team of decorators, so no two pieces match exactly. Visitors can walk through the workshop to watch the making and decorating process before browsing the factory shop. The pottery's thistle-patterned vases were commissioned for Balmoral and appeared among the last photographs taken of Queen Elizabeth II at her Scottish home. The shop keeps longer hours in summer, with Saturday and Sunday opening from Easter to the end of October.