Perthshire Artisans is a curated collection of creatives living and/or working in Perth & Kinross, existing to illuminate the creative talent living and working in this glorious part of Scotland, whilst also supporting them in their creative business.
Highwood Furniture has been part of this lovely and supportive group since earlier this year. And while the purpose isn’t specifically to put on exhibitions this will now be the second we have participated in. The Perthshire Artisans winter exhibition is running at Birnam Arts from 22 November 2025 until 8 February 2026 and is a fabulous opportunity to share what we do with a wider audience. It feels especially good to be able to do this in the company of so much talent. There is plenty of time to plan a visit, so please do - and go and marvel at the depth of human creativity and talent that Perthshire has to offer.
Far more than just being an opportunity to share our work, it is a group that quickly feels like a group of supportive friends. In fact it was the creative network rather than any “marketing” that drew us to join. Running a small business can be a lonely experience at times, and there is something very unique about running a creative business. I am not sure that Colin would have classed himself as an artist (many others will disagree!), Hannah even less so, but yet in many ways looking at what we do in the context of other creatives has been a validating experience that we didn’t know we needed. Creatives, arguably more so than those in other industries, are in it because they love it. And lets face it, most would still be doing it even if it wasn’t to make a living. In the rule of 10,000 hours which is said to be the time required to master a skill, the cost in time alone required to master anything is, at the soon to be minimum wage of £12.71; £127,100. And that is without taking into account the cost of teaching time, materials, or any other overheads. Put this way, being good at anything is an expensive game. And yet, who takes on this cost? Who even notices the cost? Probably not the creatives who are doing it out of love for their craft and who are supplying the time and energy. Whether their spouses and families do is a whole other question!
It is an interesting step to take a creative passion and turn it into a business and way of life. It is a joy and a privilege. But it is also a balancing act, financial and otherwise.
While there is no doubt that the basic rules of supply and demand, value being what someone is willing to pay, and everyone being at the whim of the markets all apply; it is also true that as a customer of a true artisan the value that you gain from the product you buy will almost always outweigh the price that you pay. You are buying true love and passion. You are buying from a deep seated set of values that far transcend monetary value. You are making a much needed investment in the future of human nature in the deepest sense imaginable. Who is the future of humans in a world dominated by non-human systems and processes? You are supporting the local economy, and you are taking a stand against mass production based on a profit and algorithm driven culture.
Is that why we do it though?
Some people, maybe. But not for most. And not for us, when we buy from our fellow artisans. We do it because we see beautiful things and great value based purely on the price we pay weighed up against the joy we receive in return.
For further information: Perthshire Artisans
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Or reach out if you would like to find out more about commissioning your very own piece of custom handcrafted bespoke furniture: counters for business premises, kitchens, tables, cabinets, fitted bedrooms, chairs, beds, wardrobes, shelving, sgian dubhs, jewellery, wholesale gifts, and many more. Design visits can be organised throughout Tayside; Perthshire, Angus, Dundee, and Fife. Online consultations are available for those based further away in Scotland and the UK.