Unique Scottish jewellery made from highland heather stems
Scotland is a nation fiercely proud of its unique traditions, history and creations.
It's something that's driving some to push for a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum on whether the country should leave the United Kingdom.
If Scotland does leave the UK, there's one unique creation that could become a jewel in any new crown - a gem made out of highland twigs.
Out on the Scottish highlands, a tried and tested process is beginning once again.
Cutting back the seemingly endless fields of purple heather, these men aren't trying to rid the land of this abundant shrub, but collect its stems.
Having gathered enough to make their trip worthwhile, they're heading back to their factory to turn the plant's wooden stems into unique Scottish jewellery.
Here in Pitlochry (70 miles north of Edinburgh), they've been making jewellery from wild heather stems for decades.
The finished product is placed into everything from pendants, bangles and brooches, to earrings, pens and rings.
And according to Stuart Brown, the Design Manager at Heather Gems, they and every piece they create is one of a kind.
We're the only people in the world that manufacture it, he says.
Well basically that is the first and foremost, we're the only the people that do it. Every single piece is different due to the process, the dye penetrates the stems different amounts so one red slice is different to the next.
Having dried then cut the heather stems down to the correct size, they're placed into this metal shot-blaster which strips all the bark from them.
Then - once they're dyed varying colours, including red, blue, green, purple and yellow - the branches are mixed by hand.
According to Brown, they look for a specifically long type of heather stem, which means it must be of a certain age.
The main type of heather which we look for is it's got to be a reasonable length - sort of maybe 40 to 50 centimetres in length - so that then we can get a decent amount from what we're picking, he says.
Effectively then it needs to have been growing there for maybe 20 to 30 years to allow it to get to the length that we're looking for.
Once the coloured heather stems have been mixed, they're dipped into glue and compressed into a colourful tight block to create that mix of colours.
Around 4 bundles at a time are placed into this press then compressed by about 50 tonnes of weight.
That's then placed into an oven to set the glue.
Brown says the process was originally conceived during the Second World War when there was a shortage of wood and workmen found they could just as easily use heather.
It was later changed to make jewellery instead.
Since the 1950s, heather jewellery has been produced from the wild heather of the Scottish highlands.
Over the years it has developed from simple pieces into more complex items and fittings.
So, there's a shortage of wood during the Second World War, says Brown.
So they decided to try using heather stems instead, because effectively it is sort of a wood. They then compressed the heather stems into wooden floor tiles and they started using it as a flooring. It was then too expensive the whole process so it was then turned from floor tiles into smaller pieces of jewellery.
Once the block of compressed heather stems has been heated in the oven, it's then trimmed with this vertical band saw, then cut into manageable blocks.
Later, this machine automatically cuts a range of individual pieces from the blocks including hearts, circles, squares and butterflies.
Brown says the fact that heather is a wild plant in the Scottish highlands makes their gems a particularly Scottish product.
Well, heather is known as a wild Scottish plant, he says.
They also use silver plated and pewter metal.
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Motorhome Route to Pitlochry, Scotland - Overnight Parking
Our route into Pitlochry and to the Atholl Road Car Park which has 4 dedicated Caravan / Motorhome Bays. Parking charges 8am till 6pm and overnight parking appears tolerated. Next door to Heather Gems and close by Blair Athol Distillery and also the Salmon Ladders.
Pitlochry, Scotland with Gio & Dana Marie
Images of Pitlochry, Scotland and Edradour Distillery with Phil Angotti's The Sun Better Shine (2002)
Take A Walk 2012 July in Pitlochry
walked thru the town of Pitlochry, shopped at Heathergems, then took a walk thru the pasture, down the lanes and to the waterfall, Black Spout
Walk around grounds of Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry, Scotland
39 Steps
**Please Subscribe**
Quick Bites Scotland: Moulin Brewery
While driving near the town of Pitlochry in the Perthshire area of Scotland, we chance upon the Moulin Brewery, which brews ales such as the award-winning Braveheart, which we see Mike Mudie making, and Chef Mark gets a sample.
A production of the Culinary Media Network.
culinarymedianetwork.com
Pitlochry About our school English
Alice Talks About Scottish Pebble Brooch
Museum Assistant, Alice, talks to us about the Mid 19th Century Scottish Pebble Brooch that is on display in the Medieval Mile Museum's Unearthed Collection!
PBAPB Shonaghs Mace
Shonaghs Mace Falls To Bits At The Inverness Games 2005
Scottish Highlands Jewellery Collection - Inspired by Outlander & Celtic Tradition
Check out this amazing range of Outlander inspired Jewellery Now!
Daisy Jean Floral Designs have released an Outlander inspired Scottish Highlands Jewellery Collection based around the traditional Celtic icons of the time. These include :
-Jacobite Rose brooch:
The stunning Jacobite Rose or white rose of Scotland was used a symbol during the rebellion as it symbolises the exiled king. We knew we had to include this stunning rose in our collection and we love how the ripple glitter acrylic really makes it look so regal!
-Sporan Brooch:
Kilts are the traditional garb for men in Scotland, however, kilts don't have pockets. So they wear Sporran wither their Kilts, which are a leather or fur carry bag for all their necessities. Sporrans can be made of leather or fur and we just knew we had to include one in our Scottish Highlands release.
-Sgian-Dubh Brooch:
Another staple in the Highlander traditional garb is the Sgian-Dubh, which is a dagger worn along with the sporran. We found these simple daggers beautiful and captivating in their simplicity and knew we had to include one!
Amber Dragonfly Brooch:
We couldn't not do a piece inspired by such an iconic object! The stunning Dragonfly in Amber brooch is made from transparent orange acrylic, with such intricate detail! Its nestled under a little row of forget-me-not's, which are the flowers that grow near the stone circles. A beautiful Outlander Tribute.
Dun Bonnet Brooch
The legend of the Dun Bonnet actually comes from a real man, who hid from the British in the caves around Loch Ness. So we just knew we had to include this broody scottish fellow...pulling inspiration from a man we all know obviously!
Thistle Brooch & Earrings
he thistle is such an iconic symbol of Scotland! We definitely had to include it but we also changed it up with a more Art Deco influence to its design. Made of a stunning green and purple acrylic, let this thistle be your statement piece to the rolling highlands.
To perfectly match our Art Deco styled Thistle brooch are matching Thistle earrings! Because we do love being 'matchy matchy! Made from lightweight acrylic, set a statement with these on their own or as a set. We only use medical grade stainless steel for our earring posts too, so these are great for sensitive ears.
Stone Circles Necklace:
The Scottish Highlands is known her a vast number of stone circles. These mystical places have a strong aura of magic and mystery to them as they stand around the country, cradled by fog. We just knew we had to include a piece dedicated to them in this release.
Outlander Themed Jewelry collection. Scotland Thistle Scottish Statement Jewellery When you want to find outlander jewellery you may need to consider between many choices.
Buy Fashion Outlander Jewelry Scotland Necklaces With Celtic Influnces.
Some other cool Outlander related videos are:
Outlander: Claire Inspired Hairstyles
3_jlueLkHQY
Karliene - Home - An Outlander Fan Song
MlFDsauFz30
Outlander | Caitriona and Sam Read Fan Tweets | STARZ
MG4O8oqySnM
PITLOCHRY-I was having a date with Aga 1
Dojechaliśmy do miasta i czekamy na bilety w Hotelu. 20 październik 2007
Windsor Gardens BBQ
The residents and friends of Windsor Garden Pitlochry.
Pitlochry - Mini Tattoo Festival - August, 6th 2009 - Canadian Bagpipers
Streetparade Pitlochry
North Along The Whiskey Trail.wmv
An audio slideshow of photos taken during our motorcycle tour of Scotland in June 2011.