Heather and Jewels of Scotland

I have been to Scotland many times.
In the past decade I've spent most of my time there, in Edinburgh, and have come to know the old town area, like a second home.

I've seen the staff of the 'Filling Station', (my local watering hole), come and go, with the management staying on.
I've seen the changes, in the way the Edinburgh Festival is run, now that the Parliament has come back to town.
And I've seen the changes in the shops, lining the pavements of the Royal Mile, from top to bottom. The change, from well-crafted Scottish-made goods, giving way to cheaply made and bought foreign goods, that look Scottish to the untrained eye of the tourists. Which is a real shame.

But there are some that have stayed the course and witnessed these changes themselves. And felt the sting of their customers asking, 'why is your price is higher, than those same items up the road at 'such and such' a shop'.
Scots being well mannered and all, will not openly talk about these things to the uneducated masses, (that really mean no harm in their naivety on the subject). Afterall, they are on holiday and shouldn't have to deal with the politics of the local area, in the country they chose to visit. Or should they?

I suppose if you want to actually give something back.....to the country of your father or mother's origin, while on your travels there, then maybe you SHOULD understand.

The purchasing of cheaply made and cheaply sold goods from ....China ...Pakistan ... India...or Taiwan...doesn't help Scotland out much. Oh sure, you'd say ...'well it's supports the shop owners and employees and pays taxes', but it's a bit more complicated than that. Besides,do you really want to travel to a foreign country to buy mementos from there, to carry home and tell your friends about...then find out they were actually made in India or China, and just 'look like' things that represent the place of your holiday travels?

As of last checking (in November 2006)...there's still no 'country of origin lableing law' in Scotland.
Goods can be made in Pakistan and ship to Scotland, put into a box, that was made in Scotland and then (legally)labeled 'Made in Scotland' sad....but true.

So when you travel and feel the urge to shop,....ask questions....'Who owns this shop?' 'Are these items crafted here in Scotland, by Scots?' etc...


Of these shops, that have stayed on to sell strictly Scottish goods, is 'Canongate Jerseys and Crafts'.
I've spent many hours there talking to the owners Heather and Julie (Jules) Richard and made a fair few purchases, down through the time.

They started up in 1978 and have been 'at it' since that time.

Heather is very well read on Pictish art, and on the trails and hiking area of Arthur's Seat. She has designed many of the patterns of jumpers (sweaters), cardigans, and such that fill the shelves there, along with gloves and scarves and numerous other great things. If she is asked the right questions ...will give you a... not only honest...but very concise answer, about things in the shop and outside of it. Cheers Heather!

Julie(Jules), is the inspiration of the shops, books and crafts, cards, jewelry, wall plaque crosses, and other Pictish and Celtic designs and flasks. Made from ceramic, stone, and metal, along with many other delightful things. She's a great person to talk to and to have listen, and has a charming, quietly subdued, insight to life and the characters in it (that I have found to be, very enlightened and a bit disarming at times). Cheers Jules!

This is one of the great survival storys of the Royal Mile and all things Truely Scottish.
Next time you're in Edinburgh, make sure to stop by and see them and their fantastic range of products.

The Bard