Arts and Crafts on Skye

Skye’s pull goes beyond its mountains and sea. For generations, it’s drawn in people who make things with their hands—potters, weavers, painters, metalworkers—many of whom have stayed, setting up small studios and workshops in some of the island’s most remote and beautiful corners. What’s remarkable is just how much variety you’ll find, and how personal the work often feels. Whether it’s ceramic sheep, naturally dyed yarns, or sea-inspired canvases, the pieces reflect a deep and lived relationship with Skye itself.

This guide brings together a wide range of artists and makers working across the island—from Broadford and Sleat in the south to Trotternish and Waternish in the north. Some have built their businesses in converted byres or hillside sheds; others in purpose-built studios overlooking lochs. Many of them are working studios where you can see pieces being made, or talk with the artist about the process behind it.

There’s something refreshingly unpolished about the whole experience. You might visit a small gallery in what was once a telephone exchange, or find a hand-thrown mug in an honesty box beside the road. These aren’t polished visitor centres; they’re part of daily life for the people who live here and quietly do the work.

For visitors, it’s a way to see a different side of Skye—one that goes beyond the obvious views and connects with a slower rhythm. Call ahead where needed, and don’t be surprised if you leave with something you hadn’t expected. A new appreciation for encaustic painting, perhaps, or a pocket-sized clay puffin.

BROADFORD & SURROUNDS

Skyeline Ceramics
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Just outside Broadford, this tiny pottery studio creates and sells everything from bowls to bookends, but it’s best known for its porcelain sheep.

Duncan House
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Craftsman Garth Duncan carves, casts and forges Celtic jewellery at his studio here in the Cuillin foothills, even mixing the metal alloys himself. The results are intricate, with brooches, knives and knotwork rings all on offer. You’ll find it up a signed track off the road out to Elgol.

PORTREE & CENTRAL SKYE

The Donnie Munro Mural
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Remember Runrig? The Celtic rock band remain one of Skye’s most enduring musical exports, and original frontman Donnie Munro is responsible for the large, eye-catching murals of island scenery that decorate the wall opposite Birch, his son’s Portree café.

Eunoia Studio
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Artist Karen Davies uses the ancient method of encaustic – which heats wax and pigment to meld them together – to create paintings full of place and atmosphere. Her studio overlooks Loch Vatten. Ring ahead or send a message to check she’s open.

Edinbane Pottery
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Stuart Whatley’s first encounter with clay was as his father was digging a drainage ditch on their island home of Pabay off Skye. His hobby became a passion and after studying at the Glasgow School of Art he returned to Skye setting up the Edinbane Pottery in 1971. Often working with a salt glaze, his wood-fired pottery is inspired by the island’s rugged landscape and the sea.

TROTTERNISH

Shilasdair Yarns
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At the quirky and stylish Glenview B&B you’ll find Shilasdair Yarns and the Glenview Gallery. Here, owner Kirsty performs alchemy with locally-foraged plant materials to create a kaleidoscope of dyes for her yarns. It’s a dream for those who love to knit or crochet but, don’t worry, there’s also an array of thoughtfully curated gifts and other items for visitors who aren’t familiar with knitting needles!

Quirky Clay
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Nestled next to the Isle of Skye Brewery by the ferry terminal in Uig is Quirky Clay. Sculptor David creates each of these whimsical, Skye-themed clay figures by hand and you can often find him working on his next batch in his shop which also doubles as a studio space.

Katie Tunn Art Studio
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In the very North of Skye in a converted red-roofed cow byre overlooking the sea is the studio of artist and ocean advocate, Katie Tunn. In this working studio she creates artworks inspired by the seas that surround the island. Be prepared for a lot of blue! Passers-by are welcome to pop in to see the artwork and chat about the local wildlife when the studio is in use but as there are no set opening hours we recommend booking an appointment in advance.

WATERNISH, DUNVEGAN & DUIRINISH

Skye Silks Studio
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Designer Jaine Mahon hand-weaves her silk textiles on site at this studio on the outskirts of Dunvegan, using an eight-shaft floor loom. She also offers courses.

Skíō Pottery
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Kayti Peschke and Luke Seaton moved to the Waternish peninsula from York in 2023 to set up Skíō Pottery in a minimalist wooden R House looking out over Loch Bay. Their functional and decorative pieces are inspired by the coastal landscape and brutalist architecture. You can visit the studio or check out the Croft Box – a self-service honesty shed stocked with mugs, bowls and vases.

Cuckoo Tree Art Studio
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Discover stunning works of art on the Waternish Peninsula at the Cuckoo Tree Studio. Denise Huddleston creates original art in this scenic spot by the sea, offering cards, jewellery and several different methods of prints for visitors to purchase.

RAASAY

Raasay Gallery
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Home and gallery of artist Gordon Cheape, a member of the Scottish Society of Artists. You can view his oils in this contemporary space a 20-minute walk from the ferry in the little hamlet of West Suisnish on the Isle of Raasay with views over to the Cuillins on Skye. Also on display are pencil drawings by Trevor Stratford and paintings by Judy Evans.

The Exchange
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This tiny island gallery in an old telephone exchange is just footsteps from the ferry and houses Calum Gillies’ art and photography, his sister Fiona’s jewellery and Isle of Raasay natural soy wax candles.

SLEAT

Lenz Ceramics
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Originally from Germany, Katherina Lenz travelled around Europe and New Zealand for four years as a ‘journeywoman’ before arriving on Skye’s shores and setting up her pottery in the south of the island where you can visit her studio.

Aird Old Church Gallery
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Now housed in a contemporary extension attached to the church, the gallery showcases the striking local landscape watercolours of artist, Peter McDermott and the jewellery of his wife, Heather.

Gallery An Talla Dearg
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Established by the late Sir Iain Noble to showcase the work of Scottish landscape and wildlife artists, this gallery on the old stone pier at Eilean Iarmain hosts a rolling series of exhibitions from April to October each year.