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Silver rings sit on a black stand beside a hammer and books on a jeweller's workbench.
Isle of Arran

Jess MacDonald Brass

An Arran-born silversmith making jewellery in silver, gold and platinum at her studio in Blackwaterfoot, open by appointment.

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Welcome

Jess MacDonald was born and raised on Arran, and after more than thirty years as a jeweller she makes her work at Stravaig Studio in Blackwaterfoot.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

She trained in Glasgow in silversmithing and three-dimensional jewellery design, then spent eighteen years in one of the city's jewellery workshops before coming home.

Her pieces are made by hand in silver, gold and platinum, and they come from time spent outdoors and underwater rather than from trends: she is a divemaster and a freediver, and the textures of the shore, the sea and the hills run through her rings, pendants and brooches. A share of the sales from her Maerl collection goes to Arran COAST, the island's marine charity.

The studio opens all year by appointment, so call ahead to arrange a visit. Jess also takes commissions for bespoke pieces.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
Before you go

By appointment, all year.

Call 07961 866255 to arrange a visit.

Studio
Stravaig Studio, Blackwaterfoot.
Works in
Silver, gold and platinum.
Commissions
Accepted.

Opening hours

Monday
10am–6pm
Tuesday
10am–6pm
Wednesday
10am–6pm
Thursday
10am–6pm
Friday
10am–6pm
Saturday
10am–6pm
Sunday
11am–4pm

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Did you know

Framed photographs of jewellery hang on a teal wall above driftwood shelving displaying rings, sculptures and a potted plant.
Did you know

Made underwater, in a way.

Jess MacDonald is a divemaster and freediver, and the sea runs through her jewellery.

A hand holds pliers to shape a small metal ring clamped in a vice, silver rings and tools scattered across the workbench.
Did you know

For the sea.

Part of the sales from her Maerl collection supports Arran COAST, the island's marine charity.

What is on

What is new across Arran, day by day.

New places, news and stories, as we find them.

What is on on Arran
01 / 03
Where it is

At Stravaig Studio in Blackwaterfoot, KA27 8ER, by appointment.

Close byBlackwaterfoot.
  1. Blackwater BakehouseBlackwater BakehouseUnder a mile 2 min by road
  2. Drumadoon PointDrumadoon PointCliffs and a hillfort by the village.2 miles 7 min by road
  3. King's CaveKing's CaveCarved sea caves up the coast.3 miles 7 min by road
  4. Machrie Moor Stone CirclesMachrie Moor Stone Circles5 miles 8 min by road
  5. The Old Byre ShowroomThe Old Byre ShowroomKnitwear and a cafe at Machrie.6 miles 17 min by road
  6. Cafe Thyme, MachrieCafe Thyme, MachrieThe cafe at the Old Byre in Machrie, where a Turkish wood-fired oven bakes pide and flatbread alongside local Arran produce.6 miles 17 min by road
Directions
Modern angular building with sign reading "Welcome to Lagg Distillery, Isle of ArranAttractionsLagg Distillery6.4 miles
White wooden hut on a pebbled shore with hills beyondAttractionsDougarie Estate6.7 miles
Lichen-covered rocks and tidal pools along a grassy coastal shorelineAttractionsHutton’s Unconformity7.5 miles
Seals resting on lichen-covered rocks with others swimming in the seaWalksArran Coastal Way with Thistle Trekking7.5 miles
Handmade wooden clocks, bowls and toys displayed on tables inside a whitewashed workshopShoppingKilmory Workshop7.9 miles
Whitewashed cottages with red doors, a green wheelbarrow in the gravel courtyardAttractionsIsle of Arran Heritage Museum9.5 miles
Sandstone building with sign reading "Arran, Sense of Scotland, by Arran AromaticsShoppingARRAN Sense of Scotland9.7 miles
Arran's Cheese Shop entrance with red pillars and a wooden signboard outsideShoppingArran's Cheese Shop9.8 miles
Vintage pale blue van converted into a coffee stall beside treesRestaurantsThe French Fox, Brodick10 miles

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