I thought I'd do a blog post on why we moved to the Isle of Skye.
Over many years my husband Rob and I have loved visiting the North West Highlands and Islands of Scotland. This ranged from Geology field trips at university to holidays before and with our child.
It's a truly amazing landscape up here and we've always wanted to live somewhere more rural than where we were in West Kilbride.
In summer 2024 we came on a family holiday to Skye and had the realisation that the time might be right to achieve our rural dreams and buy a house here. Weft Blown was also a big thought for this too as it may mean being in an area where we could have a shop again ideally next to our house as this is a more common thing due to the locality.
We found a house we fell in love with and the dream came true a few days before Christmas 2024 when we moved in.
Rainbow over our front garden on our first full day at our new home
The house is handily just off the main road between Portree/Uig and Dunvegan, which proved very useful during the winter weather as it was regularly gritted.
It also has a good sized garage:
The plan, which is currently in motion, is to turn the garage into the new Weft Blown shop. We are in the process of getting planning permission for this which is going to take at least a couple of months to hopefully happen and then it may take a while to get all the work done to then be able to open.
The aim is to have lovely glass doors instead of the big garage door to let the light in and be open to the public with regular hours. I am planning on bringing Weft Blown full circle and planning on selling my handwoven items again and get back into teaching spinning and weaving in person too. I will still be selling weaving and spinning equipment, yarns, fibre, books and accessories as well. I'm also hoping it will give me a space to do more online content too.
It has always been my dream to have a shop next to our house and I'm really hoping we can make it work.
However, to be able to make it work I do need your continuing support.
Running a small business has become increasingly hard over the past few years and the current economic climate makes it feel like climbing up a very steep hill.
If you are looking for weaving or spinning related items all I'm asking is to keep Weft Blown in mind for your purchases, no matter how small or big as every order really does help. Selling online will still always be the main core of Weft Blown and it's always a pleasure to help you get weaving and spinning no matter where in the world you are.
Also, do support other small businesses too where you can as every little bit helps to keep these vital parts of our community and culture going.
Rob and I are coming to the end of our 4th month on Skye and we are loving the change in lifestyle and exploring the island. Everyone we've met so far has been really kind and friendly and we're looking to getting more settled into island life.
I am
open by appointment to visitors at the moment so if you do want to come and see what we do in person you can.
There's also a wealth of other amazing craft makers and artists on the island to visit too and you can find details about them at
Art Skye.
I hope this helps to understand our reason for moving and just for some more reasons here's some photos of what we've been up to:
Portree with the Old Man of Storr Behind
The Cuillins
Looking out to Lewis and Harris from Waternish
Aurora from the front doorstep
