Celtic pride
To complement the preview of Scotland's Trade Fair Spring in the January
issue of the magazine, we take a look at the appeal of gifts from north
of the border.
Everyone knows the clichés - pay a visit to a gift shop in a Scottish
tourist area and you will see acres of tartan and ginger-haired
figurines playing bagpipes whilst wearing tam o'shanters. But many
giftware producers will argue that there is more to Scottish gifts than
just these stereotypes.
"I think the audience for Scottish gifts is worldwide," says Scottish Fine Soaps' Michael O'Donnell. "Many customers both in the UK and abroad understand the rich heritage and culture of Scotland and buy into this. These customers want products they know they can trust - gifts from a Scottish manufacturer provides this peace of mind."
The history of the company dates back long before its conception in 1974. Robert Ross, an analytical chemist founded The Union Chemical and Antiseptic Company in 1922, Inspired by his grandfather's hard work ethic and attention to detail, Derek Ross to created Scottish Fine Soaps, part of the larger Alexander Ross Holdings group.
"By default, our rich heritage and Scottish manufacturing means that we have this 'Scottishness' running throughout our products," says Michael. "We tend to have specific ranges that focus on this.
"For example, our Highland Aromatics range and Scottish fragrance soap tins were inspired by the natural scenery and fragrances that surround us. We are lucky that we have such dramatic scenery and wild landscape which we can use to inspire us in our product development."
Ranges from Scottish Fine Soaps take an understated approach to their "Scottishness". Michael says: "I think people possibly perceive 'Scottish' gifts to be all tartan, haggis and bagpipes - very old-fashioned and twee. I do not think that is the case anymore.
"There are a number of Scottish brands at the moment breaking this mould such as Gillian Kyle and ourselves. We take great pride in our rich Scottish heritage but the design of our products do not represent the historic view of what Scottish gifts should look like - far from it."
Based just over the border in Carlisle, Ken Johnson, managing director of Enesco is ideally placed to monitor the market for Scottish-themed giftware. He says: "The clichéd Scottish products tend to sell in the volume tourist gift market rather than in quality gift shops.
"The audience for Scottish gifts is predominantly for visitors to buy as souvenirs and for residents to buy as gifts for friends and family.”
But like Scottish Fine Soaps, Enesco steers clear of the clichés. Ken says: "One of our major brands, Border Fine Arts, originated in Langholm. The 'Scottishness' has always been prominent."
Gail Steele, organiser of the now defunct Aviemore Trade Show, also believes that there is a broader spectrum of Scottish gifts than is perceived to be the case. She says that visitors to Aviemore looked for "beautifully presented products which demonstrated the innovation, rich culture and heritage that Scottish producers possess.
"This ranges from glass, textiles, jewellery to artwork, soap and all things in between, not just the tartan, thistle and shortbread!"
With the traditional clichés officially banned from sight, Gifts Today takes a look at Scottish-themed gifts in the November/December issue in conjunction with the upcoming Scotland's Trade Fair (where most of these products can be seen in person). To view the issue, click here.
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