WHERE WE CAME FROM
Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscape of the Isle of Skye on the North West coast of Scotland lies our croft at Waternish, the birthplace of Skyeskyns.
What began as a humble endeavour driven by a desire to repurpose discarded sheepskins and diversify the croft in the 1980s has blossomed into a four-decade journey of craftsmanship and sustainability.
We are the sole remaining commercial sheepskin tannery in Scotland. We use tree bark in our tanning process, a craft that is now endangered in the UK. We are women-led with an all-female crew on board, taking Skyeskyns through the next stage of its business journey.
The brainchild of Clive and Lydia Hartwell, Skyeskyns was a dream nurtured over two decades, fuelled by Clive's enchantment with our picturesque coastal village. Today, guided by the second generation of the Hartwell family, our commitment remains unwavering – to create and offer the finest sheepskin rugs, throws, and leather goods while treading softly over our delicate local environment.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
At the core of our ethos lies a dedication to preserving artisanal traditions that span millennia. Utilising wool-on tanning techniques and vintage machinery from the 1920s and 30s, we transform raw materials into exquisite sheepskin home accessories.
Our products showcase the timeless allure of Scottish and British craftsmanship.
Every piece bearing the Skyeskyns name is meticulously handmade in small, limited-edition batches at our Waternish tannery, the beating heart of our family enterprise.
Our seamstresses produce beautiful accessories using carefully sourced materials for the complete home experience.
Using mimosa tree bark tanning, we produce luxuriously soft leather in harmony with the environment. Waste generated in the tanning process finds new life through our sustainable practices, with remnants composted and returned to nourish our croft and woodland.
