Big Up to Our Friends!

In late April at Glen Dye we repeated an event that we pioneered in 2025, and it was a great success (though I say it myself).

The idea is to invite some people from across the UK to come and spend some time with us and sample everything that Glen Dye has to offer for 48 hours.

The guests are journalists, people of influence, makers, chefs, bakers, shop keepers, designers, architects, photographers etc. They are all people whose work we admire, and we ask them to stay with us with no agenda at all except to make friends and (overused phrase alert!) to build proper symbiotic community.

There is no contract in place other than that somewhat abstract one between guest and host. We go to great lengths to host as generously as we can and to connect with everyone with genuine warmth; and in so doing to create proper friendships.

It’s like a giant house party or wedding or whatever.

It works.

We do this because we believe that all of us need each other, or at least are stronger with each other’s support. The community of British makers and doers is huge, and it will become stronger if we all support each other.

It’s also true to say that we are all exceptionally proud of Glen Dye, so we want to show it off to people whose work we admire.

What we do with this event seems to be fairly unusual, if not unique, in that it is not conventionally transactional; many press or influencer events are the opposite and as such, once the goodie bags have been distributed (and their contents loaded onto Vinted) and the photos shared, everything is quickly forgotten.

Yesterday’s news, today’s chip paper. Not with this event, where genuine friendships are brought to life.

So, to sign off today, I want to list a few Scottish businesses, makers and creators who came and stayed with us and who are deserving of your support. You could actually visit several of them (and us) on a road trip if you felt so inclined. Generally, though, do check them out please.

Music. Coffee. Bread. Pudding. Craft. Lunch. Shopping. And more. These people are brilliant at what they do.

Brilliant people, in no particular order:

• Kirsty McLachlan, photographer.
  @kirstymclachlan
• Emily Moorman, interiors writer.
  @emilymoorman_
• Flora Collingwood-Norris, Scottish knitwear and visible mending.
  @collingwoodnorris
• Patrick Grant, author, owner at Community Clothing, host of The Great British Sewing Bee.
  @patrickgrantism
• Olivia Squire, features editor at Conde Nast Traveller.
  @offshoots
• Daisy Dawnay, contributor at FT’s House & Home
  @daisydawnay
• Darcie Maher, baker and founder at Lannan Bakery and Pantry.
  @darciemaherr
• Tim Maddams, chef and all-round expert in foraging and fermentation.
  @tim_maddams
• Claire Coghill, chef and owner at Café Cùil.
  @clarecoghillcooks
• Niall Munro, owner at Birch Coffee.
  @niallmunners
• Jemima Guest, head of marketing at Studio Meraki.
  @jemimaguest
• Flora Shedden, baker and founder at Aran Bakery and LÒN.
  @florashedden
• Andrea Bussell, writer and journalist at Conde Nast Traveller, National Geographic and NY Times.
  @ambussell
• Jane Wright, commissioning editor (Arts & Culture) at The Conversation.
  @gingerandharve
• Sarah Frances Kelley, photographer and creative consultant.
  @sarahfranceskelley
•  Gunnar Groves Raines, architect at GRAS and director at Brown’s of Leith.
  @gunnar_gras
• Nina Davidson, photographer.
  @ninadavidson_
• Ali Goodman, founder and maker at Francli Craftwear.
  @franclicraftwear
• Molly Cooper, co-founder at Curated Spaces.
  @curatedspacesclub
• Fiona Kerr, writer and co-founder of Tootle.
  @fionakerr
• Issy von Simson, writer and co-founder of Tootle.
  @issyvonsimson
• Jes Salter, freelance lifestyle journalist for FT Fashion and House & Home, Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Telegraph and more.
  @jes_salter
• Sarah & Jack, owners at Dōr
• Atsushi Hasegawa, Head of creative at The Newt.
  @atsushi.hasegawa.creative
• Eleanor Cording Booth, design writer, creative consultant and interior stylist.
  @aconsideredspace
• James & Hugo Macdonald, owners at Bard.
  @hugomacd
• Neil Williams, designer, photographer, retailer and builder.
  @neil_williams_projects
• Gail Bryson, designer, artist, print-maker and colour specialist.
  @gailbryson
• Arran Cross, photographer and one half of Department Two.
  @arran_cross
• Fern Merrills, art director, creative consultant and one half of Department Two.
  @leafy_fern
• Xanthe Ross, chef and author.
  @xanthemross
• Robin Adams, musician.
  @robinadamsmusic
• Sam Grassie, musician.
  @samgrassie