Double award win for kiltmaker

Kiltmaker Nikki Laird, a director at the Kiltmakery in Edinburgh, has won two awards in the 2024 Heritage Crafts Awards: Scotland Maker of the Year and UK Maker of the Year. The awards were presented at a reception at Eltham Palace, in southeast London.

The Scotland Maker of the Year award, supported by the William Grant Foundation, recognises a heritage craftsperson who has made an exceptional contribution to their specific craft in Scotland.  The UK award is supported by the Marsh Charitable trust. 

Nikki has worked in the kilt industry for over 30 years and has been teaching her skills for around nine years. During this time, she has taught more than 100 students, from all around the world.  She has since taken on an apprentice teacher who helps in her classes, held in Leith.

Commenting on her double win, Nikki said: “To be honest I’m still in shock, I was so happy to be a finalist for the Scotland Maker of the Year. I am so grateful and honoured to then to win both this award and the UK Maker of the Year.”

She added: “There’s still a long way to go for traditional kiltmaking and hopefully this will help shine a light on the survival of the craft.” 

Nikki is currently completing a book on traditional kiltmaking, to be published in 2025. Creative Scotland and Heritage Crafts have supported its creation with funding.

www.kiltmakery.com 

Image: Amanda Moffet