Aberdeenshire’s top contemporary craft fair returns to the Barn this year with a fabulous array of independent designer makers, including some first-time exhibitors from the length and breadth of Scotland.

With more applicants than ever before, Flock is growing year by yearand will showcase a hand-picked selection of over 40 of Scotland’s top designer-makers.

Featuring in this year’s Flock is textile designer Mhairi McDowall of Paper Houses Design. After initially focussing on scarves and accessories, Mhairi has expanded to include fabrics for interiors and soft furnishings. She also recently took part in the Barn’s craft makers mentoring scheme with the aim to develop her business acumen. Of the scheme Mhairi said, ‘The Barn Art’s mentoring scheme came at the perfect time for me and my business’, and at the end of the process Mhairi felt ‘much more confident that my brand now portrays the quality of the work that I create’.

The success of Flock has also allowed the Barn to develop its support for the Scottish craft and design sector further and from Spring 2019 will have a new, permanent, craft shop and workshop space at the Barn that will showcase contemporary makers and also help raise much needed income for the arts charity itself.

Barn Director, Lorraine Grant says – “The creation of a brand-new destination craft and design space will enable us to become even more of a centre for local craft makers, and a space which we hope will be enjoyed by our local visitors as well as attracting tourists.“

Works will begin on site in January 2019 with the new craft workshop being scheduled to open in summer 2019.

Flock brings two days of the best Christmas shopping in Scotland direct to your doorstep, so beat the crowds and grab those unique gifts.

FLOCK is on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 November from 10am – 5pm @ the Barn, Banchory. Admission Free.