Delicious Highland-made chocolate truffles, sea urchin-inspired pottery and “sea glass” jewellery were among the many locally produced goods on display at Inverness Craft Festival at the weekend.
Locals and tourists took the opportunity to make an early start on their Christmas shopping at the event in the Town House, taking place yesterday and on Saturday as part of the Highland Homecoming Festival.
The crafters were all members of a group called Exclusively Highlands, which has recently broadened its membership to include people from across Scotland.
Most of the 29 exhibitors taking part in the festival, which was aimed at showcasing the very best on offer in the north, were from the Highlands and islands and Argyll.
Organiser Isabel Stewart said the size of the venue had limited the number of members able to attend, but all had reported a very successful event.
She said: “We have had 400-500 people through the door each day. There has been a good mix of locals and tourists and sales have been going very well.
“It seems a lot of people are buying for Christmas already.”
Crafts on display included jewellery, silversmithing, glass and resin, a selection of felted and Harris Tweed items, original watercolours by local artists, pottery and photographs. There were also hand-made and hand-crafted foods.
Rebecca MacDonald, of Brora-based My Cocoa Creations, said: “The festival is going really well for us.
“We’ve had a lot of interest and a lot of people looking for present ideas for Christmas.”
Other exhibitors included Su Gillies, of Conon Bridge, who makes jewellery from glass washed up on local beaches; Helensburgh-based watercolour artist Pamela Randal; Louise Cook, of Shoreline Stoneware, North Uist; Kevin MacLeod, of Leachkin bakery, and Jacqui McKinnon, of Strathconon Organics.