IT’S the little luxuries that get us through the winter months. Is there any better incentive to vacate a cosy bed than the promise of a hot bath or shower with divine-smelling toiletries?
Whether you’re looking to pamper yourself or make a start on some Christmas shopping, take a look at our hand-picked selection of Scottish-made smellies, from the high-end organic formulations by isgha, as profiled in this month’s Meet the Maker, to small-batch soaps from home-based businesses.
Marie’s Aristan Soaps are individually handcrafted using an ancient cold process method. As well as bars of soap, shampoo and conditioner, Marie also makes bath salts and bath bombs.
Bath salts, £7.99, Marie's Artisan Soaps
The Highland Soap Company is a family-run firm with a workshop looking out across The Great Glen – not a bad view for staff to enjoy while making soaps, bubble baths, body washes, lotions and candles. Gift options include a wild raspberry gift set containing soaps, bubble bath, hand and body cream and a bath bombe, and a shaving set with soap formulated for its super moisturising properties.
Shaving soap gift set, £14.50, Highland Soap Company
Siabann – Gaelic for soap – is the brainchild of Fiona Ritchie, founder of the Ochil Soap Company. A love of luxury inspired the range, which is ethical, natural and vegan-friendly. Its handmade soap bars have gorgeous thistle-themed packaging (all of the products contain nourishing thistle oil), and the Christmas gifts come in beautifully designed boxes.
Handmade soap bar, £5, Siabann
Dollar gift box, £30, Sibann
The company also produces the Beàrr Man range, designed for “the lovely man who needs his grizzliness soothed”. Its bestseller, Beàrr Man Balm, is for the softening of rough patches all over the body.
Wee Beàrr Gift Box, £25, Siabann
Another Fiona – this one a fully qualified aromatherapist – is chief soap maker at Skye Soap, a family-run business offering a range including soap bars, lip balms and hand creams. Its bath bombs are described as “pure as the snow-covered peaks of the Cullins in wintertime” and gifts sets include a lovely selection of lavendar goodies in a box stamped with the company logo.
Geranium Scrubby Bath Bomb, £3.60, Skye Soap
Medium gift box, £25.65, Skye Soap
The team behind Assynt Aromas, mother and son Helen and Danny, take inspiration from the wilderness around them including heather-covered mountains and remote white sandy beaches. Their products include Glen of Tranquility calm balm, naturally scented with lavendar, and handmade shampoo bars in three varieties wrapped in stunning eco-friendly papers.
Glen of Tranquility calm balm, £20, Assynt Aromas
Linda Sutherland’s Hebridean Soap Company offers natural soap made using traditional methods, while Inverness-based Kathy Storey’s Eco Soaps contain a blend of Scottish cold-pressed rapeseed oil and coconut oil formulated for good lathering and use on sensitive skin. Her Ola Balm is suitable for chapped lips and other dry patches, and tempting soap scents including honey and oatmeal, lemongrass and calendula and nettle.
Gift soap on pine dish, £5.10, Hebridean Soap Company
Ola Balm, £2.75, Eco Soaps
Honey & Oatmeal soap, £3.55, Eco Soaps
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