Laura Cunningham

Willow Grower & Basket Maker

Isle of Skye

Hand-crafted Willow baskets

Grown on the Isle of Skye

Baskets are functional, beautiful, full of colour and add texture and warmth to any space. The Willow that I use to make these baskets grows well here on the Isle of Skye, without any pesticides, fertiliser or watering required.

Each basket I make is unique and depends on the capabilities of the willow, always different and unknown before I begin to weave.  I can try and replicate similar baskets, but both the growing and drying conditions will influence the rods, and vary from year to year.

Occasionally I incorporate other plant materials into these baskets, for example driftwood, or cordage from grasses and flowers foraged from the croft. I sometimes source Willow from fellow growers to supplement my supply when required. I plant new beds and add in basketry willow varieties each Winter.

There is no waste when these baskets are made. Any scraps of willow are used up as kindling, woven into smaller items, or composted here on the croft. These baskets will decompose fully at the end of their lives, returning to the earth. Some baskets can be repaired several times.

“Everything you make returns to the earth as either food or poison.”

— Céline Semann, founder of The Slow Factory