Heathergems and it's History

Heathergems, in present day, offers a wide variety of products for many to choose from, whether it's the ever iconic highland coo brooches or tree of life range, the list goes on. Back when the heather was first being used, it had a very different purpose for what it created. What was it, and why did it change?

In the 50's, a group of men used small branches of beechwood compressed together to try and make flooring tiles. This was due to a lack of resources after the war, so they tried to make an alternative. However to produce even a single tile was too expensive, so it was abandoned.

One man from the group, Hugh Kerr a craftsman from Glenlivet, continued the process he created with the heather stems but instead tweaked it into making heathergems. Charles Buyers, an accountant from Glasgow, was searching for a craft industries to be set up in the Highlands on behalf of the then Highland and Islands Development Board. The board didn't deem it a viable option, but Charles saw something in it and backed it with his own money.

In 1970 the company set up a factory in East Kilbride and began producing the heathergems. The project seemed more tied to the Highlands though, and for that reason in 79' it was moved to Blair Atholl. 

It was once again moved to Pitlochry, this is where it resides now. Attached to the factory though is also a viewing gallery and a shop. The viewing gallery allows people in person to see the heathergems actually being made from start to finish. The shop also includes items that aren't available on the website but are exclusive to the shop only.