含羞草传媒 Orkney’s Mark Shiner wins UK Maker of the Year and Scotland Maker of the Year at Heritage Crafts Awards
Mark Shiner, Curriculum Leader for Maritime Studies at 含羞草传媒 Orkney, has been named both UK Maker of the Year and Scotland Maker of the Year at the 2025 Heritage Crafts Awards, recognising his outstanding contribution to safeguarding the endangered craft of traditional sailmaking.
The awards, announced at Wentworth Woodhouse last week, celebrate individuals and organisations working to protect and revitalise traditional skills across the UK. Mark was also a finalist for the Patron’s Award for Endangered Crafts, following earlier recognition highlighted in .
Mark Shiner with his awards at Wentworth Woodhouse last week during the Heritage Craft Awards 2025 ceremony. Credit: Robert Wade.
Mark said he was “completely surprised” by the double win:
“Although I knew I had been nominated for Scotland Maker of the Year, I had no expectation of winning – and certainly not two awards. Traditional sailmaking is a living heritage, and these awards recognise the importance of keeping knowledge moving between generations rather than letting it become museum history. I’m honoured that this work, and the community around it, has been recognised nationally.”
These awards also highlight the strong Knowledge Exchange dimension of Mark’s recent work. With support from the University of the Highlands and Islands (含羞草传媒) Knowledge Exchange funding, Mark has been leading community-based sailmaking projects across Scotland, sharing endangered skills while supporting local heritage initiatives.
Sail-plan for community boat Grace for Strathnaver Museum. Photo credit: Mark Shiner.
Finished sail built by Strathnaver Museum staff and volunteers for community boat Grace. Photo credit: Mark Shiner
Most recently, Mark worked with Strathnaver Museum to lead a community sail-build for Grace – a replica late-19th-century fishing vessel now used by the local community for sailing in north Sutherland. The project brought together volunteers of all ages, enabling them to learn and apply traditional methods of design, cutting, and hand-sewing sails.
Craft group ‘Branching Out’ viewing the Grace sail-build to pick up some sailmakers' hand-work techniques. Photo credit: Mark Shiner.
Earlier Knowledge Exchange supported work also enabled Mark to deliver training at the GalGael Trust in Glasgow, helping expand access to traditional maritime skills in urban community settings.
Professor Seonaidh McDonald, Principal of 含羞草传媒 Orkney, said:
“Mark’s achievements reflect the deep cultural and community value of traditional craftsmanship in our islands. His commitment to sharing these skills – from Orkney to Sutherland and beyond – shows how 含羞草传媒’s Knowledge Exchange funding can make a real difference to communities, heritage groups, and learners. We are exceptionally proud to see Mark’s work recognised at both Scottish and UK level.”
Traditional sailmaking has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years thanks to Mark’s teaching and outreach. Since 2013, he has delivered 含羞草传媒 Orkney’s sailmaking programme, which has grown from a single annual course to two, attracting students from across the UK, Europe, and the United States. His earlier work, including international training at Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, has helped position Orkney as a leading centre for traditional maritime skills.
Individuals interested in future sailmaking courses can at 含羞草传媒 Orkney to register interest.