Shortlisted for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards – Veteran Entrepreneur Category

I’m incredibly honoured to have been shortlisted for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2026 in the Veteran Entrepreneur category.

Receiving this recognition has given me the opportunity to pause and reflect on what Thistle & Cloth has become. While the business began with a passion for traditional Scottish textiles and craftsmanship, it has grown into something much bigger than creating handmade kilts. It’s about preserving heritage, sharing skills, supporting communities and inspiring the next generation to discover the value of Scotland’s traditional crafts.

Awards are always wonderful to receive, but for me the greatest reward has been the people I’ve had the privilege to work alongside and the opportunities to make a positive difference through creativity, education and heritage.

Over the past year I’ve been fortunate to work on projects that have brought together heritage, education and community, and one of the highlights has been working with the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) programme at Golspie High School.

I recently delivered a week-long fashion and textiles course for a group of students, introducing them to the creative process behind design, garment construction and the textile industry. The school already has sewing machines and opportunities for pupils to learn practical skills, so this wasn’t simply about teaching people how to sew. It was about showing where those skills can lead and opening their eyes to the wide range of careers available within the creative industries.

Throughout the week, students worked on their own projects, developed new techniques and gained experience of the process involved in turning an idea into a finished piece. What I enjoyed most was watching their confidence grow as they realised what they were capable of creating.

One student who particularly stood out was Fara, who also plays football for Ross County. Seeing someone pursue their sporting ambitions while embracing a completely different creative challenge perfectly summed up what the week was all about. Creativity isn’t reserved for one type of person. Whether you’re interested in sport, business, design or something else entirely, creative skills help develop confidence, problem-solving and self-belief.

Living and working in the Highlands, I’m passionate about ensuring young people can see opportunities within creative industries without feeling they need to leave their communities to pursue them. Traditional crafts, textiles and design all have a role to play in Scotland’s future, and it’s important that young people have opportunities to explore those pathways.

Alongside my work with young people, I’ve continued delivering traditional kiltmaking workshops for veterans at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum within Stirling Castle supporting the LamHan Charity.

The museum itself provides a strong connection to Scotland’s military heritage, making it a fitting place to bring veterans together through traditional craft. What makes the project particularly special is that participants aren’t simply learning kiltmaking techniques – they are creating kilts for the newly formed Scots Veteran Pipe Band.

Every kilt being made represents not only the preservation of an endangered craft but also the creation of something that will be worn with pride by fellow veterans. Alongside the project, I also had the privilege of designing a new tartan for the Scots Veteran Pipe Band in collaboration with Lochcarron of Scotland, helping to create a lasting identity for the organisation.

Although these projects involve different groups of people, they share the same goal. Whether working with veterans or young people, traditional skills have the power to bring people together, build confidence, create opportunities and strengthen communities.

Kiltmaking is recognised as an endangered craft, and unless these skills are actively passed on there is a real risk that an important part of Scotland’s cultural heritage could be lost. That’s why I’m passionate about creating opportunities for people of all ages to engage with traditional skills, whether through community projects, educational programmes or vocational training.

Looking ahead, I’d love to expand this work further across the Highlands, creating more opportunities for people to learn traditional crafts, explore creative careers and connect with their heritage. Projects like those at Golspie High School and Stirling Castle have shown just how much can be achieved when skills, creativity and community come together.

Being shortlisted for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards is a huge honour, but what makes me proudest is the people I’ve had the privilege of working with along the way.

I’d like to thank the DYW team, the staff and students at Golspie High School, the veterans involved in the Stirling Castle programme, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, the Scots Veteran Pipe Band, Lochcarron of Scotland, my customers, friends and family for their continued support.

This recognition belongs to all of you as much as it does to me, and I’m excited to see where the journey takes Thistle and Cloth next.

This version feels more personal and grounded, with the emphasis on young people, creative careers in the Highlands, and community impact, while still showcasing the veterans project and your tartan design work as part of the wider story.