Crafting with Nature: Ethical Pottery & Local Resources
Tyndrum sits atop a geological fault, offering a rich and diverse selection of natural materials—many of which we carefully incorporate into our pottery. Rather than exploiting the land, we work in harmony with it, sourcing these raw materials by hand in a way that is both sustainable and environmentally responsible. This approach not only helps protect our landscapes for future generations but also infuses our work with a deep, tangible connection to the Scottish Highlands. Every piece we create carries the story of the land it comes from, giving our pottery a true sense of place and provenance. Below, we explore some of the natural treasures found in our region and how they shape our craft.
Alluvial Gold
Unlike large-scale operations—which are often highly destructive and linked to environmental devastation and unethical labour practices, including child exploitation—we take a different approach. Using traditional hand-panning techniques, we carefully collect alluvial gold from the rivers of around us, a process that is eco-friendly and leaves no lasting impact on the landscape. Unlike industrial methods that rely on toxic chemicals and heavy machinery, gold panning by hand is a sustainable, respectful way to source this precious material. However, it is far from easy—success requires patience, deep knowledge of local geology, and years of experience to master the subtle art of reading the river and separating gold from sediment.
More information on our Alluvial Gold
Quartz (Silica)
Quartz is one of the key ingredients in ceramics, making up 30–60% of both clay bodies and glazes. At Tyndrum Pottery, we have a unique source right on our doorstep. Just above us, Ben Chuirn is home to the UK’s only commercial gold mine, where gold is extracted from quartz-rich veins deep within the mountain. During this process, vast amounts of crushed quartz are left behind as waste—yet for us, it’s a treasure.
Collected by hand within a 1km radius of our pottery, this locally sourced quartz requires no additional mining, no processing, and has zero air miles, making it one of the most sustainable materials we use. By repurposing what industry discards, we not only reduce waste but also ensure that our work remains deeply connected to the land that inspires it.
Black Sand
When panning for gold, we naturally separate and collect a variety of other minerals along the way. Among these are iron-rich compounds known collectively as black sand, which includes ilmenite, magnetite, and hematite. These minerals are not just byproducts—they play a valuable role in ceramics.
If you’ve ever admired the speckled effect in a clay body or glaze, there’s a good chance that one of these iron-rich compounds was responsible. When added to glazes, they create dynamic textures, subtle color variations, and unique surface patterns, adding depth and character to the final piece. By incorporating these naturally sourced materials, we continue our commitment to sustainable, locally inspired pottery.
Wild Clay's
Scotland may not be rich in high-grade clay deposits, but it does have a unique geological gift left behind by the last Ice Age—glacial till. As massive glaciers once carved their way through the glens, they ground down the bedrock beneath them into a fine mineral-rich dust.
While not suitable for making pottery on its own, this ancient material has a place in our work. When added to clay bodies, it brings a distinctive peachy-orange hue, grounding each piece in the Scottish landscape. It also serves as a natural substitute for granite in granite glazes, adding texture, depth, and a true sense of place to our creations. By incorporating this glacial remnant, we give new life to Scotland’s ancient geology—preserving its story in every fired piece.
