West Kilbride Craft Town Scotland

West Kilbride, Scotland’s only designated craft town, samples the wealth of craft and design talent from Scotland and the U.K.

West Kilbride, Scotland’s only designated craft town, samples the wealth of craft and design talent from Scotland and the U.K. This highly rated visitor attraction features 9 studios and the award winning Barony Centre.  In this beautifully converted former church, visitors can see innovative exhibitions, choose from a range of exquisitely crafted objects and take part in creative activities. Additionally, they can stroll through our picturesque town, meet makers in their studios and visit the town’s independent retailers, all within easy walking distance of the town centre.

West Kilbride, Craft Town Scotland, promotes open studios all year round alongside the recent £1.7m development, The Barony Centre. Scotland has a wealth of craft and design talent producing inspirational craftwork; Craft Town Scotland offers visitors the unique opportunity to see and select innovative craft and design in one easily accessible location.

A community inspired development, the creation of Scotland’s first designated Craft Town has transformed the town centre and helped raised the profile of West Kilbride as a better place to live, work and visit. Our contribution to both the local and national cultural landscape has been recognised by West Kilbride’s Craft Town Scotland's winning a Year of Creative Scotland, Creative Place Award 2012.

The Barony Centre

We are particularly excited about the launch of our dynamic new £1.7m development, The Barony Centre: Craft Exhibition Education and Events venue which opened its doors to the public in May 2012.

Recently recognised for its stunning design, The Barony Centre was awarded a coveted Glasgow Institute of Architects Design Award 2012. Hosting the very best traditional, contemporary craft, design and cross-art form touring shows from the UK and beyond, The Barony Centre has already established a reputation for attracting a diverse selection of exhibitions to challenge and delight audiences.

Our gallery shop offers visitors a varied selection of original, quality craft and design work. We display giftware made by skilled semi-professional crafters; we also promote the work of professional designer makers, from those recently graduated to those who have established international reputations.

The Barony Centre provides a complementary series of creative activities, with classes for beginners right up to Masterclasses for experienced makers.  We work with schools, groups and individuals; we have arranged drop-in classes for toddlers, children and young people and hosted some of the country's most  innovative practitioners as resident artists.

Open: Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 12noon - 5pm

The Craft Studios

West Kilbride's Craft Town Scotland, boasts 9 craft studios dotted along the town's main street.  Promoting open studios all year round, these are workshops with the added bonus of a display area, where visitors can meet craft makers and see work designed and produced on site. We are fortunate to have craft makers of the highest standard, from the latest recent talent to those with an international reputation.

The craft studio makers also promote craft skills, working with local school children, young people and local groups.  Many arrange craft workshops for members of the public, with specially designed projects for new enthusiasts and experienced hands.

Open: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am – 4.30pm
Some Studios have extended open days.
For further information visit the Craft Studio Directory: www.crafttownscotland.org
(We recommend you call before travelling specifically to visit the studios).