How Scotland’s Coastlines Inspire Me

Isle of Skye looking out to the Isle of Eigg

When I think of my inspiration I often come back to this striking image of my island home and birth place of my business, Heather McDermott Jewellery — waves crashing, shoreline textures, and atmospheric tones that deeply influence my sculptural jewellery designs.

Scotland’s Shores, Reimagined

In the heart of Callander, nestled amid the Trossachs, I make pieces that are not merely accessories, but tactile echoes of Scotland’s coastal drama. My designs draw deeply from the rugged tidal shores of my youth—each piece a wearable tribute to the shifting landscapes of my homeland.

A Shoreline as a Muse

Growing up on the Isle of Skye, I found inspiration along the tideline, it’s a treasure trove of unique objects discarded from the urban environment and deposited by the power of the Hebridean swell. The mixture of rope, driftwood, plastic fragments, and flotsam transformed over time by wind and sea, forms the visual vocabulary of my jewellery

From Flotsam to Form

The industrial aesthetic of stainless steel—a nod to the textures of fishing nets and lobster pots—is softened through my use of the hand-forming process. Geometric forms repeat and weave, echoing the tangled geometry of coastal debris. I then introduce vivid discs of color reminiscent of buoys washed ashore, transforming the rugged into refined, wearable art.

"Tidal Surge" and Coastal Clusters

One of my main collections, Tidal Surge, is an extension of this coastal exploration. Pieces range from shimmering stainless steel to richer gold tones—each design layered, clustered, and sculptural in form. Works such as rings, pendants, and brooches evoke seaweed clusters, driftwood, and the dynamic interplay of sea and land.

Material Alchemy

My use of materials is deliberate and nuanced. Stainless steel brings strength, durability, and an unconventional edge to contemporary jewellery. Precious metals—silver and gold—add warmth and contrast. In recent work, I have explored cluster designs inspired by seaweed and layered forms created using combined skills in handcraft and computer-aided design.

A Connection to Place

My work is rooted in a profound connection to the raw elements of my island home. When I have created one off pieces in the past I try to evoke a sense of standing on the beach at home on Skye in all the elements. It is such a raw and powerful emotion for me—and I hope the viewer experiences that deep connection of place within my work.

I try to distill my love of Scotlands’s coastline into sculptural form. From the tactile feel of weather-worn netting to the glint of a buoy’s fading paint, my pieces carry the story of Skye’s shores, reinterpreted in metals that endure. Whether through bold cluster rings or delicate buoy-inspired pendants, each design invites the wearer to carry a piece of Scotland’s wild beauty with them.