Grown on our Skye croft and inspired by Scotland’s architectural and craft heritage, and its dramatic landscapes, we introduce our new design brand—Forstaris.
Using traditional techniques and the finest materials, we create modern furniture and lighting with a sense of place.
We designed and prototyped the Thorter tables, our inaugural pieces of furniture, in our workshop on Mint Croft in the Isle of Skye, in Scotland's Inner Hebrides.
Makers ourselves, we work closely with skilled craftspeople to create modern heirlooms. The tables are handmade to order by a master cabinet maker in a small family-run workshop in Highland Perthshire.
Thorter, Scots: to do something in a criss-cross fashion
The wattle work on a 19th century barn—typical of Lochalsh in the Scottish Highlands—inspired the table.
The apron is handwoven from thin timber strips; the solid timber top has a rounded edge and an angled underside.
We make two sizes of table: a low coffee table and a taller side table.
Please contact shaz@mintcroftskye.com for shipping costs and further information.
We moved to the Isle of Skye in 2011. Over three years, and using traditional materials and techniques as much as possible, we restored and rebuilt the blackhouse and croft house on Mint Croft. Most of the renovation work we did ourselves; we are fortunate to have the skills that brought these traditional Hebridean buildings back from the brink.
As new crofters, with advice from our neighbours, we slowly returned the croft land to its working state to provide pasture for our flock of native Hebridean sheep.
Mint Croft is our home and we also welcome guests to stay here. Our relaxed but luxurious style of hospitality has been featured in numerous publications including Vogue, The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveller.
Crofting is traditional, small-scale farming, unique to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Following generations who worked this land, we wear many hats alongside looking after our guests: Ali is a crofter, a product designer and a cabinet maker; Shaz is a crofter (and the local grazings clerk), an artist/designer and a passionate home cook.
Our attention to detail and ethos, which led our careful approach to restoring and furnishing the croft buildings, is now driving the design and manufacture of our own collections of furniture and lighting.
Please do get in touch with Shaz for any further information: shaz@mintcroftskye.com
