17 Jul 2024
As the cobbled streets of Edinburgh come alive with the vibrant buzz of the Fringe Festival, there’s no better time to immerse yourself in the arts and culture that define this extraordinary city. From our team of talented creatives and craftspeople at Araminta Campbell, we bring you our top recommendations to make the most of this incredible celebration. Join us as we explore a curated selection of exhibitions, workshops, and hidden gems that capture the spirit of the Fringe.
Location: Coburg House, Leith
Coburg House, a stone’s throw from Araminta’s first studio in Leith, opens its doors this August for a unique look into the creative process of those who inhabit it. This exhibition and open studio event offers a rare opportunity to meet the artists, see their workspaces, and understand the inspiration behind their creations. An intimate and enriching experience that art enthusiasts will not want to miss.
Location: Galerie Mirages
Step into the world of the Banjara people through their stunning textiles. This exhibition by Galerie Mirages celebrates the vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and rich cultural heritage of Banjara textiles. It’s a journey through history that will leave you in awe of the artistry and tradition embedded in each fabric. Galerie Mirages are a small family business est 1987, specialising in unique, Artisan and Fair Trade jewellery, textiles and crafts from around the world.
Location: Dovecot Studios
Dovecot Studios showcases a premium exhibition that features a variety of different arts and crafts. This exhibition celebrates the finest in textile art, displaying works that range from traditional to contemporary. It’s a must-visit for anyone passionate about textiles and the creative processes behind them. The diverse array of exhibits ensures there’s something to captivate every art enthusiast.
Location: St John’s Church, West End of Princes Street
Regarded as Scotland’s premier craft, art, and design fair, the West End Fair is a must-visit. Here, you’ll find a stunning array of handmade goods, from unique ceramics to bespoke textiles and beyond. An excellent opportunity to support local artisans and find one-of-a-kind pieces that echo the rich heritage and modern creativity of Scotland.
Location: Edinburgh Ski Club
With a five-star rating from last year, “Paperwork with Working Lines” is a captivating exhibition that explores the delicate art of paper. From intricate paper drawings and collages to prints and paintings. This exhibition is a testament to the versatility and beauty of this humble material.
Location: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Experience the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh like never before with Botanic Lates. These special evening events offer a unique blend of nature, art, and entertainment. Stroll through the beautifully lit gardens, enjoy live performances, and explore interactive art installations. It’s a magical way to unwind and connect with nature amidst the festival’s excitement.
Location: Across Edinburgh
While exploring the Fringe, make sure to visit our beloved Edinburgh stockists. The Scottish Textile Showcase and Stewart Christie are proud to feature an array of our pieces. Discover our latest collections and indulge in the luxurious feel of our most-loved pieces.
Amidst the excitement and energy of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, there’s a serene sanctuary waiting for you just a short 20-minute drive from the city centre. Escape the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the tranquil haven of our Atelier, where Scottish artisanry lives on.
Step into the beautiful haven of Araminta Campbell’s castle-like Atelier, where the rhythmic sound of looms and the creativity of our design office blend seamlessly to craft exquisite textiles. Enjoy a private shopping experience, guided by our passionate team, and discover unique pieces that resonate with your style. Mingle with our skilled handweavers, gain insights into their meticulous techniques, and witness the intricate process that brings our designs to life. Leave with a beautiful reminder of your visit, a handcrafted piece that embodies the spirit of Scotland’s rich textile heritage.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a time to celebrate creativity, community, and culture which is supremely important to us at Araminta Campbell. With so many incredible events and exhibitions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We are thrilled to share our top picks with you, and we hope they add a touch of magic to your Fringe Festival experience. And remember, whenever you need a peaceful retreat, our Atelier awaits, ready to welcome you into a world of artistry and beauty.
"*" indicates required fields
We are guardians of people’s stories...
We ourselves are stories that weave and take shape through the thread, thanks to the gentle hands of the weavers.
The yarn, the loom, our and your stories, are the tools we have chosen to make what cannot be seen or touched, real and wearable. We give shape to the values in which we believe, we give voice to stories to be shared with those dearest to us, forever.
Not just exquisite works of art to wear, but ambassadors, ‘talking’ objects, timeless storytellers of meanings and values that we want to preserve and pass on.
Meet Isabelle, one of our talented handweavers!
Isabelle has long had an interest in textiles, ever since her grandmother taught her to sew.
She discovered weaving when visiting universities before applying to study. Immediately captivated by the woven textile displays at Loughborough University – the home of our George Wood looms – She became fascinated by how these complex woven structures could be created from just a few cones of yarn.
Isabelle enjoys the slow, hands-on process of weaving, appreciating how it demands your full and present focus, and is always excited to share the complexities of handweaving to our visitors.
Meet Helen, one of our talented handweavers!
As an advocate for sustainability and ethical production, handweaving appealed to Helen as the embodiment of slow, responsible craft.
She fell in love with the challenging yet meditative weave process during her textile degree at the Glasgow School of Art.
Helen adores that she can name the alpacas in the pieces that she weaves, as this level of provenance imbues the pieces with deeper meaning for both weaver and future owner.
We choose 100% undyed British alpaca fiber for our designs because it embodies the values we hold dear: sustainability, durability, and unparalleled luxury. Each fleece is sourced from carefully chosen UK farms where animal welfare is a top priority.
Our close relationships with breeders enable us to trace many of our yarns back to the individual alpacas, ensuring exceptional quality and transparency. The alpaca’s fleeces are left undyed, allowing the natural richness and unique tones of their coats to shine through in every piece.
In the UK, only 5–10% of alpacas produce fleece of the exceptional quality we require. Every fiber is meticulously selected for its fineness, crimp, luster, and colour, ensuring our pieces meet the highest standards of luxury and craftsmanship.
It has taken years for our weavers to attain the skill and knowledge required to create our handwoven items.
Handweaving takes precision and patience, with each warp prepared by hand and meticulously threaded through the shafts of the loom. Once weaving is complete there is a lengthy finishing process involving darning, stitching, washing and brushing – all by hand.
It can take our handweavers anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks to complete one of our Signature pieces.
Each piece in our Heritage handwoven collection has been inspired by Araminta’s deep love for the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape.
From the golden glow of the beech woodlands surrounding her family home in the Royal Deeside Corridor during autumn, to the ethereal light of the Scottish Highlands at dawn and dusk, the landscape is a constant source of inspiration for Araminta. The shifting interplay of colours, textures, and natural rhythms informs each handwoven piece, translating fleeting moments into timeless design.
Any moment in time could become Araminta’s next creation.
Meet Lisa, one of our talented handweavers!
Lisa studied weaving at Heriot Watt University, in the borders of Scotland – an area renowned for its textile production.
She always enjoyed creating things and was recommended to study textiles by her art teacher. When first starting out in her weave degree, she found the slow process of setting up challenging, yet today it’s her favourite part.
She finds peace whilst threading the loom, enjoying and embracing the flow.
Each piece has been lovingly handwoven and finished in our Edinburgh Atelier by our team of handweavers on vintage George Wood looms.
Araminta Campbell is one of the largest employers of handweavers in Scotland, fostering employment for talented craftspeople in Scotland plays a vital role in preserving the rich legacy of Scottish textile craftsmanship. Every thread woven in the Atelier carries with it the heritage and passion of centuries-old traditions, brought vividly to life through contemporary designs, and the work of our talented weavers.
It has taken years for our weavers to attain the skill and knowledge required to create our handwoven items.
Handweaving takes precision and patience, with each warp prepared by hand and meticulously threaded through the shafts of the loom. Once weaving is complete there is a lengthy finishing process involving darning, stitching, washing and brushing – all by hand.
When you choose one of our handwoven treasures, you’re not just owning a piece of Scotland’s rich textile heritage – you’re connecting with the hands that brought it to life.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
"*" indicates required fields
