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Chamber and committees

Mark Shiner Recognised for his Contribution to Traditional Sailmaking in Scotland

  • Submitted by: Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats.
  • Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
  • Motion type: Standard Motion
  • Motion reference: S6M-19932

That the Parliament congratulates Mark Shiner, who is from Orkney, on winning both the Scotland Maker of the Year and UK Maker of the Year awards at the 2025 Heritage Craft Awards; understands that these recognitions celebrate individuals in Scotland and the UK who have made an extraordinary contribution to their heritage craft within the previous year; notes that Mark was also named a finalist for the Patron's Award for Endangered Crafts; recognises that since 2013, Mark has taught the traditional sailmaking programme at the University of Highlands and Islands Orkney, which is the only one of its kind in Scotland and has kept alive a centuries-old craft that holds deep ties to the local maritime culture; notes that Mark's expertise in traditional sailmaking earned international recognition in 2023 when he was invited to teach the craft to staff members at Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, which is America's leading maritime museum; commends Mark for his exceptional skills and his commitment to safeguarding the practice of handmaking sails for future generations; thanks him for his important work and for delivering this programme in Orkney; further congratulates him on this fantastic achievement, and wishes him all the best for the future. 


Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Tim Eagle, Annabelle Ewing, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Bill Kidd, Edward Mountain, Audrey Nicoll, Douglas Ross, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney