Husband and wife team Mike and Kay Nicolson established Marks & Pencils in 2015, after Graduating from Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen, where they met.

They work collaboratively from their home studio, creating bespoke, hand-crafted gifts and functional items, with each item etched by hand to create truly individual pieces. Each piece, from a whisky tumbler to a photo-realistic image on architectural glass, has had the stencil hand-cut using a surgical scalpel, and been sandblasted by hand. This practice ensures each piece is unique, and fully customisable.

Inspired by the history and natural beauty of their Highland home, their work is a reflection of life in the far north of Scotland.

Together, they design their products and commissions from their home studio. All glasswork is carried out using traditional techniques, in Mike’s work shed on his family’s farm, on the outskirts of the town.

Their work can be found in a select range of independent retailers across the Highlands & Islands and, where possible, they enjoy attending craft events both online and in person.