UHI Orkney’s Mark Shiner has been named UK Maker of the Year and Scotland Maker of the Year at the 2025 Heritage Crafts Awards.
The awards recognise the curriculum leader for maritime studies’ outstanding contribution to safeguarding the endangered craft of traditional sailmaking.
The awards, announced at Wentworth Woodhouse, celebrate individuals and organisations working to protect and revitalise traditional skills across the UK. Mark was also a finalist for the Patron’s Award for Endangered Crafts.
Mark said he was ‘completely surprised’ by the double win, adding, “Although I knew I had been nominated for Scotland Maker of the Year, I had no expectation of winning – and certainly not two awards. Traditional sailmaking is a living heritage, and these awards recognise the importance of keeping knowledge moving between generations rather than letting it become museum history. I’m honoured that this work, and the community around it, has been recognised nationally.”
The awards also highlight the strong knowledge exchange dimension of Mark’s recent work. With support from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Knowledge Exchange funding, Mark has been leading community-based sailmaking projects across Scotland.
Most recently, he worked with Strathnaver Museum to lead a community sail-build for Grace – a replica late-19th-century fishing vessel now used by the local community for sailing in north Sutherland. The project brought together volunteers of all ages, enabling them to learn and apply traditional methods of design, cutting, and hand-sewing sails.
Earlier knowledge exchange supported work enabled Mark to deliver training at the GalGael Trust in Glasgow, helping expand access to traditional maritime skills in urban community settings.
Professor Seonaidh McDonald, principal of UHI Orkney, added, “Mark’s achievements reflect the deep cultural and community value of traditional craftsmanship in our islands. His commitment to sharing these skills – from Orkney to Sutherland and beyond – shows how UHI’s Knowledge Exchange funding can make a real difference to communities, heritage groups, and learners. We are exceptionally proud to see Mark’s work recognised at both Scottish and UK level.”
Traditional sailmaking has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years thanks to Mark’s teaching and outreach. Since 2013, he has delivered UHI Orkney’s sailmaking programme, which has grown from a single annual course to two, attracting students from across the UK, Europe, and the US. His earlier work, including international training at Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, has helped position Orkney as a leading centre for traditional maritime skills.
Individuals interested in future sailmaking courses can contact the Maritime Studies team at UHI Orkney to register interest.
