Penny Weir
Cairngorms National Park
Local hero for:
Potter who ‘throws her own’ – and lets others do likewise
More info:
www.penspots.co.uk
A view of Cwmdu, in the Brecon Beacons National Park, where Horatio Clare spent much of his childhood
Beginnings
Penny came to Speyside to volunteer as a warden and cook at the Osprey camp in 1959 and never left.
She has lived in the area ever since, raised four daughters and established her own rural business, Loch-an-Eilein Pottery, which is on the road to Loch-an-Eilein, Rothiemurchus, one of the loveliest spots in the whole of the Spey Valley.
Potty about pots
All Penny’s pots are hand thrown in red earthenware. She specialises in jugs of all sizes from cream jugs to pitchers, and also makes cups, teapots, mugs, storage jars and garden pots.
She glazes them in blue and green and in a rich turquoise, or in majolica, which is a white glaze with a blue design painted or sponged on.
Throw your own
Penny offers novices the chance to throw their own pots and has found it a popular activity with people of all ages and abilities.
Tourism Trail
Penny has become involved with the Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail, created by a local sculptor at Feshiebridge, around 6 miles south of Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. She often guides tours around the trail and is a trustee of the group. Entry to the trail is free and it’s accessible for buggies and wheelchairs.
