Meet the Maker: Victoria Houghton

With a proud Scottish heritage and stunning pieces created by master craftspeople, to include the world's first handcrafted Scottish gold jewellery collection, Hamilton & Inches is a bastion of excellence and sophistication in the heart of Edinburgh. Dream Escape steps inside its magnificent showroom...

An inviting glow emanates from the beautiful purple-framed windows on George Street, the displays promising hidden wonders beyond the threshold. Inside, all that glitters is surely gold. The elegant, airy space is flanked by grey marble columns and a grand fireplace, while a warm light comes from the numerous chandeliers hanging from the highly decorative ceiling.

At the centre of the room, above the newly installed diamond bar, hangs an exquisite handcrafted silver Ginkgo leaf installation. Floating silver leaves dance across the space, each leaf designed by a member of staff, and then created by the in-house craftspeople. “It has been designed to marry our past to our future, and celebrate the proud heritage of Hamilton & Inches,” explains CEO Victoria Houghton.

“Scotland is at the root of our inspiration behind designs and brand identity, it is at the core of who we are. We have always been located in the heart of Edinburgh and this feeds into the designs we create.”

DESIGN IN MIND

Once a private residence dating back to 1835, the George Street showroom has been redecorated with its proud Scottish heritage at the heart of the design. Thanks to the vision of designer Tom Bartlett of Waldo Works, there are curtains from professional Edinburgh-based workshop Sinclairs, and cushions from renowned designers Timorous Beasties, while the leather used for the service desks are provided by Alma Leather, further enriching the space and paying homage to its local roots.

Upstairs, the on-site workshops have been in operation since they moved to George Street in 1952, and since their inception in 1866, and to this day are still home to an extraordinary team of artisans. With a Rolex-accredited workshop, silversmith and goldsmith workshops, as well as the hand engravers and polishers all on-site, the workshops at Hamilton & Inches offer the kind of customer experience that can’t be found anywhere else in Edinburgh. And, with a personal consultation, organised through the Dream Escape team, clients can meet the artisans behind their unique pieces and see first-hand the work that goes into making Hamilton & Inches craft.

Where the magic happens inside Hamilton & Inches in the workshop above the showroom, Edinburgh

Inspired by the natural landscape of the moon, each piece is handcrafted in the workshops above the showroom

Did you know? Hamilton & Inches have held a Royal Warrant for over 120 years.

“Craftmanship is central to our operations,” explains Victoria. “So, the refurbishment of our workshops was one of the most important aspects of the renovation, allowing us to ensure the longevity and future of craft in Scotland.”

CONTEMPORARY HERITAGE

Hamilton & Inches Edinburgh shopfront

Hamilton & Inches might have an impressive history behind it, but the company prides itself on blending traditional methods with contemporary designs. Traditional tools and skills are honed to bring excellence to modern creativity. Collections are inspired by scenery and landmarks around Scotland, and include the beautiful Luna collection, designed by silversmith Ruth Page. Inspired by the natural landscape of the moon, each piece is handcrafted in the workshops above the showroom. Hamilton & Inches is also the only fine jeweller in the world with exclusive rights to 22-carat Scottish gold, garnering worldwide attention, due to it being a rarity. Featuring Single Mine Origin (SMO) status, the Hamilton & Inches Scottish gold is solely mined from the same location on the edge of Rannoch and is refined without coming into contact with any other gold. Jenna Watson, the company’s youngest goldsmith, who joined Hamilton & Inches in 2018, worked on the 22-carat Scottish gold collection. It takes inspiration from the spectacular scenery of the National Park, such as earrings that are crafted with coloured stones redolent of the waterfall at the mine’s entrance.

MADE TO LAST

The company has a long history of loyal customers, often creating pieces for several generations of the same family. It also has a Royal Warrant and is committed to sustainable practices and limiting its effect on the environment. “We only work with suppliers who have the same values and ethos as us,” explains Victoria. “And we apply a sensitive approach to the sourcing of our raw materials, such as Scottish gold”.

Hamilton & Inches showroom, Edinburgh

Hamilton & Inches showroom, Edinburgh

Luna oval drop earrings, bracelet and necklace in sterling silver

Hamilton & Inches secured the first gold of the Cononish gold mine in 2019, and is the only fine jeweller to do so, offering a luxurious collection of 22-carat Scottish gold rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings, and more — the world's first hand-crafted Scottish gold jewellery collection.

Earrings made with the world's first handcrafted Scottish Gold jewellery collection

Fortunately sustainability also goes hand in hand with a company that has been creating heirlooms and beloved pieces for over 155 years. “The pieces our expert jewellers create are the very antithesis of fast fashion,” says Victoria. “Each one is lovingly crafted, made to last and to be treasured from one generation to the next.” An efficient repair-anddesign service also means pieces can be restored to their original beauty or reimagined into beautiful new creations, instead of being forgotten or disposed of. “We also foster a creative environment which allows our team to pass their incredible skill set onto the next generation, so these unique crafts are never lost,” adds Victoria.

We look forward to continuing to welcome Dream Escape clients to experience our showroom and workshops at Hamilton & Inches. Meeting our craftspeople in the workshops above our showroom is a truly special experience and is the best way to see how our expert artisans continue to preserve craft in Scotland.

– Victoria Houghton

Victoria Houghton, Hamilton & Inches

PERSONAL APPROACH

Meeting with this incredible design team in a beautifully curated lifestyle space is part of the wonderful customer experience that all Dream Escape clients can expect to enjoy. Visiting Hamilton & Inches for a consultation allows customers to discover the skills and craft on offer, while also being inspired by the many beautiful, bespoke designs on display in the showroom. As an exclusive to Dream Escape clients Hamilton & Inches will even create bespoke pieces of jewellery out of very rare special Scottish gold.

“Unveiling the newly restored showroom earlier this year was a real milestone for us after such an amazing journey,” says Victoria. “And the customer experience was at the forefront of the refurbishment; we wanted to create an inviting and comfortable atmosphere whilst creating a memorable luxury experience.”

Sit by the fire at one of the stylish service desks or in the intimate VIP consultation rooms with a glass of Champagne or a cup of coffee, and take the time to create a unique piece that you will treasure forever. Designers and craftspeople are available to discuss what you’re looking for, to repair beloved pieces, or consider ways to repurpose an heirloom that perhaps needs some contemporary flair.

“We pride ourselves on blending traditional methods with contemporary designs and having a wide clientele which spans generations,” says Victoria. “The modern collections available today are designed using traditional tools and crafts but take on modern inspiration in terms of design. This not only often appeals to a younger generation but simultaneously results in the creation of timeless collections.”

Find out more

Rosie Peattie, Head of Guiding “I adore bringing our clients to Hamilton & Inches, it's like stepping into another world; our very own Scottish Aladdin’s Cave. Plus, they have a well-kept secret behind the silverware displayed in their wonderful showroom too. I love it.”

⬥ rosie@dreamescape.co.uk

→ dreamescape.co.uk

WORDS | EMMA JOHNSON