Factory Friday: McRostie

Leather Manufacturer, McRostie Leather tell Make Works all about running a leather workshop.

As part of our ongoing Factory Friday series, we are delving into the stories behind some of the Scottish Manufacturers on the Make Works Directory. This week, we've interviewed McRostie's Colin Campbell about his family's journey from running an equestrian business to an artisanal leather workshop selling Scottish-made accessories all over the world. 

What led your family into the leather business?

Necessity & opportunity!  

My family’s equestrian business had been a customer of McRostie, so when it was put into administration in the early 1980’s, it seemed a natural step to take a look at it as a business – after all, we still needed the service. It so happened that at that time too I was looking for a different path in life and found myself drawn to the material  - the leather. In looking into the business further I thought ...yes - I would enjoy this, this is for me!

My wife, Kareen and I took over the business from my family a few years later. The material is still what holds me today. It is a very honest material and versatile too. British bridle leather of this quality just cuts like a knife through cheese. I like its durability, its longevity and being a by-product of the food industry, its sustainability.  I enjoy the satisfaction of creating and making something for someone. The fact that they have asked ‘you’ to make it,  makes it a personal thing.  It is much more satisfying, pleasureable and personal to be asked by someone to make something for them – be it leather kilt straps, personalized ringbinder, sporran, belt, briefcase or other item – it could be the smallest thing but be the long sought after solution to another’s problem .

Where can we see your work around the world?

On the leather accessories side, we have supplied McRostie belts to individual stores in Japan for over 25 years through our distributor in Tokyo, Griffin International. Other stockists are independent retailers in Luxembourg (Basics & Bespoke) ,Kitzbuehel (Haderer), Vancouver (Andy Trott) and in Germany, ‘Manufactum’ stores. In the UK you will come across them in some of the great gunmaker houses in London and a few other selected retailers like Pickett and John Simons. A number of the Highland Dress retailers throughout Scotland - Slanj, Kinloch Anderson, Duncan Chisholm and Macnaughtons of Pitlochry, stock our Sporrans and Kilt Belts, although, like our accessories not all with the McRostie branding.

www.mcrostie.co.uk has brought clients from New Zealand, Hong Kong, Vietnam to Europe & the USA – with a few more countries in between. Look out for our new website launching in the Autumn which will replace our long standing, but extremely out-dated current website. 

The Transport Museum in Glasgow, the National Museum in Edinburgh and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club are all past customers of McRostie Harness – carriage driving harness and heavy horse harness – and I am sure I spotted a McRostie harness on Mr McMillan’s winning two in hand, at the Royal Highland Show in June this year. 

Tell us about a piece you have really enjoyed making?

There are two in particular that spring to mind: one was a client in Canada who sent over his old Barrister’s briefcase for replication. The other was for a Billy Connelly tribute act – I was presented with a pair of wellingtons and asked to make them into a pair of ‘Big Banana Feet’.  That too was quite a challenge. I am pleased to say both clients were delighted!

What do you see changing in the future in the leather industry?

I see this industry becoming much more vibrant in the UK – more and more small enterprises are emerging, many with their own specialist areas.  I also think that there is a growing wave of engaged consumers who are concerned by and turning away from the short termism of recent fashion and looking for clothing and accessories that will endure -  last longer than the season. Leather, with just a little care, will reward you by just getting better looking year on year. I can see better work practices being introduced in certain overseas countries, albeit very slowly.  This needs to happen at a quicker pace – there are too many health risks for the workforce in the leather industry in some countries.  I am happy to say all our suppliers meet and often surpass government requirements in this area.

What are the challenges and benefits of being a family run business?

Ha!  I don’t really know – is it a challenge to work alongside your partner every day?  I would say it is important to get away from the business, even if only for short breaks, and you can get too close to your business and need to step back from it from time to time to help get a clearer picture.   You tend not to come home and ask each other how their day at work was! The benefits? Well, all I can say is that something must be right - we have survived and enjoyed this family run business now for many years having just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary!

McRostie manufacture traditional artisanal leather accessories which are handcrafted in their workshop using traditional saddlery craftsmanship. You can see their full listing on Make Works here

If you would like to find out more about leather you can read our Guide to Leather or our article about Glasgow's East End Tannery; Andrew Muirhead & Sons