Team

Community

We wouldn’t be what we are without our community; of shoppers, suppliers, and those round about us. We are privileged to trade alongside a great range of other independents on Dingwall High Street. Thank-you to those who choose to shop small!

Like many other small local businesses, we care about our community. The Gallery is a small business with a social conscience. In addition to selling the work of many independent artists, makers, designers, small businesses and selected fair trade suppliers, we also choose to further contribute positively to our local community, where appropriate creative opportunities arise. We sell Dingwall grown lavender products to fund further planting for pollinators, and support the work of Befrienders Highland. A donation was made towards the development of Dingwall Heritage Trail, now in place around the town. Suppliers also raise funds for the Highland Hospice, Pancreatic Cancer Action and Dingwall Museum through their Gallery sales. During COVID-19 lockdowns we created changing window displays, bringing what one customer described as “a glimmer of gorgeousness in the midst of it all” to our wee part of the world. Projects we gave our time and energy to when based in Golspie included arranging workshops and hosting visits for young people, as well as funding and installing community artwork. Hopefully these continue to inspire.

  • photo credit: Angus Mackie

    Hazel Gordon

    Gallery Owner

    Did you know... the whole of our shopfront is new, rebuilt by us to better reflect the very original facade that had been damaged and removed, and we got the stones from the house Hazel was brought up in.

  • a photograph of Jane Piercy Gallery Assistant at Alchemist

    Jane Piercy

    Gallery Assistant

    Jane has been with us since we opened in Dingwall in November 2019.  Brought up in the Black Isle, and a former Dingwall Academy pupil, Jane's previous career as a personal assistant and more recently a freelance conference and events organiser means she has a keen eye for detail, and does her best to keep us all organised!

    With a love of all things vintage, you may see some of Jane's creations and vintage treasures dotted around the gallery from time to time - under the name Vintage Vibe - including messenger bags which repurpose beautiful tapestries.

    Did you know... it was Jane who suggested the name Alchemist, whilst the shop was still a building site!

  • a photograph of Aimee Coulshed Gallery & Development Assistant at Alchemist

    Aimee Coulshed

    Gallery & Development Assistant

    Aimee joined the team in 2021 as a gallery and development assistant, and is involved in the general running of the gallery, setting up exhibitions, working on social media and everything in between.  Aimee has a strong interest in art and textiles after studying Textile Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design so spends her spare time developing her own creative practice.  Selected pieces of her work are available in the gallery and you can find out more here.

  • photo credit: Angus Mackie

    Laura Symon

    Gallery Assistant

    Laura is a Northern Irish transplant who first came to the Highlands on holiday - and loved it so much that she decided to stay. She has studied and worked on Dingwall’s High Street in since arriving here.

    Did you know? Laura writes our newsletter - and loves to hear back from our readers! You can sign up to our mailing list here.