A few years ago, I was sitting outside with two friends, enjoying a few drams of whiskey. It was a warm August evening, which is rather rare here in Scotland.
Somehow, the conversation turned to the mythical aurora borealis — the Northern Lights — and I shared a memory with my two friends, of the one and only time I had seen this heavenly dance of color in the Highland skies.
You see, Scotland isn’t as far northward as Norway or Lapland.
So, while the aurora borealis does happen, it is a far rarer event. And to see it in full color with your own two naked eyes — that’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you are fortunate enough to witness this magnificent spectacle, it’s something that stays with you forever. Due to our lower latitude, the aurora borealis of Scotland is more colorful. Jade ribbons fade into a mist of indigo and violet.
A kaleidoscope that lasts only a few moments.
As I was sharing this memory with my friends, trying to describe what I saw and the feeling it stirred inside of me, a thought suddenly occurred:
“If only I had something… some work of art which captured the fleeting beauty of that moment and preserved it forever… so I could share it with my friends and at least give them a glimpse of this rare spectacle most people will never see.”
At that moment, the sun shone through my glass of whiskey and bathed the table in orange light. I can’t remember the full details of the conversation that followed. By the time the sun had gone down and it was time to go inside and sit by the fire, the three of us had decided to create a new collection of luxury glassware.
Mouth-blown and hand-painted glasses, inspired by the aurora borealis of the Scottish Highlands. A kaleidoscope that you can hold in your hands and share with others.
And that is how the Aurora Collection came to be.
My name is Scott McLeod.
I live in a small seaside town called Lossiemouth, which sits on the Moray Firth and on the doorstep of the Highlands. (The photo you see below was taken from the beach here, barely a stone’s throw from our company office and design studio.)
It is with great pride that I present our Aurora Collection to you.
May these works of art grace your dining table and sitting room tables for many, many years — and may they bring the aurora borealis of the Scottish Highlands into your home, so that you too can share it with your friends and those you love.
Slàinte Mhath!
Scott McLeod
Co-Founder, Morven Scotland