Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
A Highland Blend
  • WHO IS A HIGHLAND BLEND?
  • Services for businesses
    • Testimonials
  • Business Blog Posts
  • CAITHNESS & NC500 Posts
    • Best Food and Drink around the #NorthCoast500

Creatives in ‘e county: #CaithnessMarket

June 3, 2020 by Susan Barrie Leave a Comment

Well hello! It’s been a while – thanks to all that COVID-19 has done in the world in recent months, I haven’t really had the inclination to blog, as I didn’t want to irresponsibly encourage tourism at a time like this (and I’ve also really enjoyed reducing my screen time in favour of reading, crafting, baking and walking)! In this post, I’m writing about the kind of tourism that you don’t need to leave your home for, yet builds an incredible sense of community and connection. Today, it’s time to tell you about #CaithnessMarket!

#CaithnessMarket
image from Inspired by Caithness

#CaithnessMarket is a virtual market for people to browse on Instagram and Facebook, right from the comfort of their own homes. The first market event took place in May, with the second taking place this coming Saturday, 6th June between 11am – 3pm. The first event had an amazing 35 businesses from the north of Scotland and beyond taking part, sharing their own home-based market stalls, designs and products, along with live Q&As, and demonstrations!

Caithness Market Instagram

This initiative was the idea of Lisa Poulsen who was delighted by the success of the first #CaithnessMarket:

Inspired by Caithness Grid feed

“The feedback has been really positive from both browsers and businesses. It seems to have helped bring a sense of support and connection on a local level and further afield. For the next market, I’m aiming to have the full StoneScape collection on display, hopefully bring out the old sale suitcase for folk to grab a bargain or two and will be going Live throughout the day for a wee blether and to answer any questions. 

At the last market, Lesley-Ann from Coastline made as many sales virtually as she would have done in a real life market situation and reached lots of new potential customers, gaining around 120 new followers on Instagram in one day. There was lots of engagement with viewers and other participating business owners, creating a real buzz! Lesley-Ann also gave an insight into her offering at the next market:

Coastline Instagram feed

At the next market I will be launching a new range of ethically sourced, one-of-a-kind, bags and purses available to view and buy live via Instagram and Facebook. I will be showing lots of other pieces of womens clothing, footwear and accessories to see you through summer in lockdown. There is also free (non-contact) delivery on all orders if you live in the Caithness area!

Yvonne of Abbeycrafts, (handpainted glassware) also took part last time and said;

“This virtual market is a new process which has grown out of the current situation…To me, this is as much about supporting each other, learning new skills and having a go, as it is about selling”

Abbeycraft Instagram feed

Lindsey Gallacher was delighted by the support shown at the last market, and on Saturday will be having a sale in conjunction with the #artistsupportpledge which for every £1000 of sales that she generates, Lindsey will spend £200 to support another artist using the hashtag.

Kay from Marks and Pencils pointed out that normally at this time of year, there are a multitude of shows and events for makers and crafters to attend, so this virtual market enables businesses to “make the most of the time we’ve been given by this situation” – a great way of turning a negative into a positive, learning opportunity!

There’s also a big local focus as all businesses who sign up donate £10 towards a local charity which has been voted by the public. At the time of writing 32 local businesses had signed up and donated to Caithness Klics Young Carers, which is fantastic!

As well as monetary donations, businesses have also been finding other creative ways to donate in-kind. Hannah Cambridge Illustration made and donated £250-£300 worth of face masks using fabric with her own designs on!

Hannah Cambridge Illustration grid feed

So on the 6th June from 11am, all you need to do is settle down with your internet-connected device, search for #CaithnessMarket and be ready to interact and support local businesses. If money is tight just now, a like/share/question or comment/follow is just as worthwhile and support creatives in a different way.

Jen from Harp Heart Dreams appreciated that an online market “seemed more like friends dropping round for a chat than an obligation to buy something”.

All content from businesses will be tagged with the #CaithnessMarket hashtag so it’ll be easy to find lots of new businesses to engage with, in whatever way you can!

For businesses who would like to take part, visit https://www.inspiredbycaithness.com/market and read a really helpful guide on how to sign up and prepare for #CaithnessMarket!

A big thank you to the businesses who provided quotes and information for the purposes of writing this post!

Filed Under: CAITHNESS & NC500 Posts Tagged With: #CaithnessMarket, caithness, creatives, facebook, Instagram, virtual market

RECENT POSTS

Marketing services for small businesses – what does A Highland Blend offer?

Caithness in literature | A recommended reading list

Building a Business website | The woes, worries and wins!

A Highland Blend’s reflection on 2020 – a year like no other

Why I’ve launched A Highland Blend to work with Caithness businesses

Previous Post: « Top places to eat in and around the #NorthCoast500
Next Post: Getting out and about during COVID-19: Walks in East Caithness »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

I’m Susan and welcome to A Highland Blend – a website primarily promoting the people, products and places of Caithness. I offer digital media and VA support services for businesses in the north Highlands of Scotland and beyond. To find out more, please check out my About Me or Available Services pages. To sign up for monthly business emails, please click on the image below!

Sign up to join my email newsletter list

 

I also love to help locals and tourists alike discover the best of Caithness and the rest of the Scottish Highlands, so you’ll also find blog posts that will help plan your itinerary, whether you are looking for ideas of places to visit or to eat and drink.

If you’d like to get in touch, please contact me by email or by any of the social media links below.

GET IN TOUCH

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

BUSINESS BLOG POSTS

Marketing services for small businesses – what does A Highland Blend offer?

Building a Business website | The woes, worries and wins!

A Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide | PopUps, Private Shopping and more!

Reframing thought processes: a business mindset | Reflections on risk and investment

8 ways to prepare for a COVID Christmas in Caithness

What I’ve learned from local businesses in Caithness

Why I’ve launched A Highland Blend to work with Caithness businesses

SEE ALL BUSINESS BLOG POSTS

NC500

Caithness in literature | A recommended reading list

A Caithness Christmas Shopping Guide | PopUps, Private Shopping and more!

TASTE NORTH 2020

Taste North 2020 goes digital

Caithness Pizza

Lockdown Eats | Caithness Pizza

Getting out and about during COVID-19: Walks in East Caithness

Creatives in ‘e county: #CaithnessMarket

SEE ALL NC500 POSTS

 

Archives

Categories

Footer

GET IN TOUCH

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

RECENT POSTS

Marketing services for small businesses – what does A Highland Blend offer?

Caithness in literature | A recommended reading list

Building a Business website | The woes, worries and wins!

A Highland Blend’s reflection on 2020 – a year like no other

Why I’ve launched A Highland Blend to work with Caithness businesses

Copyright © 2021 A Highland Blend on the Foodie Pro Theme