Sandwick Bay Candles started in 2016 from my kitchen table. The name of Sandwick Bay Candles comes of course from Sandwick Bay in Lewis, which is visible from my kitchen window. I used to look out to the bay when pouring my first batches of candles in the kitchen, so the name came to me.

It began as a side hustle as I was home with my youngest child of 3, Samuel, on break from a busy career as an Occupational Therapist. During that leave, my candlemaking became more regular and the business grew gradually. I went full time 3 years ago and at the same time moved into a small workshop. I would work from home when I had the time and nipped up to pour in my evenings.

During the lockdown our website became more and more popular as people sent candle gifts across the country to let their loved ones know they were thinking of them. It was a privilege to be able to help people feel connected in such a difficult time, and as the businesses grew during that period we levelled up we started stocking other makers and small businesses within our giftboxes. Since then we have expanded our signature fragrances, products and even opened a lifestyle store in Stornoway.

We are based in Stornoway in the Isle of Lewis, in the wild and wonderful Outer Hebrides. A kiwi originally, I moved here when I fell in love with a Scottish man over 13 years ago when backpacking Scotland. The rest is history!

Our island-life fragrances create an unforgettable souvenir or brings a sense of the Outer Hebrides from afar. Having that kiwi touch in the Western Isles makes us stand out from a lot of other great local candlemakers in our packaging, fragrances, and personality!

Being so inspired by island life, lots of scents take inspiration from nature and we tend to gravitate towards fresh & often fruity scents. We release seasonal summer & winter collections as well as our signature fragrances.

We really hope you love our fragrances and that they allow you a moment of escape & calm in this busy world, as well as inspiring you to see our beautiful island for yourself.

I was given as a Candlemaking gift that sat unused in my wardrobe for a few years. I was finally inspired to give candle making a try when my sister gave me a beautiful soy wax candle for Christmas in 2015. It was a beautiful, elegant scent from Australia, and I thought I’d like to make something similar.

I have always liked baking and making things but found the idea of selling people cakes stressful without knowing how it would taste.

I made my first few candles as ‘thank you’ presents for teachers and then for Christmas presents. The initial feedback was great, and as I continued to make the candles it was a gradual process learning how to perfect all the stages of pouring, fragrance mixing and finishes. That winter there was lots of nights I spent sat up on my phone researching while feeding my youngest.

At the time, there certainly felt there was a gap in the market for some artisanal candles on the island. Quickly the candles became a popular gifting option or treat for themselves. I have always loved the idea in our hectic lives of our customers taking time to relax by lighting a Sandwick Bay Candle.

All our candles are made in small batches using 100% natural soy wax, premium fragrances and pure cotton wicks. The entire collection is vegan, cruelty free and phthalate free – always! Although they continue to be handmade at every stage, I had always sought out an elevated look and feel in their packaging and scent even from the first batches of candles.

I found that candle making was also a great distraction from homesickness being thousands of miles away from home. Many of our fragrances are inspired by my mixed upbringing in New Zealand & Australia – as well as my travels with tropical ingredients like guava and frangipani.

I believe ‘things happen for a reason’ and it’s a mixture of hard work, serendipity and amazing support from our community that has gotten SBC to where it is today.

Last year, we opened our lifestyle shop – Sandwick Bay Living – on our highstreet. Sandwick Bay Living has all our home fragrance as well as stocking lots of fabulous small and local businesses. Splitting my time between working in the back office in the shop, the workshop and childcare has been busy, but it has been incredible to see the business grow.

If you ever get the chance to visit us on the isle of Lewis, come visit us! We can be your port of call just opposite the ferry terminal. Come say hi, grab a coffee and see our full range of candles inspired by island life.