A creative collaboration in the heart of Dunblane has achieved national recognition, with Craft Central Dunblane receiving a prestigious Four-Star accreditation from VisitScotland under its Quality Assurance Scheme. 
The internationally recognised scheme benchmarks quality across Scotland’s tourism industry, placing Craft Central alongside some of the country’s leading cultural destinations, including the National Galleries of Scotland and Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow.
Located on Dunblane High Street, Craft Central has quickly become a recognised destination for creative learning, contemporary craft and hands-on workshops in Scotland. The project is led by creative entrepreneurs Rebecca Wilson, Jo Pudelko and Natalie McIlroy, working alongside a wider community of Scottish artists and makers.
Just over a year ago, the Central Scotland School of Jewellery (CSSJ) and the Central Scotland School of Craft joined forces under one roof to establish a dedicated creative hub for the Forth Valley. With support from the Dunblane Development Trust, the team transformed one of the largest vacant units on Dunblane High Street into a vibrant two-storey creative space featuring professional workshops, studios and a contemporary craft gallery.
Today, visitors to Dunblane can take part in a wide range of jewellery making and craft workshops suitable for beginners through to experienced makers. Courses include ring making, spoon carving, bookbinding, enamelling, silversmithing and other specialist craft techniques. Small class sizes and access to professional tools create an immersive and authentic creative experience for both local participants and visitors to Scotland.
Sustainability is also central to the organisation’s ethos. Many workshops incorporate environmentally conscious approaches such as zero-waste sewing, recycled precious metals and upcycled materials, reflecting a growing interest in low-impact craft and mindful making.
Craft Central’s studios and gallery have helped bring new activity to Dunblane’s historic high street, contributing to the town’s wider cultural offering alongside attractions such as Dunblane Cathedral. Easily reached from Stirling, Edinburgh and Glasgow, the venue has become an increasingly popular destination for creative tourism, day trips and short breaks in central Scotland.
From the outset, the organisation’s aims were not only to support traditional craft skills, but also to improve access to creative learning and strengthen the local creative community. These values were recognised in VisitScotland’s positive assessment, which praised both the quality of the visitor experience and the strength of the organisation’s creative vision.
