How Joe started targemaking

How Joe started targemaking ........

About 15 years ago Joe suffered a long spell of ME when he was unable to do much of the physical activities he enjoyed - gardening, hillwalking, sailing,  etc - indeed in 1977 he had single-handedly (with a little help from his wife !) built his own house on the Black Isle, in the Highlands of Scotland.    So, in 1989, he turned to a gentler hobby which he enjoyed, and which he could do by his own fireside - targemaking.   His targes were a great source of interest to many people, and before he knew it, he was being asked "Could you make a Macdonald?"   "Is there a Fraser targe?"   "Would you do me a Mackenzie for my cousin in Canada?" etc.   His hobby grew and grew, and in 1994 when he got the opportunity of early retirement, he jumped at the chance of making targes full time.   Like so many other craft workers in the Highlands, his small garden shed became the targe workshop.

In 1996 he exhibited his work at the Aviemore Trade Fair which was a showpiece of quality Scottish Crafts for buyers from around the world.   From over 200 exhibitors, Joe received the Highland Council Prize for the Best New Product in the Show.  This exhibition resulted in many enquiries and orders from around the world.  

The National Trust for Scotland, and Historic Scotland showed a keen interest in his work, and Joe's targes are currently sold in many of their shops, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Linlithgow Palace,  Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, etc.    However, most are bought by individuals who want to take home a little bit of Scottish history to proudly display in their homes.   Sometimes Joe's targes are specially commissioned to be used as presentation gifts   - Prince Charles was presented with two for his sons when he officially opened the Tartan Museum in Burberry's Princes Street Store in Edinburgh in 1997;   a Saudi Arabian Prince received one as an official gift from the Provost of Inverness;  Billy Connolly, the Scottish Comedian, who has a home in Aberdeenshire, was given 21 for his 60th birthday by his wife, Pamela Stephenson.  

For Joe, the making of targes is a labour of love, and he is delighted to meet, and spend time with anyone who comes to his small workshop in North Kessock on the shore of the Moray Firth in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland.