National Museums Scotland has commissioned a bespoke drinks tray crafted from whisky production by-products, a significant addition to its Scottish History and Archaeology collection. The tray, a collaboration between Dundee-based Draff Studio and McMillan Coppersmiths in East Lothian, highlights sustainability and craftsmanship. The materials include draff, the leftover barley from whisky distillation, and offcuts from copper whisky stills sourced from Arbikie Distillery and McMillan Coppersmiths.
Photo: National Museums Scotland.
Draff Studio, founded by designer Aymeric Renoud, transforms draff into a robust sheet material similar to oriented strand board (OSB). This sustainable material is suitable for durable furniture. Renoud, originally from France, studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, where his exposure to Scotland's whisky and brewing industries inspired his work. 'Draff is a material with a story,' he said, reflecting on its narrative potential. He also highlighted the environmental challenges urban breweries face in managing spent grain disposal.
The tray includes a copper rim meticulously crafted by McMillan Coppersmiths, a historic maker of whisky stills. First-year apprentice Reece Lawrie played a key role in the project, marking McMillan's first museum commission. Lawrie described the opportunity to use traditional copper-beating skills on a museum-quality piece as both exciting and unexpected. The tray serves as a link between Scotland's whisky-making heritage and artisanal craftsmanship.
Dr Mhairi Maxwell, curator at National Museums Scotland, praised the tray as a significant representation of Scotland's historical and industrial landscapes, shaped by its whisky industry. She highlighted Arbikie Distillery's sustainability initiatives and McMillan Coppersmiths' longstanding expertise as pivotal to the project's cultural value.
Video: National Museums Scotland.
The collaboration also showcases broader efforts to repurpose whisky by-products sustainably. Briggs of Burton, the parent company of McMillan Coppersmiths, has explored alternative uses for draff, including biofuel production and animal feed. Renoud noted draff's versatility, stating that even large-scale furniture manufacturing would utilise less than 1% of Scotland's draff supply. Its applications range from bar stools to countertops, demonstrating its potential for innovation.
The tray marks an important addition to National Museums Scotland's collection, merging tradition, sustainability, and creativity. It highlights Scotland's whisky industry as a driver of cultural and environmental innovation, reflecting a compelling story of resourcefulness and reinvention.
Source: www.scottishfinancialnews.com