“I explore Orkney’s Neolithic heritage through the craft of woodturning.”
Michael Sinclair
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Michael, a born and bred Orcadian, has been wood turning for over 30 years. Self-taught, Michael honed his skills with practice, experimentation and his desire to produce fine attractive pieces. He was accepted onto the Register of Professional Turners in 2017.
Michael’s life and work reflect his affinity with Orkney tradition and its heritage of craftsmanship.
A selection from the shop…
The latest from Instagram…
The latest from the Blog…
YouTube, a good way to see whats happening here.
Michael posts daily on Instagram, short videos of what he is working on that day. This is still the best way to keep up to date with the goings on in an Orkney woodturners workshop. However, I have started adding a lot of the shorts on to our YouTube channel and some...
Heritage Crafts the Makers 2026 edition
Michael is one of the makers featured in Heritage Crafts, The Makers 2026 edition. It's a lovely little publication and features 48 Makers in many disciplines from a Doll maker to a Canal Artist/signwriter and everything in between. Quite a few of these are becoming...
It’s the start of the season
Here we are into April already and we have had a busy week of people calling in to our gallery and workshop. The weather has been very changeable. A day of beautiful sun and warmth followed by white stuff. It has also been extremely windy which is making life...
Testimonials…
I thank you Michael for your thumb pot. It brings together two of my loves. Orkney itself and things of simple beauty.
I enjoyed meeting you both when we traveled to Orkney (from our home in America). One can see how Michael continues to refine his craft and the flexibility it takes to work with found and reclaimed wood and the respect shown to nature in all her many forms. I also love how the symbols of ancient ancestors are carried on in the trim and details. Each piece is truly of a place and time but connects us to the past.
The ‘petrosphere’ has just arrived safely. It is a thing of great beauty and it will be cherished as a family heirloom.
It’s a beautiful piece which will have a prominent place in my living room.
As a keen Japanese film enthusiast, there are some ‘set pieces’ I have noticed where a traveller/Ronin/stranger is invited to have a meal at a campfire cauldron and he produces his bowl from his clothing/pack. The beauty, design and origin of the bowl is commented on and may or may not lead to further talk. If I was that person this is the bowl I would produce.
You have such a good eye, Michael, and your bowl is so pleasing to my eye and hand, such a great line. You have made something very beautiful, fully exploiting the features of a stunning piece of Sycamore.
I love the age old designs. The most inspirational woodturning I’ve seen.
Thank you for your work Michael, it will forever offer us memories of the amazing place you call home.
I have a longstanding interest in prehistory and Neolithic Orkney in particular. Your work not only celebrates but extends that tradition so I’m very glad to be acquiring this wonderful piece of true Orkney craftsmanship.
Your products are of a high standard and excellent quality, highlighting Michael’s skill as a wood turner.
Having bought two bowls in your gallery, we both like them even more now that we can see them many times a day.
I am sat here looking at how the light falls on it and the way the light catches the copper and the black rope band and with all the shades of that golden oak as a Yorkshire lad would say “Its Bloody Wonderful”