{"product_id":"scottish-oak-bottle-basket-with-red-deer-oak-bark-tanned-leather-strap-and-lid","title":"Scottish Oak Bottle Basket Bag","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Known as swills, swales, spelks and spales, these oak baskets are from the Furness area of South Cumbria (old Lancashire). They were used for everything and anything, including as charcoal scuttles to provide charcoal to the iron industry, transporting coal onto steam ships and trains, tatty \u0026amp; turnip baskets on farms, collecting bracken “ont fell”, and cockle pickers used a specific pattern in their work on Morecambe Bay. The term swill basket comes from the action of swilling the cockles in water to rinse them. \\n\\nSpelk is a dialect work for a splinter or a splint of wood, they could be called split wood or splint baskets but locally they have always been spelks or swills.\\n\\nIn it’s simplest form making spelk baskets involves splitting green wood along the grain into strips, in my local tradition these are called spelks and taws. \\n\\nA stem of oak is cleft using wedges or a froe before being boiled in a trough overnight to soften them. They are then riven in half and again until they are of weaving thickness, usually 1-2mm, but it is all about the feel rather than a measurement. After a re-soak and a bit more fettling the oak is woven into baskets and other items.\\n\\nSwillers would have travelled after their apprenticeships and set up shop in other areas of the country, there were some in Stirling, Sheffield, and there is a tradition of oak baskets in the Hereford woodlands. Sadly the industry has gradually declined and now there are only 2 of us left as full-time weavers. \\n\\nIts an honour to carry on this tradition and I often think about the generations of basketmakers and woodland workers before me, the skills and knowledge they have kept alive.\\n\\nThe oak and the techniques used to handle it are incredible and deserve celebration, so I also endeavour to design and make contemporary products that show off the unique strength and flexibility of the wood. The baskets are extremely durable. When I’ve made a basket I want people to cherish it and use it and pass it down to the next generation.\\n\\nThis lifestyle can be a solitary one, hiding away in my spelkshed from sun and wind that dry the oak too quickly. But I enjoy the balance between the heavy outside work in all weathers, weaving oak in my workshop, and meeting customers or sharing my place of work with others for training courses.\"}' data-sheets-userformat='{\"2\":769,\"3\":{\"1\":0},\"11\":3,\"12\":0}'\u003eThis Scottish Oak bottle basket bag is made by Simon Cooper\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e, The Bumbling Basketeer, at his workshop in Scotland, near Perth. Swill basket making is a critically endangered craft, with only a small handful of makers now able to produce these traditional baskets.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Known as swills, swales, spelks and spales, these oak baskets are from the Furness area of South Cumbria (old Lancashire). They were used for everything and anything, including as charcoal scuttles to provide charcoal to the iron industry, transporting coal onto steam ships and trains, tatty \u0026amp; turnip baskets on farms, collecting bracken “ont fell”, and cockle pickers used a specific pattern in their work on Morecambe Bay. The term swill basket comes from the action of swilling the cockles in water to rinse them. \\n\\nSpelk is a dialect work for a splinter or a splint of wood, they could be called split wood or splint baskets but locally they have always been spelks or swills.\\n\\nIn it’s simplest form making spelk baskets involves splitting green wood along the grain into strips, in my local tradition these are called spelks and taws. \\n\\nA stem of oak is cleft using wedges or a froe before being boiled in a trough overnight to soften them. They are then riven in half and again until they are of weaving thickness, usually 1-2mm, but it is all about the feel rather than a measurement. After a re-soak and a bit more fettling the oak is woven into baskets and other items.\\n\\nSwillers would have travelled after their apprenticeships and set up shop in other areas of the country, there were some in Stirling, Sheffield, and there is a tradition of oak baskets in the Hereford woodlands. Sadly the industry has gradually declined and now there are only 2 of us left as full-time weavers. \\n\\nIts an honour to carry on this tradition and I often think about the generations of basketmakers and woodland workers before me, the skills and knowledge they have kept alive.\\n\\nThe oak and the techniques used to handle it are incredible and deserve celebration, so I also endeavour to design and make contemporary products that show off the unique strength and flexibility of the wood. The baskets are extremely durable. When I’ve made a basket I want people to cherish it and use it and pass it down to the next generation.\\n\\nThis lifestyle can be a solitary one, hiding away in my spelkshed from sun and wind that dry the oak too quickly. But I enjoy the balance between the heavy outside work in all weathers, weaving oak in my workshop, and meeting customers or sharing my place of work with others for training courses.\"}' data-sheets-userformat='{\"2\":769,\"3\":{\"1\":0},\"11\":3,\"12\":0}'\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Known as swills, swales, spelks and spales, these oak baskets are from the Furness area of South Cumbria (old Lancashire). They were used for everything and anything, including as charcoal scuttles to provide charcoal to the iron industry, transporting coal onto steam ships and trains, tatty \u0026amp; turnip baskets on farms, collecting bracken “ont fell”, and cockle pickers used a specific pattern in their work on Morecambe Bay. The term swill basket comes from the action of swilling the cockles in water to rinse them. \\n\\nSpelk is a dialect work for a splinter or a splint of wood, they could be called split wood or splint baskets but locally they have always been spelks or swills.\\n\\nIn it’s simplest form making spelk baskets involves splitting green wood along the grain into strips, in my local tradition these are called spelks and taws. \\n\\nA stem of oak is cleft using wedges or a froe before being boiled in a trough overnight to soften them. They are then riven in half and again until they are of weaving thickness, usually 1-2mm, but it is all about the feel rather than a measurement. After a re-soak and a bit more fettling the oak is woven into baskets and other items.\\n\\nSwillers would have travelled after their apprenticeships and set up shop in other areas of the country, there were some in Stirling, Sheffield, and there is a tradition of oak baskets in the Hereford woodlands. Sadly the industry has gradually declined and now there are only 2 of us left as full-time weavers. \\n\\nIts an honour to carry on this tradition and I often think about the generations of basketmakers and woodland workers before me, the skills and knowledge they have kept alive.\\n\\nThe oak and the techniques used to handle it are incredible and deserve celebration, so I also endeavour to design and make contemporary products that show off the unique strength and flexibility of the wood. The baskets are extremely durable. When I’ve made a basket I want people to cherish it and use it and pass it down to the next generation.\\n\\nThis lifestyle can be a solitary one, hiding away in my spelkshed from sun and wind that dry the oak too quickly. But I enjoy the balance between the heavy outside work in all weathers, weaving oak in my workshop, and meeting customers or sharing my place of work with others for training courses.\"}' data-sheets-userformat='{\"2\":769,\"3\":{\"1\":0},\"11\":3,\"12\":0}'\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe bottle basket bag is easily slung over your shoulder using the tan leather strap, and it's precious cargo protected with a matching leather lid. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eChoose between two sizes:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1. The small size is best for a bottles\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e(37.5-50cl), e.g. whiskey or gin bottle. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2. The standard size is best for a standard bottle of champagne or wine (75cl). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease double check your bottle's dimensions before purchasing. If you would like your basket to be made for a specific bottle outside of our size range, please get in touch.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSadly, no alcoholic beverages are \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003enot included \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003einside our bottle baskets. On the bright side, this gives you the chance to exercise your fine taste when selecting something worthy of inhabiting your new bottle basket. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese oak baskets were originally native to the southern Lake District. They're surprisingly strong, and have been used for everything from carrying potatoes to transporting coal onto steam ships. In fact, they're so strong that they say swill making apprentices would test their product by standing on it (not that we've tried this ourselves - attempt at your own risk!). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Known as swills, swales, spelks and spales, these oak baskets are from the Furness area of South Cumbria (old Lancashire). They were used for everything and anything, including as charcoal scuttles to provide charcoal to the iron industry, transporting coal onto steam ships and trains, tatty \u0026amp; turnip baskets on farms, collecting bracken “ont fell”, and cockle pickers used a specific pattern in their work on Morecambe Bay. The term swill basket comes from the action of swilling the cockles in water to rinse them. \\n\\nSpelk is a dialect work for a splinter or a splint of wood, they could be called split wood or splint baskets but locally they have always been spelks or swills.\\n\\nIn it’s simplest form making spelk baskets involves splitting green wood along the grain into strips, in my local tradition these are called spelks and taws. \\n\\nA stem of oak is cleft using wedges or a froe before being boiled in a trough overnight to soften them. They are then riven in half and again until they are of weaving thickness, usually 1-2mm, but it is all about the feel rather than a measurement. After a re-soak and a bit more fettling the oak is woven into baskets and other items.\\n\\nSwillers would have travelled after their apprenticeships and set up shop in other areas of the country, there were some in Stirling, Sheffield, and there is a tradition of oak baskets in the Hereford woodlands. Sadly the industry has gradually declined and now there are only 2 of us left as full-time weavers. \\n\\nIts an honour to carry on this tradition and I often think about the generations of basketmakers and woodland workers before me, the skills and knowledge they have kept alive.\\n\\nThe oak and the techniques used to handle it are incredible and deserve celebration, so I also endeavour to design and make contemporary products that show off the unique strength and flexibility of the wood. The baskets are extremely durable. When I’ve made a basket I want people to cherish it and use it and pass it down to the next generation.\\n\\nThis lifestyle can be a solitary one, hiding away in my spelkshed from sun and wind that dry the oak too quickly. But I enjoy the balance between the heavy outside work in all weathers, weaving oak in my workshop, and meeting customers or sharing my place of work with others for training courses.\"}' data-sheets-userformat='{\"2\":769,\"3\":{\"1\":0},\"11\":3,\"12\":0}'\u003eMaking swill baskets is a long and laborious process, involving\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esplitting wood along the grain, cleaving, dressing, and weaving each piece by hand, echoing the methods passed down by the last remaining swill makers. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Known as swills, swales, spelks and spales, these oak baskets are from the Furness area of South Cumbria (old Lancashire). They were used for everything and anything, including as charcoal scuttles to provide charcoal to the iron industry, transporting coal onto steam ships and trains, tatty \u0026amp; turnip baskets on farms, collecting bracken “ont fell”, and cockle pickers used a specific pattern in their work on Morecambe Bay. The term swill basket comes from the action of swilling the cockles in water to rinse them. \\n\\nSpelk is a dialect work for a splinter or a splint of wood, they could be called split wood or splint baskets but locally they have always been spelks or swills.\\n\\nIn it’s simplest form making spelk baskets involves splitting green wood along the grain into strips, in my local tradition these are called spelks and taws. \\n\\nA stem of oak is cleft using wedges or a froe before being boiled in a trough overnight to soften them. They are then riven in half and again until they are of weaving thickness, usually 1-2mm, but it is all about the feel rather than a measurement. After a re-soak and a bit more fettling the oak is woven into baskets and other items.\\n\\nSwillers would have travelled after their apprenticeships and set up shop in other areas of the country, there were some in Stirling, Sheffield, and there is a tradition of oak baskets in the Hereford woodlands. Sadly the industry has gradually declined and now there are only 2 of us left as full-time weavers. \\n\\nIts an honour to carry on this tradition and I often think about the generations of basketmakers and woodland workers before me, the skills and knowledge they have kept alive.\\n\\nThe oak and the techniques used to handle it are incredible and deserve celebration, so I also endeavour to design and make contemporary products that show off the unique strength and flexibility of the wood. The baskets are extremely durable. When I’ve made a basket I want people to cherish it and use it and pass it down to the next generation.\\n\\nThis lifestyle can be a solitary one, hiding away in my spelkshed from sun and wind that dry the oak too quickly. But I enjoy the balance between the heavy outside work in all weathers, weaving oak in my workshop, and meeting customers or sharing my place of work with others for training courses.\"}' data-sheets-userformat='{\"2\":769,\"3\":{\"1\":0},\"11\":3,\"12\":0}'\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy purchasing Simon's work, you are supporting a critically endangered craft.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eNB the small size is pictured. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials: \u003c\/strong\u003eCoppiced oak, boiled and woven. Red deer oak bark tanned leather strap and lid\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e: Small - 23cms height x 12cms diameter x circa 120cm strap. Standard - 35cm x 12cms diameter x 120cm strap. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Simon Cooper, The Bumbling Basketeer","offers":[{"title":"Short: small bottles e.g. whiskey or gin","offer_id":53500661760323,"sku":null,"price":295.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard: e.g. champagne or wine (75cl)","offer_id":53500661793091,"sku":null,"price":325.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0913\/0229\/7923\/files\/Photoroom_041_20251002_140531.jpg?v=1759410787","url":"https:\/\/btfjhp-bv.myshopify.com\/products\/scottish-oak-bottle-basket-with-red-deer-oak-bark-tanned-leather-strap-and-lid","provider":"The Haud","version":"1.0","type":"link"}