WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE SCOTTISH CROOKMAKER'S ASSOCIATION


Encouraging the craft of crook making in Scotland since 1956

JOIN US TODAY

Images by kind permission of Joe Peart.

Our Story

The Scottish Crookmakers Association was founded in 1956 to promote and encourage the traditional skills of crook making for future generations. Also known as a crummock in Scotland, the carving of crooks and sticks dates back centuries. The Association's founders ‘toured’ Scotland showing their sticks, giving demonstrations and introducing Novice sections at local agricultural shows while recruiting new members.

READ MORE
The badge of the  Scottish Crookmakers' Association

Welcome to the Scottish Crookmakers Association

The main aim of the Scottish Crookmakers Association is to raise awareness of the craft to a wider audience and to encourage new members to join us and take up the skill of stick making. 


Our website will feature news about all crook making events including shows, exhibitions, classes and competitions being held in Scotland and throughout the UK as well as to provide information about the Association which is especially keen to encourage more people to participate in the classes to ensure that these traditional skills are continued for future generations. 


We welcome the submission of photographs for our gallery page - see more details here - and details of any crook making events taking place in your area which will be added to our Show Dates page. We also welcome any comments and suggestions that you may have for our website.


We hope you enjoy our new website and look forward to hearing from you. Please email us at: info@scottishcrookmakers.org.uk or go to our contact us page

The history of stick making

The craft of stick making is very, very old. Carved sticks have been found in ancient tombs opened up in various countries, though the shepherd’s crook seems to be peculiarly British.


Half a century ago shepherds were almost certainly crook makers. We may reasonably assume that they always carried a stick of some sort, to aid their long uphill treks. A small branch at the end could have been shortened to catch a sheep round the neck, after which is was a natural step to take a curly rams horn found on the a hill and, after the roughest of shaping, attach it to the stick.


Shepherds cottages of those days were primitive affairs, often with nothing better than a paraffin lamp for lighting. This was barely sufficient for reading, yet adequate to carve a crook. It had the further advantage that heat from it could be used to bend the horn. In those days before wireless, television or a daily paper in outlying parts, mid-winter evenings must have seemed long indeed. The hill shepherd whiled away the time by whittling his crook.


Today things are very different. Shepherds still make their own sticks, but they have been joined by a great number for whom stick dressing is a fascinating hobby, a shaping of natural materials for use and ornament, combined. It is if you like a reaction to the mass production. One batch of plastic is exactly like the last in colour and texture; no two hazel or holly shanks are identical, and no two horns are alike after they have roamed the high hills of England, Scotland and Wales.


Each horn and each shank present a different problem. This is why evening classes are so popular, encouraging a hobby that helps many and hurts none.


The greatest men of our day have been amongst the many thousands fascinated by the endless variety of sticks and crooks. Sir Winston Churchill’s collection may be seen at Chartwell. Every country house has its selection and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s ceremonial staff is a crook.


Shortage of horn is indeed a limiting factor, but wooden sticks are also most pleasing. 


The above is an extract from Shepherd’s Crooks and Walking Sticks, by David Grant and Edward Hart and used with kind permission.



Getting started...

If you are interested in finding out more about the craft of crook making you can contact us and we will endeavour to point you in the right direction.


Suppliers of material's;


Rerrick Stickmaking Supplies, 6 Abbey Park, Dundrennan, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4QQ

 email; rerrickstickmakingsupplies.co.uk


Joe Peart supplies stick making materials from his shop ‘Sticks ‘n’ Stuff’ in Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway.
Joe's shop at 13 High Street, Langholm, DG13 0JH is open as follows:
Thursday from 10.30am to 4.30pm

Friday from 10.30am to 4.30pm

Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm
The shop has an impressive collection of hand crafted sticks, stick making materials and country crafts and collectables. Joe can be contacted on 0780 091 5883 or you can visit his Facebook

Stick making process Scottish Crookmaker's Association
Stick making process Scottish Crookmaker's Association
Stick making process Scottish Crookmaker's Association
Stick making process Scottish Crookmaker's Association
Stick making process Scottish Crookmaker's Association
Stick making process Scottish Crookmaker's Association

Images by kind permission of Martin Trinder

SCA Merchandise & Life Memberships

The Scottish Crookmakers Association has a number of items for sale including SCA branded merchandise so that you can show your support for the Association. To make a purchase, order via the form below. We will then email you back to advise availability and provide the Associations' bank details so that you can make a payment for the item. If you prefer, you can pay by cheque. We will advise the address where cheques can be sent.

Bottle Green SCA branded cap

One size (adjustable).

£10.00 + £4.00 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM

Red SCA branded cap

One size (adjustable).

£10.00 + £4.00 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM

Stone Colour SCA branded cap

One size (adjustable).

£10.00 + £4.00 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM

Black SCA branded cap

One size (adjustable).

£10.00 + £4.00 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM

Graphite Grey SCA branded cap

One size (adjustable).

£10.00 + £4.00 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM

Scottish Crookmakers Association Car Sticker

Price: £1.00 + £1.50 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM

Green SCA badge

Price: £3.00 + £2.50 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM

SCA 50th Anniversary Badge

Price £3.00 + £2.50 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM

SCA 60th Anniversary Badge

Price £3.00 + £2.50 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM

Shepherds Crook and Walking Sticks by David Grant and Edward Hart. Published by Dalesman, soft cover 47 pages. explains history, selecting shanks, tools required, shaping horns, shanking, tips and ferrules, finishing, showing and judging, fancy sticks carving ornaments. Book Information: Stick making. Price: £4.00 + £4.00 P&P.

ORDER THIS ITEM

SCA Tie (navy blue) with SCA emblem

Price: £7.50 + £4.00 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM

Scottish Crookmakers' Association Life Membership. £10.00. Includes annual newsletter plus AGM minutes via email or post - please circle preference when ordering. If posted £1.50 P&P

ORDER THIS ITEM
Share by: