Inspired by Shetland’s wild beauty and strong sense of community, the Shetland Soap Company has been creating exclusive handmade soaps and skincare products since 2002. Proudly part of COPE Ltd, a multi-award-winning social enterprise, the Shetland Soap Company work alongside adults with learning disabilities and autism to craft products that truly capture the essence of the islands. The elements, the seasons, the scenery, the history and the people within our beautiful islands motivate and inspire everything we do. Everything is lovingly made in small batches above their welcoming Lerwick shop – a favourite stop for islanders and visitors looking for a little island indulgence or the perfect gift. We were delighted to hear from Debbie Main, the Business Manager at COPE Ltd, to find out more about their story, what inspires their creations and what’s next for the Shetland Soap Company… Q. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your role and how the Shetland Soap Company began? A. I started at COPE Ltd in 2021 as the Finance Manager, and about a year ago moved into a new role as Business Manager. I manage the Shetland Soap Company, the Shetland Garden Company and the Shetland Home Company. The Shetland Soap Company was set up in 2002 as part of COPE Ltd who provide employment, volunteering and work placement opportunities for people with disabilities and autism. Robbie hand pouring the soaps photo © Copyright Shetland Soap Company Q. What kind of products do you offer? A. We offer a range of handmade soap and beauty products which are lovingly made in our small workshop in Lerwick. More recently, we started making candles and wax melts in the same scents as some of our soap ranges. The Norseman collection photo © Copyright Shetland Soap Company Q. What is your personal favourite product or scent among your offerings, and why is it your favourite? A. It’s difficult to choose just one, but I think I’d have to say Norseman. We got a big order just before Christmas last year and the team all worked really well together to meet the deadline. It was a case of all hands on deck, so I sometimes helped out in production. I would then be sitting at home at night and the subtle scent of leather, smoke and wood drifted around me and I just fell in love with it. The colour was carefully chosen to resemble peat water which I also love! A winter sunset across Lerwick, Shetland photo © Copyright Nick McCaffrey Q. How does the Shetland landscape or heritage influence or inspire your products? A. Shetlanders have a close connection to the sea and understand its beauty and power. It has played a vital role in our history and will always shape our future. Despite our isolation, we are part of a vibrant and supportive community who enjoy diversity and are always welcoming. The elements, the seasons, the scenery, the history and the people within our beautiful islands motivate and inspire everything we do. Julie weighing the soaps photo © Copyright Shetland Soap Company Q. How long does it take to make or develop your products? How do you choose which scents to use or combine? A. Being relatively new to post, I am still to develop a new product from scratch! This summer we have been revitalizing some of our existing glycerine soaps based on wider staff feedback. We have been contemplating recreating a very popular scent which we had to take out of production a few years ago. Alternatively, we may just start completely afresh with a new scent and see where it take us! We have also been improving and expanding our candle and wax melt offerings. Hannah labelling the containers photo © Copyright Shetland Soap Company Q. Your company ethos is ‘Great Products, Great People’. It’s easy to see how much you deeply value your wonderful team and inclusive employment – could you tell us a little bit more about this? A. As a charity and social enterprise, our mission is to provide working opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. We hand mix, hand pour, hand label, hand trim and wrap all of our products. We do this to ensure we are as inclusive as possible by tailoring the varied day-to-day jobs to the match the skills of our participants. At COPE Ltd, everyone is valued for their abilities and are appropriately supported and encouraged to fully participate. At the end of each day, you can feel the pride everyone has in the great finished products they have made together as a team. Q. Can you tell us where people can try or buy your products? A. We have a shop on Commercial Street just next to the Market Cross in Lerwick and our products can be purchased online at www.shetlandsoap.co.uk. You can also buy our products in various gift shops across the UK Mainland and, for many years now, our soap has been supplied on board the NorthLink Ferries ships in their cabins and other toilet facilities. Sugar & Spice Christmas range photo © Copyright Shetland Soap Company Q. What is next for the Shetland Soap Company? Do you have any new products or collections on the horizon? A. We are currently in the middle of a very busy Christmas period and are very excited to open our Christmas Shop soon. Once that settles down, we will be looking to increase our candle range and the team are starting to think about a new scent – this will be especially exciting for the newer members of our team! To find out more about the Shetland Soap Company and their products, please visit www.shetlandsoap.co.uk By Amy LeithBorn and raised in Aberdeen with an admiration for Orkney and Shetland, loves to travel and visit new places, enjoys cooking, always listening to music, spends a little too much time on TikTok. Pin it! Header image: The Hjarta collection at Meal Beach in Shetland photo © Copyright Shetland Soap Company
