MEET THE MARKET STARS

Our markets are flourishing, thanks to these local artisans, who are up with the dawn chorus to sell their wares

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'It's a way to see, touch and feel new products'

Alison MacColl, 57, lives in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, with her husband Alistair, 56, and their children Iona, 11, and Angus, nine.

I’d worked as a clinical aromatherapist for many years, so when I developed eczema due to all of the Covid-19 sanitisers and extra hand-washing, I started making natural soaps, scrubs and creams, using oils. Friends asked if they could buy them, which encouraged me to do more. I signed up for several local markets and it grew from there. I now sell at artisan markets from April to December, including at Edinburgh's Royal Highland Show - Scotland's biggest agricultural event that celebrates food, farming and rural life.

Profit varies but I expect to make at least double the cost of the table. Recently, I attended a brand-new market in North Ayrshire and the fee was £40. However, there was an amber weather warning and people were advised not to travel, so I only made £45 of sales followed by website orders of £50.