Before the introduction of electrical lighting, candles were an essential part of everyday life - they brought light to homes and streets all over the country, which was particularly necessary in the long winter nights with few hours of daylight. While today, candle-making is a craft, it was once a necessity that played a huge part in the daily lives of Scottish people.
The origins and early methods of candle making
Long before scented soy wax and minimalist jars became the candle aesthetic du jour, the craft of candle making was a gritty, essential trade, steeped in history, necessity, and skill. In Scotland, the art of candle making dates back centuries, shaped by the demands of daily life, the harsh northern climate, and the ingenuity of medieval craftsmen. But to begin, let’s explore the root of the word “chandler.”
What is a Chandler?
The word chandler stems from the Old French word chandelier, which originally meant “maker or seller of candles.” It derives from the Latin candela, meaning “candle”, which in turn comes from candere, “to shine or be white.” In medieval times, a chandler was an essential figure in any town or estate, responsible not only for lighting but also for keeping stores of oils, soaps, and other household necessities.
In grand households, particularly in England and Scotland, the “Chandler’s Room” (or chandlery) was a designated space for candle production and storage. Over time, the term evolved. Today, we still see remnants of it in ship chandeliers (suppliers for ships), but the original waxy craft is making a comeback through artisan candle makers reawakening this ancient Scottish heritage.
Medieval Candle Making in Scotland
In medieval Scotland, candle making was a domestic and trade task. Unlike today's luxury item, candles were vital for survival - they lit homes, monasteries, castles, and workshops long after the sun had disappeared below the horizon.
Medieval Scottish candles were typically made from two main sources:
Tallow: Rendered animal fat, often from sheep or cattle. Cheap, smoky, and smelly, tallow candles were the everyday light source for common folk.
Beeswax: Far more costly and aromatic, beeswax candles were reserved for churches, nobility, and the wealthy. They burned cleanly and were often moulded for ceremonial use.
Candles were usually hand-dipped, a labour-intensive process involving repeatedly dipping wicks into vats of molten tallow or wax, layer by layer, until the desired thickness was achieved. Wicks were typically made from twisted linen or hemp.
In towns and cities, chandlers often existed as part of guild systems - associations of skilled tradespeople that regulated quality, pricing, and apprenticeships. Though less well-documented than other crafts, Scottish chandlers likely operated under similar models to those in medieval England and continental Europe.
Local Resources and Candle Craft
Scotland's vast agricultural tradition played a key role in shaping candle making. The abundance of sheep made tallow readily available, and rural communities often produced candles at home in small batches. In coastal areas, it’s believed that whale oil and fish-derived oils may have occasionally supplemented candle production, though more often for lamps than true candles.
In Highland communities, self-sufficiency was key. The local chandler was a respected artisan, and candle making often overlapped with other household crafts - soap making, herbal distilling, or the preparation of oils. With long, dark winters, reliable lighting wasn’t a luxury, but a necessity.
Candles and Ceremony
In Christian Church contexts, candles held deep symbolic significance. Cathedrals, chapels, and abbeys across Scotland burned pure beeswax candles, many of which were imported from Europe at great expense. These candles accompanied daily prayers, vigils, feast days, and funerals, reinforcing the light/darkness symbolism central to Christian theology.
Monasteries also produced their own candles - the monks of Iona Abbey or Melrose Abbey, for instance, may have had entire rooms or outbuildings dedicated to candle crafting and storage.
A Revival of the Chandler’s Art
Fast-forward to today, and Scottish candle making is experiencing a vibrant revival. Independent artisans and small businesses are rediscovering ancient techniques and blending them with modern creativity and natural ingredients - using local beeswax, sustainable soy blends, foraged herbs, essential oils and traditional methods.
Many modern chandlers now proudly carry the name, honouring the medieval craftspeople who lit the way through Scotland’s darkest nights with patience, skill and a lick of flame.
The humble candle holds more history than its soft flicker might suggest. In Scotland, its story is one of resilience, craftsmanship, and adaptation, from smoky hearths in crofts to sacred altars in stone cathedrals. To light a handcrafted Scottish candle today is, in a way, to connect with centuries of tradition, and to step into the quiet, glowing footsteps of the chandler.
The science behind how a candle burns
We were recently asked by a curious customer - Why doesn’t the wick just burn away on a candle? It’s a great question! The liquid wax being pulled up the wick keeps it cool enough to survive. That wax heats up, turns to vapour, and that’s what burns, leaving the wick mostly protected from going up in flames itself. Neat little trick of physics, right?
A New Era of Candle-Making in the Scottish Highlands
Here at Spè Atelier, we use Eco soy wax and natural essential oils only. There are no harmful ingredients in our candles, and each one is lovingly made by hand in Speyside by our very own chandler, Yvonne Duncan-Mandel. Yvonne has the truly magical ability to recreate those delightful scents you often smell in nature - those unfurling Fern fronds after a downpour of rain, the joyous feeling of a sunshine-filled day in Scotland in a field carpeted with bright yellow Buttercups and the misty, heather-coated glens of the Scottish Highlands. Dive in and discover your favourite scent!