Moving to the Isle of Skye transformed a couple’s lives, turning a passion for pottery into a thriving business. Words Susie Atkinson
The rugged cliffs and rolling hills of the Isle of Skye’s Waternish Peninsula are kissed by ever-changing light, while the waters of Loch Bay stretch out toward the distant Outer Hebrides. This is where Kayti Peschke and Luke Seaton have made their home, swapping the busy streets of York for an artist’s life shaped by Skye’s wild beauty.
Their creation, Skíõ Pottery, is both a sanctuary and a studio, where the couple craft beautiful ceramics that tell stories of the land and sea around them.
Since moving in early 2023, Kayti and Luke have poured their creativity into their pottery, inspired daily by their breathtaking surroundings.
‘Skye offers something different every day,’ says Kayti. ‘The shifting colours of the sky and sea, the textures of the land – it all finds
its way into our work.’
Like many who dreamed of life by the coast, Kayti and Luke made their leap to Skye after the Covid-19 pandemic changed the way they saw the world. ‘We’d been in York for over a decade,’ says Kayti. ‘The lockdowns gave us time to think about what we really wanted, and the idea of moving to Skye started to take shape.’
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect – or more chaotic. Having met just weeks before the first lockdown, they decided to move in together, thinking the restrictions would last only a few weeks. ‘It was make or break,’ Kayti laughs. ‘Thankfully, it was the best decision we ever made.’
A move to the coast
The process of finding their Skye home wasn’t without its challenges. Properties in Scotland often sell quickly and through a blind bidding system. But their dream home – a modern, timber-framed house with a separate annexe studio – appeared just as their property in York sold.
‘We did a virtual viewing and made an offer immediately,’ Luke recalls. ‘It wasn’t until months later that we saw it in person for the first time. Thankfully, it was everything we’d hoped for.’
Situated on a cliff edge overlooking Loch Bay, their home offers sweeping views out to Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. ‘It’s exactly what we wanted – a quiet spot surrounded by natural beauty but close to a creative, welcoming community,’ says Kayti.
However, neither Kayti nor Luke imagined their lives would end up revolving around ceramics. Kayti’s background is in photography – she originally worked in fashion, then shifted her focus to documenting the craft and maker communities around her. ‘As a photographer, I was always fascinated by what people could create with their hands,’ she says.
Then a chance pottery workshop with her mum sparked her own creative journey. ‘I was hooked from the start. There’s something meditative about working with clay – it forces you to focus and be present.’
Luke, on the other hand, had no creative background. After working in the hospitality industry, he discovered pottery through Kayti. ‘She gave me a quick lesson on the wheel, and I was hooked. It’s incredibly satisfying to take a lump of clay and turn it into something functional and beautiful.’
What started as a hobby soon grew into a full-time pursuit. Kayti began selling her work at markets in York, where demand quickly outpaced her ability to produce. ‘Before I knew it, I was working full-time as a potter and loving every minute of it.’
Moving to Skye was an opportunity for Luke to join her in the business, with Skíõ Pottery as a joint venture.
ISLAND LIFE
Life in Skye has given Kayti and Luke the space to refine their craft. Their studio, nestled in the separate annexe, is where they spend their days transforming raw clay into elegant ceramics. ‘Mornings usually start with a pot of coffee and a fire to warm the studio,’ says Kayti. ‘Then we get to work – me on the wheel in the morning, Luke in the afternoon.’
The process of crafting pottery is a lesson in patience. Clay is shaped, dried, bisque fired, glazed, then fired again – a process that can take up to six weeks. ‘Skye’s cooler climate slows things down even more,’ Luke explains. ‘Some pieces, like plates, take months to dry fully.’
The studio also doubles as a gallery space, welcoming visitors to watch the creative process or purchase finished pieces. Outside, a self-service pottery croft box offers ceramics for passersby to browse and buy. ‘We wanted to create a space that feels open and inviting,’ says Kayti. ‘Whether it’s locals or tourists, we love sharing our work and hearing our visitors’ stories.’
The sea is a constant presence in Kayti and Luke’s lives – as inspiration and as a source of renewal. ‘My dad’s a surfer, so I grew up with the beach as my second home,’ says Kayti. ‘The sound of waves, the texture of sand, the play of light on water – it all influences my work.’
Skye’s landscapes have a profound impact on the design and decoration of Skíõ Pottery’s ceramics, too. Glazes mimic the muted, natural tones of the Hebridean environment and seasons, while textures draw
on the island’s rugged beauty.
Luke’s pieces, meanwhile, blend his love of Brutalist architecture with the organic forms of the island. ‘I’m inspired by raw, unfinished surfaces that feel grounded and timeless. There’s something about the contrast between nature and structure that I find really compelling.’
THE NATURAL WORLD
Living on Skye isn’t just about work – it’s a lifestyle that nourishes the soul. ‘There’s a peace here that’s hard to describe,’ says Luke. ‘Even on stormy days, there’s a beauty to it.’
When they’re not in the studio, Kayti and Luke will often be kayaking on Loch Bay, watching the wild seals and dolphins play in the water. ‘We’ve paddled alongside dolphins a few times – it’s magical,’ says Kayti.
Golden eagles frequently soar above their home, a sight that never fails to captivate. ‘The novelty hasn’t worn off,’ says Luke. ‘I still run outside every time I see one.’
For Kayti, the island offers a sense of balance. ‘Skye allows us to slow down and connect with what really matters. It’s a place where you can breathe deeply and feel grounded.’
Collaborating with local businesses has been one of the most rewarding aspects of Skíõ Pottery. Combining practicality with beauty, their work is featured at places including celebrated restaurant with rooms The Dunvegan, the Michelin-Starred Loch Bay Restaurant, and iconic hotel and restaurant The Three Chimneys.
‘Each of the collaborations pushes us creatively,’ explains Kayti. ‘It’s amazing to see our pottery in such beautiful settings.’
The Island’s community, which is home to many fellow artisans, has also embraced them wholeheartedly. ‘Skye is full of people doing incredible things,’ says Luke. ‘It’s inspiring to be surrounded by so much talent and generosity.’
As Skíõ Pottery’s reputation grows, Kayti and Luke remain focused on their craft rather than on expansion.
‘We want to keep improving, making larger and more complex pieces,’ says Kayti. ‘We’re also exploring how we can incorporate local materials into our work.’
For them, success isn’t about scale – it’s about joy. ‘Our goal is simple,’ says Luke. ‘To stay happy, pay the bills, and continue doing what we love in this incredible place.’
The studio at Skíõ Pottery, Waternish, Isle of Skye is open to visitors daily. For more information, visit skiopottery.com.
