Our Story

Skye Soap has a new home — and it's one that brings the story back to where it started.

In July 2026, Isle of Skye Candle Company completed its acquisition of Isle of Skye Soap Company, in the very year the candle business marks its 20th anniversary. It's a full-circle moment for our founder, James Robertson, who had his very first job on Skye working for the soap company as an 18-year-old.

James, outside the converted bothy on his uncle's croft near Portree where the first candles were made.

Where it all began

Back then, the soap company was buying its candles from England. James asked the owner, Fiona Meiklejohn, a simple question: if he could make candles in Scotland using the same scents, would she buy them instead? There was no YouTube to learn from in those days, so he bought a book on candle making, a boiler, and some wax, and started experimenting in a converted bothy on his uncle's croft just outside Portree.

"It was a steep learning curve and I made plenty of mistakes, but it felt worth persevering with. I'm glad I did."
— James Robertson

Two decades later, that bothy experiment has grown into Isle of Skye Candle Company, employing more than 100 people with shops across Skye, Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews and Inverness. The business is run by James and his elder brother, Raghnall Robertson.

Coming full circle

When Fiona decided to retire, taking over Isle of Skye Soap Company felt like the natural next step — a chance to build on everything she created rather than compete with it.

"None of this would have happened without Fiona. She gave me my first job on Skye, and it was while working for her that I had the idea for the business in the first place. We would never have gone head-to-head with her, but with Fiona retiring it felt like the perfect opportunity to expand. It is surreal, but we are incredibly proud to have the chance to build on what she has achieved."
— James Robertson

Fiona herself is glad to be handing things over to safe hands:

"I am delighted that James and Raghnall are the ones to be taking over the soap company. I'm looking forward to enjoying my retirement and spending more time with my family, and I know the business is in good hands."
— Fiona Meiklejohn

What stays the same

Skye Soap will carry on doing exactly what it's always done best: producing natural, small-batch soaps that have built a loyal following of their own. Nothing changes for our customers or our team — there are no job losses as part of this move, and the same care and quality goes into every bar.

James and Raghnall are both Skye through and through, and building something lasting for the island — and the people who call it home — is what drives them.

"We are both aligned on all the things that matter: being a good employer and making Skye a great place for people to live, as well as visit."
— James Robertson

Thank you for supporting Skye Soap, then and now.

Leis gach deagh-dhùrachd,
James & Raghnall Robertson