Meet the Maker: Neil Paterson

Carving Ideas in Stone

Nestled in Alyth, Perth and Kinross, Neil Paterson is a stone carver whose work bridges tradition, personal narrative, and social commentary. Neil’s craft is rooted in heritage yet speaks powerfully to contemporary issues.

Neil’s journey into stone carving started with curiosity and determination. “I just wanted to do it for a long time,” he recalls. Brechin monumental sculptor, Tom Church, gave him the tools and the confidence, to give it a try. From his first gargoyle, Neil has honed his skills using traditional techniques, occasionally aided by modern tools like an angle grinder, to create pieces that range from intimate keepsakes to thought-provoking artworks.

His practice spans three distinct approaches:

Art with Purpose: Drawing on 15 years of supporting refugees, Neil creates deeply reflective pieces that explore themes of displacement and societal response. One striking example is a Pictish-style carving depicting a modern riot, a work that challenges viewers to consider how history echoes in today’s world.
Commissioned Works: From bespoke wedding stones to architectural ornamentation, Neil’s commissions celebrate life’s milestones and enhance homes with enduring beauty and tradition.
Accessible Craft: Recognising the challenge of selling larger stone pieces, Neil has introduced a range of “pocket-money-friendly” skilled carvings which are boxed, labelled, and priced under £100 with the aim of making his craft more approachable and accessible for interested buyers.

For Neil, stone carving is more than craft; it’s a dialogue between past and present. “I’m using craft to do it,” he says of his socially conscious pieces, “but this will never sell. It’s art, it has a purpose beyond that of trying to make me money, or trying to make someone happy, I’m trying to make somebody think.

In 2026 Neil will be sharing his skills with young people at Perth YMCA, demonstrating carving techniques at Birnam Arts and carving a piece of public art at the MiIllhaugh, Alyth. As a member of Perthshire Artisans, Neil has embraced opportunities to exhibit and connect, while adapting his practice to include smaller works. He particularly appreciates the sales platform on their website, which he describes as excellent.

His advice to emerging carvers? “Give away your early work. Don’t hoard it, move on!” Neil described the difficulty with knowing when a piece is finished and quoted Da Vinci, “it’s never finished, it’s just abandoned,’ with advice to decide when it’s time to stop, put the piece aside, and start something new.

Neil’s story exemplifies the spirit of Perth as a UNESCO City of Craft: a place where heritage skills thrive, creativity sparks conversation, and makers like Neil shape culture with their hands and hearts.