About me
Mark Shiner has been on the water since around the age of 6. He holds a commercial skipper’s UK Certificate of Competence which is similar to the US Coastguard “Six Pack” and is also qualified to instruct skippers to that level.Mark began sailmaking in the Orkney islands, Scotland, in 2004 and was mentored by Margaret Crawford. Since 2011 Mark has managed the local Maritime School, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. In 2013 Mark created the University’s sailmaking course, the only one in Scotland, and in 2023 trained the sailmaking team at Mystic Seaport Museum and continues to mentor them.
Mark works with historic vessels, and crews, travelling around Scotland teaching sailmaking and leading community sail-builds. Mark is a researcher of sailmaking books, from the late 1700’s onwards and is currently examining 18th and 19th century techniques.
In late 2025 Mark was awarded both Scotland and UK Maker of the Year by the UK Heritage Crafts Association for his work in promoting and preserving traditional sailmaking skills.
