Dorell Pirie (nee MacKinnon), was born in Australia, but spent most of her childhood in Lochinver. She studied ceramics at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen, working during the summer vacations at Highland Stoneware. She joined the company full time in 1987 and after working or a year on the extruder began decorating. Dorell has displayed great skill at drawing, showing a remarkable control over the Highland Stoneware palette, and has made a significant contribution to the drawing of fish, birds, cats and wild animals. Her talents are particularly well displayed in the painting of our colourful tile panels, which she regards as a great opportunity to work on something challenging that can be completely different from our normal range.
She lives at Clachtoll, a village about five miles north of Lochinver, and in her free time makes polymer clay jewellery. She is an enthusiastic member of a community choir in Ullapool, and enjoys learning to play some of the various musical instruments she has acquired over the years.
