Location: Inverness, Scotland
Client: Ben Wyvis Kilts
Scope: Shop refurbishment, interior layout redesign, ceiling and lighting updates, bespoke display units, changing rooms, exterior rebranding, signage and logo refinement, visual merchandising, styling, and staff uniform concept.
Background
Ben Wyvis Kilts is a long-established kiltmaker in the heart of Inverness, known for its quality craftsmanship and Highland heritage. The client approached Skela Studio to reimagine their retail space—retaining the spirit of tradition while giving the shop a fresh, modern update to meet today’s customer expectations.
Project Objectives
- The brief was to create a more welcoming, functional space that enhances the customer experience while elevating the brand’s street presence. Key goals included:
- Reconfiguring the internal layout to optimise flow and improve functionality
- Installing a new suspended ceiling and updated lighting system
- Redesigning the changing rooms for a more comfortable and private experience
- Removing the partitioned kitchen to open up the space
- Updating the exterior façade with new colours and signage
- Enhancing product display and shop floor styling
- Creating a cohesive, branded uniform for staff
The vision was to blend function with style—showcasing premium kilts while creating a smooth flow for fittings, browsing, and consultations.
Before: A Space in Need of Clarity and Light
Before the refurbishment, the shop felt:
- Dark and compartmentalised due to low lighting and a broken layout
- Visually dated, with limited display opportunities
- Constrained by unnecessary partitions and poor storage use
While the craftsmanship of the kilts was second to none, the interiors didn’t reflect the quality or narrative of the brand.
After: A Light-Filled, Tailored Retail Experience
Skela Studio redesigned the space with a clean, contemporary Highland aesthetic—one that respects the brand’s legacy while positioning it confidently for the future.
Key Changes:
Exterior Design & Signage
A crucial part of this project was the exterior. We selected a refined and contemporary colour palette that complements the existing brand identity while giving it a more modern, high-end look. Care was taken to ensure the tones worked with the natural stonework and the traditional Highland context.
We also redesigned the external signage and logo placement to make it more visible and legible from a distance. The aim was to create a welcoming, professional impression that signals quality to both locals and visitors. The result is a façade that now stands out confidently on the street while remaining respectful to its setting.
Visual Merchandising & Styling
We provided complete styling and merchandising support to create a polished and cohesive look throughout. Stock was curated and grouped to highlight seasonal pieces and hero products.
To further enhance the brand story, we sourced vintage props from local antique shops, a nod to the shop’s heritage and craft. Displays were styled to encourage browsing while maintaining a clean, uncluttered feel.
Window displays were carefully arranged to showcase standout garments and accessories, capturing the attention of passers-by and inviting them in. These are now regularly refreshed and adaptable for seasonal campaigns.
Layout & Spatial Planning
- Removed the partitioned kitchen area to create a more generous customer flow
- Reconfigured the layout to support zoned retail areas: display, fitting, consultation, and workshop
Lighting & Ceiling
- Introduced a suspended ceiling system with integrated LED lighting to enhance visibility
- Warm, directional lighting now highlights key displays and kilts
Display & Storage
- Designed bespoke racking and shelving, taking inspiration from industrial tailor shops with Highland lodge touches
- Created efficient, attractive storage for garments, accessories, and stock
Changing Rooms
- Added new, spacious changing rooms with quality finishes and subtle branding
- Considered customer comfort and staff practicality in their layout
Uniform Concept
- Designed a staff uniform concept for women
- The look reflects the brand’s identity—functional yet stylish, with hints of traditional tailoring
Materials & Style Notes
The design strikes a balance between industrial and Highland lodge aesthetics:
- Natural woods, tweed-inspired textiles, and cast iron accents
- A colour palette rooted in deep greens, charcoal, and muted earth tones
- Focus on craft and texture, echoing the detail in the kilts themselves
Client Feedback
Aleksandra has achieved something remarkable with our kilt shop refurbishment in Inverness, preparing all the interior and exterior design drawings, product selection, purchasing props, and furniture designs for the builders. With the refurb now nearing completion, Aleksandra has also staged the shop, and the result is stunning. Massive thanks again!
– David A.
The Result
The refurbishment has given Ben Wyvis Kilts a professional, welcoming environment that reflects their high standards. It’s now a space where customers can browse, be measured, and fitted in comfort, and one that proudly communicates both tradition and progress.
Looking to Transform Your Retail Space?
Skela Studio specialises in commercial interior design for independent shops, boutiques, and heritage brands across Scotland. Whether you’re in need of a light refresh or a full refit, we bring over 20 years of experience in retail, display, and spatial planning.
📍 Based in Edinburgh – working across the Highlands, Islands and Central Belt.
📞 Let’s chat about your shop.
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