The Team

Mark Laidlaw

Mark started as the Saturday laddie over 30 years ago, he did his apprenticeship training under Phil worked his way up to becoming foreman and is invaluable as Pete’s right hand man. Mark enjoys the diversity of working at the forge saying “Every day is different, every day is a challenge”.

Mark has a passion for restoring vintage motorbikes and has built up quite a collection over the years. He is currently working on a 1976 Yamaha RD250, a long term labour of love!

Craig Forrest

Craig started at the forge at the age of 15 whilst still at school, on leaving school he had a years training at the forge before going to Hereford and Ludlow Technical College to study the B’Tech National Certificate in Blacksmithing. Craig then returned to Ratho Byres Forge where his enthusiastic approach to hard work and his love of fire welding shows through on the many commissions he works on.

Outside of working at the forge Craig enjoys restoring vintage motorbikes and fishing for salmon & trout in the lochs and rivers of Scotland.

Colin Goldsmith

Colin came to the forge for work experience while doing an Art Metal intro course at the local college before heading to Hereford and Ludlow Technical College to study the B’Tech National Certificate in Blacksmithing. He came back to the forge on his return to Edinburgh and joined the team. Colin has an interest in metallurgy and researching the restoration of medieval ironwork which brings valuable knowledge to any restoration or conservation commission that we may be working on.

When at home, Colin enjoys experimenting with his kiln creating fused glass.

Vicky Martin

Vicky did a City & Guilds level 2 forgework course at Oatridge College and then through an 18 month bursary from HES (Historic Environmental Scotland) came to Ratho Byres Forge for further training. Vicky is now employed full time at Ratho Byres Forge and is a great addition to the team. Vicky enjoys the creativity the job allows saying “I enjoy the challenge of the job and how artistic you can go with the freedom of the material”

Away from work, Vicky creates dragons and mystical beasts using polymer clay and enjoys developing her archery skills.