Meet the local: slancha

Recently we met with Harvey and Findlay, curators and owners of the design agency slancha, founded in Edinburgh. We met them in Spry, one of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets, a wine bar with a newly opened coffee shop Ante downstairs.  

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1. Can you please tell us about who you are and what you do?

We’re Harvey and Findlay and we’re the founders of slancha. We first met on day one of university, both studying Product Design at Edinburgh College of Art, and we’ve been best mates ever since. During our time at uni, we’d spend countless late nights chatting and bouncing ideas off one another about starting our own design company one day - that became slancha.

Over time, the idea evolved naturally into what it is today,  an online design gallery focusing on collectible furniture and objects. We’re passionate about supporting emerging designers from across the UK, and we host physical exhibitions and events. These gatherings give friends, clients, and the public a chance to see the work up close, meet the makers, and experience design in a more intimate, interactive setting. 

2. Why did you choose to move to Edinburgh?

We both moved to Edinburgh for university, Findlay coming from college in Aberdeen and Harvey from college in Birmingham. For Harvey, having never really left the Midlands before, the city had this exciting pull. It felt like a completely new experience, a new country, a new culture.

Compared to somewhere like London, Edinburgh felt like it had so much untapped potential for design, an emerging scene that still had room for growth. While many of our coursemates were heading south after graduation, we saw an opportunity to stay and carve something out for ourselves here. The city still felt full of promise, and with Glasgow just a short journey away, and boasting its own vibrant design community, it just made sense to stick around. Plus, let’s be honest… the pull of a cold Tennents never hurts.

3. Which area of Edinburgh do you love the most?

We’ve spent a lot of time in Leith and Portobello, those were our neighbourhoods after university, and they still feel like home. They’re vibrant, full of energy, and packed with incredible design studios, food spots, and places to grab a drink. We’re no stranger to Spry on Haddington Place, right at the top of Leith Walk, and you’ll often find us making the trip down to Newbarns at the bottom. There’s a buzz that connects the whole stretch of Leith walk. 

A must for us is the Ingleby Gallery. It’s just a short walk from Spry and consistently puts on shows that highlight both up-and-coming and established artists. It’s one of those places that always sparks ideas.

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4. Where would you go to meet with friends?

For food, we can’t get enough of Porty Tap, hands down some of the best chicken burgers in the city. It’s even better after a day out at the beach, a pint and a burger just hit differently. 

5. What inspires you about Edinburgh?

There’s something endlessly inspiring about Edinburgh’s architecture, it’s so grand and beautiful. After nearly eight years here, it’s easy to take it for granted, but whenever we leave and return, the sheer scale and detail always hit us the moment we step off the train. The city’s green spaces and even its private gardens offer room to breathe,  little pockets of calm that help clear your head.

 Leith’s creative scene is particularly motivating. There’s a real sense of camaraderie and support among the artists and designers here. It’s a small area, but the calibre of work coming out of it is amazing. Custom Lane is a great example, you can pop in, catch up with people, and come away full of fresh ideas. That kind of creative energy is what pushed us to really commit to slancha.

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6. If friends were visiting Edinburgh for the day, what would you recommend?

Start the day with coffee and breakfast at Ante, a proper gem. Then head over to the Ingleby Gallery for some inspiring contemporary art. After that, Bard is a must-visit for lovers of craft and design. You'll find some of the best work in Scotland there.

 For lunch, we’d suggest Mosque Kitchen - quick and delicious. Then off to Stockbridge for a wander and a bit of shopping at Treen. From there, hop on a bus to Portobello. A walk along the beach is the perfect way to round off the day, then  burgers and pints – the ideal ending.