Our Craftspeople

Colin Golder is Hamilton & Inches’ award-winning polisher. He has worked at Hamilton & Inches for over 30 years and completed his training here. Colin’s keen eye for detail is vital to the design and production of our silver, guiding how pieces will be assembled to ensure that they can be polished effectively. He has worked on many complex and intricate pieces, such as the Lanark Bell Trophy.

Panos Kirkos joined Hamilton & Inches in 1988. He trained in his native Greece before moving to Edinburgh with his wife. Panos is an award-winning silversmith and silver chasing expert - the art of moving silver to produce three-dimensional designs. His Hamilton & Inches creations include a crown for the Lord Lyon and the University of St Andrews’ 600th anniversary mace.

Ruaridh Malcomson started his career as an apprentice engraver in London’s Hatton Garden and is now Hamilton & Inches’ master engraver. An experienced artist, Ruaridh works with traditional rudimentary tools and materials – including French chalk, oil of wintergreen and specially shaped gravers. He has a passion for intricate designs, particularly HM the Queen’s Scottish coat of arms.

Jenna Watson joined the Hamilton & Inches team as a Trainee in 2018. Since then, she has gone on to work on many complex and exciting projects, being heavily involved from the design phase through to the intricate creation of exquisite pieces.

Alan began his career at the tender age of 14 as a runner for a jewellers workshop in Glasgow. After leaving school, they offered him an apprenticeship repairing, restoring and producing pieces for clients within the Argyll Arcade. Later, he moved on to work within a diamonds specialist within the arcade where he truly honed his skills in design, craft and stone setting. He began working with Hamilton Inches in April 2019 and was immediately involved in unique and exciting projects including the Scottish Gold collection.

Having studied several techniques, including engraving, at the Italian mint in Rome, Dario Batzella moved to Edinburgh to work for Hamilton & Inches in May 2017 as a Trainee Engraver. Since joining the team, he has created award-winning pieces and brought a wealth of artistry, passion and talent.

David Ramsay began his Hamilton & Inches career polishing trophies for the 2007 Royal Highland Show. He soon developed an interest in silver and became the workshops’ first modern-day apprentice. David has created a number of sporting trophies at Hamilton & Inches, including replica Scottish Open Championship Quaichs which are awarded to the competition’s winners.

Paul Kirkos is the son of our master chaser and expert silversmith Panos. He has recently graduated as an apprentice of the H&I Academy and supported by both the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust and the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. Paul is perfecting the craft of chasing with his Father in the workshop and attending art classes to refine his drawing skills.

George Douglas undertook work experience at Hamilton & Inches during the 2014 festive period. He went on to complete his school studies (with a focus on his passions of art, craft and design), before returning to Hamilton & Inches the following summer. George is now progressing his career following his recent graduation as an apprentice silversmith from the H&I Academy.  

Ruth joined the team following a three-month placement as part of her BA (hons) degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing at the Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh. Achieving the prestigious “Outstanding Student of the Year Award” in 2019, Ruth has a passion for silverwork, taking contemporary inspirations from the urban landscape around her.