Lammermuir Collectables: Miniature Animals for Collectors

The business was started as Lammermuir Designs in 1982. One of the present owners (Cath) worked for the business on and off as a painter. As a result of ill-health of the original owner, the business came to a standstill in the fall of 2006. Vince and Cath Finlayson bought the business in Spring 2007, changing the name to Lammermuir Collectables. They've since launched a web site and Facebook page for collectors.

The majority of the line are tiny little animals called "Minimals", about 2.5 cm in size. Animals range from the Anteater to a Zebra, but the company also calls upon it Scottish roots with a Nessie, Highland Cattle and a Greyfriars Bobby.

Local artists model the figurines which are cast on the premises. The cast resin pieces are then cleaned up and base painted. The individual hand-painting of the animals are done off-site by local painters.

The hand-painting on the American Buffalo is a great job and realistic looking, especially for an one that is about an inch long.

The company is located in East Lothian, Scotland and has customers worldwide from Hawaii to Australia and Tasmania.

Vince says they recently started a collectors group. Sign up for their newsletter for information on new products, as well as free offers.

Lammermuir Collectables are in gift shops worldwide and can also be ordered online direct from their web site. Because the Minimals are so small and light weight, the cost for overseas shipping is quite low and several can be combined for one shipping cost.

Animal and miniature collectors will be delighted with these tiny little figurines. The affordable price makes them easy to pick up at gift shops and if you can't get your fill that way, check out the web site and order them direct.

I've also been captivated by the miniature creatures and will definitely need to hide Nessie from my grandson who loves The Water Horsemovie. Nessie is not quite the same as Crusoe, but close enough for a little boy's imagination.

These collectibles are a great idea for:

• Animal collectors
• Doll house and miniaturists. Although the scale won't be perfect for all the pieces, some of pet figures will work great.
  Check size of dogs
• A collector who doesn't have room for large pieces
• Collectors on a budget, most pieces are $5. and under.
• School-age and older children, too small for youngster who still put stuff in their mouth!