Hidden Gems: Taran Guitars, Albion Business Centre

GUITARS are certainly much more than a hobby for Leith-based Rory Dowling.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Apr 2010, 12:22 BST
Updated 10th Apr 2010, 13:31 BST

Eight years ago he cast aside his love of furniture-making to focus solely on handcrafting the instruments – the result is Taran Guitars.

Hidden away for four years at the back of the city's Albion Business Centre, Dowling spends his days creating beautiful guitars for musicians and enthusiasts across the country.

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Influenced heavily by his love of the Outer Hebrides ('taran' is Gaelic for thunder), he offers bespoke pieces, one of which is the Meilen (one of Harris' golden beaches), a parlour-sized guitar with a design and shape solely his own.

Dowling sources wood from across the world, including the finest European Spruce, and Brazilian Mahogany for the necks.

He insists his approach to guitar making is one of "questioning and experimentation", meaning customers are guaranteed something different to the run-of-the mill instruments found in many shops.

Taran Guitars also offers a repair service. It's a must-visit business for any guitarist.

Taran Guitars, Unit 5B, Albion Business Centre, Albion Road, 07736-066 345, www.taranguitars.co.uk