ABOUT
PURPLE SAGE SOAP

In the beginning...

Welcome to Purple Sage

Purple Sage is an award-winning artisan skincare brand handcrafted in the Scottish Borders, where regenerative growing, traditional craft and a deep respect for the land come together in every product we make.

Founded at Sage Cottage in Hawick, every soap, balm and botanical blend is made in small batches using plants, herbs and wildflowers grown on site or sourced locally wherever possible. Pure, natural and handmade in Scotland, from soil to skin.

Our Story

My name is Ann Carter. In 2020, after twelve years living in Germany, I moved to the Scottish Borders with a clear vision - to create a skincare business rooted in the land around it.

We found our smallholding and I knew immediately it was the right place. There was space to grow flowers, herbs, vegetables and wildflowers that would find their way into every product. There was a beautiful old barn (a former kennels) that would become, after a great deal of love and labour, The Soap Barn.

Purple Sage was officially founded in 2021. Since then it has grown from a personal passion into an award-winning brand recognised for product quality, sustainability and the authenticity of its story. I've spent those years researching, refining and shaping a business I'm genuinely proud of.

What We Believe

Every Purple Sage product reflects a set of values that don't change.

Plant based always. No animal-derived ingredients, ever. Our formulations are built around the power of botanical oils, herbs and wildflowers.

Sustainability in practice. We use plastic-free, eco-conscious packaging throughout and are actively working towards becoming a Net Zero business. We're also exploring how waste materials can be turned into skincare accessories, unique soap dishes and more, as part of our commitment to the circular economy.

Grown here. The gardens at Sage Cottage are central to everything. We use no-dig growing methods and expand the flower beds every year, deepening the connection between what grows in the ground and what ends up on your skin.

Community matters. We host soap making workshops and skincare demonstrations, offer corporate gift boxes and love nothing more than collaborating with like-minded businesses. If you think we could work together, please do get in touch.

A Personal Note

More than anything, I love hearing from the people who use Purple Sage products. Whether you have a question, a suggestion or simply want to share how you've been getting on, my door is always open.

Ann Carter — Founder, Purple Sage Soap Company

Homegrown Botanicals

At the heart of Purple Sage is a garden.

Using a no-dig approach to growing, we cultivate flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables and wildflowers at Sage Cottage, tending the land in a way that gives back as much as it takes. What grows here finds its way into what we make. That connection between soil and skin is what makes every Purple Sage product genuinely different.

We believe in the quiet power of everyday plants. Nettles, plantain, dandelions, wild gorse, calendula, the botanicals that grow freely across the Scottish Borders landscape are often the most generous. Humble, purposeful and remarkably effective.

This philosophy runs through every collection we make, from our Wildflower Collection, celebrating the plants that grow freely around Sage Cottage, to our Scottish Borders Collection, rooted in the landscapes, traditions and character of this particular corner of Scotland. From Aromatherapy blends crafted with purpose, to Himalayan Salt bars that bring mineral-rich ritual to everyday cleansing.

Every range begins in the same place - outside, in the garden, with a deep respect for what the land offers.

Because the best ingredients don't always come from far away.

Traditional Soap Making

At Purple Sage, every bar of soap is made using the traditional cold process method - the same technique that has been used by soap makers for centuries, and for good reason.

Cold process soap making preserves the natural integrity of each oil, allowing the botanicals, butters and essential oils to retain their full nourishing character. Nothing is rushed. The slow cure that follows, typically four to six weeks, develops a harder, longer-lasting bar with a rich, creamy lather that commercial soap simply cannot replicate.

This method begins with a single commitment: to real ingredients, honestly made. No shortcuts, no synthetics, no melt-and-pour bases. Every bar that leaves Sage Cottage is handcrafted from scratch, in small batches, by hand.

This is what traditional craft looks like.

Skincare Workshops

There is something genuinely special about making something with your own hands.

At Sage Cottage, we offer a range of hands-on workshops and demonstrations, from traditional cold process soap making to balm and skincare crafting. Whether you are coming alone, with friends or as part of a team, our workshops offer a warm, creative experience rooted in the same botanical philosophy that runs through every Purple Sage product.

No prior experience is needed. We guide you through every step, from choosing your botanicals and scents to understanding the craft behind the finished product. You will leave with something you have made yourself, and a deeper appreciation of what goes into every bar and balm we create.

What we offer:

Soap Making Workshops - learn the traditional cold process method from scratch. Explore essential oils, clays and botanicals, and craft your own personalised bar to take home.

Skincare Workshops - from nourishing balms to botanical blends, our skincare workshops explore the wider world of plant based formulation in a relaxed, creative setting.

Demonstrations - perfect for groups, corporate away days, community events and private gatherings. We bring the story of Purple Sage to life, sharing the craft, the ingredients and the passion behind the brand.

All workshops and demonstrations can be held at The Soap Barn at Sage Cottage in the Scottish Borders, or we can come to you. We are happy to travel to your venue, workplace or event - please get in touch to discuss your requirements and we will put together something tailored to your needs.

Come and make something beautiful.

Get In Touch

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The Soap Barn

Sage Cottage, Falside, Hawick TD9 8TJ


Saturday: 10.00am - 03.00pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 04.00pm

Get directions