The Road to Highland Rose
Our Story: From Essex Roots to Highland Roses
Where It All Began
Our journey started long before the first wick was ever dipped. We’re Dave and Shelly, and our story traces back to 1992, when we met as teenagers in secondary school in Essex. Life took us on many paths, but in 2023, we followed our hearts on a 400-mile adventure to our new home in the breath taking landscapes of Scotland.
From Recovery to Creativity
Highland Rose Melts wasn’t born in a boardroom; it was born from a place of healing. In 2021, while Dave was navigating the long road to recovery from long COVID, Shelly was looking for a way to spark his creative spirit again.
Before the illness, Dave’s world was filled with music, song writing, and graphic design. To help him reconnect with those creative roots, Shelly surprised him with a candle-making kit. What started as a therapeutic hobby soon became a shared obsession.
"We spent months in trial and error, obsessing over the perfect ingredients and refining our processes. What began as a way to find peace became a full-fledged passion for fragrance."
The Perfect Blend
Our business works because we lean into our strengths. Dave’s sharp eye for design and artistic flair ensures every product looks as good as it smells, while Shelly’s administrative expertise keeps the heart of Highland Rose Melts beating.
Since arriving in Scotland, we’ve been overwhelmed by the warm welcome from our new community. Every wax melt and candle we produce is 100% handmade, crafted with care and designed to transform your home into a sanctuary.
More Than Just Fragrance
We believe every breath should be a luxurious experience. We are constantly inspired by the world around us, and we are excited to keep growing our range with fresh ideas and evocative new fragrances.
Whether you are shopping with us online from afar or stopping by to say hello at a local Scottish market, we invite you to immerse yourself in our enchanting collection and find the scent that feels like home to you.
Accompanied by our rescue dog, Rambo, we explore the rugged hills and hidden gems that inspire our scents. It’s our way of sharing the magic of our new home with you—frequent uploads, fresh air, and a behind-the-scenes look at the life that fuels Highland Rose Melts.
Full Circle: Music & Mountains
Perhaps the most rewarding part of this journey has been seeing Dave’s creative spirit return in full force. The road to recovery that began with a single candle kit has led him back to his first love—music.
We are so proud to share that Dave is back on stage, currently playing bass for the Scottish rock band, We’re Not Scared of Robots. From the quiet precision of pouring wax to the electric energy of a Scottish rock show, our life in this beautiful country is now a beautiful harmony of everything we love.
What We Stand For
At Highland Rose Melts, our brand is built on more than just wax and fragrance. It’s built on the values we live by every day in our Scottish home.
🌿 Handcrafted Excellence
Every single candle and wax melt is hand-poured by us in small batches. We don’t do mass production; we do "made with heart." By keeping our process artisanal, we ensure that every product that leaves our shed meets the high standards we set during those early months of trial and error.
🐾 Kindness at Our Core
As proud owners of a rescue dog, Rambo, we are committed to being a cruelty-free brand. We ensure that our ingredients are ethically sourced and never tested on animals. If it isn't good enough for our home and our pup, it isn't good enough for yours.
🏴 Inspired by the Highlands
Our move to Scotland wasn't just a change of scenery—it was a change of soul. From the rugged coastlines to the misty glens we explore on Wicks and Walks, the Scottish landscape is our greatest muse. We strive to capture that raw, natural beauty in every scent we blend.
🤝 Community & Connection
Whether we’re chatting with you at a local Scottish market or engaging with our subscribers on YouTube, we value the "small business" connection. We aren't a faceless corporation; we’re Dave and Shelly, and we’re honored to be a small part of making your home feel like a sanctuary.
