There's something magical about living and working by the water. Here in the south west of Scotland, on the shores of Loch Ryan, the sea air carries inspiration with every breeze: and honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm Dawn, and along with my son Aiden, we run Billow & Breeze from our coastal home of Stranraer. What started as a wee lockdown project has grown into a proper family business, and I still pinch myself sometimes when I think about it. We're not a faceless corporation or a massive warehouse operation. We're just a mum and her son, making beautiful things by hand, inspired by the stunning landscape that surrounds us every single day.
How It All Began
Like most good stories, ours didn't start with a grand business plan or a flash of entrepreneurial genius. It started with wax, a few moulds, and a slightly cluttered kitchen table.
One afternoon, I was melting down some coconut & rapeseed oil wax for what must have been the hundredth time when I realised how much I enjoyed creating these fun wax melts with him and how, with enough effort, we might be able to make a wee business of it which could in time be a business that he could benefit from.
And so it began…Within a few days, we'd set up a Facebook page and a small online shop, chosen the name Billow & Breeze (found within the beautiful theme song to Outlander, it was the perfect nod to our coastal home and the ever-present Scottish wind). When we started getting orders, neither of us had a clue what we were doing, but we were in it together: and that made all the difference.
A Proper Family Affair
My son, Aiden, brings a fresh perspective to everything we do. He’s got a brilliant and unique eye for design and an instinct for what feels truly “coastal”: those little details that turn an idea into something special.
Aiden also lives with a rare genetic condition, which means his energy and day-to-day involvement can be limited. So we’ve shaped Billow & Breeze around what he can do comfortably and confidently: the creative side. That’s where he shines: bringing our coastal inspiration to life through designs, display ideas, and the overall look and feel of what we make and sell. Meanwhile, I handle the more tricky and practical bits like sourcing materials, production planning, and keeping everything ticking along behind the scenes.
It's the little moments that make it special. Like when we both laugh at a wonky wax melt that didn't quite set properly, or when he surprises me some crazy designs or images to put in our shell art pieces. This business isn't just about selling products: it's about building something together, as a team and as a family, building a legacy for Aiden’s future.
Inspired by Loch Ryan
Living in the south west of Scotland isn't just our address: it's our entire creative inspiration. Loch Ryan has this raw, rugged beauty that changes with every season, every tide, every weather front that rolls in down the Loch.
In winter, the loch can be wild and moody, with waves crashing against the front and grey skies that stretch forever. In summer, it's like a different world entirely: calm waters reflecting the blue sky, seabirds calling overhead, and that golden evening light that makes everything look like a painting.
This coastal landscape influences everything we make. Our wax melts often feature scents that remind us of the sea and shore: fresh, clean, natural fragrances rather than anything artificial or overwhelming. Our jewellery incorporates ocean-inspired designs, and even our packaging has that beachy, coastal vibe.
When customers tell us that our products remind them of seaside holidays or make them feel calm and relaxed, we know we've captured a little bit of that Loch Ryan magic.
Handmade and Proud of It
In a world of mass production and next-day delivery, we've chosen a different path. Every single item that leaves our workshop has been touched by our hands, crafted with care, and given the time it needs to be just right.
And in October 2025, that "workshop" grew into something we’d been dreaming about for ages: we opened our very own wee shop in Stranraer. It’s a proper home for Billow & Breeze: a place where we create products on-site, chat scents and gift ideas with visitors, and share a bit of the Loch Ryan-inspired magic in person.
The shop isn’t just about our makes either. We’ve also put together a curated range of interior design touches and coastal gifts from other brilliant makers: the kind of pieces we genuinely love and would have in our own home. It means you can pop in for your favourite wax melts or a hand-decorated oyster shell, and leave with a few extra treasures too.
Take our wax melts, for example. We use coconut rapeseed oil wax because it’s natural, sustainable, non-toxic and provides an excellent scent throw and long burn: no nasty chemicals or synthetic nonsense. Each batch is hand-poured, which means we can control the quality and make sure every single melt is up to our standards. If something isn't perfect, it doesn't go out. Simple as that.
Our commitment to being eco-friendly isn't just a marketing buzzword: it's genuinely important to us. We live in this beautiful coastal environment, and we want to protect it. That means using sustainable materials wherever possible, minimising waste, and never taking more from nature than we need.
All our packaging is recyclable, and we're constantly looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact. It's not always easy (or cheap), but it's the right thing to do. Our customers appreciate it too, and many have told us that's exactly why they choose Billow & Breeze over bigger, less personal alternatives.
What We Make (With Love)
Our product range has grown quite a bit since those early kitchen-table days, but everything still shares that handmade, coastal charm.
Our home fragrance collection includes wax melts, candles, candle sand, aroma stones, diffuser oils and therapeutic pillow mists. Each one is designed to bring a bit of calm and comfort into your home. The botanical ranges are particularly popular: natural scents that aren't overpowering, just gentle and lovely. And our fire starters are a huge hit! Whether you have an open fire, stove or an outside chiminea or fire pit, these are an all natural, non toxic and pretty way to start any fire.
Then there's our shell art, which has become something of a signature. From small decorative pieces to larger one-off pieces, each one celebrates the natural beauty of the Scottish coast. They make gorgeous gifts and work beautifully in coastal-themed homes, but honestly, they fit anywhere you want to add a touch of nature.
Our handmade jewellery is designed with sensitive skin in mind: we use hypoallergenic materials because we know how frustrating it is when you can't wear something you love. The designs are inspired by the coast, with organic shapes and natural textures that feel timeless rather than trendy.
Everything we make is available on our website, and we're always coming up with new ideas. My son jokes that I can't help myself: I'm always experimenting and coming up with new ideas. We now make all our candle pots ourselves too, so he's probably right.
Looking Ahead
Running a family business from the south west of Scotland might not be the most conventional path, but it's ours, and we love it. We're not chasing massive growth or trying to become the next big thing. We're happy making beautiful, handmade products for people who appreciate quality and authenticity.
Every order we pack up feels personal because it is. We know that our wax melts might help someone unwind after a stressful day, or that our shell art might become a treasured piece in someone's home. That's what keeps us going: knowing that what we create brings joy to others.
So that's our story. A mum and her son, working side by side, inspired by the stunning Scottish coast, committed to making things the right way. From Loch Ryan with love, always.
If you ever find yourself in the south west of Scotland, come say hello. We'll probably be in the workshop, covered in wax or painting shells, with the radio playing and a cup of tea going cold. That's just how we like it!